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The 11 Best Warm White Paint Colors, According to Designers

Discover the warm white hues that designers love for transforming interior spaces.
Savannah Sher Avatar
A cozy-looking living room with off-white walls, several plants, and true-white polyester couch.
Photo: istockphoto.com

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Choosing the best warm white paint color can transform your interior into a cozy, welcoming sanctuary of comfort and familiarity. Warm whites—with their subtle undertones of red, orange, yellow, or pink—create a soft backdrop off of which natural and warm white light can reflect for the perfect ambiance.

We spoke to a few decor and color experts to get their opinions on the best interior white paint colors, from creamy ivories to gentle off-whites. Whether you’re looking for the perfect shade for a Scandi living room, serene bedroom, or peaceful home office, this curated selection of white paints will inspire and elevate your decor with just the right touch of warmth.

1. White Dove by Benjamin Moore

Entrywall painted in Benjamin Moore's "White dove" color.
Photo: benjaminmoore.com

Benjamin Moore’s White Dove is one of the most popular colors the paint brand offers. It’s a soft, warm white with a hint of gray that creates a versatile and inviting backdrop that seamlessly blends with a variety of decor styles. Its understated elegance makes it perfect for walls, trim, and ceilings.

Nick Lopez, founder and CEO of Lime Painting, describes White Dove as “a versatile and soft warm white with a hint of gray, perfect for creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere in any room.”

Best For: Creating an inviting atmosphere
Buy It: Get White Dove at Ace Hardware

2. Wimborne White by Farrow & Ball

Blue wall with white accent shelf painted in Wimborne White by Farrow & Ball.
Photo: farrow-ball.com

Nicole Cullum, interior designer and color expert at Color Caravan in Taos, New Mexico, says, “My favorite warm whites have balanced undertones that won’t turn pink, orange, or yellow once you paint all four walls. They have a cozy, inviting feel with just enough tint to still be a beautiful, even white.”

One of her top picks is Wimborne White by Farrow & Ball. She describes it as being “one step away from a pure white but has a slight hint of warm undertones,” which, she explains, “gives Wimborne White an inviting, timeless feel that looks elegant and clean.”

Best For: Timeless elegance
Buy It: Get Wimborne White at Farrow & Ball

3. Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams

Bedroom with beige bedding and light wood floors with walls painted in Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams.
Photo: sherwin-williams.com

Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams is a pure, soft off white with a slight hint of warmth. Its neutral yet radiant quality allows it to adapt beautifully across various settings, making any space feel bright yet cozy.

Nick Lopez describes the color as a “creamy and warm white that exudes elegance and sophistication, ideal for adding warmth to both traditional and contemporary spaces.”

Best For: Bright, cozy atmospheres
Buy It: Get Alabaster at Lowe’s

4. White Veil by Behr

Modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances painted in White Veil by Behr.
Photo: homedepot.com

Behr’s White Veil is a delicate, soft white that radiates a subtle, serene glow and captures the essence of tranquility. Its light airiness makes it an ideal choice for making any room feel more refreshing and peaceful, offering a backdrop that complements darker colors or low-light spaces.

As Nicole Cullum explains, “White Veil has a hint of neutral beige, which makes it look amazing with wood tones and deep accent colors. This is an ideal color for kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms to make them feel bright, airy, and inviting.”

Best For: Pairing with darker hues
Buy It: Get White Veil at The Home Depot

5. Downy by Sherwin Williams

Modern living room with green sofas and accent rug painted in Downy by Sherwin Williams.
Photo: lowes.com

When it comes to choosing a shade of white for the most lived-in spaces in your home, color experts love Downy by Sherwin Williams. This radiant white is infused with a subtle pink hue that emits a warm radiance, creating an inviting atmosphere.

Describing where this dependable white shade works best in a home, Cullum says, “Downy has a soft, creamy glow while still reading as a bright white. This is a great color for social areas like kitchens and living rooms.”

Best For: Kitchens and living rooms
Buy It: Get Downy at Lowe’s

6. Historic White by Dunn Edwards

Bedroom with modern teal bedding and walls painted in Historic White by Dunn Edwards.
Photo: dunnedwardsdura.com

“When selecting whites for interior colors,” explains color expert Jennifer Guerin at JG Color Studios in San Diego, “it’s all about the undertones.” According to her, “Recognizing those undertones before a color even goes on the walls can be a lifesaver.”

One of Guerin’s top picks is Dunn Edwards’s Historic White. She calls the shade a “classic warm white without any peach or pink hues that makes for a timeless look in small spaces.”

Best For: Small spaces
Buy It: Get Historic White at Dunn Edwards

7. Atrium White by Benjamin Moore

Minimal room with small sofa painted in Atrium White by Benjamin Moore.
Photo: benjaminmoore.com

Another of Guerin’s most-used shades of white paint is Atrium White by Benjamin Moore. This warm, creamy white has a subtle hint of pink undertone. It’s known for its ability to create a luminous and inviting atmosphere, making it a popular paint color for calm and serene looks indoors.

Guerin says, “A tiny little warmth can go a little way, and the small doses of sunshine emitting from Atrium White can brighten up cabinets, trim, or even an entire home.”

Best For: Cabinets and trim
Buy It: Get Atrium White at Ace Hardware

8. Cream in My Coffee by Valspar

Living room with earthy decorations and beige sofa painted in Cream in My Coffee by Valspar.
Photo: lowes.com

While most of the whites our color experts recommended were very pale, some amateur home decorators may be searching for a color with a touch more depth. They’ll likely be charmed by the almost-but-not-quite beige hue of Cream in My Coffee, with its creamy, warm undertones.

Cream in my Coffee can be used as a versatile backdrop that pairs well with a wide range of colors and decor styles. Lopez describes the white paint shade as “a soft and creamy white with a warm undertone, evoking a sense of relaxation and serenity.” Because of this, he thinks it’s an excellent choice for bedrooms and living areas.

Best For: Bedrooms and living rooms
Buy It: Get Cream in My Coffee at Lowe’s

9. Cloud White by Benjamin Moore

Wall with mantle and candle sticks painted in Cloud White by Benjamin Moore.
Photo: benjaminmoore.com

One of Cullum’s favorite cream white colors is Benjamin Moore’s popular Cloud White. She remarks, “Cloud white is a designer go-to for its barely-there warmth,” adding, “This white has a carefully formulated balance of warm and cool undertones, so it won’t go overly warm in south- or west-facing light or look dull and gray in north or east light, which makes it a very versatile color that can be used throughout the home.”

Best For: Spaces with tricky lighting
Buy It: Get Cloud White at Ace Hardware

10. Swiss Coffee by Behr

Modern and stylish laundry room painted in Swiss Coffee by Behr.
Photo: behr.com

While many avoid whites with yellow undertones because they can look somewhat dated, they can offer vintage charm when done right. Swiss Coffee by Behr is a warm, inviting off-white color with a creamy depth, offering a cozy backdrop that exudes comfort and simplicity.

Lopez calls Swiss Coffee “a classic warm white with subtle undertones of beige and yellow, providing a timeless and welcoming feel to any space.”

Best For: Warm yellow undertones
Buy It: Get Swiss Coffee at The Home Depot

11. Pointing by Farrow & Ball

Classical living room with white furniture, a green house tree, a wooden mirror and walls painted in Pointing by Farrow & Ball.
Photo: paintonline.ie

Named after the hue of lime pointing found in classic brickwork, Pointing by Farrow & Ball is a crisp and straightforward white. As part of their Red Based Neutrals line, it carries a warm undertone that invariably softens the ambiance of a room when paired with bold, traditional colors.

Lopez describes Pointing as “a warm and creamy white with a slightly earthy undertone, bringing a sense of comfort and serenity to interiors, especially in natural light.”

Best For: Spaces that receive lots of natural light
Buy It: Get Pointing at Farrow & Ball

 
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