Painting the internal walls of your home with the various shades of white is a reliable way to keep your home looking fresh and contemporary, whilst providing a neutral back drop for your artwork and furniture.

At first, choosing a shade of white may seem easy, however anyone who has ever tried to pick a white will more than likely tell you it can actually be quite the opposite! There are so many whites to choose from and once on your walls, each shade can significantly affect the look and feel of your home, so it’s important that you take the time to get it right.

Why are there so many shades of white?

There two different families of white – warm white and cool white. The difference between the two comes down to the undertone used in making it.

To create the various shades of white, primary colours (red, yellow or blue) are added to pure white to create an undertone. That undertone adds a hint of that colour when painted on your walls.

Cool whites contain a hint of grey, blue, green or black to create a crisp and contemporary feel, where as warm whites have a red, yellow, ivory or pink undertone to achieve a warmer hue.

Having so many whites to choose from enables you to to select wall colours that complement your other finishes and furnishings and strike a balance with the natural light that shines into your home.

Most painters have their favourite brand of paint to work with and at ARCA, we are particularly fond of the quality finish that Dulux paints have to offer.

What are the most popular white paint colour choices?

Some of our favourite shades of white include:

Warm Whites

• Dulux Natural white: R238 G236 B229
• Dulux Antique white USA: R239 G234 B224
• Dulux Whisper white: R235 G233 B224

Cool Whites

• Dulux Lexicon: R231 G234 B234
• Dulux White on white: R236 G239 B240
• Dulux Vivid white: R247 G248 B244

Photo Credit: Dulux

Which white is right for me?

The best white for your home will be the shade that compliments your finishes and the overall aesthetic you are trying to achieve. If you have used white elsewhere in your home with features such as tiles or benchtops; ensure that the tones complement each other.

Light also plays a huge factor in the overall feel of your home spaces. Painting small colour samples on the walls of your home and inspecting them at different times of day (morning, midday, afternoon and evening) before making your final selection is a useful way to find the shade that best suits your home. A wall in one room that is painted the same shade as a wall in another room can look completely different, depending on natural light.

Choosing a shade of white doesn’t need to be overwhelming. If you find yourself in a state of ‘analysis paralysis’ you can always engage a colour consultant to help you. At ARCA, we build homes with a carefully considered, neutral colour scheme and are always happy to share our thoughts based on our extensive experience.

When building a new home with ARCA, our interior designer will work collaboratively with you to help you choose all your colour, fixtures and finishes to ensure your finished home is exactly what you dreamed of.