HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT WHITE PAINT FOR YOUR PROJECT
If you've jumped on this article to get the name of our one-stop, go-to, must-use-everywhere, magic unicorn shade of white… we’re sorry to break it to you, it just doesn’t exist!
When it comes to choosing the perfect shade of white for your next paint project, unfortunately, there’s no ‘one-white-fits-all’ solution. But don’t worry, we’re here to guide you through the tried and true process we use to choose the perfect white paint for each of our projects.
Three Birds Renovations House 10: Dulux Casper White Quarter
Believe us when we say there’s no shortcut to this process, even if you're a seasoned renovator. We can assure you we don’t go splashing the same shade of white paint from one house to the next without testing it first.
You’ll be shocked and amazed at how different white paints can look in various homes and surroundings. We’d far rather you be amazed by your fabulous finished result than shocked by it!
So, let us show you how we choose the perfect white paint for our projects and help you find the right shade for yours. Let's start at the very beginning (it's a very good place to start)...
COOL, WARM OR NEUTRAL WHITE?
First things, first - do you know if a cool white or a warm white will best suit your space? When selecting white paint there's a fine line between a fresh, relaxing vibe and looking like you're living in a stark science lab, so you'll want to work out if it's likely to be a cool white or a warm white that creates the feel you're going for.
Cool: Dulux Lexicon Quarter
Warm: Dulux White Dune Quarter
Neutral: Dulux Natural White
COOL WHITES
Cool whites have undertones of blue, green, or grey. These whites give a crisp, clean, and modern look to any space. They can create a sense of calm and serenity, making them perfect for areas where you want to feel relaxed and refreshed. We've used cool whites in many homes for a fresh, coastal vibe.
WARM WHITES
Warm whites have undertones of red, yellow, or beige. These whites create a cosy and welcoming vibe. They can make a space feel warm and comfortable, perfect for areas where you want to relax and unwind. Warm whites can help soften spaces that don't get a lot of sun.
NEUTRAL WHITES
Neutral whites have balanced undertones, meaning they don’t lean too much towards cool or warm. These whites offer a clean, versatile, and balanced look that can work in any space. They are the go-to choice when you want a pure white without any strong undertones. These shades allow for easy scheming with many other colours and provide subtle warmth and great light reflection.
SOME WHITES WE’VE USED AND LOVED
THE GOLDEN RULE OF CHOOSING WHITE PAINT
Do not pass go, do not collect $200 and definitely do not select your paint colours until you've sampled a few shades in YOUR space! We can't stress this enough. It's a common rookie error, and we don't want you making it!
First things first, order some A4 Colour Stickers from the fab folks at Dulux. These easy-to-stick-on-your-wall swatches help you eliminate a whole lot of shades quickly. We recommend including at least one warm and one cool shade to compare how they go with other elements in your room (timber, other colours) - this is a great way to help eliminate what doesn't work.
Then, once you're down to your final few contenders, grab some sample pots of these paint colours from your local hardware store and paint them directly onto your walls for a true colour test.
House 6: Dulux Casper White Quarter
How to Test Your Paint Like a Pro
Paint Big Swatches: Make sure you paint really big swatches (at least 30 x 30cm) directly onto the walls to be painted. Give them two coats, allowing drying time in between. This helps you see the true colour.
Label Your Swatches: Don’t forget to paint the names of the colours underneath each swatch. You don’t want to get your White Pointers mixed up with your White Polars or your Chalk Whites with your China Whites – that could be an expensive mistake!
Observe at Different Times: When your swatches are fully dry, observe them in the morning, afternoon, and evening. The colour will subtly change depending on the time of day and the amount of light.
It’s Judgement Day: Do you have a standout out fave? If not, invite a friend over and ask for their opinion. Then, vote on which colour will be the ultimate winner winner chicken dinner.
Whether you’re painting a few interior walls or the entire exterior of your home, the same rule applies - test before you invest!
Watch this video to see how we pick our whites:
There are literally THOUSANDS of whites to choose from, and no ‘one white fits all’ so this is our tried-and-true method for choosing the perfect white paint for every project.
WHICH PAINT WHERE?
Once you've picked a winner, it's time to buy your paint. You’ll need different types depending on what you’re painting. There are specific paints for interiors, exteriors and for different substrates.
No matter what colour we're painting, here's which paint we use for each surface:
+ Interior Walls, including brick - Dulux 1 Step Prep
+ Interior Walls, including brick - Dulux Wash&Wear Low Sheen
+ Interior Woodwork - Dulux Super Enamel Semi Gloss
+ Ceiling - Dulux Ceiling White
+ Exterior Walls, including brick - Dulux Weathershield Low Sheen
+ Exterior Trims - Dulux Aquanamel Semi Gloss OR Dulux Super Enamel Semi Gloss
🌶️ NOW HERE'S A RED HOT THREE BIRDS' TIP YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS! 🌶️
When we're choosing white paint for our interior walls, our top tip is to tint ALL the paint to our chosen shade of white. Yep, ALL of it. So, if we're painting a room Dulux White on White, we'll tint the paint for the walls, the trims and doors and even the ceiling paint to White on White.
Why? We like to KISS (keep it simple, sister!) Not only does it simplify your colour choices, but it also helps avoid contrasting whites throwing different undertones which is usually the reason people tell us their white wall paint looks blue or green.
NOT IN AUSTRALIA?
We use and love Dulux Australia paints. If you're not in Australia, the same steps apply for choosing your perfect white paint but you may need to choose another paint manufacturer. If you find there's a Dulux colour you love, you can jump on the Dulux website and see the colour values which you can share with your local paint shop to help them find you a similar recommendation.
Hey, Kiwis! 🇳🇿 We see you there across the ditch 👋🏼
Some Dulux colour names are the same in Australia and New Zealand, others are different. We’ve found Dulux Australia to be a great help in translating these via the chat function on their website. Give it a go!
And if you’re a Three Birds Reno School or Styling School student, feel free to share your findings in our Facebook communities – chances are someone else is looking for the same answer too. #sharingiscaring
