When it comes to choosing the colour to cover the walls of a room, all the possibilities can quickly become overwhelming. So why not simply opt for white?

In this article, you’ll discover why it’s always wise to paint your walls white. But above all, you’ll find tips on how to choose the shade of white that best suits the room you want to paint.

 

Why should you paint your walls white?

 

It brightens the room and makes it look larger

A room painted white will immediately appear larger and brighter. Of course, it’s not the colour white in itself that produces light. But when it hits a white-painted wall, the reflection of natural light entering the room intensifies, for unparalleled clarity.

A room painted white will also give the impression of being less narrow and of having a higher ceiling. So it’s a wise choice for smaller spaces.

 

It enhances other features

Painting your walls white gives you more latitude when it comes to the decorative elements and furniture you will place in the room. Far from stealing the show, white walls actually enhance your furniture and accessories.

If you’ve decided to treat yourself to a beautiful leather sofa or a painting by your favourite artist, you certainly don’t want them to go unnoticed in a room where the bright walls attract all the attention!

 

It’s versatile

Industrial or rustic, vintage or contemporary, white adapts to every style and taste. It’s a shade that’s sure to match your inspiration of the moment… and will serve your next decor just as well.

In fact, when you feel like changing your decor, it’s much easier to replace a few cushions and accessories than to repaint the entire room.

 

It’s timeless

We can say it with confidence: White will never go out of style. Whether the trend is towards minimalism or futurism, dark woodwork or chrome metal, white has always had and will always have its place on the walls of your home.

Whether for the bedroom, kitchen or bathroom, you can never go wrong with white.

 

How do you choose the right shade of white for your walls?

 

Determine the sources of light

A room’s lighting greatly influences our perception of colour. Yes, even for shades of white! That’s why we recommend analyzing a room’s natural and artificial lighting to find the shade that’s right for you.

To do this, pick up a colour chart or, even better, a sample pot of one or more shades of white at one of our stores. Then stick the colour chart or apply a small amount of paint to the walls to be covered.

You can then look at the shades of white:

• At various times of the day
• In sunny and grey weather
• Under artificial and natural light

 

This will enable you to see exactly how the undertones of white fluctuate in these various situations, and therefore determine whether you need a cool white or a warm one.

 

Choosing between cool, warm and pure shades

To some people, all whites look the same. Yet, as this guide to whites by Benjamin Moore explains, there are hundreds of shades of white!

Each has its own strengths and particularities, to better serve the specific conditions of your home.

 

Cool whites offer a clean, refreshing look. They have undertones of green, blue and violet. Benjamin Moore’s cool white shades include:

• Meadow Mist (OC-134): an off-white with greyish-green undertones
• Distant Gray (OC-68): a bright white with a hint of blue-grey
• Calm (OC-22): a soothing shade of white distinguished by the barest hint of lavender-gray

 

Warm whites exude a warm, welcoming feeling. They have undertones of red, orange and yellow. Benjamin Moore’s warm white shades include:

• White Opulence (OC-69): a fresh white with a slight pink tone
• Pompeii (OC-82): a shade of off-white distinguished by a soft hint of peach
• Mayonnaise (OC-85): a bright white with a touch of creamy yellow

 

Pure whites are among the most neutral available. They have no undertones or barely perceptible ones. Among Benjamin Moore’s shades of white, here are those considered by the brand to be their “whitest whites”:

• Chantilly Lace (OC-65): a classic white that elicits images of cotton and silk
• Super White (OC-152): a radiant shade of white that suggests clarity and simplicity

 

Whatever your choice, try not to mix different types of white. This could create an unpleasant effect on the eye.

To match your white to a colour already on your walls, choose a shade of white whose undertones are the opposite of that colour. For example, a blue wall is best suited to a warm white. An orange wall, to a cool white.

 

Choosing the right finish

Once you’ve decided on the shade of white that suits you best, all that’s left to do is decide on the most appropriate finish. In fact, for a result that lives up to your expectations, a paint finish is just as important as its colour.

Glosses and sheens, commonly referred to as finishes, can range from perfectly flat (matte) to high gloss. These can influence the perception of the colour and its ability to add dimension to a room.

 

Here are the 7 main Benjamin Moore interior paint finishes:

 

A Flat finish camouflages imperfections, but stains are harder to clean. We use flat-finish paint for:

• Ceilings
• Walls in low traffic areas

 

An Ulti-Matte finish is almost as low-gloss as a flat finish. It resists frequent washing and gives the room a luxurious appearance. Ulti-Matte finish paint is used for:

• Walls in general
• Living rooms
• Dining rooms
• Bedrooms

 

An Eggshell finish creates a slightly glossy surface that’s easy to clean. It’s much more durable than its name suggests. Eggshell-finish paint is used for:

• Walls in high-traffic areas
• Living room
• Dining room
• Bedroom

 

A Pearl finish provides medium gloss and high durability. It’s as beautiful as it is easy to clean, but it’s more likely to make roller marks and other application defects visible. Pearl-finish paint is used for:

• Walls in high-traffic areas
• Mouldings
• Doors
• Cabinets

 

A Satin finish is more durable and stain-resistant than lower-gloss finishes. It’s perfect for areas that need to be highlighted. Satin-finish paint is used for:

• Mouldings
• Doors
• Cabinets
• Exterior doors
• Shutters

 

A Semi-gloss finish has a luminous appearance that highlights the architectural details of the house and creates dimension on mouldings and doors. Semi-gloss paint is used for:

• Mouldings
• Doors
• Cabinets
• Exterior doors ;
• Shutters;
• Architectural details

 

A High-gloss finish is easy to clean and resistant to stains. It gives a spectacular look, but because it accentuates imperfections, avoid surfaces that are not perfectly smooth. It also requires special preparation and application. High-gloss paint is used for:

• Mouldings
• Doors
• Cabinets
• Architectural details

 

A technique popular with decorators and designers is to opt for two different finishes in the same paint shade. For example, paint the walls with an Eggshell finish and the mouldings with a semi-gloss finish.

Such a simple way to spice up your white walls!

 

Décoration Le Corbusier: experts in paint and painting

Our team is made up of colour specialists and experienced decorators. We’re here to help you carry out your project, no matter how big or small.

Come and see us in store! We’ll be happy to assist you in bringing your ideas to life.