Other Popular White Paint Colors
If you’re stuck trying to decide between White Dove, Swiss Coffee, Alabaster, Chantilly Lace, Simply White, or another white paint color, check out my article: White Paint Color Guide.
This white paint color guide has 11+ of the most popular white paint colors with a mini review for each color. It has all the details you need to know, plus side-by-side comparisons, and images of the paint colors in real homes to help you choose.
Or, for some white paint colors that are a shade or two darker check out my article: Off-White Paint Color Guide.
Check out all of our paint color guides here – there is White, Off-White, Black, Gray, Beige, Greige, Brown & Taupe and many more!
For a more in-depth step-by-step guide that will lead you through my proven process for choosing a paint color, check out my article: How To Choose A Perfect Paint Color. It will help you select a paint color using: undertones, lighting, room direction, sheen, samples, and a few more helpful tips!
White Dove vs Simply White
White Dove by Benjamin Moore (OC-17) vs Simply White by Benjamin Moore (OC-152)
White Dove and Simply White are both popular colors by Benjamin Moore. What is the difference between White Dove and Simply White? Simply White is a fair amount lighter, with LRVs of 83.16 and 89.52 respectively.
Does White Dove look good with Simply White? Yes! Many people choose to pair Simply White with White Dove, as both are considered warm whites and look great together.
Simply White trim and White Dove walls is a very popular combination amongst homeowners and designers.
Grab a sample of Simply White here. And you can get a sample of White Dove here.
Does Benjamin Moore Advance paint need a top coat?
Benjamin Moore Advance is such a high-quality, high-performance paint product, which should not typically need a topcoat. After allowing it to dry and cure, and if you have applied the paint correctly, the result is a beautiful hard finish unaided by an extra topcoat.
Even after viewing the results, you might feel that you want to add a top coat anyway, but I would recommend doing a test run of this first. Applying a topcoat over a paint like Advance could cause some yellowing or even cracking in the topcoat. This isn’t a sure bet, but the risk is there, so check out other examples or do a small test to make sure you will be happy with the larger result.
You may have used a topcoat in previous projects, and been happy with the outcome, but before you add the extra cost of purchasing a topcoat, check out the results when just applying ADVANCE. Chances are you will be more than satisfied and avoiding the extra cost of a topcoat is another reason why ADVANCE paints come highly recommended.
The Easiest Way To Test Paint Colors
If you look at a paint color on your phone, or on a paint color card in a store, you’ll get a decent idea how the paint color will look.
However, the lighting and colors in every room are unique, and paint colors always look a little different once you get them up on your walls.
This is why it’s so important to test out paint colors on your walls.
My favorite way to test paint colors is using Samplize Peel-and-Stick Paint Samples. I’ve been using them for years, and they always make it so much easier to choose a paint color.
Sale alert! Right now you can get 2 samples for FREE, when you purchase 8 or more.
Plus, if this is your first time ordering from them, use can my code: JOYFULLY5OFF to get an additional $5 off your first order. (And yes, you can stack this with the bundle deal going on! #booyah)
Check out the Samplize website HERE.
Ok back to the best Benjamin Moore paint colors of 2024…
8. Pale Oak (OC-20) by Benjamin Moore
Pale Oak – LRV: 68.64 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)
Also known as Benjamin Moore – Athena (858)
Next up on the list, Benjamin Moore Pale Oak is a warm, light, and bright gray paint color. With a LRV of 68.64, it’s so bright, that it’s almost halfway between off-white and gray.
This paint color appears gray and, with the right lighting, you can see the faintest warm golden glow of yellow undertones.
Pale Oak is one of the best Benjamin Moore paint colors for bedrooms. I used it on the walls of our guest room here.
This warm gray Benjamin Moore paint color looks perfect in the bedroom below.
bedroom wall color – Pale Oak (source)
BENJAMIN MOORE SWISS COFFEE OC-45
LRV 81.91 (PREVIOUSLY 83.93) (learn more)
Swiss Coffee is a popular white paint colour, due in part to Studio McGee using it in their own home – but this doesn’t mean it’s best for YOURS. Swiss Coffee is very comparable to White Dove, not just in LRV, but in a general approach. HOWEVER, the difference between the two is that Swiss Coffee is slightly more likely to pick up a wee tiny touch of green.
THE BEST ROOMS FOR SWISS COFFEE
Swiss Coffee’s passive warmth makes it a great choice for any exposure, knowing that it WILL look that bit warmer in southern light and flatter in northern light (as will any warm white)
WHERE NOT TO USE SWISS COFFEE
- I would be less inclined to partner Swiss Coffee with finishes that have a pink or taupe undertone, as I would worry about the undertones bouncing off each other a bit
- if I have a choice, I’ll choose White Dove over Swiss Coffee EVERY TIME – I find it more predictable
READ MORE
Not sure which white is best for your home?
Check out my E-design & Online Color Consulting Packages – I’d love to help!
Chat soon,
Originally written in 2018, awesomely updated in 2021
Do I need a primer with Benjamin Moore Advance paint?
There are a lot of paint + primer options on the market right now, however, Benjamin Moore ADVANCE is not one of them. That being said, Benjamin Moore does offer an ADVANCE series primer that you can use to go along with your paint, so you don’t have to go on an extensive search to find the right primer for your project.
Some people feel that they don’t need primer and that it’s not a necessary step for their painting project, but I strongly advise against this. Primer is an extremely helpful step in preparing your cabinets or any other area for their final coats of paint. And using primer is the best way to help extend the lifespan of the appearance of your paint and ensure that the paint adheres well to surfaces.
Without primer, the paint may become tacky and refuse to stick to your cabinets, and stains can become a huge issue for your lighter paint colors. A lack of primer can also cause a greater risk of the paint peeling off down the road, so I always advise you to prep your surfaces with primer, and Benjamin Moore’s ADVANCE primer is a great choice to pair with these ADVANCE paints.
If you have never used a primer before, don’t be afraid, it’s used in the same way that paint is. You can apply it with your typical brushes and rollers, but as I’ll talk more about later, I recommend using a paint sprayer for your projects.
BENJAMIN MOORE SUPER WHITE OC-152
LRV 89.09 (learn more)
Super White is very subtly cool white. But even with this slightly cool vibe, the overall look is simple, clean and great for modern spaces.
Above, BM Super White. Below, BM White OC-151
THE BEST ROOMS FOR SUPER WHITE
If you have a south-facing light, Super White is a great way to balance the warm light without tipping TOO yellow (as it will pick up some of the sun’s warmth).
Rooms with warm western afternoon sunshine also suit the slightly cool approach of Super White, just make sure you like how it looks in the morning hours too!
WHERE NOT TO USE SUPER WHITE
If you want a stark bright white. The slightly lower LRV of Super White makes it softer than some others, but the cool tone helps it look white and crisp, but there are BRIGHTER whites.
With any surface or finish even REMOTELY related to a warm Tuscan style.
Where to buy Benjamin Moore Advance cabinet paint?
If you would like to purchase Benjamin Moore ADVANCE paints, then you have a few different options on where to go.
Shopping online has become more convenient, and Benjamin Moore does offer an online paint store where you can browse their products. Ace Hardware is another large retailer where you can browse Benjamin Moore Advance paints online and schedule to pick up in-store or set up delivery if available in your area.
For physical locations, you can always check for Benjamin Moore stores in your area. Benjamin Moore offers a store locator on their site. Here you can find Benjamin Moore stores and other retailers including independent sellers who may have ADVANCE in their stock.
Final Thoughts on the Best Benjamin Moore Paint Colors
Benjamin Moore is one of my very favorite brands of paint, and they’re top 10 colors are so good. It’s interesting how the top 5 bestselling paint colors were white, while numbers 6-10 were all gray.
Whether you’re looking for a pretty classic gray paint or a fresh & modern white paint, these tried and true colors should help you narrow down your selection. Use one of these Benjamin Moore paint colors for bedrooms or as a whole house color in your living room.
There you have it – everything you need to know about the best Benjamin Moore paint colors of 2024. I hope this helped you find a popular Benjamin Moore paint color to try in your home!
BENJAMIN MOORE WHITE DOVE OC-17
LRV 83.16 (PREVIOUSLY 85.38) (learn more)
White Dove is a soft, warm white paint colour. It has a warm creamy yellow undertone that’s WELL grounded with a neutral base to calm it down. While some don’t love the bit of yellow in White Dove, most find it acts like a passive warmth, not an actual ‘colour’.
White Dove accommodates many different paint colours because while it’s a warm white, it has a slight neutral base bringing the warmth down. It doesn’t come off as creamy and warm as Cloud White, but also isn’t as clean as Chantilly Lace (both coming shortly). White Dove is a soft white, so it won’t act like white, but a softer warmer version of it.
THE BEST ROOMS FOR WHITE DOVE
No matter what your exposure is, White Dove is a great option, knowing that it WILL look a bit warmer in southern light and flatter in northern light (as will any warm white).
It’s a starting place for homes with warmer cream, beige or tan finishes (meaning you wouldn’t want a WHITER white).
WHERE NOT TO USE WHITE DOVE
White Dove only acts like a TRUE white when it’s not compared to a LEGIT bright white and is in the right lighting conditions.
Sanding Benjamin Moore Advance
Sanding is another practice that you should use to ensure the best results for your painting project. Benjamin Moore themselves advises multiple rounds of light sanding throughout the painting process to achieve a smooth finish, and I’ll break down their advice here. (Also, my advice for sanding will assume that you are using a primer as well, as I recommended before it is essential for a great looking result for your cabinets!)
Before you even apply primer, you should sand down the cabinet surfaces to allow the primer to adhere better, and to remove some small imperfections here and there. Benjamin Moore recommends medium sandpaper (100 to 150 grit) and I think that’s a pretty good suggestion. After this is done and the cabinet surfaces are clean and sanded, and your area is prepped, you can apply your ADVANCE primer.
After the primer is dry, it’s a good idea to sand again. Here, Benjamin Moore recommends fine-grit sandpaper (220 grit) or sanding block, to lightly go over all surfaces. Especially focus on evening out your cabinets and removing any more imperfections.
When you’re satisfied with this sanding job, you can then begin to apply your ADVANCE paint. Just like with the primer, you must let your paint dry before moving on to the next (and final!) sanding step.
After this first coat of paint, you can go over your cabinets with a fine (220 grit) sandpaper again, just like you did after applying the primer. This should be the last time you need to sand. With this sanding done, you can then apply another coat of your Advance paint, and after it is fully dried you can enjoy a job well done.
White Dove (OC-17) by Benjamin Moore
White Dove – LRV: 83.16 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)
Also known as Benjamin Moore – PM-19
Not only is White Dove is the most popular Benjamin Moore white paint color, it is the #1 bestselling Benjamin Moore color.
If you’re looking for a clean, warm, white paint color, you simply have to try White Dove. It’s Benjamin Moore’s most popular paint color of all time for good reason!
What wall color goes with everything? White Dove.
What wall color is timeless? White Dove.
What is the best neutral color to paint on walls? White Dove.
White Dove by Benjamin Moore is less bright than many other white paint colors. It has a LRV of 83.16. This means that it’s not a stark white, it won’t easily wash out in bright lighting, and has good depth of color.
It can also be classified as a bright off-white. This makes White Dove a popular Benjamin Moore paint color for exteriors.
This beautiful and timeless paint color has golden yellow-orange undertones. The undertones might be barely noticeable depending on the lighting and other colors in your home.
I’ve used White Dove in several different projects, and I’m always obsessed with how it turns out. It’s definitely my favorite of all the warm white Benjamin Moore paint colors.
In fact, after painting our entire first home in White Dove, I wrote an blog post on the specifics of this paint color as well as shared 15+ images of White Dove painted in real spaces.
living room wall color – White Dove (source)
Would you like to see one of these popular Benjamin Moore paint colors in your own room? Grab some peel-and-stick samples of the best BM paint colors for the easiest, no mess way to test this color in your home!
Yes, you can always go to your local paint store and buy a few tiny cans of sample paint, and then paint little patches all over your walls. (Don’t forget to paint two coats!)
But these reusable peel-and-stick samples from Samplize are so much more convenient!
All you need to do is peel and stick. So convenient!
Get Peel-and-Stick samples of the top BM paint colors HERE
Use my discount code: JOYFULLY5OFF for $5 off your first order.
Benjamin Moore also has some really great color finding tools on their site, you can see all of the Benjamin Moore color finder tools here.
I hope you found this list of top 10 most popular Benjamin Moore colors helpful!
If you’re reading this, you’re probably planning a painting project soon. So we’ve listed our favorite painting tools & resources that we love below, including how to get paint on a budget and our favorite hack for painting ceilings!
WALLS, CABINETS, TRIMS: THESE POPULAR WHITES HAVE YOU COVERED
If you’ve been looking for that perfect white paint colour for your walls, trims or kitchen cabinets, I’m sure you’ll agree when I say that white is a force to be reckoned with. If you’re not at that point yet, once you have 20 different shades of white slapped on your walls, are elbow-deep in a wine bottle and are ready to toss said bottle at the wall, I’m sure you’ll jump on board the crazy train!
So, I’m here to de-mystify whites for you. That doesn’t mean you’ll know exactly which white is best for your room and its particular needs (reading this can help), but it will help you figure out which whites you DON’T want based on their undertones.
Above all else, here’s the most important thing to know – white is THE most reflective colour. What does this mean to you? It means that white LOVES to mess with you. It will take colours from its surroundings and flash them on the walls – giving you a colour that you maaaaybe hadn’t bargained on, for example:
if you have a lot of green/trees/grass outside your window, one or more of your walls might look slightly green
with northern exposure, your walls might look more gray-blue toned
If you have southern exposure, your walls might look softer and warmer, even creamy
furniture that’s a particular ‘colour’ (ie: red/blue/green/etc…) can reflect onto your walls
warm-toned bulbs will make your white will look warmer (picking the best KELVINS for your paint colour)
And THEN it will all change at night when the sun goes down. Really? Yup, and the ONLY thing you can do is make the best-educated decision you can based on what you learn here.
So, I’ve chosen sample blobs (super technical term) to give you a general idea of what you can expect to see. Remember, these are just computerized blobs, so don’t get yer’ knickers in a knot if a colour looks too colourful/yellow/gray/blue/etc…instead, hop into your local Benjamin Moore store to see the samples in REAL-life.
White Heron (OC-57) by Benjamin Moore
White Heron – LRV: 86.69 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)
Also known as Benjamin Moore – Oxford White (869, CC-30)
White Heron is Benjamin Moore’s second most popular cool white paint color! With a LRV of 86.69, it’s bright, but not too bright.
This paint color has green undertones. Depending on the lighting, and the other colors in your home, the green could be very subtle, or quite noticeable.
If you’re looking for something light, bright and slightly cool, then White Heron definitely needs to be on your list of colors to try out!
Grab a sample of White Heron here, and I recommend also testing Chantilly Lace – it’s a similar cool white paint color, just a little bit brighter with less undertones.
White Heron is one of the best Benjamin Moore paint colors for living rooms. See it used below in this neutral farmhouse style living room.
living room wall color – White Heron (source)
3. Cloud White (OC-130) by Benjamin Moore
Cloud White – LRV: 85.05 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)
Also known as Benjamin Moore – 967, CC-40
Cloud White by Benjamin Moore is a warm white paint color, and it’s very similar to Benjamin Moore White Dove. They both have a similar warm, creamy white profile with yellow undertones.
Of the two paint colors, Cloud White is a shade lighter (LRV of 85.05 vs 83.16).
Grab a sample of Cloud White here, and a sample of White Dove here.
Here’s how Benjamin Moore describes Cloud White:
Cloud White is one of the best Benjamin Moore paint colors for living rooms.
living room wall color – Cloud White
SAMPLIZE PEEL & STICK
Undoubtedly, you’ll be heading out in the near future to grab paint samples – stop right there! I want you to check out SAMPLIZE. Samplize offers peel-and-stick paint samples that are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots. Here are just a few reasons why I recommend Samplize to my clients…
samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1-3 business days, depending on the location
more affordable than the samples pots/rollers/foam boards that are needed for traditional paint sampling
if you keep the samples on their white paper, you can move them around the room
Visit the SAMPLIZE website HERE
Edgecomb Gray (HC-173) by Benjamin Moore
Edgecomb Gray – LRV: 63.09 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)
Also known as Benjamin Moore: Alaskan Skies (972), Baby Fawn (OC-15)
Edgecomb Gray by Benjamin Moore is a warm medium-light greige paint color. This color will present an unmistakable grayish beige appearance, and it won’t look washed out in a room with plenty of natural lighting.
With a LRV of 63.09, Edgecomb Gray is an amazing interior paint color when it can be lit up to its full potential with lots of natural light. On the other hand, it’s not a great choice for rooms with limited or no natural lighting.
Benjamin Moore discribes Edgecomb Gray as:
Edgecomb Gray is one of the best beige Benjamin Moore paint colors for interiors.
wall color – Edgecomb Gray (source)
Our Go-To Painting Supplies
- Paint brushes – I recommend ‘Pro Grade’ paint brushes, they’re the perfect budget friendly option. This set comes with both flat and angled brushes to get every nook and cranny. I LOVE the quality and, in my experience, they’re much more affordable from Amazon compared to in-store prices. You might be surprised how cheap this professional quality 5 Brush Set is on Amazon (it’s less than $10!).
- Paint rollers – Cover more surface area with a handy roller.
It’s an excellent quality sprayer, and powers through any painting projects in a hurry. Painting with an airless sprayer makes it easy to complete projects in much less time.
- Drop cloth – Skip the mess and grab a reusable drop cloth instead. This will come in handy for future projects. Just pop it in the washing machine after you’re done painting and it will be ready to go for the next project.
- Multi-surface painter’s tape – I always use this brand of painter’s tape, it’s great for smooth or lightly textured walls, trim, baseboards, tile, or even glass. It sticks quick and is easy to remove.
- Sanding sponges – For smoothing and prepping surfaces, you’ll need a couple of sanding sponges in different grits.
Odor / VOC
You may think the smells associated with paint projects are annoying and a bit strong, but something you can power through if necessary. But the strong odor related to painting products comes from compounds known as VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), and they can pose health issues if inhaled too much.
I mentioned before how oil-based paints are known for that strong smell, and that is why, ideally, using water-based paints especially indoors is the preferred option to avoid the harmful presence of VOCs. By creating the ADVANCE line of paints, Benjamin Moore has achieved just that, offering oil-based performance, but removing a lot of the harsh VOCs involved with oil paints.
Removing VOCs altogether would be difficult to achieve while maintaining such high performance, but what Benjamin Moore has done is a significant improvement, and classifies their ADVANCE paint line as low VOC. For comparison, other alkyd paints, which the ADVANCE line is trying to emulate, have around 250 to 500 grams of VOCs per liter. Benjamin Moore Advance only has around 50 grams per liter by comparison!
With this lower amount of VOCs, painting this indoors should pose less of a risk to you and your family. To help get rid of the small amount of VOCs that are present, you should ventilate the rooms where you are painting. Opening some windows and/or doors and letting some fresh air in can help those VOCs go away faster.
Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17
White Dove – LRV: 83.16 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)
Also known as Benjamin Moore: PM-19
In this paint color review, I’m going to share my personal experience with Benjamin Moore White Dove, plus all the nitty gritty details about undertones, and how the paint looks in different lighting conditions, in different rooms.
Plus, at the end of the post I’m sharing 15+ photos of White Dove in real homes!
If you’ve been thinking about using White Dove for your next painting project, here’s everything you need to know to decide if it’s the right white paint color for your space.
BENJAMIN MOORE DECORATORS WHITE
LRV 82.68 (PREVIOUSLY 84.69) (learn more)
Decorator’s White is a popular white paint colour with its subtle undertones of gray and violet (violet-blue), making it a COOL white paint colour.
Decorators White might look like a pretty ‘white-white’, but it’s just a flash on the cool side with a touch of gray and blue-purple undertones. Decorators White will act like white when partnered with cool wall colours, but against ‘white’ you’ll see that shadow in it.
WHEN TO AVOID DECORATORS WHITE
With its undertones and lower LRV, I wouldn’t recommend Decorators White for cabinets, trims and doors unless you ALWAYS want to live in the cooler end of things (specifically violet-blue).
Read more…
Can I Paint My North Facing Room White?
My Personal Experience With White Dove
After testing several different paint colors in my home, I decided on painting our entire home in Benjamin Moore White Dove. And I’m so glad I did. It turned out amazing!
White Dove is such a versatile paint color. It’s perfect for interior walls, ceilings, cabinets moldings and trim. With a subtle hint of warmth, this color is especially well suited for bedrooms, bathrooms and common areas.
After painting our home, I love how our primary bedroom turned out. This room has one large window that floods the room with cool Northern light.
Primary Bedroom Painted With White Dove by Benjamin Moore
The creamy warmth of White Dove resists being washed out by the Northern light. Plus, it goes perfectly with the dark walnut stained shiplap accent wall. Check out how the room turned out in the image below.
White Dove vs Chantilly Lace
White Dove by Benjamin Moore (OC-17) vs Chantilly Lace by Sherwin-Williams (OC-65)
This is the battle of the top two white paint colors from Benjamin Moore. These are the #1 and #2 most popular white paint colors from Benjamin Moore!
How to compare Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace and White Dove?
The biggest difference between White Dove and Chantilly Lace is that White Dove has more depth of color, and isn’t quite as bright with a LRV of 83.16. Chantilly Lace, on the other hand, is a very bright white with a LRV of 90.04.
Try Chantilly Lace in your home. Get a sample here. And you can get a sample of White Dove here.
