Nov

22

2024

Building Tips, Tips & Tricks

The Best White Paint for your Home

Warm whites, cool whites, neutral whites – the white paint choices available can seem daunting, overwhelming and never ending. We are here to make that process easier and help you select the best white paint for your home.

If you are reading this blog to find the ‘white of all whites’ that can be used anywhere and everywhere, we are sorry to break it to you, but that shade does not exist. Sure, there are a few ‘play it safe’ options, but not a white to suit every home. Instead, we have compiled our best tips to find your ultimate white and have some examples from our customer homes too.

Warm, cool or neutral

White is just not white. It is amazing how different white shades can vary in different homes with their unique furnishings and surroundings. Let’s start at the beginning.

Understanding the tones

Knowing the difference between tones is essential selecting your shade. When the difference is between a warm, relaxed vibe and a bright, contemporary space, you need to get this correct. Your preference is entirely based on your taste.

Cool Whites

The cooler whites have undertones of greys, blues or greens and are associated with the sea and sky. These will give you a crisp, clean and bright look and are incredibly popular for modern and minimal spaces. This tone appears vivid and consequently reflects more light, making your home feel bigger and more open.

Cooler tones are particularly suited to the Hamptons style, which are consequently very popular across our homes. Here are our top Wattyl cool white picks:

• Feather Dawn*
• Winter Mushroom*
• Cape Horn

Cool White – Feather Dawn Quarter on Door, Wall Panelling, Skirting and Architraves in Nuriootpa

Warm Whites

On the other hand, warm whites have undertones of yellows, reds or beige and are associated with sunshine and fire. These provide a warm, cosy and welcoming feel and are perfect for spaces that don’t have a lot of natural light.

Warmer tones pair well with natural timbers and bold furniture choices. These are our top Wattyl warm white picks:

• Freesia*
• Calcium
• First Snow

Neutral White

For a balanced look, neutral whites offer a clean and balanced look that don’t lean too much towards cool or warm. These tones are perfect for pairing with many other colours and provide a balance between warmth and light reflection.

This is our top Wattyl neutral pick:

• Floral White

*some colours may need an additional coat of paint to ensure full coverage. Your Selections Consultant can discuss this with you during your selections appointment.

Keep it cohesive

It is tempting to mix up paint colours based on the room type and incoming light. Our suggestion is to keep it cohesive throughout your home. Not only will this help the flow from room to room, but it will also make your home feel more spacious and open.

As a general rule, these are the sheen finishes that we opt for. You are welcome to change these if you would prefer a different option:

• Walls – Low Sheen
• Ceiling and Cornice – Flat Sheen
• Skirting, Architrave and Doors – High Gloss

The verdict

The overwhelm of finding the perfect white colour is all too real when it comes to making the decision. The best piece of advice we can give is to not get too caught up. Most of your guests (us included) are not going to be able to tell the difference between whites on your walls.

If your choice ends up not matching with your furniture choices, or a new home pops up next door with the opposing colours giving a new reflection, your walls can always be repainted later.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out Our Projects to see more colour combinations.

By Amy Rosendale