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How to Choose the Right White (There's No One-Size-Fits-All)
White is a perennial favourite for decorators – here’s how to select the perfect tone for your room scheme and decor
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If you’re looking for a neutral base for a room, nothing beats white. It instantly makes a space feel bigger and brighter and creates a striking contrast when paired with bolder colours such as navy, terracotta or rich, leafy green. But not all whites are created equal so it’s important to choose one that suits the room it’s going into and the feel you want to create.
We spoke to the colour experts at Resene to learn how to choose the right white for the job.
We spoke to the colour experts at Resene to learn how to choose the right white for the job.
Different types of white
With so many different whites on offer, choosing the right one can feel like a daunting business.
The first thing you’ll need to decide on is whether you want a ‘cool’ or ‘warm’ white as this will affect the look and feel of the space it’s going into.
“Generally a cooler white, such as Resene Black White, will suit a home that receives a lot of light,” says Brenda Ngatai, residential colour consultant at Resene. “Warmer whites, such as Resene Half Bianca or Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta, work well in more shaded homes that are low in light.”
Looking for the perfect white? Check out Resene Whites & Neutrals collection colour chart, which showcases a full spectrum of gorgeous whites and neutrals.
With so many different whites on offer, choosing the right one can feel like a daunting business.
The first thing you’ll need to decide on is whether you want a ‘cool’ or ‘warm’ white as this will affect the look and feel of the space it’s going into.
“Generally a cooler white, such as Resene Black White, will suit a home that receives a lot of light,” says Brenda Ngatai, residential colour consultant at Resene. “Warmer whites, such as Resene Half Bianca or Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta, work well in more shaded homes that are low in light.”
Looking for the perfect white? Check out Resene Whites & Neutrals collection colour chart, which showcases a full spectrum of gorgeous whites and neutrals.
Warm whites
Most warm whites have a subtle yellow, peach or red undertone. They’re a good choice if you want to inject a soft, relaxed feel into a south-facing room that doesn’t receive a lot of sun.
Consider Resene Double Merino – a timeless, warm white that’s ideal for updating a traditional villa or adding a sense of cosiness to a living space. Try using it as a feature wall combined with other warm hues such as buttery Resene Chenin or a terracotta such as Resene Beethoven. With its green undertones, it looks fantastic with a medley of indoor plants.
“Two of my favourite warm whites are Resene Quarter Bianca and Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta. They are clean, fresh and sharp and work on practically everything you need to paint in a room, including ceilings, doors, architraves and walls,” says Ngatai.
Most warm whites have a subtle yellow, peach or red undertone. They’re a good choice if you want to inject a soft, relaxed feel into a south-facing room that doesn’t receive a lot of sun.
Consider Resene Double Merino – a timeless, warm white that’s ideal for updating a traditional villa or adding a sense of cosiness to a living space. Try using it as a feature wall combined with other warm hues such as buttery Resene Chenin or a terracotta such as Resene Beethoven. With its green undertones, it looks fantastic with a medley of indoor plants.
“Two of my favourite warm whites are Resene Quarter Bianca and Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta. They are clean, fresh and sharp and work on practically everything you need to paint in a room, including ceilings, doors, architraves and walls,” says Ngatai.
Cool whites
Cool whites have a blue or black base and work brilliantly in rooms that get a lot of sun as they soften bright light. There is a crispness to these whites that suits modern, minimalist homes.
“Resene Alabaster and Resene Sea Fog are a match made in cool-white heaven as they both have the same tint, but in different amounts,” says Ngatai. “Consider applying Resene Alabaster to ceilings, internal doors and architraves and Resene Sea Fog to walls.”
Cool whites have a blue or black base and work brilliantly in rooms that get a lot of sun as they soften bright light. There is a crispness to these whites that suits modern, minimalist homes.
“Resene Alabaster and Resene Sea Fog are a match made in cool-white heaven as they both have the same tint, but in different amounts,” says Ngatai. “Consider applying Resene Alabaster to ceilings, internal doors and architraves and Resene Sea Fog to walls.”
Black-white
Or what about white with a hint of grey? Resene Quarter Black White is a smart and sophisticated white with a dash of grey that keeps it looking crisp – and it’s a perennial favourite with architects and homeowners.
Use it as a base for your colour palette and keep things light and breezy with accents of beige such as Resene Alpaca or airy and coastal with Resene Half Duck Egg Blue.
Pick whites from the same family: “When you’re combining different whites in a space, it’s important to choose ones with the same undertone as it means they will sit harmoniously together,” says Ngatai. “Choosing whites that have the same tint but in different amounts is a surefire way to create a timeless and appealing colour scheme.”
Or what about white with a hint of grey? Resene Quarter Black White is a smart and sophisticated white with a dash of grey that keeps it looking crisp – and it’s a perennial favourite with architects and homeowners.
Use it as a base for your colour palette and keep things light and breezy with accents of beige such as Resene Alpaca or airy and coastal with Resene Half Duck Egg Blue.
Pick whites from the same family: “When you’re combining different whites in a space, it’s important to choose ones with the same undertone as it means they will sit harmoniously together,” says Ngatai. “Choosing whites that have the same tint but in different amounts is a surefire way to create a timeless and appealing colour scheme.”
Consider the surroundings
More than any other tone, white is influenced by the elements that surround it in a space – most significantly, natural light and coloured decor.
If you have off-white walls and a lot of green accessories, for example, your walls will take on a green tinge. Use a strong blue rug or blue upholstery, and your walls will pick up on the blue.
You can use this to your advantage. Say you have a rich reddish timber floor that you find a tad overpowering, using a cool white on the walls (one with a grey or green base) will diffuse the effect of the floor.
Soften the light with warm white: “Bright light tends to highlight everything around it and create sharp, dramatic shadows in a room. It can make whites look and feel cold. Using a warmer white will soften this effect and make a room feel calmer and more inviting,” says Ngatai.
More than any other tone, white is influenced by the elements that surround it in a space – most significantly, natural light and coloured decor.
If you have off-white walls and a lot of green accessories, for example, your walls will take on a green tinge. Use a strong blue rug or blue upholstery, and your walls will pick up on the blue.
You can use this to your advantage. Say you have a rich reddish timber floor that you find a tad overpowering, using a cool white on the walls (one with a grey or green base) will diffuse the effect of the floor.
Soften the light with warm white: “Bright light tends to highlight everything around it and create sharp, dramatic shadows in a room. It can make whites look and feel cold. Using a warmer white will soften this effect and make a room feel calmer and more inviting,” says Ngatai.
How to combine whites
Tone isn’t the only thing you’ll need to decide on when picking a white – you’ll also need to choose a finish or sheen level.
Different paint finishes suit different applications. “Flat finishes are generally used for ceilings as they don’t reflect the light; low sheen is used on walls as it has a sense of dynamism to it and creates a welcoming feel. Semi-gloss and gloss finishes are the main options for doors and architraves as they are easy to wipe clean of fingerprints and smears, plus they reflect light and create a nice contrast against the flatter finishes on walls and ceilings,” says Ngatai.
Healthy homes: “All these finishes come in both acrylic and water-based enamel – the latter being the preferred choice as it’s easier to clean up after application and kinder to the environment.”
Tone isn’t the only thing you’ll need to decide on when picking a white – you’ll also need to choose a finish or sheen level.
Different paint finishes suit different applications. “Flat finishes are generally used for ceilings as they don’t reflect the light; low sheen is used on walls as it has a sense of dynamism to it and creates a welcoming feel. Semi-gloss and gloss finishes are the main options for doors and architraves as they are easy to wipe clean of fingerprints and smears, plus they reflect light and create a nice contrast against the flatter finishes on walls and ceilings,” says Ngatai.
Healthy homes: “All these finishes come in both acrylic and water-based enamel – the latter being the preferred choice as it’s easier to clean up after application and kinder to the environment.”
Test them right
The best way to determine whether a white will work in your space is to test it out in-situ.
“The larger the sample the better,” says Ngatai. “Purchase a testpot of your chosen white and paint it onto an A2-size piece of cardboard – Resene sells these for NZ$1.50 each. Be sure to paint two coats and use up all the testpot.
“Move the sample around your home and look at it in different light, and at various times of morning, afternoon and night,” she says.
Keep track: If you’re considering a few different whites, don’t forget to put paint names underneath each sample so you don’t mix them up (a potentially costly mistake!)
More: For more information on Resene’s latest paint colours and wallpapers and how to use them, check out the Habitat plus magazine – decorating and colour trends 2022. Or go to the Resene Colour & Decorating Inspiration Hub on Houzz where you can pick up loads of great paint, wallpaper and decorating ideas.
Tell us: Do you have a go-to white and what do you love about it? Tell us in the comments.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
The best way to determine whether a white will work in your space is to test it out in-situ.
“The larger the sample the better,” says Ngatai. “Purchase a testpot of your chosen white and paint it onto an A2-size piece of cardboard – Resene sells these for NZ$1.50 each. Be sure to paint two coats and use up all the testpot.
“Move the sample around your home and look at it in different light, and at various times of morning, afternoon and night,” she says.
Keep track: If you’re considering a few different whites, don’t forget to put paint names underneath each sample so you don’t mix them up (a potentially costly mistake!)
More: For more information on Resene’s latest paint colours and wallpapers and how to use them, check out the Habitat plus magazine – decorating and colour trends 2022. Or go to the Resene Colour & Decorating Inspiration Hub on Houzz where you can pick up loads of great paint, wallpaper and decorating ideas.
Tell us: Do you have a go-to white and what do you love about it? Tell us in the comments.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
It’s amazing the difference a coat of paint can make.
Resene has all the quality paint, colour, wallpaper,... Read More
It’s amazing the difference a coat of paint can make.
Resene has all the quality paint, colour, wallpaper,... Read More
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