Choosing the perfect shade of white for your walls? It’s like finding the ultimate white T-shirt, there are so many options, and they all look slightly different! With hundreds of paint swatches to sift through, it can feel a little overwhelming. But don’t worry, our Selections Consultant, Scott Reid, is here to share his top tips to help you find the perfect shade for your home.
Collect those samples
Selecting the right white starts with testing different shades. Scott strongly recommends using sample pots to see how the paint will actually look in your home.
“SAMPLE POTS, SAMPLE POTS, SAMPLE POTS. Do not shy away from sample pots.”, he shares. “I would always suggest testing them on your wall first before committing to a colour in your space. Unless you create a flat lay with your interiors to help you visualise the colours working together, sample pots are a must!”
If painting directly on the wall isn’t an option, collect about 8–10 swatches and place them on a wall near natural light. This will help you see how undertones appear in different lighting conditions.
Tips on how to compare them all: “Choose the white samples that you like, no more than 10, and place them all next to each other on the floor or on a wall.”, says Scott. “Once you do this, you can see some of them will scream out at you and show their undertones. You’ll start to be able to narrow them down this way by removing colours that are not fitting your space. Whether they’re too green or too pink, etc. Lighting can also affect your choice, so try and select your colour under natural light. If you select your white under the downlights in your home, they might look a bit different in the daytime.”
When to choose a cool white?
Cool whites are great for a crisp, fresh look. They work best in modern interiors, creating a bright and open feel.
“Cool tones will work best if you are wanting a very stark, bright white. Cooler tone whites tend to appear more vivid and reflect more light, making your home feel bigger and more open. I find they suit more modern interiors when pairing them with monochromatic black and white cabinets, benchtops, and floors”, explains Scott. “Cool white can feel very clinical and clean, so I find they work best in modern bathrooms and kitchens. They also work quite well with Hampton styles too!”
Here’s Scott’s picks:
- Wattyl Winter Mushroom
- Wattyl Feather Dawn
- Wattyl Cape Horn
When to choose a warm white?
For a cosy and inviting atmosphere, warm whites are the way to go. They pair beautifully with natural materials and richer hues.
“Warm tones work best if you want to achieve a cosier setting. Rooms like bedrooms, living rooms, and theatres I find work best with warmer whites. They pair well with warmer timbers and rich-coloured furniture. Warm whites tend to work best in mid-century interior designs or even coastal if you are wanting a lighter take on it. Choosing a soft warm white can really create a calm, relaxing feeling in your home.”, says Scott.
Here’s his picks:
- Wattyl Freesia
- Wattyl Calcium
- Wattyl First Snow
Keep it cohesive or mix it up?
Some people opt for different shades of white in different rooms, while others prefer consistency throughout their home. Scott suggests keeping it cohesive for a seamless look but acknowledges that mixing whites can add variation: “Having the same shade of white throughout the home is my personal preference, yes. It can really help marry all the elements in your home together and make your home feel more spacious and open. But I also understand that finding a white that matches everything in your home can be tricky, so I’d suggest picking a neutral tone because it’s more likely to match with both warm and cool designs. That’s not to say that I’m not opposed to switching it up a bit either! Having different tones throughout can help create a different feel from room to room. Just keep in mind when you do this, there might be a bit of a disconnect.”
Many people get overwhelmed by the decision, but Scott encourages homeowners to have fun with it and focus on styling to bring the home to life.
“I would lastly like to say have fun with it! Some people find choosing a white can be quite stressful because you want to get it right. But colour is fun! My suggestion would be to choose a neutral white, these are the tones that have both warm and cool tints in them so they are more likely to match with more styles. Walls are just the canvas; it is the styling which really brings a home to life. So be creative and add some wall art, paint a feature wall, add some wallpaper, have your furniture pop, add some plants (whether they be real or fake). The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to your home.”
Walls are just the canvas; it’s the styling and furnishings that really bring a home to life. So have some fun, and be creative; the possibilities are endless!
