Working with White Paint
Remember that white is not "one size fits all". Choosing the right white requires as much thought and planning as choosing any other color, if you want the best result.
Working with White Paint
Did you know that several paint manufacturers have a color called Navajo White, and they're all different? So if you admire your neighbor's wall color and are told that it's Navajo White, find out the name of the manufacturer if you want the same white.
This just one example of how working with white paint can be more tricky than you might think, and the funny thing is that people often choose white for their walls because they're afraid of making a mistake with color and they think nothing can go wrong if they pick a white. However, choosing the right white paint has its pitfalls too.
Whites can be grouped into categories, including pure whites, yellow or creamy whites, reddish whites that can even look a bit peach or pink, and blue whites that have touches of gray, green, blue or purple. When you're deciding which one is right for your project, here are some things to consider:
- What impression do you want to convey? Is the space crisp and modern, or is it warm and traditional? Pure whites and blue whites work best in modern spaces.
- How much natural light do you have? If the space is dark, a cool or pure white will make it look and feel colder. Choose a creamy or reddish white instead. If there is a lot of natural light, a pure white can work well.
- Is there natural wood that you want to showcase? Creamy or reddish whites will show wood to much better effect than pure or blue whites.
- What condition is the surface in? Whites reflect light more than any other color, and blue or pure whites look best on surfaces in very good condition.
- What other colors are you using in your home? If the existing colors are clear and bright, use pure or blue whites. If they're neutralized with earth tones, choose a creamy or reddish white. Keep the thought consistent.
- Remember that whites create high contrast with other colors. Is this the look you want?
When you're choosing a white, decide if you want one that's clear and bright or one that's more soft and creamy. Review the article on Light Reflectance Values and decide how much contrast you want with the trim color and with the color(s) in adjacent spaces. If you're choosing a white for walls, get a 2x3 foot piece of foam core and make a large sample that you can test it under various lighting conditions and to see how it looks with your furniture and with your other colors.
Remember that white is not "one size fits all". Choosing the right white requires as much thought and planning as choosing any other color, if you want the best result.
