Our Fave White (And Almost White) Paint Colors for 2017

Choosing a favorite white paint color sounds easy enough — until you try it for the first time. Most of us have experienced that moment of panic when we realize there is truly no other paint color that offers quite as many variations as white does. 

After a long stretch of white being considered a boring choice in the design world, things are definitely shifting. “After my long affair with color, I find myself going back to shades of white again and again when choosing paint colors for my clients this year,” said interior designer Jennifer Harrison. 

We looked at all of the newest white (and almost white) paint colors, and picked all of our faves. 

Shadow White (No. 282), Farrow & Ball

This is a beige-y white, with warm, rich undertones. It would work great in a more traditional, rustic, or modern farmhouse-style home. 

Simply White (OC-117), Benjamin Moore

This was Benjamin Moore’s color of the year last year, and for good reason. It’s a crisp and fresh versatile white that works in almost any space. 

Mountain Air (SW 6224), Sherwin-Williams

Barely blue, with a little bit of gray and a lot of white in it, Mountain Air is a great choice if you’re not completely sold on white. It’s a soft, pretty, neutral that would be perfect for a bedroom, bath or kid’s room. 

Close Knit (T17-01), Behr

This light, airy, gray is a brand new color in Behr’s collection, but it’s definitely an instant classic. In a certain light, it almost looks white, but it has just a hint of the warmest, most lovely gray. 

Chalk White (2126-70), Benjamin Moore

This new matte, white from Benjamin Moore is a bit more on the cool side. While it does have a chalky vibe, it’s a beautiful, bright, bold white that works great both on walls and on doors and trim. 

Promenade (7006-3), Valspar

This creamy white has a touch of warm gray in it, making it a little less crisp. It is on the cooler side of the spectrum, but not too cool. 

Peignoir (No. 286), Farrow & Ball

This warm, barely blush pink is a great choice if you want something with a bit more depth than a white color. It’s a soft pink with a big dose of gray, but it works perfectly as an unexpected neutral in your space. 

Alabaster (SW 7008), Sherwin Williams

This is a perfect, creamy white that’s not too cool and not too warm. This is a classic pick if you’re looking for an overall white color that will look fab in every room of your house. 

Wimborne White (No. 239), Farrow & Ball

This is another creamy white, that has a deep richness to it. It’s a great pick for walls, but I especially love to use it on doors and trim for an extra neutral pop in a space. In this example, you can see how great the color looks on this room’s paneling. 

Super White (OC-152), Benjamin Moore

This is a bold, crisp, bright white that’s a bit less on the creamy side. It’s a great choice for a darker space, as natural light will bounce off it and completely brighten up the room. This a classic white to put in your arsenal. 

Marshmallow White (30YY 83/012), Glidden

Here’s a lovely, medium white shade that has plenty of warmth. It pairs well with a brighter white (such as Benjamin Moore’s Super White or Decorator’s White), and looks great on trim and ceilings. 

Shiplap, Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines

This really is the perfect white hue for — you guessed it —shiplap. This white is on the brighter side, but still has a nice, quiet warmth to it.