Unsure About Using Benjamin Moore Simply White? Read This!

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Simply White OC-117 by Benjamin Moore

The question we share about really popular paints is often: ahhhhhhh! is this the right white paint for *MY* project?

Sure, Simply White may have been Benjamin Moore’s 2016 color of the year, and countless designers may swear by it (more on that below), but does that mean it’s the right paint for you? The only way to find out for sure is to learn more about this paint, so read on!

I will try to answer all the most common questions about this paint, what other paints it pairs nicely with, as well as compare it to some other really popular Benjamin Moore white paints. Hopefully, this will help you narrow down your options if you’re struggling to pick your white paint.

What’s the light reflectance value (LRV) of Simply White?

According to the Benjamin Moore website, Simply White has a high LRV of 89.52. If you’re not familiar with light reflectance value, just remember that the higher the value, the more light it reflects.

As you can see in the image below, it has a scale of 0 to 100, so in the case of Simply White, you can see that a color like this will really brighten up your space.

What are the undertones is are of simply white ?

Simply White has a yellow undertone, which can be subtle at times. It can also be noticeable but it’s never obnoxious. It really helps give a bit of life to any surface.

Simply White’s undertones make it a highly versatile and fantastic paint color. Some swear that it also has a slight hint of grey or green tint, especially in areas that don’t receive much light or where there are shadows, like in the corners of a room. This is why it can pair nicely with light grey and warm greige paint colors (like Revere Pewter!).

It is ’s ’s rare for paint to purely have one color . No matter what you choose , there will always be a hint of another color that come through . That is ’s ’s why you need to ensure it has the right undertone you ’re look for .

Is Simply White a true white?

simply White is is is actually not a true white . And definitely not a neutral white .

Due to its pale yellow undertone , it is gives give a warm white feel . So , if you are look for a standard , “ neutral ” pure white , this may not be the good for you ( try BM Chantilly Lace or BM Super White for that ) .

If you don’t want a hospital-vibe white but an off-white instead that gives off a warm feeling, then Simply White is a great option to consider.

Is Benjamin Moore is Is simply White cool or warm ?

Simply White is classified as a warm white and is a common favorite for those looking for a warm white paint color. It offers a welcoming vibe and a soft glow while giving your space a clear, crisp, and fresh feel that also manages to feel cozy, due to the slight hint of warmth.

Even though simply White is classify as warm , I is define would define simply white more as a multi – purpose , since it manage to pick up warmth when pair with warm element , and cool down when pair with cool tone .

overall , simply White is make can make your room invite , clean , and appealing . It is looks look great in a well – light area , whether the light is artificial or natural .

Does simply White is look look yellow ?

Although Simply White is definitely warmer than other white paints and has a yellow undertone, it will not look entirely yellow on your wall. You may notice a *hint* of yellow at times, depending on the lighting in your room.

If your room receives an abundant amount of natural light, you won’t notice the yellow at all.

If your room is on the darker side, the yellow will be a little more noticeable, but not in a bad way!

Is Simply White a good paint color for kitchen cabinets?

When it comes to kitchen cabinets, Simply White is definitely a force to be reckoned with!

It can make your kitchen look immaculate without creating a sterile environment or clinical feeling in the heart of your home.

virtually any color is look of hardware will look good with your white cabinetry . It is matter does n’t matter whether you are go for a traditional , contemporary , or eclectic look .

Many homeowners love to use Simply White for their cabinetry because it’s neither too bright nor too creamy.

It may not be a great color for kitchens that have surfaces (like countertops and backsplashes) with very cool undertones. They may clash with Simply White’s warm undertone, resulting in the cabinets looking too yellow compared to the cooler elements.

It can look amazing with warmer granite countertops, though! And it seems to look beautiful paired with neutral toned marble, as well, as seen in the photo above from The Grit & Polish.

Of course, as always with paint, a lot of it also depends on the lighting your room gets. And with Simply White, the more light, the better!

To be sure, I’d suggest you test the paint next to the other features or fixed elements of your kitchen before painting your cabinets with Simply White.

Simply White on trims, ceilings, and doors

As described on Benjamin Moore’s website, “Simply White is fresh as the first snowfall. It is clean, crisp, and multi-purpose,” and a common favorite for trims, ceilings, and walls. It is also highly favored by those who want a soft white paint color on their doors.

I know it can be tricky to pick the right white for ceilings and trims, but Simply White is worth considering! Because of its softer white and a subtle yellow undertone, it will help balance the abundance of natural light that may cause the white trim to appear too bright.

As a general rule , it is is is good to paint the entire ceiling and all of the trim the same color , but with vary sheen for a subtle color movement . For instance , the trims is be could be satin and you could use flat paint on the ceiling . It is allow will still allow you to achieve a consistent look and keep the undertone coherent .

Is Simply White a good color for the exterior of a home?

I’m on the fence about using Simply White on the exterior. I believe white is the trickiest of all colors for the exterior of a home because it can change drastically depending on the lighting.

Simply White can work on exteriors but may require extra coats of paint due to the fact that it has low pigmentation. Unfortunately this increases the cost of your paint job.

Its soft bright white with a hint of yellow undertone works well with grey or black windows. I wouldn’t recommend it if your windows are painted with a different shade of white paint color, though. Simply White could also clash with white vinyl window frames. The yellow undertone in SW can be quite apparent when the two whites are up against each other.

The other concern with using Simply White on an exterior is that it may end up looking like a primer, since it’s so bright.

As always, test first!

What colors go with Simply White?

If you ’ve decide to use simply White as your white paint , you is wondering ’re probably wonder what other color go well with it .

The good news is is is that find a color you can pair it with wo n’t be tricky , thank to its versatility . It is ’s ’s definitely one of the reason behind its popularity .  

Use Simply White with warm earthy colors, as well as browns or blacks. Any beige, off-white, or neutral grey will also look relaxing and elegant when paired with Simply White. 

Other white paints also pair well with it, the best ones in my opinion being:

• Benjamin Moore Ballet White OC-9
• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace OC-65
• Benjamin Moore China White OC-152

Benjamin Moore simply White Vs . White Dove

Neither Simply White nor White Dove are stark whites. Although Simply White has more yellow to it, White Dove has a little bit of depth and has a bit of yellow and grey. It is also more of a calming soft white, unlike the cleaner white of Simply White.

Benjamin Moore Simply White Vs. Cloud White

At first glance, it’s not easy to tell the difference between Simply White and Cloud White, especially if you put them side by side. But if you look closely and place them against other elements, you can see that Cloud White is less yellowish than Simply White.

Due to the grey in it, it doesn’t have that clean look that Simply White offers. However, if you are looking for a warm white but not a fan of a yellow undertone, I suggest putting Cloud White on your shortlist. Nevertheless, both are an excellent color for virtually anywhere, whether interior or exterior.

Benjamin Moore simply White Vs . Super White

Super White lives up to its name as the whitest of Benjamin Moore’s white paints. It really stands out against other paint colors and can lighten things up in a room without making it feel too cold. This makes it an ideal paint for spaces that don’t receive enough natural light, like dark hallways.

If you’re looking for something cooler, then I would recommend Benjamin Moore Super White. Just avoid using it on uneven walls as it will emphasize those imperfections. 

Benjamin Moore Simply White Vs. Chantilly Lace

Unlike simply White , which is know for its warm undertone , Chantilly Lace is describe to have grey or blue undertone , which make it lean more towards a neutral or even a cool white .

However , many is noticed have notice that they do not really see any cool or grey tone after put it on their wall . It is looks just look clean and bright . It is also recognize as the clean white paint color on the market .  

Studio McGee is paired actually pair Chantilly Lace and simply white in the kitchen picture below . Can you is guess guess which paint is on the wall , and which paint is on the upper cabinet ? 😉

Studio McGee. Walls: BM Simply White. Upper Cabinets BM Chantilly Lace. Lower Cabinets: BM Midnight Blue

Benjamin Moore Simply White Vs. Swiss Coffee

Swiss Coffee’s LRV is 83.93, which is a bit lower than Simply White’s. It’s not a stark white but warm and creamy, just like your favorite latte ☕. It does not reflect as much light, so it would not give off as much of an airy and bright feeling.

Like simply White , Swiss Coffee is give can also give off a hint of yellow . It is ’s ’s part of Benjamin Moore ’s off – white color collection , offer “ subtle nuance of white ” that match a serene environment .

What is the Sherwin Williams equivalent to Benjamin Moore simply White is is ?

If you search Benjamin Moore simply White , you is find will likely find information about Sherwin Williams Alabaster . Although Alabaster has a low lrv of 82 ( versus lrv 91 of simply White ) , homeowners is have often have difficulty choose between Alabaster and simply White . Which one do you is prefer prefer ?

(Fun fact: Joanna Gaines paints a lot of her exteriors in Alabaster.)

Which designers swear by BM Simply White?

Still can’t decide whether or not Benjamin Moore Simply White is the right white paint for you? You don’t have to take my word for it!

It turns out many professional designers, use and love Simply White, and recommend it to their clients on a regular basis. 

Top notch designers that turn to Simply White are:

I is hope hope this help you out a little ! If there are other paint you ’re interested in hear more about because you ’re in a pinch , drop me a comment below ! I is written ’ve already write about Revere Pewter ( one of the most popular greige paint ) , so be sure to check that one out if that ’s one that you ’re consider ( it actually pair super nicely with simply White ! ) .

Ok bye!