White paint choices can be surprisingly complicated. After trying many over the years, we settled on Benjamin Moore’s Simply White (OC-117) as a reliable warm, bright white we used across walls, trim, doors, and cabinets. It’s versatile and welcoming, but like any popular paint, it has strengths and limitations to consider before committing to it throughout your home.
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What makes BM Simply White a popular white?
Choosing the right white is challenging because most whites include subtle undertones—yellow, pink, green or gray—and tiny amounts of black to prevent them from feeling stark. These nuances are what separate a flattering white from one that feels flat or clinical. Simply White became widely used because it hits a sweet spot: bright and clean but gently warm, making it suitable for many surfaces and styles. It was Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year in 2016 and remains a designer favorite for its versatility, though it does exhibit characteristics worth understanding before you paint an entire home with it.
Is Simply White warm or cool?
Simply White is a warm white. Warm whites are often preferred because they feel inviting and reduce the sterile look that cooler whites can create. We used Simply White extensively for trim in a home painted in greige tones, where its warmth complemented the walls and warmed up adjacent finishes like rugs, upholstery, and wood furniture. If your space contains many warm elements, a warm white like Simply White will harmonize well.
What is Simply White’s undertone?
Simply White carries visible yellow undertones that give it a soft, creamy warmth. Those undertones keep it from feeling icy, but in low or artificial light they can become more pronounced, shifting the paint toward a creamier appearance. In brighter, sunlit rooms the yellow is subtler and the paint reads as a clean warm white.
In photos you can often see how Simply White compares to cooler stock whites nearby—the warmth is noticeable and intentionally comforting in many interior palettes.
Does Simply White look dingy and yellow?
Some people find Simply White too yellow, especially in north-facing rooms or spaces with limited natural light. Although it’s bright enough to avoid feeling dingy in most settings, situations that emphasize its warm undertone can make it read more cream or off-white. To minimize that effect, consider alternatives with subtler undertones if you have lots of cool finishes or low-light rooms.
- North-facing rooms with limited daylight may make the yellow feel stronger.
- Pairing Simply White with cool wall colors or cool-toned materials can accentuate the warmth.
- Older paint can yellow over time, which increases the warm cast.
We found Simply White performs best in brighter, south-facing rooms where its crispness shines through. In darker areas it can feel creamier—sometimes a desired look, sometimes not.
What is the LRV of Simply White?
Simply White has a Light Reflective Value (LRV) of 89.5. LRV measures how much light a paint reflects on a scale from 0 to 100. With an LRV near 90, Simply White is a bright option that can help open up darker spaces like hallways, closets, and bathrooms while still reading warm.
Where should you use Simply White?
Simply White is flexible and can be used in many applications when you want a warm, bright white. Below are practical recommendations based on our experience.
Trim and moldings
Simply White excels as a trim color, providing crisp contrast against greige walls, warm woods, and traditional textiles. It highlights architectural details without feeling sterile.
Wainscoting and decorative trim
It’s an excellent choice for wainscoting and other trim details, where a crisp white accentuates wall color and artwork. For trim and cabinetry, choose a high-quality paint to minimize yellowing over time.
Doors
For interior doors, Simply White offers a clean finish that stands out without appearing unpainted. For exterior doors exposed to strong sun, consider a less bright white to avoid a harsh, glaring look.
Cabinets and built-ins
Simply White works well on kitchen cabinets and built-ins, offering a bright yet warm foundation that feels timeless. Be cautious in north-facing kitchens; the paint may read warmer there.
Walls
Used on walls, Simply White can create a clean, modern backdrop that still feels warm—best suited to rooms with good natural light. In cooler, darker spaces the yellow undertone can become more visible and may interact with surrounding colors, so testing is essential.
Whole-house use
Simply White can work as a whole-house color if you accept some variation room to room. It creates a cohesive, bright look in open plans with consistent light. If you prefer a white with minimal warmth throughout, consider trying alternatives with subtler undertones and lower LRV.
Comparing Simply White to other popular whites
Small differences in undertone and brightness change how a white reads in your space. Below are concise comparisons to help you select a white that matches your lighting, finishes, and design goals.
Simply White vs White Dove
White Dove shares warm undertones but has a lower LRV, making it slightly darker and sometimes closer to a muted tan or warm gray. It’s a good option if you want warmth without a very bright white.
Simply White vs Pure White
Pure White tends to read closer to a clean, neutral white with subtler beige undertones. It’s a strong choice when you want less visible yellow warmth, especially in spaces with cool finishes or limited light.
Simply White vs Chantilly Lace
Chantilly Lace is a cooler, crisp white with faint blue-gray notes. It provides a bright white without yellowing and pairs well with cool palettes.
Simply White vs Alabaster & Greek Villa
Alabaster and Greek Villa are both creamier, darker, and warmer than Simply White. They lean more toward off-white or antique white territory and can work beautifully when you want a softer, aged white look.
Simply White vs Swiss Coffee & Cloud White
Swiss Coffee and Cloud White are slightly darker and creamier; they read as warm, classic whites and are useful when you want more pronounced warmth than Simply White provides.
Simply White vs Decorator’s White & Extra White
Decorator’s White is grayer and cooler, while Extra White is a crisp cool white with minimal undertones. Both make suitable alternatives if you’re avoiding yellowing tendencies.
Final considerations
Benjamin Moore’s Simply White is a dependable warm white that we used extensively in multiple homes. It offers bright, clean results with a subtle creamy warmth that flatters many interiors. The main trade-offs are its visible yellow undertone in low light and the potential for paint to yellow with age. For homes with varied lighting or a preference for a more neutral white, sample and test alternatives to ensure the tone works with your finishes and natural light.
We still recommend testing paint on your walls before committing, using large swatches and observing them at different times of day. That approach gives the clearest picture of how any white—Simply White included—will perform in your specific home.
More Paint Colors We Love
Explore other favorite paint colors and deep-dive posts to find complementary shades and alternatives that suit your style and light conditions. Testing samples and observing colors in your actual rooms remains the best way to choose the perfect white.
- Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
- Sherwin-Williams Pure White
- Sherwin-Williams Extra White
- Haint Blue paint options
- The 12 Best White Paint Colors guides
- The 9 Best Greige Paint Colors
- Color of the Year roundups
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