I just want white walls, but which white should I choose?

There are literally hundreds of different tones and shades of “white” on the market these days, so which is the right tone for YOU?

White tones can appear completely different depending on the natural light, the size of the room, and the furniture within the space so it is important to not rely on advice you saw somewhere online or a friend’s recommendation. A white tone that looks nice and bright in one home, can look creamy in another space.

This is why it is important to know what you want to archive and what light (both natural as well as artificial light) that room is going to get

Do you want the room to feel warm and cozy? Do you have lots of other natural products such as natural timber furniture, cotton rugs, or hardwood flooring? Is the room flooded with natural light? In that case, a warmer tone with yellow, rust, pink, or brownish undertones might be the go for you.

On the other hand, if you have a very modern interior design, it doesn’t get a vast amount of natural light and you are looking for a crisp finish, some cooler tones might suit your space a bit better.

Now that you know that, how does this help make the right choice?

Many people aren’t aware of the fact that all colours come in different strengths/shades. Let’s take for example a very popular colour (Dulux) Lexicon. Most people choose it in the 1/4 strength, meaning it has just 25% of tint in it which is not a great amount for the human eye to detect the undertones. What you can do though, is see how the colour looks in full or even double strength. Now it is easier to see that it has some grey / blueish undertones.

Some of my recommended picks:

Dulux Lexicon Quarter

Is my #1 choice of white. It is crisp but cool. With a grey undertone there is no chance of it throwing any sort of yellow. It is a great colour that doesn’t compete with the tones & textures carried through from your furniture.

Dulux Vivid White

This is the whitest of whites! It doesn’t throw yellow or blue so is the perfect choice if a crisp white is exactly what you’re after. Be mindful though that it could come across quite clinical if you don’t inject warmth through other areas such as cabinetry, flooring or furniture. All in all, a fabulous white which you can not go wrong with!

Taubmans - Cotton Sheets

I find Taubmans Cotton Sheets is a fantastic colour for your classic Art Deco, Federation style homes. However with that being said, it can also be used in a modern home if you sway more towards the warmer toned whites. It will brighten & add a sense of cosiness to any space whilst still feeling super fresh.

Dulux - White on White

This white has a blueish/grey undertone so it is definitely a cooler white, perfect for a coastal style home. To the naked eye it will still appear a crisp white on your walls so don’t be scared that your walls will be blue but in comparison to a vivid white you will see the blue tone to it, side by side. Tip - White on White is a perfect wall colour if you want to showcase your skirting & architraves by painting these a whiter tone e.g vivid white. The two will pop against one another!