If you’re looking to paint your home’s exterior, white may be high on the list of color choices you’re considering. It’s a timeless, popular choice, but choosing the best white for exterior isn’t as simple as you may think. All whites are not created equal, so you have to look beyond the paint sample. Undertones, lighting, and the surrounding features and fixed elements around your home all impact how a white paint color will actually look once it’s up on your siding. What you think the color is on the paint chip may be entirely different than how it reads on your home’s exterior.
At Oak City Coatings, we help Raleigh-area homeowners avoid the stress and expense of costly color mistakes (like a white that turns out too yellow, too stark, or just…off). In this blog post, we’re sharing professional guidance from our years of exterior painting experience to help you confidently choose the best white paint color for your exterior – without the guesswork.
In This Post
How to Choose the Best White Paint Color for Your Exterior House
Before you head into the paint store to start testing samples, keep these 4 factors that impact how your white paint will appear in mind: undertones, style, surroundings, and lighting.
Understanding the Undertones: Warm vs. Cool Whites
You might think that white is white, but that is not the case at all. Not all whites are pure, and they all have subtle undertones that lean warm (think… creamy or beige) or cool (like those with hints of blue or gray). These undertones have a huge impact on how the white will read once it’s painted across an entire home.
- Warm whites like ivory or cream feel inviting and timeless. They pair beautifully with brick, stone, wood accents, and traditional home styles.
- Cool whites appear crisper and bluish, perfectly suiting modern or coastal homes. They’re ideal for minimalist designs or homes with black or gray accents.
These side-by-side examples of warm vs. cool-toned exterior paints show just how different white can be.
Consider Your Home’s Architecture and Style
The best white paint for your exterior also depends on the design and architecture of your home, as well as your personality and style preferences.
- Colonial-style and traditional homes look great with soft, classic whites that lean warm, as that enhances their stunning details.
- Contemporary or modern farmhouses create clean, high-contrast looks with bright, cooler whites (hello, Joanna Gaines!).
- Craftsman and ranch-style homes tend to do well with off-whites or whites with gray undertones to complement earthy trim and natural materials.
Factor in Surroundings and Fixed Elements
Painting your home’s exterior is more than just picking a white paint color that looks good on the main siding on your home. It also has to coordinate with the color of your roof, trim, stone, brick, and even your landscaping. All of these elements impact how a white will look and can make or break your overall look.
A white that looks crisp next to a gray roof might appear too yellow next to warm-toned brick. Raleigh’s golden-hour light and heavy tree coverage in some neighborhoods can also skew how whites appear. Consider what type of light and coverage you get throughout the day and the seasons when choosing your paint color.
Pro Tip: Always paint test patches on multiple sides of your home to see how the color looks with different lights, shade, and your home’s surroundings.
The Role of Lighting in How White Appears
Lighting is everything when it comes to white paint – probably more so than any other paint color. Natural light can dramatically shift throughout the day, impacting the appearance of your white paint at various hours.
- South-facing walls get warm, golden light that can make cool whites feel more balanced.
- North-facing walls get cooler, indirect light, so warm whites are great choices.
- Overcast or shaded areas can make whites look dull, so choosing a slightly warmer tone for these spots can help these areas look more visually appealing.
Pro Tip: When testing swatches, observe how your white looks in the morning, afternoon, and evening to see the full range of how your white will appear in different lights.
Best White Paint Colors for Exterior That We Love
We pride ourselves on helping our customers choose high-quality, stunning paint colors and products for all of our projects.
Here are some of our tried-and-true favorites that we’ve used on Raleigh homes:
- Benjamin Moore White Dove: A soft, warm white that feels classic and welcoming. Ideal for traditional homes and brick exteriors.
Sherwin-Williams Alabaster: Creamy and balanced with subtle warmth. Works beautifully on ranch homes and homes with stone accents. - Behr Ultra Pure White: Bright, clean, and cool. Best for modern homes or when you want high contrast with black trim or a black roof.
Finish Matters: Flat, Satin, or Gloss?
If you thought choosing a paint color was the only part of this process, think again. Choosing the best paint finish (AKA, sheen) also plays a huge role in how your paint looks and performs on your exterior.
A paint’s sheen is the level of shine or glossiness that a finish has when it dries. It’s determined by how much light reflects off of the finish. Just like color undertones, different sheens look different on your exterior depending on the type of surface, surrounding environment, natural light, etc. Certain sheens also are more durable, so that’s something to consider for your exterior, especially if you’re in an area that gets a lot of sunlight, pollen, or weather events.
- Flat or matte: Offers a soft, low-reflective look that hides imperfections, but it can show dirt and pollen more easily.
- Satin: The go-to for most exteriors. It has a subtle sheen that’s easy to clean and looks elegant.
- Gloss: Use this finish for trim and accents where you want a bit of pop and durability.
We break down exterior finishes and how to choose the best one for your exterior siding and trim in our blog post on the best exterior paint sheens.
Test Before You Commit
Once you’ve narrowed down some of your top white paint contenders for your exterior, the most important next step is to test them!
Don’t rely on a tiny 2”X2” paint chip from the store. Purchase sample quarts of your top choices and paint large swatches (at least 2”X2’) on different sides of your home.
Observe them throughout the day and in different weather conditions. Pay attention to how the paint looks with your architecture, style, other exterior elements, and your surroundings.
Choose the Best White for Your Exterior Today!
Choosing the perfect white paint for your home can be overwhelming, and it does take some patience and consideration.
If you need help narrowing down the best white paint color for your exterior house, seek professional input. At Oak City Coatings, we offer color consulting and can help you apply your test swatches correctly to make the best choice for your home and vision.
With our keen eye for undertones, light, architecture, and finish, we can help you land on the perfect shade of white to elevate your home’s look.
Visit our contect page to schedule your free estimate or color consult today!
