White is the most common color for painted walls in residential homes, and although it may seem like a simple choice, there are many different kinds of white to choose from. From a creamy ivory to a crisp snow, the undertone of the white on your walls can change the atmosphere of a room entirely. A paint sample that might look great under the fluorescent lights of a hardware store can look too yellow in a room with west-facing windows and golden sunsets. In order to select the best shade of white for your home, it’s important to learn how to pick the right undertones for your house.
At Brush Brothers Painting, we are dedicated to finding the right paint solution for you and your home. With trained experts, high-quality materials, and professional techniques, we offer only the best for your property. Whether you’re looking for wood staining or wallpaper installation, we have the solution for you. We can help you pick the perfect color for your walls. Read more for advice on choosing the right white paint for your home.
The Difference Between Warm & Cool Undertones
While white may seem adaptable to any space, each paint has undertones and tints so subtle they can look neutral until light reflects off furniture, your home’s interior lighting, and sunrays coming through windows. Warm-undertoned white paint with hints of beige, orange, red, or yellow creates a cozy, welcoming, natural feel. White paint with cool undertones holds slight tints of gray, green, blue, or violet, and creates a fresh, crisp, and contemporary look.
Identifying The Undertones
An easy way to check the undertone of the white paint you are considering is to hold a paint sample against a sheet of pure white printer paper. You’ll be able to recognize any otherwise hidden hints of warm or cool undertones. If the paint sample appears to be a bit more yellow or cream-colored, you have a white with warm undertones, and if your sample seems to look blue or gray against the paper, it has cool undertones.
The Right White Guidelines
The natural light that shines through your windows and the materials or furniture that exist in a room affect the tone of your white paint. Sunlight that comes in from a north-facing window will brighten cool undertones, while a south-facing window complements warm and creamy undertones. Furniture, flooring, and decorations have undertones of their own, like cool-toned gray marble floors or warm-toned brown couches. How you pair these colors makes a big difference in the cohesion of your home’s aesthetic. Choosing a white that matches the same temperature as your floors or furniture is the easiest way to do this.
Take a look at the whites to choose in each scenario:
- Flooring: With natural wood floors, choose a warm white, and pair a cool white with tile, marble, or concrete floors.
- Trim: With ivory, cream, or light-colored trim, lean towards a warm white; if you have bright white, gray, or dark-colored trim, go with a cool white.
- Metal Hardware: Lean towards a warm white if your home’s doorknobs, railings, or light fixtures are brass, gold, or bronze. Select a cool white if your home has chrome, stainless steel, or polished nickel hardware.
- Windows: Light coming in from the South or West should be paired with warm whites, while light coming in from the North or East should be paired with cool whites.
- Upholstery and Fabric: White linen, cream colors, or warm fabrics should be matched with warm whites, and go with cool whites for upholstery that is gray, blue, or dark colored.
Test Before Committing
It is always important to do a patch test before painting your entire room with a new color. Buy a quart or small sample and paint a large patch on your wall, at least 24 by 24 inches. Ensure that you apply the sample with primer if you are depending on the undertone of the primer, or apply the sample without a primer if you only plan to add the new paint over an existing layer. Let this sample dry, and check it at least three different times during the day, with and without your room’s artificial lighting, to see if you like it at every time of day or night.
The Best Solutions With Brush Brothers Painting
Whether you need help finding the right shade of white to add to your home, or you just want to rely on the professionals to paint the color of your choice, Brush Brothers Painting is here to help. Contact us for more information or request a painting estimate today!
