How to Find the Perfect White Wall Paint

The best white wall paint for your home depends on your home

Fresh, light, and uplifting, white wall paint can take a room from drab to design with a simple coat of Dulux. A long-time favourite of architects, the possibilities of white wall paint have swept through interior design for the DIY crowd too. However, upon searching “white paint” you will quickly find yourself lost in the mire that is the world of white wall paint. A seemingly obvious and simple choice quickly becomes overwhelming. But don’t lose sight of the trees for the wood; there are some simple paint choosing guidelines you can follow to determine the right white paint for any room in your home.

In this article we guide you towards the perfect white paint for interiors walls, no matter the room. We also look at some of the favourite white paint colours from the top paints brands in the UK.

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How to find the right white paint for every room

Before you get started on any redecoration project, you need to know what you are after. Designers don’t pick a shade they like and apply it everywhere without a thought, and neither should you. Whether you want white paint for kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, or hallways, there are some simple tips to make sure you know exactly what kind of interior white paint will look best. And these tips work for other colours as well!

1. Always test your paint
   Don’t trust your computer screen. Getting attached to a colour you see online will only end in disappointment when it doesn’t look the same on your walls. This is why the tester pot is your best friend. And you don’t have to test it directly on the wall; try painting the colour onto a piece of paper and observing how light and placement changes it before committing to a wall test.
2. Know your undertones
   Whites are divided into cool and warm, based on their undertones. Cool whites have a blue, grey, green or hint of black undertone, while warm whites have red, yellow, pink or brown base.
3. Know your light
   South-facing rooms are the brightest in the house while the light in north-facing rooms is cooler and flatter than other rooms, making them appear colder and darker. South-facing rooms drink in all that flattering, middle-of-the-day sunlight and colours are stronger and more true. If you have south-facing rooms with plenty of flattering natural light, you are free to choose any undertones you like, or pair it with a cool white paint to enhance the space. Combat the cool light of north-facing spaces by choosing a warm hued white to make the light less flat.
4. Complement the way you use the room
   The difference between a cool white paint and a warm white paint may not seem big when you are looking at swatches, but once it is on your wall the difference can be huge. Look at the way you want your room to feel – dramatic, subtle, cosy, stylish – and choose your white interior wall paint from there. Don’t try to fight what you already have. A certain white looking amazing in someone else’s space does not mean it will work for yours.
5. Sleep on it
   So the paint is on the wall and you think it’s the one. Don’t just race to the nearest B&Q; give it a night to percolate and see whether you still like it in the morning light.

The best white wall paint from top brands – cool, warm, and true whites

With British TV consisting of equal parts home renovation shows and cooking shows, it is clear where our hearts lie. And within these shows it is the crisp white interior walls that we want to emulate most, making white paint for interior walls one of the most popular paints from all brands across the country. Below we look at some of the most popular white paints for walls from a range of brands and where they work best.

The most popular true white paints

True whites are those that have no undertones to give them any warmth or coolness. In a small space a true white will really brighten it up by bouncing light around and lifting the room. In a room with cooler or little natural light though it can seem cold.

• Dulux – Pure Brilliant White
  A true white with no undertones, this colour is perfect for ceilings and walls in almost any application. Neither creamy not blue-y,  Dulux paint features colour guard protection that will help to maintain its appearance.
• Benjamin Moore – Chantilly Lace
  A bright, pure white that is often used as a frame or complement to other colours. The pureness of the white can balance out against other colours or give a modern and streamlined look when used on walls.

The most popular cool white paints

Cool whites provide a sharp and contemporary feel to a space, working well with the warm light of south-facing rooms. Their crispness works with modern interiors or industrial themes. Some of the most popular cool white interior paints are:

• Farrow & Ball – Wevet
  Named for an old Dorset term for spider’s web, this is a clean, cool neutral with hints of grey. It is perfectly understated and works well on walls to create a neutral and contemporary space. Works particularly well when paired with cooler greys.
• Dulux- Cotton Breeze
  A soft and light white with undertones of blue, this cool neutral will work well with any existing colour palette.
• Farrow & Ball – Strong White
  Strong by name and by nature, this white has light grey undertones and a contemporary, urban feel which can be paired with any space.

The most popular warm white paints

If your home is older, with period features or Victorian or Edwardian vibes, a warm white will bring the space to life. They provide depth and cosiness to a space. However, a warm white in a south-facing room with lots of natural light can look yellow and just old. Be careful to take in the light conditions, too.

• Benjamin Moore – Simply White
  A favourite for ceilings, walls, and trim, this flexible and versatile white has undertones of pale yellow. It is clean and crisp and undeniably warm.
• Farrow & Ball – Slipper Satin
  There are no blue tones in this white at all, and the warmth of the colour works well to create an elegant neutral for any space. It is a delicate shade based on the colour of ballet slippers.