Did you know that many colors you see as white in your surroundings aren’t actually true white? The majority of “white” colors we encounter are actually shades of off-white, broken white, or dirty white.
For example, off-white wall paint, off-white furniture, or cream-colored doors. In this article, we’ll explore different shades of white wall paints including dirty white, broken white, and ice white. We’ll also provide examples of various off-white paint colors from different brands that will be extremely helpful when selecting interior paint for your home.
What Is Off-White Paint Color?
The simplest definition of off-white is the lightest shade of any color. Off-white paint colors are among the most commonly used wall colors. Many people choose off-white interior paint for their kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms. “Related article: What is the most popular interior wall color?”
Off-white wall paint is especially preferred in narrow rooms with limited natural light. It’s also a popular choice for ceilings. If you want to paint all your rooms white but create a subtle distinction between the ceiling and walls, off-white paint color is the best option.
While off-white color complements many other colors, it shows dirt more easily than other shades. It may reveal dirt more visibly than pastel tones. In homes with children, using off-white paint colors might be challenging. Dirty or greasy fingerprints will be more noticeable on off-white walls.
If you struggle with dust accumulation, off-white interior paint might not be the best choice for you. Off-white wall paint tends to highlight dust and dirt. Despite this drawback, off-white remains among the most popular paint colors because it harmonizes well with many furniture styles and other wall colors.
How to Choose the Best Off-White Wall Color for Your Home
White paint can come in various finishes including semi-matte, silk matte, or matte. Ceiling paints are typically pure white and matte. Paint manufacturers have created different shades of white in their color catalogs, giving them unique names. However, this can lead to confusion for consumers. The room’s lighting is the main factor causing this confusion.
Off-white wall paints are especially prone to color misperception. When wall paint is manufactured, multiple pigments are incorporated, which can cause the color to appear different under various lighting conditions. For example, an off-white wall paint may look different under yellow lighting, white lighting, or natural light.
Additionally, light reflecting off furniture can cause off-white wall paint to appear as a different color. Therefore, when purchasing off-white paint colors, it’s important to view both the catalog and an applied sample under different lighting conditions to select the right shade. If you’re determined to buy off-white paint, consulting with a color specialist or professional painter can be helpful.
Off-white paint is a white tone that contains slightly warmer or cooler undertones than pure white. It often has subtle gray, beige, cream, ivory, or pastel undertones. These colors provide a softer and more inviting appearance than stark white.
However, some off-white shades are very similar to each other, making selection difficult. An off-white wall paint can be eggshell, light gray, cream, antique white, ivory, or an even lighter shade of these colors. Particularly lighter off-white colors can be deceptive.
When deciding on off-white paint, consider the colors of your furniture and other walls to make the process easier. Furniture generally coordinates well with many off-white shades. However, achieving harmony with other colored walls can be challenging. To overcome this, you can use the lightest shade of your other wall colors. For example, if one wall is gray, an off-white paint with gray undertones will be complementary. Similarly, if you have cream walls, an off-white shade closest to cream would be a good choice. The same applies to pink and other colors – if one wall is fuchsia or rose pink, you might use blush pink or powder pink on other walls. “Related article: Wall colors that go with gray furniture.”
Popular Off-White Paint Colors From Leading Brands
To help you choose your off-white wall color, we’ve listed some popular off-white paint colors from well-known brands:
Sherwin-Williams Off-White Colors
- Alabaster (SW 7008) – Warm and soft white.
- Snowbound (SW 7004) – White with slight gray undertones.
- Greek Villa (SW 7551) – Creamy and warm off-white.
- Pure White (SW 7005) – Neutral and versatile white.
- Dover White (SW 6385) – Warm white with beige undertones. “To see the colors: Sherwin-Williams Colors“
Benjamin Moore Off-White Colors
- Chantilly Lace (OC-65) – Pure and bright off-white.
- White Dove (OC-17) – Elegant white with soft gray undertones.
- Cloud White (OC-130) – Warm white with slight yellow undertones.
- Simply White (OC-117) – Neutral and modern white.
- Swiss Coffee (OC-45) – Warm white with beige undertones. “To see the colors: Benjamin Moore Paint Colors.”
Behr Off-White Colors
- Polar Bear (75) – Warm and slightly creamy white.
- Cameo White (MQ3-32) – Soft off-white with pink undertones.
- Swiss Coffee (12) – Classic and warm white.
- Cottage White (1813) – Off-white with slight golden undertones. “To see the colors: Behr Paint Colors.”
Valspar Off-White Colors
- Cream in My Coffee (7003-10) – Off-white with coffee-beige undertones.
- Du Jour (7002-6) – Pure and neutral white.
- Ivory Dust (6006-1C) – White with light cream undertones. “To see the colors: Valspar Paint Colors.”
Best Off-White Paint Colors for Kitchen
The kitchen requires an off-white that can withstand cooking activities while maintaining a clean appearance:
- Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White (OC-149) – A crisp off-white with subtle cool undertones that works beautifully in kitchens with stainless steel appliances.
- Sherwin-Williams Creamy (SW 7012) – A warm off-white that complements wooden cabinets and creates a cozy atmosphere.
- Behr Silky White (PWN-10) – A versatile off-white with a slight yellow undertone that pairs well with both cool and warm kitchen elements.
- Farrow & Ball Wimborne White (No. 239) – A soft, antiqued off-white that adds character to traditional kitchens. “Related article: Kitchen wall color ideas.”
Best Off-White Paint Colors for Living Room
For living rooms, choose an off-white that creates an inviting, comfortable atmosphere:
- Benjamin Moore Classic Gray (OC-23) – An off-white with gray undertones that adds sophistication to living spaces.
- Sherwin-Williams Shoji White (SW 7042) – A warm greige off-white that creates a cozy, welcoming living room.
- PPG Delicate White (PPG1001-1) – A balanced off-white that’s neither too warm nor too cool, perfect for versatile living spaces.
- Behr Irish Mist (1875) – A soft off-white with subtle green undertones that creates a fresh, relaxing living room environment. “Related article: White couch living room ideas.”
Best Off-White Paint Colors for Children’s Room
For children’s rooms, select an off-white that’s durable and creates a cheerful foundation:
- Sherwin-Williams Zurich White (SW 7626) – A forgiving off-white with gray undertones that hides marks better than pure whites Benjamin Moore Vanilla Milkshake (OC-59) – A warm, creamy off-white that creates a nurturing environment
- Behr Cotton Knit (W-D-600) – A soft off-white with subtle yellow undertones that creates a cheerful backdrop for colorful decor
- Valspar Soft Wool (7003-23) – A cozy off-white with taupe undertones that masks fingerprints better than brighter whites.
Best Off-White Paint Colors for Bathroom
Bathrooms need off-whites that can handle moisture while creating a clean, spa-like feel:
- Benjamin Moore Oxford White (CC-30) – A bright off-white that maintains its clarity even in bathrooms with limited natural light.
- Sherwin-Williams Extra White (SW 7006) – A clean, crisp off-white that creates a fresh bathroom feel.
- Behr Ultra Pure White (1850) – A versatile bright off-white that makes small bathrooms feel larger.
- PPG Whisper (PPG1024-1) – A soft off-white with subtle blue undertones that creates a spa-like bathroom atmosphere. “Related article: Grey bathroom decor ideas.”
Best Off-White Colors for Ceiling
Ceilings require special consideration as they reflect light differently and can influence the entire room’s appearance:
- Benjamin Moore White Heron (OC-57) – A soft off-white that minimizes ceiling imperfections and creates a gentle sense of height.
- Sherwin-Williams Ceiling Bright White (SW 7007) – A specialized ceiling paint with a hint of warmth that prevents the yellowish cast sometimes found in pure whites.
- Behr Popcorn Ceiling (W-B-600) – A clean off-white with subtle neutral undertones that works well with various wall colors.
- Valspar Ceiling White (7003-1) – A bright off-white specifically formulated for ceilings that helps reflect light throughout the room.
- PPG Pure White (PPG1025-1) – A versatile ceiling off-white that works equally well in rooms with warm or cool color schemes. “Related article: Can you use ceiling paint on walls.”
When choosing an off-white ceiling paint, consider:
- Room height – Slightly cooler off-whites can make low ceilings appear higher.
- Lighting fixtures – Warmer off-whites complement incandescent and warm LED lighting.
- Wall color – Choose a ceiling off-white that’s either a lighter shade of your wall color or complements its undertones.
- Finish – Flat or matte finishes are best for ceilings to minimize glare and hide imperfections.
- Special formulations – Many brands offer ceiling-specific paints that resist splattering during application and provide better coverage. “Related article: Best ceiling paint.”
Tips for Using Off-White Paint in Your Home
When using off-white interior paint in your home, consider these helpful tips:
- Test before committing: Always apply sample patches on different walls and observe them at different times of day to see how the color changes with lighting.
- Consider the room’s function: High-traffic areas may benefit from more washable paint finishes if you choose off-white shades.
- Coordinate with trim: If you’re using off-white on walls, consider either a contrasting bright white or a complementary shade for trim and moldings.
- Layer different off-whites: Creating a monochromatic scheme with various off-white shades can add subtle depth to a space.
- Use lighting strategically: Warm-toned lights will enhance warm off-whites, while cooler LED lighting can bring out the best in off-whites with gray or blue undertones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Off-White paint color?
Off-white paint color is a shade that appears white but contains subtle undertones of other colors like gray, beige, yellow, pink, or blue. Unlike pure white, which has no pigmentation beyond white, off-white paints are created by adding small amounts of colored pigments to a white base. This creates a softer, more nuanced appearance that many designers prefer over stark white. Off-white paints provide the brightness and versatility of white while offering more warmth and dimension.
What’s the best Off-White paint?
The “best” off-white paint depends entirely on your specific needs, lighting conditions, and the look you’re trying to achieve. However, some consistently top-rated off-white paints include:
Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC-17)
Sherwin-Williams Alabaster (SW 7008)
Benjamin Moore Simply White (OC-117)
Sherwin-Williams Greek Villa (SW 7551)
Is Off-White darker than white?
Yes, off-white is technically darker than pure white. Pure white reflects nearly all visible light, while off-white absorbs some wavelengths of light due to the additional pigments it contains. This absorption of light is what creates the subtle undertones that give off-white its character. However, the difference is often minimal, and in some lighting conditions, certain off-whites can appear just as bright as pure white, especially those with lighter undertones.
What color is closest to off-white?
Colors closest to off-white include cream, ivory, eggshell, vanilla, bone, and light beige. These colors all share the characteristic of being predominantly white with subtle undertones. The specific “closest” color depends on the particular off-white in question – a warm off-white might be closest to cream or ivory, while a cooler off-white might be more similar to a very pale gray or light ecru.
What is the difference between white and off-white?
The main difference between white and off-white is that pure white has no undertones, while off-white contains subtle undertones of other colors. Pure white (or “ultra white”) is the absence of all color, reflecting all wavelengths of visible light equally. Off-white, on the other hand, contains trace amounts of other pigments that give it warmth, softness, or a specific character. Off-whites can lean warm (with yellow, red, or brown undertones) or cool (with blue, green, or gray undertones). Another practical difference is that pure white can sometimes appear stark or clinical in certain spaces, while off-whites tend to feel more inviting and comfortable.
What is an example of off-white color?
Ivory – A warm off-white with yellow undertones
Cream – A rich off-white with yellow-brown undertones
Eggshell – A soft off-white with very subtle yellow undertones
Ecru – A grayish-yellowish off-white
Beige – A warm off-white with brown undertones
Vanilla – A warm off-white with subtle yellow undertones
Is ivory white or off-white?
Ivory is definitely an off-white color, not a pure white. Ivory gets its name from the material of elephant tusks, which has a distinctly warm, yellowish-white appearance. As a paint color, ivory contains noticeable yellow or sometimes yellow-brown undertones that give it warmth and softness. It’s one of the warmer off-white options available and pairs beautifully with traditional décor, wood tones, and other warm colors. Ivory is considerably warmer than pure white and would never be mistaken for it when placed side by side.
Is off-white warm or cool?
Off-white can be either warm or cool, depending on its undertones. Warm off-whites contain undertones of yellow, orange, red, or brown, giving them a cozy, inviting feeling. Examples include ivory, cream, and vanilla. Cool off-whites contain undertones of blue, green, or gray, creating a more crisp, fresh appearance. Examples include colors like chalk white or off-whites with blue or gray undertones.
When selecting an off-white, determining whether you need a warm or cool variant is one of the most important decisions. Warm off-whites work well in north-facing rooms that need more warmth, while cool off-whites can balance overly bright south-facing spaces.
Conclusion
Off-white paint colors offer versatility and timeless elegance to any space. While they may show dirt more easily than other colors, their ability to brighten rooms and complement various design styles makes them a perennial favorite among homeowners and designers alike.
When selecting the best off-white paint color for your walls, consider the room’s lighting conditions, existing furniture, and the atmosphere you want to create. With the right shade of off-white, you can achieve a sophisticated, welcoming space that never goes out of style. “Related article: What color should i paint my room.”
