Benjamin Moore Paper White is a clean and crisp off-white paint color with a dominant gray undertone. In other words, Benjamin Moore Paper White is a light-toned gray paint color with a considerable cool and crisp touch to it. Well, choosing the perfect shade of gray paint color can be quite daunting! They can have a variety of undertones such as pink, violet, yellow, green, blue, and beige. Moreover, gray paint colors can either lean into the ‘warm’ or ‘cool’ end of the scale – spending on the undertones. So, if you’re looking for a perfect shade of neutral gray to add a cool and calming vibe to your home, you’ve stopped by the right blog post.
In this color review, I will be disclosing everything you need to know about Benjamin Moore Paper White. We’re going to discuss the undertones, Light Reflectance Values (LRVs), where and how to use this light gray color in your home, color comparisons, FAQs, and much more! We will also discuss how this color behaves in various lighting conditions. And yes, I am going to showcase some real-time images as well! Excited much? Let’s get started!
What Color is Paper White by Benjamin Moore?
Paper White by Benjamin Moore is like a ‘fresh sheet of paper’, with a dominant blue and gray undertone. This clean and cool-toned white paint color can also appear crisp and icy under certain lighting conditions. So, if you’re looking for a perfect shade of cool-toned white color that has a major gray base – BM Paper White is definitely something to have an eye on! However, let me tell you, this clean white color can play a total chameleon under certain lighting conditions (which I will be discussing later in the post). Especially if you’re looking for a calmer gray paint color that doesn’t make your home feel outdated – BM Paper White is definitely something to have an eye on.
There have also been certain times that I have used this clean, light gray Benjamin Moore paint color as a WHOLE HOUSE COLOR for my various E-Design and Color Consultation clients. This color can readily cool down your rooms and make them feel peaceful, calming, modern, and clean. This color can be an excellent choice for various areas of your home – but you must look closely into the local architectural elements, incoming lighting conditions, and much more!
I’d recommend that you try this ready-to-order swatch in different rooms with different lighting conditions to determine how Benjamin Moore Paper White will truly feel in your home.
Click here to get a peel & stick sample of Benjamin Moore Paper White
Is Benjamin Moore Paper White a Warm or Cool Color?
Benjamin Moore Paper White is definitely a cool-toned, off-white paint color with deep gray undertones. It’s not too icy and frosty as well, hence – can also showcase a lovely touch of warmth under certain lighting conditions. But all in all, BM Paper White is suited for the cool-toned color palettes. This cool, crisp, and refreshing white paint color with gray undertones can make a space feel calmer and relaxing too.
For instance, try placing a swatch of BM Paper White against BM Chantilly Lace and BM White Dove. You’ll observe how cool-toned, clean, and crisp BM Paper White appears. On the other hand, BM Chantilly Lace is a neutral and bright white paint color that almost lacks any undertones. Similarly, BM White Dove is a notable warm white paint color with considerable beige undertones.
When Not To Use Benjamin Moore Paper White?
Benjamin Moore Paper White must be carefully used in the north and east-facing rooms. In these specific compass directions, BM Paper White can look quite cold and crisp. And especially if the rooms receive low incoming natural light, this paint color tends to look slightly dull and dingy. So, you must use this paint color in a room that receives considerable incoming light. This way, it will definitely feel refreshed and calming!
What are the Undertones of Benjamin Moore Paper White?
Benjamin Moore Paper White is a clean, bright, and refreshing white paint color with a notable gray undertone. This color can also readily showcase a sneaky blue or green undertone, under certain lighting conditions. Moreover, this color can appear slightly warmer (like a cool greige) if the incoming light is warm and cozy. Mostly, you’ll also observe the paint color appearing to be quite ‘neutral’ without showcasing any blue and green undertones.
Paper White Benjamin Moore can tend to appear slightly different under different lighting conditions – but not majorly dominant though. In general, you can use this color in any compass direction but you must know how it will end up looking. In a room with little natural light, this color might look dull and dingy. On the other hand, this color is bound to look refreshed and crisp when used in a room that receives ample incoming natural light. Let’s discuss how this color behaves in different lighting conditions –
- In the north-facing rooms, BM Paper White can look even colder and crisper. The cool incoming natural light will make it appear icy and frosty! Paper White may not be the best choice in a north-facing room!
- In the south-facing rooms, the Paper White color can appear quite refreshed, bright, and clean. Definitely one of the best compass directions to use BM Paper White in!
- In the east-facing rooms, BM Paper White can look softer in the mornings and colder in the afternoon and evening hours. During afternoons, you can expect shadows as well!
- In the west-facing rooms, Paper White by Benjamin Moore can look balanced during the afternoon hours and colder in the early morning hours.
BM Paper White LRV
Light Reflectance Value or LRV is an important aspect to consider when choosing the best neutral paint color for your home. This value determines how light or dark the paint color is – on a scale of 0-100. Hence, the darker the paint color, the lower the LRV is!
With an LRV of 74.41 – this paint color falls on the lighter end of the scale. This clean white paint color has a notable gray undertone, hence – it can make a beautiful option as the ‘whole house color’ as well! So, if you’re looking for a bright white color with a touch of gray undertone – BM Paper White is definitely something to have an eye on. On the other hand, this light gray color will always feel refreshed and airy.
Can I Use Benjamin Moore Paper White For The WHOLE HOUSE?
Absolutely, yes! Rather, BM Paper White can be a great pick for a whole house color scheme. So, if you’d like your home to feel clean, crisp, airy, modern, and cool-toned – look no further than Paper White by Benjamin Moore. This cool-toned white paint color with a gray undertone can be readily used on all the common walls of your home, stairways, hallways, and open-concept living and dining rooms. Moreover, if you’re dealing with a home that receives less incoming natural light – restrict the use of BM Paper White in the common spaces and use only in a specific bedroom or bathroom.
Paper White BM must only be used as a ‘whole house color scheme’ in medium and large-sized homes. Moreover, allow this color in a space that receives ample incoming natural light. This way, you’ll get the best of both worlds since Paper White will come off quite clean and refreshed. Remember to pair this color with BM Chantilly Lace on the trims, moldings, and interior doors.
How To Use BM Paper White Paint?
Paper White BM is a clean and crisp, light gray color that can be used in a particular space as well as a whole house color. This color can be used on all the walls of a particular room, the kitchen cabinets, mudroom and foyer cabinets, exterior walls, bathroom vanity, exterior shutters, doors, and much more. Especially for interior design styles like Coastal, Modern Farmhouse, French Country, Contemporary, and Scandinavian – this light gray color by Benjamin Moore will work beautifully.
Here’s a well-curated pre-made color palette that I have created for BM Paper White on Etsy! It enlists all the exact colors that pair with Paper White color including how and where to use them in your whole house color palette. I have included 5 color palettes (with Benjamin Moore Paper White and complementary hues) along with how to use each of those paint colors in various areas of your home. You’ll also get the detailed MATERIAL and FABRIC palette with each of the BM Paper White color palettes! Another bonus is PAINT PLANNER and a detailed guide on paint sheens for various areas of your home.
Here’s where you can download the palette – Benjamin Moore Paper White
Where To Use BM Paper White Paint in Your Home?
You can use Paper White by Benjamin Moore in various areas of your home. You can either use this color as a neutral or base in a specific space or even a whole house color. Moreover, this color is a classic choice for cabinets, vanity, interior doors, built-in shelves, interior walls, and exterior sidings as well. Here’s where you can use this BM Paper White paint color –
- Interior Doors
- Exterior Doors
- Exterior Walls
- Exterior Shutters
- Whole House including foyer and hallways
- Bedroom Walls
- Bathroom Walls
- Bathroom Vanity
- Kids’ Rooms
- Laundry Cabinets
- Kitchen Cabinets
- Built-in Shelves
What Colors Go With BM Paper White?
Colors that go with Benjamin Moore Paper White are shades of soft blues, dark blues, navy blues, blue-greens, green-grays, blue-grays, charcoal gray, clean and crisp bright whites, shades of teal, stormy gray, and black. Yes! This versatile color can pair well with every color category!
Here’s a list of Benjamin Moore blue colors that go with BM Paper White –
- Benjamin Moore Blue Note
- Benjamin Moore Philipsburg Blue
- Benjamin Moore Iceberg
Now, here’s a list of Benjamin Moore green colors that go with BM Paper White –
- Benjamin Moore Caldwell Green
- Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage
- Benjamin Moore Quiet Moments
You must have a look at this list of Benjamin Moore gray and black colors that go with BM Paper White –
- Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron
- Benjamin Moore Storm
- Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray
You must have a look at this list of Benjamin Moore blue-green colors that go with BM Paper White –
- Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray
- Benjamin Moore Aegean Teal
- Benjamin Moore Mount Saint Anne
Now, here’s a list of Benjamin Moore white colors that go with BM Paper White –
What Trim Colors Go With BM Paper White?
Paper White by Benjamin Moore must be used with a fresh and clean white trim for a sense of visual contrast. I’d recommend that you choose cool-toned white colors that may have a blue or gray undertone or even neutral bright white colors with minimal undertones. You can even color-drench your room in BM Paper White and paint all the surfaces in this color. In a different sheen of course, for instance, choose Eggshell for the walls, semi-gloss for the trims, and matte or flat for the ceiling! Here’s a list of Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, and Behr paint colors that can work as the ceiling and trim colors with BM Paper White.
- Sherwin Williams Pure White
I’d personally recommend SW Pure White trims, moldings, and ceilings to go with BM Paper White walls. Especially if you’re looking for a calm, clean, and seamless approach, this trim color is definitely to go! Pure White ceiling and Paper White walls will make a sophisticated contrast and can be used to make your home feel timeless.
- Benjamin Moore Super White
Benjamin Moore Super White is a classic choice for the trims, moldings, and ceiling with BM Paper White walls. Especially if you have a cool-toned color palette in your home – this color on the ceilings is bound to work effortlessly.
- Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
BM Chantilly Lace is another clean and bright white paint that works wonderfully with Benjamin Moore Paper White paint color. In the case of contemporary, modern farmhouse, Scandinavian, and modern design styles – this trim color will never disappoint you and also create a visual contrast!
- Behr Ultra Pure White
Lightest and cleanest of them all, Behr Ultra Pure White is a clean and bright white paint that makes the ceilings appear higher and your dull corners brighter. A must-recommend for BM Paper White paint color!
Where To Use Benjamin Moore Paper White in Your Homes?
As mentioned earlier, Paper White Benjamin Moore can make a light, clean, and crisp statement in any corner of your home. Well, if you’re excited to have a look at some inspirations of how this color has been used creatively, here’s a list to follow!
Benjamin Moore Paper White Bathroom
Especially if you’re looking for a spa-like experience in the bathroom, BM Paper White is definitely something to have an eye on. You can choose to paint all the walls of a bathroom in this color and further choose a clean white trim. Furthermore, pick a bold black-and-white patterned tile to create a bold sense of contrast.
BM Paper White Bedroom
Whether it’s the master bedroom or the kids’ bedroom, BM Paper White can make a cool and calming appeal. You can choose to paint all the walls in this color or simply pair it with a bold accent wall. Especially for south and west-facing bedrooms, this paint color is quite ideal.
BM Paper White Kitchen Cabinets
Especially for a cool-toned color palette, BM Paper White can be used on the kitchen cabinets. You can choose to pair this color with a clean white paint color on the walls, ceiling, and trims. For instance, BM Chantilly Lace and BM Super White on the walls can make a great appeal.
BM Paper White Whole House
Especially for Coastal interiors and beach houses, BM Paper White can be used as a ‘whole house color scheme’. This color can make your home look calmer, cooler, and crisper! Especially if you like the slight green undertone in a gray paint color, Benjamin Moore Paper White is definitely something to have an eye on.
Benjamin Moore Paper White Equivalent Colors
Comparing colors is always helpful since you get the idea of the true undertones of a paint color. After all, that’s how we know how a paint color is lighter/darker or warmer/cooler than the others!
Here, some closely similar paint colors are Benjamin Moore Classic Gray, Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White, Benjamin Moore Gray Owl, and Benjamin Moore Silver Satin.
Let’s see how they differ!
Benjamin Moore Paper White vs Benjamin Moore Classic Gray
Benjamin Moore Classic Gray is a soft gray paint color with considerable warm undertones. This warm gray paint color almost functions as an off-white paint color. With an LRV of 73.67 – this color is almost as light as BM Paper White. So, if you prefer a slightly warmer gray color – BM Classic Gray is something to have an eye on.
Benjamin Moore Paper White vs Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White
Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White is a clean and bright white paint color with an LRV of 82.68! Definitely lighter than BM Paper White, this color has a wink of violet undertone as opposed to Paper White that has a blue and green undertone.
Benjamin Moore Paper White vs Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
Benjamin Moore Gray Owl is a stormy, light gray color with an LRV of 64.51! This neutral gray paint color is slightly darker than BM Paper White and can be used as a whole house color scheme as well! However, this color has a touch of brown and taupe undertone as well.
Benjamin Moore Paper White vs Benjamin Moore Silver Satin
Benjamin Moore Silver Satin is a clean and crisp gray paint color with deep feathery undertones. This color lacks the blue and green undertones and can rather feel quite neutral and calming. With an LRV of 74.9 – this color is definitely as light as BM Paper White. So, if you’re looking for a light gray paint color that doesn’t feel icy and frosty – BM Silver Satin is definitely something to have an eye on!
Benjamin Moore Paper White Takeaway
Is Benjamin Moore Paper White one of your favorite clean and bright white paint colors with a gray undertone? Well, are you excited to incorporate this color into your home? It’s definitely one of the best light gray paint colors to have in your home as a whole house color. So, without any delay, paint that fresh coat of this versatile light gray color and let your home feel bright and clean again!
