What Is The Best Shade Of White Paint? Our guide for any room.

Right White ColourA fresh white coat of paint always looks stunning in an interior space. White paint helps open up space, making it brighter and making the room appear bigger. This is a great option for those up against Vancouver real estate prices!

There are literally hundreds of whites to choose from and many of our clients are unsure of where to start. Here are a few things to consider if you’re thinking about painting your interior space white. 

Get to know undertones

Undertones are generally organized into two sets: warm and cool. Warm white will have yellowish undertones and cool whites will have bluish undertones. If you have a paint swatch and aren’t sure whether it is cool or warm, a neat trick is to hold it next to a white piece of paper. The undertones will become clear immediately.

When choosing the right fit for your home it is important to not only consider personal preference but also consider what else is in the room. As a general rule mixing whites with cool and warm undertones is a mistake. This can lead to a final living area that looks mismatched.

Of course, you can use pure white (like Sherwin-Williams’ Extra White). While an attractive choice, a pure white readily shows dirt and can even contribute to eye fatigue.

Lighting can effect the tone of your white paint

The amount of light in a room will impact the tone of the wall colour. Always try to get physical swatches from your local paint store so you can see the colours in your home. Try the swatches on your walls in different areas and at different times of the day. This will help ensure your choice looks great all over the room, throughout the day.

Your lamps and light fixtures will also have warm or cool undertones depending on the type of light bulb used. A great hack to tie an interior space together is to match the paint and lighting undertones. Here’s a great resource for more information on how that works!

Don’t forget the finish

Once you choose your colour, the last step is to consider the finish. In 2021 lots of new matte/flat finishes are gaining popularity. These finishes have a luxurious look and can be a great fit for some homes. However, a matte finish can difficult to clean without causing damage.i

Most homes are painted with a semi-gloss finish.  Semi-gloss is a great neutral choice that doesn’t look too shiny but is also easy to clean and maintain. Hi-gloss is used for high use areas like kitchens or bathrooms. Older paint technology used to suggest using high gloss in areas like entry hallways where pets and children might make a mess, but the new semi-gloss paints can do an excellent job.

If fact if you have young children or active pets, we suggest opting for a semi-gloss finish that will stand up to some tough scrubbing and cleaning.

Looking for a more luxurious look? Consider a matte finish for your space. It is amazing how different finishes can change the feel of the interior space. 

Still not sure?

Fresh Paint is here to help! Each Fresh Paint estimate comes with a dedicated Ace that will be happy to provide colour selection advice. We’re happy to share the most common whites our clients are painting with and what may work best for your home.

If you’re looking to go the extra mile and meet with a professional colour consultant, Fresh Paint can provide a referral and cover part of the cost.

If you’re ready to repaint your interior, start with a free online estimate, and we’ll be in touch within 24 hours!