How To Pick The Perfect White Paint Colour For Your Home

If you’ve never been paint shopping, you might not realise just how many white shades there are to choose from!

While initially these colours may appear identical, the difference lies in their cool or warm undertones, that often only reveal themselves when painted on your wall.

Each home and its natural light is different, so there’s no ‘one size fits all’ paint, but there are three white shades we’ve been known to revisit time and time again.

From warm shades suited to period homes, to cool tones for contemporary spaces, choose the perfect white for your place, armed with the following tips and inspiration.

‘Misty Morning’ by Jennifer Tarry-Smith from Brunswick Street Gallery. In Good Company Mariposa 2.5 Seater Sofa. Weave Lisbon rug. Sarah Ellison Pièrre Side Table.

Dulux Natural White walls in the home of Deb Bibby. LEILAH coffee table. Sarah Ellison Chub Coffee table. Painting ‘Tingari’ by Charlie Tjapangati. Terence Conran London sofa. Pony Rider cushions. Atlas leather cushion. Jean Gillion Sling rope and leather chair. Mantis wall light from Spence & Lyda used as pendant. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli

Dulux Natural White walls in the home of Deb Bibby. Sarah Ellison stoneware vessels and dining chairs. Original butterfly chair from Angelucci. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli

Dulux Natural White walls in the home of Sally Smith. Lucy Montgomery X Jardan Onda Mirror. Linear Standard cabinetry handles. Photo – Eve Wilson. Styling – Annie Portelli

Dulux Natural White walls and ceiling in the home of Sally Smith. GlobeWest sofa and stools. Nemo Lighting Applique de Marseille designed by Le Corbusier. Thonet No.811 Hoffmann chairs. Jardan Otis table. Lrnce artwork. Jenn Johnston Ceramics vases. Woodcut Pale Oak floors. Photo – Eve Wilson. Styling – Annie Portelli

Neutral whites

When in doubt, go with Dulux Natural White — that should be the mantra for anyone struggling to choose the best white paint for their home.

Neither too yellow or too blue in undertone, this shade is the most neutral of all the Dulux whites. The underlying subtle warmth serves to brighten up any space, and is particularly well suited to contemporary, coastal or Hampton style homes.

Little Petra Armchair VB1 from Cult. Loom Oushak Rug Classic 7164. 9602 Floor Lamp from In Good Company. Artwork by Sally Anderson. Casa de Folklore Horezu Bowl from Toast.

Dulux Antique White U.S.A. walls in the home of Gemma Leslie. Henning Kjærnulf Razorblade dining chairs purchased from Nord Modern. Artwork from left to right: ‘Flowers And A Trio Of Pears‘ by Gemma Leslie; painting by Tonee Messiah; artwork by Drez. Lamp from Curated Spaces. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Sarah Hendriks

Dulux Antique White U.S.A. walls in the home of Meagan Park. Artwork by Ashley Woodson Bailey. Sandblasted Oregon floors with Hardwax Oil finish by Whittle Waxes. Mark Tuckey Eggcup Stool.

Dulux Antique White U.S.A. walls in the home of Gemma Leslie. Eleanor Louise Butt painting. Nuñez Rojas for Food For Everyone poster. Large artwork by Sally Anderson. MCM House sofa. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Sarah Hendriks

Warm whites

Period and traditional homes including Victorian, Edwardian, and art deco properties benefit from a warmer shade of white paint that is classic and inviting.

Dulux Antique White U.S.A. ticks all the boxes. Expect the cosy feeling of this colour to imbue your home with warmth, complement heritage detailing, and allow artworks to sing.

Jardan Wilfred Armchair. Lights Lights Lights Lampe Gras N°214 Light. HAY Bowler Side Table from Cult. Weave Glebe rug.

Dulux Lexicon Quarter walls in the home of Shirin Pulitano. Moroso tables. Jardan sofa. Halcyon Lake rug. Euroluce Flos 265 wall light. Painting by Oliver Watts. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Dulux Lexicon Quarter walls in the home of Shirin Pulitano. Study nook with String System from Great Dane. Eames chair and stool from Living Edge. Halcyon Lake rug. Painting by Betty Mbitjana. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Dulux Lexicon Quarter walls in the home of Shirin Pulitano. Flag Halyard Chair from Cult. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Styling – Annie Portelli

Cool whites

Modern, open-plan homes call for a cool and crisp white that will uplift the entire space. In these instances, look no further than Dulux Lexicon Quarter.

This colour provides a bright backdrop that creates the perfect clean contrast with architectural details such as black steel, concrete and brickwork, whilst also serving as a fresh backdrop for contemporary furniture and artwork. Other cool toned hues of blues, sage greens, and grey pair particularly well with this white.