Off-white paint colors are a timeless choice that interior designers love for their versatility and subtle nuances. However, choosing the right off-white paint color can feel a bit overwhelming. With so many options, how do you know which one will look best in your home? In this post, I’ve rounded up some of my go-to favorites that always deliver a beautiful look.
Off-white paints are more than just plain white—they have a soft warmth or coolness that makes them work beautifully in any home. Whether you want a cozy living room, a bright and airy kitchen, or a crisp, welcoming exterior, off-white is a foolproof choice. Let’s explore what makes off-white special and go over some of the best designer-favorite options from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams.
Looking for my picks for the top white paint colors? Check out my blog post, “The Best White Paint Colors for Your Interior.”
What Is an Off-White Paint Color?
An off white paint color is a variation of white that contains subtle undertones, giving it a softer and warmer appearance compared to pure white. Off-whites are basically very light shades of beige, gray, cream, or greige (a mix of gray and beige). Unlike pure white, which can sometimes feel stark or harsh, off-whites have a hint of color, making them more versatile and dynamic than traditional whites. Off-whites are a fantastic choice for a wide range of lighting conditions and design styles.
If you’ve seen a beautiful home in a magazine or on Pinterest lately, chances are it featured an off-white paint color. Interior designers love them because they work in so many different spaces, from modern to traditional homes. Here are a few reasons why designers love off-whites:
- They look great in any light – Some rooms get a lot of natural light, while others don’t. Off-whites can be a great paint color choice if you have a range of lighting conditions in your home.
- They pair well with other colors and materials. Whether you have wood floors, stone countertops, or bold furniture, off-whites create a neutral backdrop that lets other elements shine.
- They make a space feel cozy – Their subtle undertones can make any room feel soft and inviting without looking too yellow or too gray.
- They work with different design styles – If you like to change up your decorating style, or it’s still evolving, off-whites are a flexible wall color choice that will work with a wide range of styles
- They balance warmth and brightness – Unlike pure white, which can sometimes look too cold or sterile, off-whites add just the right amount of warmth to a space.
- They’re perfect for exteriors – Bright whites with a high light reflectance value (LRV) are just too overpowering for exterior paint. Off-whites will give you the white look you’re after, without blinding your neighbors.
Best Benjamin Moore Off-White Paint Colors
Benjamin Moore has an incredible selection of off-whites. Here are a few of my tried-and-true favorites.
1. Classic Gray (OC-23)
Despite its name, BM Classic Gray is a light, neutral off-white with soft greige undertones. It never looks too cold or too warm, making it a go-to for designers. If you need an off-white that will work with some gray-toned fixed elements in your home (like flooring), Classic Gray is a fantastic choice.
- Best for: Whole-house, kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, and main areas (e.g., hallways)
- Designer Tip: Pair it with crisp white trim, like BM Chantilly Lace, for a modern yet timeless feel
2. Ballet White (OC-9)
When it comes to off-whites, BM Ballet White is top contender. It’s a warm off-white with a mix of beige and gray undertones, making it ideal for both interiors and exteriors. Ballet White plays well with natural materials like wood and stone, and brings a soft elegance to any space.
- Best for: Open-concept living rooms, exteriors, and cozy bedrooms.
- Designer Tip: Use Ballet White on your home’s exterior, paired with darker trim or accents, for a welcoming look.
3. Seapearl (OC-19)
Benjamin Moore’s Seapearl (also known as China White) is a cool off-white with soft, warm gray undertones. It has just enough depth to add interest without overpowering a room. I love using BM Seapearl on the walls with bright white kitchen cabinets for a subtle contrast. It’s also a great option if you love the look of contrast trim.
- Best for: Kitchens, living rooms, and home exteriors.
- Designer Tip: Pairs beautifully with navy blue or rich wood tones, and BM White Dove for trim or cabinetry
I love this next picture featuring a crisp bright white on the walls, and BM Seapearl on the door and trim. You can really see the softness of Seapearl, along with its neutral greige tones.
4. Natural Cream (OC-14)
BM Natural Cream is a warm off-white with subtle beige undertones, and is perfect for rooms with a soft, neutral color palette. This gorgeous off-white has become a super popular kitchen cabinet color in recent years, creating a softer look than a bright white, without leaning too yellow. It’s a perfect choice for both traditional and modern interiors.
- Best for: Kitchen cabinets, bedrooms
- Designer Tip: Natural Cream pairs well with soft, muted colors like sage green or warm browns.
5. Paper White (OC-55)
BM Paper White is a cool off-white with subtle blue-gray undertones. It has a crisp, clean look, and is an excellent choice for modern style interiors. Paper White also works great in bathrooms, especially when paired with crisp whites and cool-toned marble (like Carrara). In a north-facing room, you’ll really see the blue-gray undertones come out, whereas in a west-facing room Paper White will look a bit more neutral.
- Best for: Kitchens, bathrooms, and modern interiors.
- Designer Tip: Pairs beautifully with bright whites (like BM Chantilly Lace) and dark gray or black accents (like BM Nightfall).
6. Soft Chamois (OC-13)
BM Soft Chamois is a warm, creamy off-white with a hint of green undertone. It’s soft and inviting, but can be a chameleon, changing its coloring in different lighting conditions. Soft Chamois can be a great choice for a north-facing room, counteracting cool light. Just be sure to test this color in your room before committing.
- Best for: Bedrooms, north-facing rooms.
- Designer Tip: Looks best paired with crisp white trim, and gold, green, blue and/or pink accents
Best Sherwin-Williams Off-White Paint Colors
Sherwin-Williams also offers a fantastic range of off-white options. Here are some of the top picks:
1. Drift of Mist (SW 9166)
SW Drift of Mist is a soft, light greige (gray + beige) that works great in any space without leaning too cool or too warm. It’s a perfect choice for rooms that need a light, neutral off-white color, but don’t want to go too creamy yellow or beige. Drift of Mist has subtle gray undertones that can work well in west-facing rooms to counteract warm afternoon sun.
- Best for: Living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens
- Designer Tip: Use Drift of Mist with deeper grays and blues for contrast
Here you can see SW Drift of Mist looking more like a soft off-white than a gray. The gorgeous ocean view doesn’t hurt either!
2. Natural Choice (SW 7011)
SW Natural Choice is a light, neutral off-white with just the right amount of warmth, making it soft and inviting. It’s a versatile color that brings a fresh and clean feel to a room while still maintaining a cozy, approachable feel. I love Natural Choice for exteriors, where you want the look of an off-white, but don’t want to go too bright.
- Best for: Kitchens, bathrooms, and exteriors
- Designer Tip: Looks great with black accents, black hardware and dark wood tones
3. Shoji White (SW 7042)
SW Shoji White is a warm off-white shade with a hint of gray, making it feel cozy without looking too yellow. I love Shoji White as an off-white exterior paint color, because it rarely looks too creamy or yellow, and looks very sophisticated. For interiors, Shoji White has a bit more depth of color, but remains neutral enough to work with almost any color scheme. Check out my detailed review of Shoji White.
- Best for: Bedrooms, living rooms, and exteriors
- Designer Tip: Works great with wood trim and other natural elements, like stone and granite
4. Creamy (SW 7012)
As the name suggests, SW Creamy is a warm white paint color with a soft yellow undertone. It’s a perfect paint color for making a room feel comfortable and elegant, without looking too formal. SW Creamy really shines when paired with dark, earthy tones, like warm grays and browns.
- Best for: Kitchens, living rooms, and bathrooms.
- Designer Tip: Works best in rooms with lots of natural light to enhance its warmth
5. Aesthetic White (SW 7035)
Sherwin Williams Aesthetic White has become a super popular off-white in recent years. It has passive warmth, without really committing to any strong beige or gray coloring. Aesthetic White is a favorite of mine for exteriors and kitchen cabinets, but it’s also fantastic for bedrooms and living rooms.
- Best for: Kitchen cabinets, exteriors, living rooms, and bedrooms
- Designer Tip: To help Aesthetic White look its best, stick to using it in bright, airy rooms
How to Choose the Right Off-White for Your Home
There are a few things to consider when it comes to choosing the perfect off-white paint color for your home.
1. Consider Fixed Materials
First, you need to take your fixed materials into account. If you have cooler tones in your flooring, countertops, or tile, a neutral or cool off-white will usually work best. If your fixed materials have warm tones, stick with warmer off-whites.
2. Check the Lighting
Next, you need to consider your lighting conditions. Each off-white has subtle undertones that can shift based on the direction your room faces and how much natural light enters the space. Here’s some things to keep in mind:
- North-facing and east-facing rooms tend to have cooler light, so you might want a warmer off-white (like SW Creamy or SW Aesthetic White).
- West-facing rooms get plenty of warm light, so a cooler off-white (one with cool undertones), like BM Paper White or BM Seapearl, can help balance it.
- Pay attention to how light bulbs and natural light affect the color. Warm bulbs will bring out warm undertones, while cool bulbs may enhance cooler tones
3. Test the Color First
For best results, it’s essential that you check the paint colors in your space before committing to one.
I have a great blog post that breaks down all the steps for testing paint colors, and I highly recommend you check it out. It will really help you understand how to test and choose paint colors for any future painting projects. Here’s a quick overview:
- Order Samplize peel-and-stick sample sheets of several different off-whites to see how they look in your room throughout the day.
- Compare how each color pairs with your flooring, furniture, and lighting.
- Choose the off-white that looks best, or try some more samples
I have a great blog post that breaks down all the steps for testing paint colors, and I highly recommend you check it out. It will really help you understand how to test and choose paint colors for any future painting projects.
Final Thoughts
Off white paint colors are an interior designer favorite for a reason. They’re classic, versatile, and perfect for creating a warm, inviting space. Here’s a quick recap:
- For a warm look: Try Ballet White (BM) or Shoji White (SW).
- For a crisp, modern feel: Go with Seapearl (BM) or Paper White (BM).
- For a balanced, all-around great color: Classic Gray (BM) or Natural Choice (SW) are excellent choices.
This list of off-whites is a great place to start! Grab some samples and see how each one looks in your space. With the right off-white, you’ll be able to create a home that feels timeless, fresh, and effortlessly stylish. Happy painting!
