Your guide to choosing white paint colors you’ll actually love once they’re on the wall
Don’t Pick the Wrong White
Choosing the right white is difficult because white is a shape-shifter. It is never just white; it is a reflection of everything around it—the light, the shadows, your flooring, and even the trees outside your window. This free guide will help you understand how white behaves in your home.
You Do Not Have To Pick Your White Alone
Choosing the right white should feel exciting, not stressful. Get our guide for experienced guidance and professional recommendations.
Why White is the Most Stressful Color to Choose
White seems simple until it is not. It reflects everything around it—light, shadows, flooring, and even the weather outside. This creates “color anxiety,” the fear of loving a paint swatch at the store but hating it once it covers the entire room.
The Secret Ingredient: Undertones
Every white has an undertone that determines whether it will feel warm, cool, or neutral in your space.
Warm: Hints of yellow or beige; soft, inviting, and cozy.
Cool: Hints of gray or blue; bright, crisp, and modern.
Neutral: Balanced and subtle; shifts smoothly with changing light.
How Light and Surroundings Affect Color
Paint color never exists alone. Understanding how light behaves and how your materials (flooring, trim, and finishes) influence appearance is key to avoiding color regret.
Natural Light: North, South, East, and West light change white tones dramatically throughout the day.
Surroundings: Flooring and trim can make whites look blue, yellow, or creamier than intended.
Weyer Approved Whites
We’ve identified four whites from Sherwin-Williams that have proven to be dependable across real homes in the Midwest:
Alabaster
Soft, warm, and timeless.
Extra White
Bright, clean, and ideal for ceilings.
Snowbound
A warm-leaning neutral that calms strong natural light.
Pure White
Perfectly balanced and versatile for interiors and exteriors.
How to Test White Paint Like a Pro
Most homeowners test samples incorrectly. Avoid regret with our professional method:
Test on poster board, not the wall, to avoid color influence.
Move samples around the room to see them in sunlight and artificial light.
Judge after 24 hours to see how the “shape-shifters” transition.
You Do Not Have To Pick Your White Alone
Choosing the right white should feel exciting, not stressful. Get our guide for experienced guidance and professional recommendations.
Need Help Beyond the Guide?
Choosing the right white is easier when you have experienced guidance. Whether you are planning a project, comparing options, or just have a question, we are here to help.
Have a project, question, or request? Send us a message and we’ll get back to you!
Weyer Companies
M - F 8AM - 5PM