Key Points
- Pay attention to undertones, which will influence how the color looks in the room.
- Choose warm undertones for a cozy feel or cooler undertones for a crisp modern look.
- Always consider natural light when choosing a paint color and test a swatch at varying times of day and night.
Off-white paint colors are a popular choice for decorating any room in the house. Softer and more inviting than stark white, creamy off-whites can work on their own as a neutral base and pair easily with a range of other colors depending on their undertones.
We asked designers to recommend the off-white paint colors that they use on repeat.
Meet the Expert
- Jeremiah Young is the creative director of Kibler & Kirch in Billings, Montana.
- Rebekah Murphy is co-founder and interior designer at Murphy & Moore Design in St. Louis, Missouri.
- Monique Holland is the founder and principal designer of Holland Custom Designs in Washington, DC.
Sherwin-Williams Origami White
Interior designer Jeremiah Young likes Origami White from Sherwin-Williams so much that he uses it for both clients and to decorate his own home.
“It’s a great sleight of hand that could be used nearly anywhere,” he says. “It’s a little less harsh than a lot of whites that lean a little gray or blue—and is white enough to serve as a backdrop for other colors across the spectrum.”
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Sherwin-Williams Navajo White
Young has also used Navajo White from Sherwin-Williams in a range of interiors over the years.
“You might look at the color chip and say it is a bit yellow,” he says, “but it pairs well with warm accents, or when you use black and need less contrast, or to offset dramatic colors.”
Farrow & Ball Wimborne White
Young loves designer favorite Farrow & Ball paints for the quality and depth of color achieved by its liberal use of natural pigments and minerals.
“Wimborne White is a go-to color for me when we are trying to use a whole home color as backdrop,” Young says. This shade works well as a baseline color in part because it complements the natural warmth in wood finishes and furniture.
Farrow & Ball School House White
Farrow & Ball School House White is another designer favorite off-white color.
“School House White is a warm, understated off-white that brings a quiet depth to any room,” says interior designer Rebekah Murphy. “It complements oak floors, aged brass, and natural linens, making it a go-to for living rooms and bedrooms where you want effortless sophistication and a cozy, inviting feel.”
Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee
Murphy & Moore Design / Photo by Peter Larson
“Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee offers creamy warmth without feeling heavy or dated,” Murphy says. “It’s especially beautiful in traditional homes and pairs perfectly with vintage rugs, natural stone, and unlacquered finishes. Use it in dining rooms, hallways, or any space that calls for subtle elegance.”
Farrow & Ball Pointing
Murphy & Moore Design / Photo by Ashley Gieseking
Off-white paint that is cut with red gives off a delicate warmth that doesn’t look yellow.
“Farrow & Ball Pointing is a soft, warm white with a gentle glow that flatters both natural and artificial light,” Murphy says. “It’s versatile enough for kitchens, breakfast nooks, or transitional areas and pairs wonderfully with earthy tones like pale mushroom, terracotta, or olive for a collected, refined vibe.”
Benjamin Moore French Canvas
Interior designer Monique Holland describes French Canvas by Benjamin Moore as the new off-white “in-color.”
“The paint contains a mix of green, beige and gray undertones and can be a chameleon by changing from cool to warm depending on the style of your home,” Holland says. Use it in a living room paired with a range of metallics, wood tones, soft whites, and grays.
Benjamin Moore Natural Cream
Some off-white colors can lean deeper and veer into light greige territory for added warmth.
“People are getting away from crisp bright white cabinetry with cool undertones to warmer, softer whites,” Holland says. She suggests using Natural Cream by Benjamin Moore, a versatile color that works with both warm and color schemes, “to add depth and warmth to kitchen cabinets.”