Apartment Refurb | Paint + Room Plans

Backroom / office

Folding hinge for overhead shelves

Simply White OC-117

Paint – but actually covered by landlords!!!

Benjamin Moore Aura Bath and Spa available in Gallons and Quarts online at Creative Paint in San Francisco, South Bay & East Bay.

Jasco TSP Liquid Cleaner, available at Creative Paint in San Francisco, South Bay & East Bay.

Description	Quantity	Price
Aura® Bath & SpaMatte / GallonColor Name and Number: OC-117 Simply WhiteArea to be Painted: bathroom	1	$88.99
Quart Jasco Liquid TSP	1	$7.99
Ultra Spec 500 Interior PaintSemi-Gloss / GallonColor Name and Number: OC-117 Simply WhiteArea to be Painted: wainscotting	1	$48.99
REGAL® Select Interior PaintEggshell / GallonColor Name and Number: OC-117 Simply WhiteArea to be Painted: walls	3	$215.97
Ultra Spec 500 Interior PaintFlat / GallonColor Name and Number: OC-117 Simply White	2	$81.98

Description	Price
Subtotal	$443.92
Delivery	Free
Taxes	$38.28
Total	USD $482.20

Cleaning with TSP – not in bathrooms

TSP stands for trisodium phosphate and is an inorganic chemical found in various places. Like with any chemical cleaning agent, there are risks associated with using TSP. On the other hand, it works as a high-speed and powerful cleaning agent. Whether TSP is suitable for you to clean your home depends on your assessment of its pros and cons. In the following article we’ve provided you with all the necessary information about TSP, so you know all the facts before deciding to clean with it. Starting from the essential details on TSP and its background story to its uses and advantages, we’ve got you covered regarding all TSP facts.

What is TSP?

We know TSP is used for cleaning, but what exactly is it? Trisodium phosphate is made by neutralizing phosphoric acid by using sodium hydroxide. Sometimes, sodium carbonate is also added, but carbonate only produces disodium phosphate. For the chemistry lovers, the chemical formula of TSP is NA3PO4, and the solid white substance has a granular or crystalline texture. It is mostly found in powder form. TSP is highly water soluble, and it produces an alkaline solution. Trisodium phosphate is used in many applications, including but not limited to, cleaning, building, food additives, and removing stains. Sometimes, trisodium phosphate is referred to as TSP bleach because of its extensive use as a cleaning agent. The history of TSP reveals that it was used much more commonly in the past than it is today. The primary reason for this is the risks that TSP poses. Keep reading to find out how TSP came forth.

The Story of TSP

In the beginning, TSP was the best choice for demanding cleaning jobs. It used to be found as the main ingredient in standard household cleaning products such as dishwasher detergents. Recently, however, the chemical has become less popular due to the increase in awareness. In the 1970s, states in the US started to control the use of phosphates due to its harmful effects on the environment. When the chemicals ended up into rivers or lakes, they caused algae to multiply and harm other life in the ecosystem. In some places, the sale of products containing phosphates was banned. This resulted in manufacturers resorting to new products without any phosphates in them. That’s why today phosphates aren’t a significant ingredient in most cleaning products, even though a small amount of TSP may be found in a limited number of cleaners. At this stage, it’s natural to wonder: if they’re not used in products anymore, should we still be using TSP compounds? Read about the “uses” of TSP to get a better idea of why people would still opt for the chemical.

Uses

Although the primary use for TSP is for cleaning, there is a wide range of other applications of this chemical. Its alkaline properties make it perfect for removing grease and oil from various surfaces. Trisodium phosphate is exceptionally potent, which allows it to also clean dirt, fingerprints, walls, bleach clothes, and a lot more. You can easily mix TSP with regular household bleach without worrying about a reaction. You can also use this when you go on 3 days tour from Marrakech to Fes. The following list explains the different uses of TSP:

Removing Mildew

You can effectively remove mildew from walls with TSP. It will also remove any stains due to the mildew. Just make sure not to use the chemical on any metal, most expensive wood, or glass that’s near the mildew. It may cause damage to these materials. After cleaning the mildew and mildew stains, you’ll have to rinse the surface with water and leave it to dry. Although TSP is handy in removing mildew, it isn’t entirely suitable for removing mold.

Chlorinated TSP

Chlorinated TSP is made from NAOCl by neutralizing the phosphoric acid. Chlorinated trisodium phosphate is commonly found in cleaning powders and is an excellent cleaning chemical as well. It is used as a bleach and disinfectant similar to sodium hypochlorite. Chlorinated trisodium phosphate is suitable for cleaning steel surfaces or products and a few types of plastics as well.

Cleaning Walls

TSP cleaner is commonly used to clean walls and other surfaces before painting. Regular vacuum your walls after cleaning walls with TSP, otherwise you can’t get desire cleaning result. It should be mixed with water and used only on these surfaces, outside ones being best. Rinse everything thoroughly after using the TSP cleaner and then give ample drying time before painting. It can be a replacement for sandpaper as well since TSP cleaner will remove paint.

Cleaning Masonry

Masonry can also be cleaned using TSP cleaners. While cleaning masonry, it is crucial to make sure you aren’t dealing with significant mortar staining because these types of stains require an even stronger cleaning agent. It is also necessary to rule out efflorescence, which consists of salt deposits from the water. Extreme staining brought about by mortar or efflorescence needs to be removed by using muriatic acid, which is riskier to use than TSP, so make sure to research on the substance if you plan on using it.

Flux

Flux consists of a bunch of materials that are used to cover welds and protect them from atmospheric gases. TSP has been approved in the US for applications in hard soldering joints done for medical-grade copper plumbing. TSP is one of the ingredients used in fluxes that are created for deoxygenating nonferrous casting metals.

Cleaning Roofs

TSP can be used to clean roofs of all types. You’ll need to dilute the TSP first just like you would for any other application. Usually, TSP is diluted by adding a half cup of it to almost two gallons of warm water. When cleaning roofs with TSP, it is essential to be very careful of the surroundings. If TSP comes into contact with plants, it can damage or kill them. Phosphates are very strong and harmful to foliage, so make sure you cover nearby plants with water before working with TSP. Water on the foliage can reduce any damage if TSP does happen to reach it. If there are moss and dirt on your roof, chances are you will need to scrub hard to remove them. The result, however, will leave your roof extremely neat and clean.

Removing Grout

Trisodium phosphate is also used for eliminating dried grout. Although it can’t be used for cleaning grout, it is effective at removing old parts of it. Grouts hold tiles together; this is why cleaning tile grout requires a lot of effort. While taking out old tiles, you may see some old grout that’s extremely difficult to remove, which is where TSP comes in. All you must do is leave some TSP cleaner to sit on the grout for a few minutes, and then remove it. The dried grout will come out much easier than it would’ve before.

Enhancing Wall Paint

TSP can be used to de-grease, de-gloss, and completely clean walls before painting them. TSP is effective in removing and breaking apart gloss from oil-based paints and removing latex-based paint. Cleaning the walls with TSP is a useful step before painting because it’ll provide you with a surface that’s much better suited for applying paint layers.

Food Additive

In the EU, various sodium phosphates such as monosodium phosphate and trisodium phosphate are used as food additives. Their most common use is to act as acidity regulators. The US FDA also approves sodium phosphates safe for adding to foods. But most of the food additives are not good to consume. you can also find this when you will on Morocco desert tours.

Enhancing Exercise

Trisodium phosphate has become popular as a nutritional supplement that allows people to exercise better. This assumption is based on the fact that phosphate is useful for the Krebs cycle, which produced energy and is an integral part of the body’s aerobic metabolism. These are just a few of the many different uses of TSP, which makes the chemical so versatile. You can use to clean just about any surface, or household item is given that it doesn’t get damaged by the chemical.

Mixing and Applying TSP

Mixing and applying TSP is a reasonably simple and straightforward process. The chemical is easy to use, although you’ll need to follow a lot of guidelines to ensure it doesn’t cause any harmful effects. To use TSP, the powder needs to be mixed with water. A half cup of TSP needs to be dissolved in two gallons of warm water. This is only for heavy-duty cleaning, though. For regular cleaning, you need to mix only a quarter cup of TSP with two gallons of hot water. For removing mildew from places such as a deck, you can add one cup of TSP into three quarts of water and then add one quart of chlorine bleach. For applying TSP, you can use sponges, rags, or mops. You can also use a pressure washer for outdoor applications, especially sidings and decks. You can use sponges or cloths to clean walls and woodwork but be sure to squeeze out extra liquid from the material first, and then rinse with water. Mops or sponges are best for cleaning floors and scrubbing with a brush is useful for tough stain removals.

Pros of Using TSP

TSP is one of the best and most reliable cleaning agents to date, even after extreme dilution. Using TSP is a good choice for cleaning stains and residues that are nearly impossible to remove. Here are the main benefits of using TSP:

It is an extremely strong and effective cleaner.
Gets rid of stubborn stains, mildew, dirt, grease, etc.
More effective for bleaching white clothes than all other bleaching agents.
If you spray it on the sides of your home, it’ll provide protection from fungus.
It can be easily applied using sponges, brushes, mops, etc.
You can use a sprayer to apply TSP in hard to reach areas or for exteriors.
Is suitable for different materials such as brick, stone, cement, or wood.
TSP leaves surfaces extremely clean and neat.
TSP solution is very easy to prepare.

Cons of Using TSP

With any powerful cleaning agent, there may be some cons. Trisodium phosphate is known to be a dangerous chemical, but if used with extreme care and precaution, you should not have any issues. Here are the major cons of TSP:

It is harmful to humans and can irritate the eyes and cause damage to the skin.
TSP is dangerous to plants if it comes in direct contact with them.
TSP causes harmful side effects to the environment, especially if it washes into rivers or lakes.
It might be harmful to the items you’re cleaning if misused.
It might be banned for use in your area.

Substitutes

Since using TSP has significant harmful side effects, some people might want to opt for an alternative. Some frequent replacements of TSP are sodium bicarbonate or soda ash and zeolites. The other options are not as useful for cleaning as TSP, but they are definitely safer to use. In demanding applications, substitute compounds might not work correctly since they are not as strong as TSP.

Safety Precautions

Trisodium phosphate is an excellent cleaning agent, and it’s safe to use if you take the necessary precautions. Following are essential safety precautions:

Wear protective gloves along with eye protection while using TSP.
If it gets into or near your eyes, rinse them with clean water for more than 15 minutes.
Avoid getting TSP anywhere on your body, because if it comes in contact with your skin, it can cause major irritation or even burns.
If you get any on the skin, make sure to wash the area thoroughly with water and soap.
Immediately seek medical attention is TSP irritates your skin or eyes too much.
If you ingest any TSP by accident, don’t try to vomit, instead, drink water or milk and immediately seek medical attention.
TSP is strong enough to damage some household surfaces and even wooden objects.
TSP can damage painted surfaces and wear colors.
Use masking tape to protect surfaces that you don’t wish to damage.
Do not breathe in TSP dust.
Protect any foliage before using TSP near it.

Apart from these precautions, you must make sure you don’t use TSP in a bathroom. There are a few important reasons which make TSP highly unsuitable for use in bathrooms. TSP can stain metals in the bathroom, such as plumbing fixtures or shower doors. TSP should not be left in contact with chromed drains or glazed ceramic tiles. It can do considerable damage and leave unsightly stains. Do not leave it near grout as it might attack it. If you keep all these important points in mind, using TSP will be of great benefit to your home. It can clean the dirtiest surfaces or objects and improve the overall sanitary conditions of your home. TSP can be helpful for cleaning areas where other cleaning agents wouldn’t be successful.

Takeaway

TSP is an extremely potent chemical compound that can clean even the toughest stains and buildups. It has been around for a while, but due to the environmental risks it poses, has been discontinued for various applications. TSP was used in many cleaning products before it was banned, and product manufacturers had to opt for alternatives. TSP is used in a lot of different applications, but since its invention, it has been most popular for cleaning the home. If you’re looking for a quick and powerful way to keep your home in great shape or you are trying to sell your home, TSP is your go-to chemical cleanser. If you don’t know how to use it, however, it can considerably damage household objects, plants, and even cause burning and itching to your eyes or skin. To sum it up, make sure to take all necessary precautions before using TSP. These precautions generally include covering yourself up properly and protecting surfaces nearby that you wouldn’t want to damage from the chemical.

Get a sample first to check it

Behr Marquee – guaranteed 1 coat

Simply White Behr Equivalent (Home Depot)

Behr actually does white pretty well. They have a lot of whites and many have subtle differences from one another. The closest Behr dupe that I could find for Simply White is Night Blooming Jasmine.

Benjamin Moore Simply White vs Behr Night Blooming Jasmine (YL-W10)

Night Blooming Jasmine is a near perfect dupe for Benjamin Moore Simply White. According to Behr the LRV is 93, compared to Simply White’s 91.7.

Night Blooming Jasmine vs Simply White on a wall

Since Benjamin Moore does not round their LRV numbers, it’s safe to assume that the difference in lightness could be 1 or less. So what is the difference? Night Blooming Jasmine is a little warmer than Simply White. It is in the orangey-yellow area of the color wheel, as opposed to the yellow bordering on green area that Simply White is in. Here in the smaller swatch, you can see the difference better than in the side by side:

A swatch of Benjamin Moore Simply White compared to Behr dupe Night Blooming Jasmine, beside a number of other white color chips as mentioned in the article

This Behr color is also a little more saturated, meaning that Simply White is technically more gray. However, since Simply White isn’t actually gray at all, and these colors are so light, these distinctions are basically null. Eyes are funny things, looking at the room and then at the swatches, I thought I had done something wrong. I can very clearly see the difference in the swatch and not at all in the room! Here I removed the white border, and much of the contrast melted:

Interesting! If you like Simply White, Behr’s Night Blooming Jasmine will get you there!**Don’t Forget Your Supplies**! This little brush might look funny, but it’s my absolute ride or die! Rollers like these hold the most paint and make the job faster. Get a metal roller cage for easy on and off. DryDex is the fastest (and funnest!) way to make chips and dents disappear. (Make sure you get a small spackling tool that actually fits in the container, and a sanding sponge.) This tool will save your back and limit time on a ladder.

Benjamin Moore Simply White vs Behr Simply White BWC-01

We can’t forget to compare the Behr shade of the same name: Simply White. You might be wondering if Behr intended to make a copy of the Benjamin Moore color, but

unfortunately it isn’t as simple as that.

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A swatch of Benjamin Moore Simply White compared to Behr Simply White, beside a number of other white color chips as mentioned in the article

]

[(https://yourbrainon.accid.cloud/click_img/wzq9yt2.png)Behr’s version of Simply White is significantly darker than the Benjamin Moore one, with an LRV of 88. It’s not quite in off-white territory, but it’s not a super bright white either. Behr Simply White is also an orange white, and not a yellow one. This color is far more similar to Sherwin Williams Whitetail, than it is to Simply White. Before we move on, here are a few more popular Behr whites compared to Simply White:(Or skip this section.)

Benjamin Moore Simply White vs Behr Swiss Coffee 12

Another Swiss Coffee? Oui! Behr’s version of this popular white color, is darker and warmer than Simply White.

A swatch of Benjamin Moore Simply White compared to Behr Swiss Coffee, beside a number of other white color chips as mentioned in the article

Behr Swiss Coffee has an LRV of 84.

Benjamin Moore Simply White vs Behr Polar Bear 75

Polar Bear is another nice bright white like Simply White, with an LRV of 90. It is just a touch warmer, which you can see in the swatch.

A swatch of Benjamin Moore Simply White compared to Behr Polar Bear, beside a number of other white color chips as mentioned in the article

Benjamin Moore Simply White vs Behr Ultra Pure White 1850

Behr’s Ultra Pure White has an LRV of 94, and is often regarded as the brightest and cleanest white on the market. It is in a similar area of the color wheel to Simply White, but much less saturated.

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A swatch of Benjamin Moore Simply White compared to Behr Ultra Pure White, beside a number of other white color chips as mentioned in the article

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Benjamin Moore Simply White vs Behr Whisper White HDC-MD-08

Behr’s Whisper White is just a little warmer than Simply White, and a bit darker, with an LRV of 89.

A swatch of Benjamin Moore Simply White compared to Behr Whisper White, beside a number of other white color chips as mentioned in the article

Simply White Final Moody Musings

Wow! That was a doozy! I just LOVE to share all the great photos when I find them. Thanks for sticking it out! Let’s summarize:

Simply White is a bright white that can have a hint of creamy yellow
Minimize yellow tones by using Simply White as your only white (maximize with a cool white trim)
Simply White is great as an exterior or interior trim color, and almost always looks like a crisp white when used sparingly

OC-117 Simply White

Benjamin Moore is a fantastic paint company, but not all their paint is created equally. It is important to understand the differences between Benjamin Moore’s various paint lines when buying paint, especially if your painting contractor is getting the paint for you. This article focuses only on interior paint lines. Benjamin Moore prides itself on the quality of the paint it creates. However, in order to meet the various needs of the marketplace, Benjamin Moore has multiple quality levels. After all, the needs and interests of an apartment owner or builder are very different than those of a mother with children. Benjamin Moore produces four main quality levels of its interior paints. In order of ascending quality levels, they are: Super Hide, Super Spec, Regal and Aura. The labels of all four say “Benjamin Moore” but they are also clearly labeled with the product name so with this information you’ll be able to ensure you get the right product. Super Hide is the bottom of the line. It is considered builder’s grade paint and is intended only to cover well and quickly. Builder’s use it because it is cheap and it touches up really well. The problem is that it needs to touch up really well. Benjamin Moore Super Hide has almost no durability and while not entirely true, I consider it “clay water”. It is intended to paint new homes that are expected to be repainted with a higher quality product in a fairly short period of time. Super Hide comes in flat, eggshell and semi-gloss and can be tinted to any color. Many low-end painters will substitute Super Hide Eggshell thinking that it is just as good as the Regal products and the customer will never know. Don’t let this be you. Super Spec is the next step up. Benjamin Moore Super Spec is definitely better than Super Hide. It was developed for commercial uses where cost is a factor and durability or quality isn’t as important. Low-end painters will also substitute Super Spec for Regal products, too, and is also something to be wary of. Super Spec comes in flat, eggshell and semi-gloss and can be tinted to any color. The Regal line is Benjamin Moore’s premium paint line, and before Aura it was their best. The Regal products built Benjamin Moore into the reputable paint company it is today. And these products do keep changing. Benjamin Moore has reformulated these products numberous times over the years to keep improving them. Overall, the Regal products are fantastic and compare well to any other premium paint brand on the market. Benjamin Moore Regal comes in flat, matte, eggshell, pearl, semi-gloss and high-gloss and can be tinted to any color. Benjamin Moore Matte and Benjamin Moore Eggshell are the most popular interior finishes for walls because they are washable and Benjamin Moore Semi-Gloss is the most popular finish for trim, baseboards and doors. These finishes are also referred to as Regal Flat, Aquavelvet (eggshell), Aquapearl (pearl) and Aquaglo (semi-gloss). Finally, the finest paint Benjamin Moore makes is Aura. Aura is unlike any other paint on the market. Benjamin Moore Aura paint is super-durable, does not require primer, will cover any color in no more than two coats, is low-odor and environmentally friendly and just looks richer for any color. Available in interior and exterior. With this information you will be better informed about the various paint quality options. Unless you are a builder trying to cut costs, you should use the best paint available. Relative to the overall cost of painting — selecting your colors, tearing your home apart and living with the inconvenience, and expending the effort or expense of actually painting — the paint itself is the least expensive part, and the difference between the best can of paint and the cheapest often only amounts to the cost of lunch or dinner one day. So given that on average you will live with the paint in your home for seven years, cutting corners on the paint quality doesn’t make much sense. UPDATE: Benjamin Moore now offers a mid quality paint (falling between Super Spec and Regal) called Ben. Ben is tinted with the Gennex color system, which is the waterborne colorants used in Aura. This means the colors cover better, and are more fade resistant. Another new product is called Regal Select. Regal Select is of Regal quality, but also employs the new colorants. This is available in interior and exterior. Rumor has it – this may someday replace the old Regal entirely. Rumor also has it – Benjamin Moore is working on a new economy line of paint to better compete with big box value paint. While we can provide Benjamin Moore OC-117 Simply White in paint, we don’t provide any crossover information. We’ve found that every paint company offers its own unique selection of colors and rarely doe s a color have an exact equivalent in another brand. However, under the color image on a color page there is a link that says “Explore Colors”. Clicking this link displays colors with similar values and you can look for any colors from the brand you want. Keep in mind that this just shows similar colors based on the color values we have stored in our database. It doesn’t mean it is the same or give any approximation about how close the color is. You can play around with the Hue, Lightness and Chroma sliders to expand the selection. The RGB values for Benjamin Moore OC-117 Simply White are 247, 244, 235 and the HEX code is #F7F4EB. The LRV for Benjamin Moore OC-117 Simply White is 90.78. The LRV stands for Light Reflectance Value and measures the percentage of light that a color reflects. L

Behr

SIMPLY WHITE BWC-01 LRV 88 R 245 G 241 B 228 ◆Guaranteed one-coat hide excludes ULTRA PURE WHITE®, colors outside of the BEHR DYNASTY & MARQUEE One-Coat Color Collection and all other interior and exterior colors that have not been included as one-coat hide from other BEHR palettes. Multiple coats required when: 1) Painting over uncoated, porous, heavily textured or repaired exterior surfaces. 2) Over woods that contain tannins such as redwood or cedar. 3) Applying over heavy stains, which may require spot priming, multiple coats, and/or longer dry time. Two coats are also recommended for optimal durability when painting exterior surfaces. Marquee is durable, easy to spread, has great coverage, and has an amazing hide. The only drawback to Marquee paint is the limited selection. You’ll have to pick from the Behr Marquee Collection. Those individuals who are interested in a specific color that’s not included in the Behr Marquee Collection should use Behr Premium Plus Ultra. You’ll have a much wider selection of colors to choose from, and you can even create your own color combinations. The only downside is that you’ll have to apply more than one coat to successfully cover a particular surface. That’s the only difference between Marquee and Premium Plus Ultra, the amount of coats it takes to cover a given surface. The best part? Behr Premium Plus Ultra paint has primer mixed in for your convenience.

Behr Paints

Behr Premium Plus® Interior/Exterior ($): This low-cost formula offers good coverage, durability, a washable finish, and easy application. Two coats are recommended for the best coverage. The interior paint is GREENGUARD Gold Certified, low-VOC, and low odor. It’s also stain- and scrub-resistant. The exterior formula resists stains, moisture, and fading in direct sunlight.

Behr Ultra® Interior/Exterior ($$): This formula is designed for high-traffic areas. It’s stain- and scuff-resistant, easy to clean, and durable enough to withstand the busiest areas of your home. Two coats are recommended for the best coverage. The interior version is GREENGUARD Gold Certified, features built-in primer, and is resistant to mildew. The exterior version boasts a mildew-resistant finish and guards against fading and moisture. Ultra is more expensive than Premium Plus but cheaper than Marquee.

Behr Marquee® Interior/Exterior ($$$): This Behr’s second most premium and expensive paint. It delivers excellent coverage and comes with a One-Coat Guarantee. In other words, if you need a second coat to cover the surface you’re painting, Behr will give you a refund (specific colors are excluded from this offer, so read the fine print for details). The interior formula blocks stains and is just as durable as Behr Ultra. The exterior formula is made to last, keep its color, and endure cleaning without paint degradation .

Behr Dynasty**Interior ($$$$):** This is Behr’s newest, most premium, and expensive paint. Like Marquee, it delivers excellent coverage and comes with a One-Coat Guarantee. The main difference between Dynasty and Marque is that Dynasty includes additives that make it scuff and mar resistant (plus, it’s about $7 more per gallon than Marquee).

Most paint brands sell paint and primer separately, but all Behr products are paint and primer combos. It’s part of what makes this brand unique.

Does Home Depot Mix Paint In 2022?

Home Depot offers paint mixing services in-store as of 2022, allowing customers to mix matte, gloss, satin, and other types of paint. Home Depot also color match any shade customers present them with and mix a paint accordingly. Customers cannot buy custom-mixed paint online or return mixed paint. If you want to learn more about the cost of using the paint mixing service at Home Depot, the types of paint Home Depot will mix, and much more, keep on reading!

How Much Does Paint Mixing Cost At Home Depot?

If you decide to buy an untinted tin of paint off the shelf at Home Depot for customization, the price of mixing the paint to your desired color will be included in the price. While Home Depot does provide a free paint mixing service for in-store products, it seems that some stores will mix paint purchased elsewhere. However, this will come at a cost, so it is best to call your local Home Depot before visiting.

What Types Of Paint Does Home Depot Mix?

Home Depot has a huge catalog of paint finishes on offer in its paint selection. These include:

Semi-Gloss:**** shiny, and reflective paints that can be used to paint cabinets and shelves. They are durable and can stand daily washing.
Flat/Matte:**** have the least amount of shine of all paints. While they are the least durable of paints, they require the least number of coats for full coverage. These paints are used in rooms with minimal usage or on ceilings.
Satin:**** the most commonly used interior paint, satin paints have a velvety sheen and can be used in any room. Note that the sheen makes brush strokes more visible.
Eggshell:**** these paints have a delicate sheen and are slightly shinier than matte paints. They are more durable than matte but still best for rooms not constantly in use.
High-Gloss:**** usually used to paint doors and trims, high-gloss paints are extremely durable. These paints are the shiniest of all paints.
Low Lustre:**** these paints have more shine than matte paints and are durable. They can be used for surfaces that require slightly more gloss.
Gloss: highly reflective, and highly durable. Gloss paints are best used in kitchens and bathrooms as they are stain-resistant and washable.

Keep in mind that these paints all appear available with Home Depot’s paint mixing service. Other than that, always remember to check in with your local Home Depot store to be sure that they can mix the type of paint you need.

What Colors Can Home Depot Mix?

With its extensive sample range and ability to color match a provided sample image, Home Depot can mix paints into any color of your choice. Home Depot also has a color match app called The Home Depot ProjectColor app which allows its users to test out paint colors virtually in their rooms. Additionally, the app allows you to link to Pinterest boards and color match with images you have saved. Once you have selected your desired color, you can take this choice into the store to be matched.

How Does Paint Mixing Work At Home Depot?

Paint mixing at Home Depot is a straightforward process and involves telling the Home Depot employee at the paint mixing station the color and finish you have chosen. Once you have specified the color, the employee will then use the unique paint code to set the machine to work. The paint mixing machine works by using the color code to set how much of each color will be added to the plain base. After that, it controls the flow of paint, making sure the correct amount is added. Finally, the lid is sealed, and the paint is mixed thoroughly before a Home depot employee checks the color to make sure it is correct.

Can I Buy Custom Mixed Paint Online At HomeDepot.com?

The Home Depot site has an impressive collection of paint colors on offer, and each can be customized by finish, size, and style. However, you cannot buy a custom color online and instead will have to go into the store if you would like a specific color matched by Home Depot.

Will Home Depot Mix Old Paint?

You can take old paint into Home Depot stores to have it mixed back up using their paint mixing machine. This saves you from buying any paint mixing tools and means you can continue using your paint once it has been stirred back up. Along with getting old paint mixed, customers can also have their paint tinted. This means that if you want a slightly darker shade or want to tweak the original color, the Home Depot staff member can add a small amount of paint to your old tin to spruce up the color slightly.

Can I Return Custom Mixed Paint To Home Depot?

You cannot return custom mixed paint to Home Depot because the paint has been mixed to a specific color, making it a custom order. Custom paint colors cannot be resold at full price, which means that Home Depot will lose money. Additionally, paint is also classed as a hazardous waste product, and so the stores must take extra and more expensive precautions to dispose of it. To make sure you get the right color (so there is no need to return it), test your color out on your walls before purchasing a full tub. You can use Home Depot’s extensive sample range to do this. If you want to find out more about Home Depot’s paint-related services, make sure to check out our other posts regarding if Home Depot sells Benjamin Moore paint, if Home Depot sells Sherwin Williams paint, and if Home Depot takes old paint for recycling.

Conclusion: Does Home Depot Mix Paint?

Home Depot does offer a paint mixing service that customers can use to mix an impressive range of colors and color match with custom shades. You will need to know which color and finish you would like to have before using Home Depot’s paint mixing service. Note that you cannot get custom paints mixed online through HomeDepot.com.

Best trim and ceiling colors to pair with Simply White

My favorite placement for Simply White is to paint the ceiling, walls and trim the same color, but with shifting sheens for a subtle movement of color. The ceiling is flat, trim is satin and the walls can be painted eggshell.

Paint Color Options For Ceilings

Wall Color – Tint your ceiling paint to match your walls. If you’re working with a neutral wall color you already love, why not bring it all the way up? This can create the illusion of a bigger space and I think it’s especially helpful when you’re dealing with a room with very little architectural interest. No pretty window trim or crown molding to speak of? Take that paint all the way up!
Sheen or % Change – Use your wall color, but change up the sheen. This can make a subtle difference in the appearance of the color, while ensuring that it matches perfectly. Another option is to tint your ceiling pant with just a small amount of your wall color- this coordinates your ceiling color to the walls without being a 100% match. This can be an especially good fit for a home that has differing shades of white on the trim and walls- try painting your ceiling in your wall paint tinted to just 50%, etc.
White – Buy a classic white ceiling paint, right off the shelf. This is a safe bet for sure, and one that works for many situations. Benefits? You’re not over-thinking it, and it works in most homes very well. However, if your walls are already painted a light or white shade, you might struggle with undertones! A white with more blue on the ceiling and more yellow on the walls could cause drama…and not necessarily the good kind of drama. As I detailed in this post about our breakfast nook, painting our vaulted ceiling a true white was a big mistake. Once we painted the entire room the same cream color, the space finally felt cohesive and warm! Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White or Benjamin Moore White Dove are great alternatives.

THE TRICK TO GET DESIGNER PAINT FOR CHEAP

http://videos.homedepot.com/projectsandinspiration/detail/videos/projects-and-inspiration/video/5431743680001/spot-on-paint:-color-matching-at-the-home-depot

get a chip from ACE –
While both stores offer excellent interior paints, we would pick Home Depot’s Behr Marquee over Lowes’ Sherwin Williams’ Infinity. Although it doesn’t mean Infinity is inferior. Behr Marquee just costs less and provides similar results as Infinity.

The Trick: Buy it at your local Home Depot or Lowes! When I recently discovered that you can buy Benjamin Moore paint at a more affordable price at your local hardware store, my mind was blown! Learning this paint trick has literally changed my life forever and I needed to share it will you all too! Correspondingly, is Benjamin Moore sold at Lowes? Benjamin Moore & Co. It’s possible Lowe’s carries some of the Insl-X branded product lines by Complementary Coatings which is a company Benjamin Moore acquired in 2008. Subsequently, question is, does Ace sell Benjamin Moore paint? Benjamin Moore paints will be available at participating Ace stores across the country by Spring 2020. This model will enable independently owned and operated Ace Hardware stores to carry an assortment of premium interior and exterior Benjamin Moore paints, notably Regal® Select and ben®. Likewise, people ask, can I get Benjamin Moore paint at Home Depot? No, BUT The Home Depot has most of Benjamin Moore’s colors in its color dispensing system. All a customer has to do is give the HD associate mixing paint the Benjamin Moore color name or number, and the color can be mixed into almost any of HD’s paints. What kind of paint does Lowe’s carry? Find the Perfect Paint for Your Home at Lowe’s We have paint colors from all the best brands that you trust — from Valspar® paint colors to Sherwin-Williams exterior paint colors, Sherwin-Williams interior paint colors and more.

HOW TO GET DESIGNER PAINT AT HOME DEPOT OR LOWES:

Here is what you will need to tell the paint person:

The name of the paint color you want or the sku number.
What finish you are needing (I did eggshell for our interior walls).

That is literally it! Home Depot and Lowes do not advertise these different designer brands on there paint walls, but there computer system allows them to make them. Home Depot Glidden Premium Paint line is an affordable option for designer paint. The trick to buying designer paint for cheap. [ Benjamin-Moore-Affordable-Designer-Paint-Samples

Benjamin-Moore-Affordable-Designer-Paint-Samples

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[(https://yourbrainon.accid.cloud/click_img/tn6zbdb-1.jpg)The Glidden Premium Paint at Home Depot is the best value ($19.97/gallon) and includes paint and primer!

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Glidden-Premium-Paint-in-Benjamin-Moore-Chantilly-Lace

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I bought 4 different Benjamin Moore paint samples (which they made in their Behr line) for around $3.50 each:

Swiss Coffee
Simply White
Chantilly Lace
Revere Pewter

Benjamin-Moore-Chantilly-Lace-in-Glidden-Premium-Paint

When buying the full gallon, I had the color Chantilly Lace made in Home Depot’s Glidden Premium Paint line for $19.97 in eggshell. If I had bought directly from Benjamine Moore, it would of cost around $42.99. The Glidden Premium Paint line is great because it includes the paint and primer together, another cost and time savings for me! A gallon of Home Depot’s Glidden Premium Paint costs $19.97 versus Benjamin Moore $42.99. Home Depot's Glidden Premium Paint line is affordable and can be made in the Benjamin Moore paint colors.

Home Depot's Glidden Premium Paint line is affordable and can be made in the Benjamin Moore paint colors.

If you don’t have a Home Depot close by you, Lowe’s can also make Benjamin Moore paint colors, which you can have made in their affordable Valspar paint line.

THAT’S HOW YOU GET DESIGNER PAINT FOR CHEAP!

If you are reading this post, you are most likely in the market to buy white paint for your home too. So I decided to share a few pictures of popular Benjamin Moore White Paints for you to check out. In my search for the best white paints, looking at pictures from other people’s homes really helped me decide what samples to buy.

Design Tips for White Paint

The secret to white paint is counter-intuitive. You should always use white in a sunny space. If you use a bright white in a poorly lit space, the shadows make the room look gray and dirty. Check out the 6 Best Whites for Dark Rooms here.
For a monochromatic white paint palette, use paint sheen to add texture and depth. For example, if you choose to paint with Chantilly Lace, paint the baseboards satin, walls eggshell and ceiling flat. It will look as if you painted with three different gorgeous whites.
Don’t have your paint store try to match a color. Instead, test the right color from the manufacturer.
Use warm woods and materials in a white space to keep it from looking cold.
Hardwood and terra cotta floors go with any color white. Treat them like jeans; they go with everything.

OC-117 Simply White PAIR WITH:

BM Chantilly Lace or BM Oxford White The Verdict White paint colors can be gorgeous in any interior, but if you don’t pick the right white you could end up with primer-white or dingy gray walls. We always recommend that you test your paint colors. Check out the SAMPLIZE website HERE.

5 best Benjamin Moore White Paint Colors

Oxford White (BM 869) – Sample Here
Chantilly Lace (BM OC-65) – Sample Here
Simply White (BM OC-117) – Sample Here
White Dove (BM OC-17) – Sample Here
Classic Gray (BM OC-23) – Sample Here
ADDED BONUS: Swiss Coffee (BM OC-45) – Sample Here

The Verdict – white paint for dark rooms

If you want the modern look of white walls and you have lower light conditions, consider a warmer white paint color. It will read white without the shadows and reflection that you would get from a clean white or blue undertone paint color. [ Best white paint colors for dark rooms

] [(https://yourbrainon.accid.cloud/click_img/aa0nvjn-1.png) (1) White Duck, SW 7010, (2) Classic Gray, BM OC-23, (3) Swiss Coffee, BM OC-45, (4) White Dove, BM OC-17, (5) Pale Oak, BM OC-20, (6) Ballet White, BM OC-5, (7) Simply White, BM OC-117, (8) Snowfall White, BM 2144-70

Can my painter match Simply White to Sherwin Williams?

The simple answer is NO! You can’t match Simply White. Many have tried and few have ever succeeded. This was a new build where the painter talked the homeowner into copying Simply White. It turned green, and the painter had to repaint with the real Simply White. This was a costly mistake for the homeowner and the painter because the house had to be repainted. It always goes green like the photo below.

Simply White compared to paint matched walls

Photo by M. Marceny, Un-retouched, BM Simply White sample compared to paint matched walls. If you have to use Sherwin Williams, don’t paint match. Instead, use SW Pure White. It’s not the same and behaves a bit differently, but it is a nice color and your house will not go green. Learn more about matching paint colors here. The best white paint colors brighten a home and make it shine. We often get asked about our favorite whites, so we put together a post on these colors (and how to use them).

Best White Paint Colors for ANY Home (and how to use them)

IN THIS POST Why is White Paint so Popular?Design Tips for White Paint What are the best white paint colors?Chantilly Lace (BM OC-65)Oxford White (BM 869), also White Heron Simply White (BM OC-117)Classic Gray (BM OC-23)White Dove (BM OC-17)What is the easiest way to test your paint colors?Added Bonus: Swiss Coffee (BM OC-45)Online Color Consulting Related Posts

Why is White Paint so Popular?

In the last few years, white paint colors for homes have become a mainstream trend. They look crisp and clean, and when you paint your house it feels like a beautiful clean bath. They became most popular when design bloggers started posting Instagram photos with bright white backgrounds because they looked so good! White paint choices may seem easy, but they can go really wrong fast. The question is, which white to use. If you use the wrong white, paint color could either look like primer, or your walls could look dirty. As a homeowner, whites can look shockingly stark after you first paint your walls. To avoid what I call “White Freak-out” after you paint your walls, recognize that the room will make much more sense after you move your art and furniture back into the room.

Design Tips for White Paint

The secret to white paint is counter-intuitive. You should always use white in a sunny space. If you use a bright white in a poorly lit space, the shadows make the room look gray and dirty. Check out the 6 Best Whites for Dark Rooms here.
For a monochromatic white paint palette, use paint sheen to add texture and depth. For example, if you choose to paint with Chantilly Lace, paint the baseboards satin, walls eggshell and ceiling flat. It will look as if you painted with three different gorgeous whites.
Don’t have your paint store try to match a color. Instead, test the right color from the manufacturer.
Use warm woods and materials in a white space to keep it from looking cold.
Hardwood and terra cotta floors go with any color white. Treat them like jeans; they go with everything.

What are the best white paint colors?

Chantilly Lace (BM OC-65)

Chantilly Lace is the cleanest white color in the universe because It has no warm or cool undertones (LRV=92. This clean white is great for walls, but also makes the perfect trim or ceiling color. You need lots of light to make this color work. We use this color as a baseline comparison for all other whites. Learn more in the Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace Color Review. These beautiful light-filled living room walls were painted with Chantilly Lace.

Living room walls painted with BM Chantilly Lace

Photo by S. Stone, Chantilly Lace Living Room In the kitchen below we used Chantilly Lace for the ceilings, and the cabinet colors were a perfect match for Chantilly Lace. This color matches beautifully with the Carrara marble counters.

Kitchen with white BM Chantilly Lace cabinets

Photo by M. Camilli, The Color Concierge

Tips and Tricks:

*Use with:* Carrara marble counters, crisp grays, blacks, and clean colors. The best granite is honed absolute black. Works well with off-white quartz colors.
*Don’t use with:* Dark earthy colors or granite countertops. Could end up looking like primer. Be careful about using this color with quartz countertops. Because of the quartz manufacturing process, most of their whites are off-white or creamy. Does not look its best with creamy quartz. Don’t use creamy trim colors such as Swiss Coffee.
*Best ceiling color (flat):* Chantilly Lace
*Best trim color (satin or semi-gloss):* Chantilly Lace or White Heron
*Best Paint Matches:* SW 7757 High Reflective White OR Behr 1850 Ultra Pure White

Oxford White (BM 869), also White Heron

White Heron (Oxford White) is a clean white with slightly warm undertones and looks amazing with marble and cool gray finishes (LRV=89). We see it most often as a ceiling and trim white color. For the wall color, make sure you use this white in bright spaces to prevent dingy gray corners. This crisp color is a perfect backdrop for colorful art. In this photo, we show a room with White Heron/Oxford White Ceilings, trim, and fireplace.

Living room with BM Oxford White trim, doors, fireplace and ceiling

Photo by M. O’Neill, Oxford White ceilings, fireplace and trim

Tips and Tricks:

Use with: Carrara marble counters, crisp grays, blacks, and clean colors. The best granite is honed absolute black.
Don’t use with: Dark earthy granite countertops. Could end up looking like primer. Be careful about using this color with quartz countertops. Because of the quartz manufacturing process, most of their whites are off-white or creamy. White Heron will not go well with off-white or creamy quartz.
*Best ceiling color (flat):* White Heron or BM White Diamond (2121-60)
*Best trim color (satin or semi-gloss):* White Heron
*Best Paint Matches:* Sherwin Williams Pure White

Simply White (BM OC-117)

Simply White is a versatile and iconic warm white paint color with yellow undertones, and looks great just about anywhere, including in darker rooms (LRV=92). Use it in a monochromatic paint palette or consider it for cabinets or trim. We used Simply White for this new build in Colorado. It looks amazing! You can learn more about Simply White in this blog post Simply White Paint Color Review.

Photo by M. Marceny, Simply White paint color

Tips and Tricks:

*Use with:* Clean or earthy colors, blacks or browns, Calacatta marble.
*Don’t use with:* Cool whites or finishes such as Carrara marble counters. Stay away from cream colors for ceilings or trim.
*Best ceiling color (flat):* Simply White or Chantilly Lace
*Best trim color (Satin or Semi-Gloss):* Simply White (either ceiling color) or Chantilly Lace (with same ceiling color)
*Best Paint Matches***:** SW 7005 Pure White OR Behr PPU18-07 Falling Snow

Classic Gray (BM OC-23)

Even though Classic Gray has “Gray” in its name, it is an incredible grayed-out cream that looks different as the light changes throughout the day (LRV=75). This color reads white in the sunshine and has enough pigment so that it can be used in darker rooms without looking dingy when the sun goes down. It is as flexible as Simply White (but in different ways). Classic Gray looks best as a wall color. Don’t use it as a ceiling color or with interior trim. I have seen it used beautifully for kitchen cabinets, and you can also use it as a trim for the exterior color. We used Classic Gray as a color for all the common areas in this house. This stairway is more beautiful than we could have hoped! The trim is Simply White.

Traditional stairway painted with Classic Gray walls, Simply White trim and Tricorn Black handrails.

Photo by M. Marceny, The Color Concierge This gorgeous Buddha statue takes my breath away with this clean palette. Before, it looked sad and out of place.

Photo by M. Marceny, The Color Concierge

Tips and Tricks:

*Use with:* Clean whites, off-whites, crisp grays, and vibrant colors. It can look good with Carrara or Calacatta marbles. Good white for dark rooms or north-facing exposures.
*Don’t use with:* Creamy whites. Don’t use it as a trim or ceiling color.
*Best ceiling color (flat):* Simply White or Chantilly Lace
*Best trim color (satin or semi-gloss):* Simply White (either ceiling color) or Chantilly Lace (with same ceiling color)
*Best Paint Matches*: SW 7014 Eider White OR Behr N220-U-1U Spun Wool

White Dove (BM OC-17)

BM White Dove is a gorgeous off-white paint color with yellow undertones that is best used to update a house that has earthy finishes from the Tuscan décor era (LRV=85). Use it with earthy colors, browns, tans, and warm grays. This is a great cabinet color with any earthy granite countertop. If you have a dark room or a north-facing room with cool light this is a great option. For an exterior, it will read bright white in the sunshine. White Dove makes a perfect ceiling, cabinet, and trim white. The cabinets below are painted with White Dove. You can see the creaminess. Learn more in our BM White Dove Paint Color Review.

Modern kitchen with BM White Dove Cabinets

Photo by Z Patel, White Dove cabinets

Tips and Tricks:

*Use with:* Earthy Tuscan colors, muted colors, browns, creamy quartz, or Calacatta marble. Good white for dark rooms or north-facing exposures.
*Don’t use with:* Clean whites, Cool whites, or finishes such as Carrara marble counters.
*Best ceiling color (flat):* Simply White, Oxford White, or Chantilly Lace
*Best trim color, same as ceiling (satin or semi-gloss):* Simply White, Oxford White, or Chantilly Lace
*Best Paint Matches*: SW Greek Villa

What is the easiest way to test your paint colors?

We always recommend that you test paint colors in your house because lighting can change color completely. In the old days, this meant we painted a large poster board with sample pots and a huge mess. Now we have *SAMPLIZE, 9X14″ Pre-Painted peel-and-stick paint samples*. Check out the SAMPLIZE website HERE.

Added Bonus: Swiss Coffee (BM OC-45)

BM Swiss Coffee is a gorgeous complex cream paint color with invisible green undertones that lean a bit toward yellow (LRV=84). This paint color is fabulous with earthy Tuscan Era finishes. Use it with earthy colors, browns, tans, and warm grays. This is a great cabinet color with any earthy granite countertop. Use Swiss Coffee for a darker or North-facing room with cool light. If you have a room with low light, use a lighter white paint color for the ceiling and trim to add contrast. For an exterior, it will read like a soft warm white in the sunshine. Swiss Coffee can be a good trim and ceiling color but only paired with darker whites. If you pair Swiss Coffee with a lighter white wall and/or trim color, it will look dingy. One more thing – make sure that you specify Benjamin Moore for this specific color. There are Swiss Coffees in just about every paint brand, and they are all different!

Swiss Coffee Via Studio McGee Mountainside Remodel

Tips and Tricks:

*Use with:* Earthy Tuscan colors, muted colors, browns, creamy quartz, or Calacatta marble. Good white for dark rooms or north-facing exposures.
*Don’t use with:* Clean whites such as Chantilly or Oxford White. Avoid cooler white paint colors like SW Extra White or BM Decorator’s White. Avoid cool marbles or finishes such as Carrara marble counters.
*Best ceiling (flat):* Cloud White (with White Dove or Cloud White trim) or White Dove (with White dove Trim)
*Best trim color (satin or semi-gloss):* Cloud White or White Dove
*Best Paint Matches*: SW Dover White

The Verdict White paint colors can be gorgeous in any interior, but if you don’t pick the right white you could end up with primer-white or dingy gray walls. We always recommend that you test your paint colors. Check out the SAMPLIZE website HERE.

Oxford White (BM 869) – Sample Here
Chantilly Lace (BM OC-65) – Sample Here
Simply White (BM OC-117) – Sample Here
White Dove (BM OC-17) – Sample Here
Classic Gray (BM OC-23) – Sample Here
ADDED BONUS: Swiss Coffee (BM OC-45) – Sample Here

Best White Paint Colors for ANY Home (and how to use them)

Feb 5, 2022 | Uncategorized | 115 comments The best white paint colors brighten a home and make it shine. We often get asked about our favorite whites, so we put together a post on these colors (and how to use them).

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Why is White Paint so Popular?

Design Tips for White Paint

The secret to white paint is counter-intuitive. You should always use white in a sunny space. If you use a bright white in a poorly lit space, the shadows make the room look gray and dirty. Check out the 6 Best Whites for Dark Rooms here.
For a monochromatic white paint palette, use paint sheen to add texture and depth. For example, if you choose to paint with Chantilly Lace, paint the baseboards satin, walls eggshell and ceiling flat. It will look as if you painted with three different gorgeous whites.
Don’t have your paint store try to match a color. Instead, test the right color from the manufacturer.
Use warm woods and materials in a white space to keep it from looking cold.
Hardwood and terra cotta floors go with any color white. Treat them like jeans; they go with everything.

What are the best white paint colors?

Chantilly Lace (BM OC-65)

Photo by M. Camilli, The Color Concierge

Tips and Tricks:

*Use with:* Carrara marble counters, crisp grays, blacks, and clean colors. The best granite is honed absolute black. Works well with off-white quartz colors.
*Don’t use with:* Dark earthy colors or granite countertops. Could end up looking like primer. Be careful about using this color with quartz countertops. Because of the quartz manufacturing process, most of their whites are off-white or creamy. Does not look its best with creamy quartz. Don’t use creamy trim colors such as Swiss Coffee.
*Best ceiling color (flat):* Chantilly Lace
*Best trim color (satin or semi-gloss):* Chantilly Lace or White Heron
*Best Paint Matches:* SW 7757 High Reflective White OR Behr 1850 Ultra Pure White

Oxford White (BM 869), also White Heron

Photo by M. O’Neill, Oxford White ceilings, fireplace and trim

Tips and Tricks:

Use with: Carrara marble counters, crisp grays, blacks, and clean colors. The best granite is honed absolute black.
Don’t use with: Dark earthy granite countertops. Could end up looking like primer. Be careful about using this color with quartz countertops. Because of the quartz manufacturing process, most of their whites are off-white or creamy. White Heron will not go well with off-white or creamy quartz.
*Best ceiling color (flat):* White Heron or BM White Diamond (2121-60)
*Best trim color (satin or semi-gloss):* White Heron
*Best Paint Matches:* Sherwin Williams Pure White

Simply White (BM OC-117)

Photo by M. Marceny, Simply White paint color

Tips and Tricks:

*Use with:* Clean or earthy colors, blacks or browns, Calacatta marble.
*Don’t use with:* Cool whites or finishes such as Carrara marble counters. Stay away from cream colors for ceilings or trim.
*Best ceiling color (flat):* Simply White or Chantilly Lace
*Best trim color (Satin or Semi-Gloss):* Simply White (either ceiling color) or Chantilly Lace (with same ceiling color)
*Best Paint Matches***:** SW 7005 Pure White OR Behr PPU18-07 Falling Snow

Classic Gray (BM OC-23)

Photo by M. Marceny, The Color Concierge This gorgeous Buddha statue takes my breath away with this clean palette. Before, it looked sad and out of place.

Photo by M. Marceny, The Color Concierge

Tips and Tricks:

*Use with:* Clean whites, off-whites, crisp grays, and vibrant colors. It can look good with Carrara or Calacatta marbles. Good white for dark rooms or north-facing exposures.
*Don’t use with:* Creamy whites. Don’t use it as a trim or ceiling color.
*Best ceiling color (flat):* Simply White or Chantilly Lace
*Best trim color (satin or semi-gloss):* Simply White (either ceiling color) or Chantilly Lace (with same ceiling color)
*Best Paint Matches*: SW 7014 Eider White OR Behr N220-U-1U Spun Wool

White Dove (BM OC-17)

Photo by Z Patel, White Dove cabinets

Tips and Tricks:

*Use with:* Earthy Tuscan colors, muted colors, browns, creamy quartz, or Calacatta marble. Good white for dark rooms or north-facing exposures.
*Don’t use with:* Clean whites, Cool whites, or finishes such as Carrara marble counters.
*Best ceiling color (flat):* Simply White, Oxford White, or Chantilly Lace
*Best trim color, same as ceiling (satin or semi-gloss):* Simply White, Oxford White, or Chantilly Lace
*Best Paint Matches*: SW Greek Villa

What is the easiest way to test your paint colors?

Added Bonus: Swiss Coffee (BM OC-45)

Swiss Coffee Via Studio McGee Mountainside Remodel

Tips and Tricks:

*Use with:* Earthy Tuscan colors, muted colors, browns, creamy quartz, or Calacatta marble. Good white for dark rooms or north-facing exposures.
*Don’t use with:* Clean whites such as Chantilly or Oxford White. Avoid cooler white paint colors like SW Extra White or BM Decorator’s White. Avoid cool marbles or finishes such as Carrara marble counters.
*Best ceiling (flat):* Cloud White (with White Dove or Cloud White trim) or White Dove (with White dove Trim)
*Best trim color (satin or semi-gloss):* Cloud White or White Dove
*Best Paint Matches*: SW Dover White

Oxford White (BM 869) – Sample Here
Chantilly Lace (BM OC-65) – Sample Here
Simply White (BM OC-117) – Sample Here
White Dove (BM OC-17) – Sample Here
Classic Gray (BM OC-23) – Sample Here
ADDED BONUS: Swiss Coffee (BM OC-45) – Sample Here

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Best White Benjamin Moore Paint Colors and how to use them

The 6 Best White Paint Colors for Dark Rooms Simply White Paint Color Review Top Kitchen Color Trends for 2019 Coastal Cottage Exterior Makeover Coastal Cottage Kitchen Makeover 12 Timeless Kitchen Finishes for a Kitchen Remodel We love your comments! Please note that the blog is meant as general advice, and it is not possible to give out specific answers to your paint questions. If you want more specific advice, please consider purchasing a color consultation. Thank you for your understanding.

The Best White Paint Colors for Dark Rooms

Feb 9, 2022 | Uncategorized | 97 comments We love bright clean white paint colors, but they can look dreary in dark rooms. Since we published the post on “Our 5 Favorite Benjamin Moore Whites (and how to use them)”, we had lots of questions about white paint colors for dark rooms. This post shares our favorite whites for dark rooms and how to pick them. We recommend warm white paint colors for darker rooms – either whites with strong yellow undertones, or light neutrals (LRV 70-75) with contrasting white ceilings and trim. Light neutrals such as BM Classic Gray, BM Pale Oak or BM White Duck read like creamy whites, and should be paired with a lighter white ceiling and matching white trim for contrast.

IN THIS POST Which white paint colors DON’T work in darker rooms?Why can’t I paint a dark room bright white?Are there exceptions to this rule?What are the best white paint colors for dark rooms?Classic Gray, OC-23 Pale Oak, OC-20 White Dove, OC-17 Ballet White, OC-9 White Duck SW 7010 Simply White (OC-117)Snowfall White 2144-70 The Verdict Online Color Consulting Related Posts

Which white paint colors DON’T work in darker rooms?

Don’t pick bright whites or clean whites as wall colors, though they work well as ceiling and trim colors when paired with the best wall colors in dark rooms. White colors strong blue undertones such as SW Extra White, BM Decorator’s White, or BM White Diamond. They will look good as a ceiling or trim color. BM Chantilly Lace, BM Oxford White, and SW High Reflective White are clean whites that make great ceiling and trim colors, but not wall colors in a darker house. White colors with pink or taupe undertones such as SW Snowbound, BM Cloud White sometimes work but should be tested first.

Why can’t I paint a dark room bright white?

The most counterintuitive tip is that you need lots of light for a crisp white paint to look good. If you have a dark room, white gets shaded in the corners and turns into a dingy gray. Bright whites are like a mirror. They can reflect the grass in your backyard or your neighbor’s red siding. *WAR STORY:* I painted my bright South facing Laundry Room SW Extra White. It looked glorious until the house went up next door and blocked the light. The house next door was green, and then so was that room. Photos can’t describe how awful it was. If your room is north facing, the light can be blue, which gives your whites a blue cast. If you have earthy finishes such as granite countertops, an adjacent blue-white or clean white can look fluorescent. Use warm whites in rooms with earthy finishes. One more thing… we do not recommend that you try to paint match these Benjamin Moore paints with Sherwin-Williams, Behr, or any other manufacturer. Paint color formulas are difficult to duplicate, and whites are especially hard to get right. Read more about paint matching here. White paint colors such as Classic Gray and Pale Oak are especially hard to duplicate.

Are there exceptions to this rule?

Absolutely! Since we originally wrote this article, we have discovered that white paint colors with lots of yellow in them also work very well in a darker room. The best examples are BM Simply White and BM Snowfall White. Both these colors have heavy yellow undertones in them. BM Simply White. We originally included BM White Dove, which also works incredibly well because it is not only a darker more pigmented color, but it also has yellow undertones.

What are the best white paint colors for dark rooms?

These warmer white paint colors will still read like a white in a darker room. Trust us! No matter what, we always recommend that you test your paint colors IN THE ROOM.

Classic Gray, OC-23

We use Benjamin Moore Classic Gray over and over in our practice, and it’s one of my favorites. Read our Classic Gray Color Review here. This is a very light greige with green undertones that sometimes flash violet (LRV=75). It’s a light color but with enough substance that will make it look good in a room with low light. Use lighter whites such as BM Chantilly Lace or BM Oxford White for ceiling and trim. In the photo below, we paired BM White Dove for the ceiling (Flat sheen) and trim (Satin or Semi-Gloss sheen). We don’t recommend a monochromatic palette with Classic Gray as ceiling, wall and trim color because it will look dingy.

Photo by M. Camilli, design by The Color Concierge We updated this gorgeous Open Concept area with Classic Gray, and it looked like a new house. The home was surrounded by trees and other houses and had few windows.

Open Concept walls are Classic Gray, OC-23 white paint color.

Photo by M. Camilli Less stuff always makes a home look and feel brighter. The space was also decluttered by Minimal Makeover in Boulder, Colorado for a more expansive feel.

Entry walls with Classic Gray white paint and BM Wrought Iron black paint door.

Photo by M. Camilli

Pale Oak, OC-20

A friend of mine once said that Benjamin Moore Pale Oak (LRV=70) is like a warm hug for your room, and she was right! Pale Oak is a soft white paint with warm taupe undertones. This paint color is exceptional if you have lots of trees, shrubs, and greenery outside your window. Pair it matching white ceiling (Flat) and trim (Satin or Semi-Gloss). The bathroom below has BM ale Oak paint on the walls and BM Chantilly Lace for the trim. We don’t recommend a monochromatic palette with Pale Oak as ceiling, wall, and trim color because it will look dingy.

Light master bathroom walls and ceiling with Pale Oak white paint.

Photo by James Maynard

White Dove, OC-17

Benjamin Moore White Dove is a lovely grayed-out white paint color, and also a favorite for trim. Learn more about BM White Dove here. White Dove (LRV=85) also works great because it has yellow undertones. BM Swiss Coffee (LRV=84) is also a great choice, and slightly warmer than White Dove. The room below is painted White Dove on walls, ceiling and trim with shifting sheens. It works because White Dove is a lighter white.

bedroom walls with White Dove BM OC-17 white paint.

Photo by M. Camilli We like to use a warm white paint such as White Dove to cool the tile with dated earthy finishes. This white paint color ties in well with the earthy tile and makes it look intentional. It pairs well with old-fashioned beige tile with pink undertones as in the bathroom below. [ Master bath walls painted with White Dove OC-17 white paint.

Master bath walls painted with White Dove OC-17 white paint.

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(https://yourbrainon.accid.cloud/click_img/u6pnj2z-1.jpg) Photo by M. Camilli Here is a great photo of White Dove in a basement. In this case, we painted trim, walls, and ceiling the same color, but with shifting sheens. This photo was taken in a basement with west-facing windows and natural light. It still looks amazing and bright. Even though it has tons of yellow in the undertones, you can’t see that here.

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White dove wall, ceiling and trim in different sheens

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[(https://yourbrainon.accid.cloud/click_img/akkvuv6-1.jpg) Photo by M. Marceny

Ballet White, OC-9

I used Benjamin Moore Ballet White in this Zen Bedroom specifically because the window had cool North Facing light and a great big evergreen pine tree outside. Ballet White (LRV=73) was creamy and beautiful and perfect. The warmth and red in the paint counteracted the green from outside. This is also a great paint color for homes with earthy finishes such as granite. The ceiling was painted BM Chantilly Lace, which created a PERFECT contrast. We don’t recommend a monochromatic palette with Ballet White as ceiling, wall and trim color because it will look dingy.

Photo by M. Marceny

White Duck SW 7010

Gorgeous SW White Duck saved the day in the main floor of my new home. The common areas have lots of windows, but they face east and I have a roof cover over my back porch. The SW Extra White ceiling and trim color provide contrast to brighten the room. The light is bright in the afternoon, and dark after 1:00 PM. The builder originally painted the walls with Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray, and this beautiful paint color made my home look like a jail. A couple of coats of White Duck, and it looks light and bright and lovely! Since then we have painted the same kitchen BM Simply White, which I also love.

Walls painted with White Duck white paint. Upper Cabinets painted with Snowfall White and lower cabinets Chelsea Gray HC-168

Photo by M. Marceny, walls painted SW White Duck

Simply White (OC-117)

I added Benjamin Moore Simply White after I wrote this article. According to the rules of color selection, you should never use such a light color in a dimly lit room, but somehow it shines like a beacon because of its strong yellow undertones. When we first tried it in a house with low light (at the request of the homeowner), we didn’t believe it, but it worked. Since then we have experimented a lot, including in my house. I painted my kitchen (shown with White Duck above) Simply White. Below I show the attached open concept living room with Simply White walls and an Extra White ceiling.

Photo by M. Marceny, Simply White walls. Originally it was painted SW Agreeable Gray, which looked dingy. Next, we repainted with SW White Duck (as shown in the kitchen above), which looked nice. The final version is BM Simply White walls. Which one is better? I leave it to personal preference they both look lovely. [ Kitchen with BM Simply White Walls

] [(https://yourbrainon.accid.cloud/click_img/h50j1ty-1.jpg) Photo by M. Marceny, Kitchen walls BM Simply White, ceilings and trim are SW Extra White Learn more about Simply White in the detailed Simply White Paint Color Review with LOTS of natural light photos to show how the color behaves in low light, brighter light, and artificial light.

Snowfall White 2144-70

We used BM Snowfall White for this small house with West facing exposure and tons of trees in the summer. It still looks light and airy, and not Yellow. It’s almost as if the cool light neutralizes with the warm yellow undertones. This photo was taken with natural light, and the shadows in the corners are minimal. The room looks warm and bright and airy. Read more about this color in our Snowfall White Color Review.

Living room painted with BM Snowfall white

Photo by M. Marceny, Ceiling, walls and trim painted BM Snowfall White

What is the easiest way to test your paint colors?

We always recommend that you test paint colors in your house because lighting can change a color completely. In the old days, this meant we painted a large poster board with sample pots and a huge mess. Now we have *SAMPLIZE, 9X14″ Pre-Painted peel-and-stick paint samples*. They are EASY to use, AFFORDABLE ($5.95/ea.), and ECO-FRIENDLY – no messy painting or cleanup without half-used paint samples in your back closet, and they can deliver the NEXT DAY! Check out the SAMPLIZE website HERE.

The Verdict

(1) White Duck, SW 7010, (2) Classic Gray, BM OC-23, (3) Swiss Coffee, BM OC-45, (4) White Dove, BM OC-17, (5) Pale Oak, BM OC-20, (6) Ballet White, BM OC-5, (7) Simply White, BM OC-117, (8) Snowfall White, BM 2144-70