How to choose the right white paint for a room
There are two types of whites: warm whites and cool whites. “Warm and cool whites have different undertones and can help set a mood within a room,” explains Dulux’s colour expert, Andrea Lucena-Orr.
Dulux’s most popular warm whites in Australia include:
- Dulux Natural White
- Dulux Antique White USA
- Dulux Whisper White
- Dulux Hog Bristle Quarter
Dulux’s top four cool whites in Australia include:
- Dulux Vivid White
- Dulux White on White
- Dulux Lexicon Quarter
- Dulux Lexicon
But how do you work out if you need a warm white or a cool white? Read on for our top 10 expert tips.
1. “Always always trial a generous test patch first.”
– Julia Green, Stylist, Writer, Presenter and Director of Greenhouse Interiors
2. “Generally, I like bright, slightly blueish-toned whites in contemporary, open plan and industrial spaces. And warmer whites are better suited to older spaces with period character, such as Victorian or Edwardian homes.”
– Lucy Feagins, Founder and editor, The Design Files
3. “Speak to the professionals about the nuances of white as they are experts in their field and can share the ins and outs of each choice with you."
– Julia Green, Stylist, Writer, Presenter and Director of Greenhouse Interiors
4. “Paint a large swatch of your shortlisted colours on the wall – immediately all is revealed about their differences and their nuances. Ensure you look at the painted swatches in the morning, the afternoon and at night to see how the colour changes under different light conditions.”
– Lana Taylor, Marketing Director, Three Birds Renovations
5. “How do you want to feel in the space? This will dictate your color choice in the biggest way and help you decide between cool and warm whites based on their different properties.”
– Julia Green, Stylist, Writer, Presenter and Director of Greenhouse Interiors
6. “Don’t fall into the trap of trends when choosing a white. Think about your house and the space you are selecting the white for.
If you have a light and bright space with a cooler colour scheme in carpet or cabinetry, then a cooler white may be for you.
If you want to add some warmth to an older property that has a warmer scheme, such as cream carpet or tiling, then perhaps a warm white is the way to go. Think of your white as the backdrop to the rest of your house.”
– Sara Chamberlain, The Real Estate Stylist Founders and Creative Director
7. “My advice is to always use a sample pot or a brush out; bringing your two to three favourite whites into the space you intend to paint, comparing them in the light at different times of the day.”
– Lucy Feagins, Founder and editor, The Design Files
8. “We only put Dulux tint into a Dulux paint, otherwise you are taking a gamble with the outcome if you mix and match tints and brands.”
– Lana Taylor, Marketing Director, Three Birds Renovations
9. “It’s not just about the colour of the paint, it is also about the texture of the paint, how many coats is it going to need and the way it reflects light. It’s important that you trust the paint that you are working with.”
– Lucy Feagins, Founder and editor, The Design Files
10. “You need to think about how you want to feel in the space first and foremost. Then consider your surrounds and the amount of natural light that enters your space. Cool whites have a blue/black base, and translate as sharp, fresh, crisp and contemporary on the walls. They also neutralise natural sunlight so work well in north facing rooms where sunlight is at its peak; whereas warmer whites have a yellow/brown base and throw off warmer hues making a room feel cozier.”
– Julia Green, Stylist, Writer, Presenter and Director of Greenhouse Interiors
