The Right White?
Oh, the madness! Which white will work best in my newly renovated kitchen? Aren’t they all basically the same? Uh—NO! No they’re not. This is delicate business, which deserves some serious contemplation, and possibly a glass of wine to calm the nerves. Let’s get into some sage advice so you can move on with your life. Here are a few ideas:
1) Consider your countertop coloration and backsplash. No matter what the material is (quartz, stone, tile, etc.), you will need to consider the one or many color variants involved. Together, they make up the tonal value, which needs to pair with your paint choice. For example, Carrera marble has a mostly cool light gray cast while Statuary marble has warmer streaks mixed in and tends to have a brighter, white base. Hence, the white you choose may be cooler or warmer based on the materials next to it. They should reinforce one another.
2) Consider the light coming into your kitchen. If you have a lot of windows with a west view, your light will be warmer especially late in the day. Just the opposite if you have windows facing east—your light will appear warmer in the morning and cooler later in the day. The LRV code (Light Reflective Value) of any paint color is usually listed in the index of paint swatch books, which can be a helpful tool in understanding how bright a specific color will look. The higher the number, the more the light will be reflected back for a brighter room. Most whites a high LRV rating, but you’ll still want to make sure to create or buy large swatches to hang up in your space to see how the color is affected by natural light changes throughout the day. The undertones in light colors (especially whites) can swing widely, so seeing it in your own space over time is a must.
3) Consider adjacent rooms tones and trim colors. For example, are you using another base white for doors and trim throughout your home? If so, you may want to stay consistent for overall integration as long as your existing white still works with your kitchen concept. However, if you’re looking for a brighter kitchen white, but have adjacent rooms with a more aged white, you might be able to identify a corner edge to have the two whites meet and mingle. Because light never falls the same way on 2 angles, the corner edges can usually disguise minor differences.
4) If you still can’t decide, here are the most popular (designer approved) Benjamin Moore whites.
Chantilly Lace = Bright, crisp white. Currently very popular for a fresh, clean look.
Simply White = Still bright but slightly warmer white. A safe neutral with no pesky undertones.
White Heron = Slightly grayer white. Works beautifully with cooler materials such as Carrera marble.
Cloud White = Slightly warmer base, but still looks bright and neutral when applied.
White Dove = Classic favorite warm white used in many more traditional homes.
Swiss Coffee = Rich creamy warm tone, which pairs well with natural woods and warmer materials.
Hopefully, this short list above will help you get started! There are countless paint vendors and countless whites to choose from, but I prefer Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams.)