The Great White Way
Sarah Van Arsdale Monday, June 27, 2011 at 9:00AM …or the terrifyingly uncertain white way. If you haven’t been around the world of decorating for long, you may think, “hey, we’ll just paint it white!” assuming this will make your color choices easier. Nay, nay, dear reader: therein lies the path to confusion and tears. Sherwin Williams alone, for example, has 59 choices of whites. Just look at this photo to see several whites at once, working with the colors just outside the doorway.
(photo: Sarah Van Arsdale )
There are many factors to consider when choosing any paint color, including white: the other interior elements and their colors (including wood floors), the light in the room (including the way mirrors reflect light, and the way a lot of greenery outside can made a room look greener), and of course the mood that you want to create. You can choose a cooler white with a tint of blue to it, or a warmer one with a little gold or rose.
One of the most common mistakes in choosing wall color is not realizing the color will be darker and deeper once it’s on the wall. What looks on the paint swatch like a pale whisper of slightly rosy-white will scream “PINK” once you have a whole wall of it. You have to be especially careful of this when choosing a white that has a tint to it, and it’s best if you can paint a large sample of a wall before doing the whole room.
We found some helpful photos and comments at Sapid Spaces and at Northwest Renovation.
Do you have this problem with whites? Have you found a solution?
color, paint, white in Interior Design/Decorate 
Reader Comments (40)
I didn't know white can be that complicated! It looks like I'm sticking to my browns, or does that need a lot of decisions too? lol
I didn't know white can be that complicated! It looks like I'm sticking to my browns, or does that need a lot of decisions too? lol
Yeah, good point on the wall color it always looks differently when it's on the actual wall. I don't know why they don't make wall samples of how certain colors looks like.
Yeah. Wall samples are welcome.
Special thanks to the people who came up with cheatsheets.
I think any color is subject to this wall color changes, a little experiment won't hurt either. If I do pick a white shade, I consult a pro or someone with experience on wall paint.
Thank’s for the suggestion. Will do so later.
I found your post when I was researching for blogs like mine, so please check out my site sometime and leave me a comment to let me know what you think.
I think we should not be so skilled to make decisions about the paint on a wall, room etc ... just have some good taste in decor for the correct color combination.
Greetings.
Yeap ,I agree, but it happened once to me that the colour was actually lighter on the wall than in the brochures. Now I have to repaint it . Good post thanks.
It really is amazing how the environment can create a colour cast on the room environment and it can change with the time of day and the season. I alway try to pick a slight darker shade of white and then try to set up my in room lighting in away that it can project a consistent adjustment. A coloured lamp shade can work wonders to correct some of these problems.
What makes me laugh is when the paints say one coat then you end up doing three! This happened to us recently when a friend bought (an admittedly beautiful) metallic blue paint to do up his room. Metallic paint in particular seems to require several coats to stop it looking patchy.
I had no idea that it was so complicated to do simple painting, that there was so much involved in getting it done right.
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Enjoyed reading this post, there are so many different whites, however I do believe that whatever 'white' you choose it will lighten any room!
That is a handful of inspirational post. By no means knew that opinions could be this varied. Thanks for all of the enthusiasm to provide such helpful information here.
I will try the blue and white combinations of color in my house a dedication to facebook because i like that combination very much
You can also make a room feel bigger with colour - grey or pastel cooler shades will have this effect.
What looks on the paint swatch like a pale whisper of slightly rosy-white will scream “PINK” once you have a whole wall of it. really liked this lines..great article..thanks keep on posting.
I used to have different colors in every room of my department (6 rooms) but finally i figured that white is the best color as we can get it in many types, so my all department is painted in hush white and it is a very refreshing
can you enlighten me on the type of paint you recommend? There are so many variety to choose from. Thanks
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Wow, nice post, you should post some article about interior designing also, i knew that white is good choice for wall but i never thought in your way, if i can color my wall on white with tint of blue i am sure it will be a piece of art. I am feeling so much excited thinking about that.
White is great & also i think i can use my art talent to draw some picture on my wall. I usually do that but i become amazed after reading from your post that after reflection it will be look like greener & also pinkish, i don't want to miss that part.you made a great contribution here. Thanks
This is called a perfect post. Nice content, facebook like option, tweet option what else i need! You have made a strong outline about choosing the color for wall. I have also seen your reference sites, thanks for those also. Nice post.