How to choose the right white paint for your home

Telegraph

15-03-2025

Never mind cutting-in or reaching that awkward corner of a staircase – when it comes to decorating, there's arguably no trickier feat than finding the perfect shade of white for your walls.
Tradespeople often like the ease and application of a standard brilliant white emulsion and will want to slap it everywhere, but, because it contains zero pigment, this type of white can appear cold and harsh, especially under the 'wrong' lighting (more on that later).
So, off you head to the likes of Farrow & Ball in search of a more sympathetic off-white, where you'll be presented with no less than 37 variations to choose from. Little Greene's offering is just as overwhelming; maybe you look up Dulux, seeking simplicity but, on discovering 41 neutrals on a vaguely white theme, shut the tab down immediately. As the award-winning interior designer Beata Heuman, who has just launched a 24-strong paint collection with Mylands, says: 'Choosing a 'do it all' white from the endless available options is enough to send even an experienced decorator loopy.'
That said, get your white right and you'll be rewarded with a space 'where everything else – colour, patterns and textures – can breathe. I've always loved the cleanness and airiness of it,' says Sophie Rowell, founder of Côte de Folk. Rowell relishes the challenge of finding the 'right' white and notes: 'The aim is for the white not to aggravate the eye: you want it to feel pleasant, calm and seamless.'
Heuman also finds white to be the ultimate blank canvas and favours it for larger rooms, while using bolder choices in smaller spaces. 'Don't try to say too much with it, just make sure it's an elegant all-rounder,' she advises.
Here, insiders share their tips, tricks and fail-safe whites for every room in the house – and reveal what to look out for in order to find your perfect match.
How to choose paint
Although this is a subjective matter, there's almost a science to finding the right white paint. 'When you're looking at a white, the feeling it is going to give you is all down to the pigment and also what the room's lighting is like,' explains Tash Bradley, co-founder and director of interior design for paint brand Lick (where you'll find a more compact collection of seven whites on offer). Bradley's fail-safe is the new generation of whites that feature a flattering pink undertone, such as Lick's White 06: 'It looks good in any house or any style, so, unsurprisingly, is our bestseller,' she says.
Whites with noticeably blue or grey undertones give a cooler, crisper finish, but in some settings this can verge on clinical. Meanwhile, a yellow undertone will generate a creamier finish, which works well in older properties or cottages. 'It creates a cosy and comfortable space, and works well with materials such as limestone, but less well with a more contemporary concrete floor,' says Laura Parkinson of design studio Palmer & Stone. Beware of using a yellow-white in a light-filled, south-facing room, though: it can veer on magnolia – and prove triggering to those who grew up in the Eighties.
How to use paint samples
Parkinson champions colour drenching a room in your chosen white. 'Paint the ceiling and any architectural details, such as coving and ceiling roses, in the same shade, so the whole room feels as one,' she says. She also recommends investing in colour fans from your chosen brand (physical sample swatches that showcase the full range). These will detail suggestions for complementary whites, making option-paralysis less, well, less paralysing.
When it comes to sampling, Rowell is adamant that you have to narrow down your tester pots to two or three; maximum, four. 'I'm dumbfounded when people test 10 colours and then wonder why they're struggling to pick one,' she says. 'You're almost setting yourself an impossible task because the differences throughout the day could be quite subtle.' Test your shortlist either straight onto the walls (note the plural – and pay attention to alcoves too) or on A3 pieces of paper positioned in multiple spots, then see how they react to natural and artificial light from morning to night.
How lighting affects paint colours
Lighting, of course, has a bearing on how colour behaves. Parkinson opts for warm white bulbs of 2700–3500k, with dimmable light sources being the ideal. 'Keep in mind that the 'temperature' of the light will be affected by the colour of a lampshade: warm light through a dark fabric shade will feel more stark, whereas warm light through a yellow vellum shade will feel cosy and comforting,' she explains. Interior designer Angelica Squire, co-founder of Studio Squire, cites Tala as her go-to for good bulbs – a premium brand that specialises in mouth-blown bulbs available in porcelain and matt finishes.
The best all-round whites (picked by the pros)
Beata White by Mylands
'In my opinion, you want a slightly broken white, with a bit of grey and a tad of warmth. This will work well whatever direction your room is facing, whether it is on your walls, ceiling or woodwork. A good-quality paint using natural earth pigments will subtly reflect the light in different ways, depending on what time of day it is, and it is a delight to observe.' – Beata Heuman (Beata White, Mylands)
Strong White by Farrow & Ball
'If you want your white to be a backdrop for throwing lots of colour into a space, then this is a great call. It has a slight grey undertone, which works especially well for unifying a varied collection of artworks on the walls. I have used this for the upstairs in my own home.' – Laura Parkinson, Palmer & Stone (Strong White, Farrow & Ball)
Slaked Lime by Little Greene
'This white has an umber pigment, so it's neither too warm nor too cool, and achieves a modern, clean look in a contemporary home. Its soft, warm appearance works well in different lighting conditions too.' – Leo Wood, Kinder Design (Slaked Lime, Little Greene)
Paper I by Paint & Paper Library
'This comes in a range of gently graded shades, from one to five in colour (with five being the darkest). This makes it easy to choose darker tones for woodwork. I also like to use Stone from the same collection as a neutral.' – Angelica Squire, Studio Squire (Paper I, Paint & Paper Library)
Best white paints for…
North-facing rooms
Raw Chalk by Paint & Paper Library: 'We use this a lot as it has a little more yellow, which warms up north-facing rooms. We used it on the kitchen cabinets in this Cotswolds kitchen recently to create a classic but crisp contrast with the patterned floor tiles and dark wood worktop.' – Beth Dadswell, Imperfect Interiors
East- and west-facing rooms
White 06 by Lick: 'Easterly spaces receive a blue light, which always needs warming up. For west-facing rooms, I take a different view to most colour experts, who often say you should balance out the light with a cool tone. West light is really rich and warm and I think it looks particularly special with a warmer tone. This shade, colour-drenched, will bring the pink glow out even more.' – Tash Bradley, Lick
South-facing rooms
Pointing by Farrow & Ball: 'If you have light-filled spaces, then this is a perfect, clean white. The colour is bright enough to stand up against direct sunlight but it has a tint of warmth.' – Pernille Lind, Pernille Lind Studio
Kitchens
White Tie by Farrow & Ball: 'I generally encourage clients to use colour on their walls, even if it's a very pared-back shade. However, the room in which I do recommend clients use white is the kitchen, as so often, this is a space which really benefits from the freshness it brings. The yellow undertones in White Tie paired the walls perfectly with the colourful ceramic tiles that we had commissioned for this kitchen.' – Leo Wood, Kinder Design
Hallways
Ammonite by Farrow & Ball: 'This hallway has little direct natural light and faces north. We opted for an off-white with a warm grey tone to act as a neutral backdrop to the other features – in this case, the beautiful stained glass and tessellated floor tiles.' – Ali Johnson, Otta Design
Bedrooms
Calcaire by Argile Peinture: 'A warm white with an undertone of pink or red such as this – or Dimity by Farrow & Ball – will create a calm and comforting feeling that works really well in bedrooms of any orientation. My north-facing bedroom and my children's south-facing room have this and it works.' – Laura Parkinson, Palmer & Stone
Bathrooms
Jojo's White by COAT: 'In a bathroom, you want a white that feels fresh without being clinical. This looks great with Home Is (a slightly darker shade, also by COAT) on the skirting. Opt for a soft sheen or eggshell finish to ensure durability in humid conditions.' – Jojo Barr, House Nine
The best paint finish to choose
It goes without saying that white shows up every scuff and knock. Ultra-matt finishes are great for achieving a chalky look, but if you have a dog or small children, note that these finishes usually can't be wiped down. A washable finish, such as Little Greene's Intelligent Matt, is a practical choice for high-traffic areas, such as hallways and kitchens. As for ceilings, Parkinson suggests using a finish with a 7 per cent sheen, such as Farrow & Ball's Modern Emulsion: 'It bounces the light around and gives the impression of increased height, which works really well, especially where ceiling height is compromised.'