Guide to Timeless, Layered Neutrals

White paint is never just white.

It may seem like the simplest choice you’ll make in your home, but walk into any paint store and you'll find yourself staring at a wall of swatches with names like Chantilly Lace, Alabaster, and Snowbound, all whispering slightly different promises of calm, light, and style.

So how do you choose?

At Nichols Interiors, we believe white is a powerful design tool but only when used with intention. The undertones of white paint whether warm, cool, or neutral can dramatically shift based on your home’s lighting, finishes, and even the time of day.

Here’s our guide to choosing and using white paints with confidence, including some of our tried-and-true favorites from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams.

Our Favorite White Paints

Benjamin Moore Favorites

Chantilly Lace OC-65
A clean, crisp white with minimal undertones. It’s bright without being sterile, making it an excellent choice for trim, ceilings, and ultra-modern spaces. This is one of our favorite choices when we want something fresh and gallery-like.

White Dove OC-17
Soft, creamy, and timeless. White Dove is a warm white that works beautifully on walls in rooms where you want warmth without going beige. We love this one for classic, layered interiors.

Cloud White OC-130
A gentle, warm white that pairs beautifully with wood tones, antique finishes, and transitional styling. It’s a bit cozier than White Dove and ideal for living spaces or bedrooms.

Sherwin-Williams Favorites

Alabaster SW 7008
A designer darling for a reason. Alabaster is warm, neutral, and incredibly versatile. It’s bright enough to feel fresh but soft enough to work in nearly every room—from kitchens to cozy dens.

Pure White SW 7005
Not too warm, not too cool—this one’s a great middle-ground white that pairs effortlessly with cool or neutral tones. It’s a go-to for homes with mixed materials and changing daylight.

Snowbound SW 7004
With a subtle gray undertone, Snowbound reads as a cooler white and is ideal for clean, modern spaces. If your home leans contemporary or your finishes include marble, this may be your match.

How to Use White Paints Together

White is rarely used alone. You may be pairing a wall color with a different white for the ceiling, trim, or cabinetry. Our tip?

Keep your undertones consistent.

Mixing warm and cool whites can unintentionally create contrast—making one color look dingy or the other look harsh. Stick to all warm whites or all cool whites to create a cohesive look.

We also recommend testing samples on the wall before committing. Paint swatches on more than one wall, and observe them throughout the day in natural and artificial light.

Need Help Choosing Your White?

That’s where we come in. At Nichols Interiors, we consider the full picture: the natural light in your space, the finishes you’re working with, the overall mood you want to create—and the practical realities of how your home is lived in.

We believe that white paint should never be boring. It’s a foundation for beautiful, intentional living.

Let us help you find your perfect shade.