Benjamin Moore Simply White is one of the most popular white paint colors. This soft off-white delivers a clean, bright look with just the right touch of warmth.
Benjamin Moore Simply White (OC-117) is a warm, versatile white that reads crisp and clean while still feeling inviting. Named Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year in 2016, it’s a reliable choice for many rooms and architectural styles—from modern to traditional.
Choosing a white paint can be surprisingly tricky. Simply White is a popular go-to because it’s a bright white with a soft creamy undertone, which keeps it from feeling stark or icy. It works beautifully on walls, trim, ceilings, and cabinets.
Benjamin Moore describes it simply and well: “Fresh as the first snowfall, this clean, crisp, multi-purpose white is a perennial favorite for trim, ceilings, and walls.” Many homeowners and designers prefer Simply White because it translates well in different lighting conditions and pairs with a broad palette of colors.
What color is Benjamin Moore Simply White?
Here are the key characteristics of Simply White:
- Warm off-white with gentle creamy undertones
- Bright, high reflectance (LRV 89.52)
- Commonly used for kitchen cabinets, trim, ceilings, and walls
- Highly versatile—suits many home styles and decor schemes
Undertones in Simply White
Simply White has a subtle yellow-cream undertone that gives the color softness and warmth. In most settings it reads as a clean white rather than obviously yellow, but in very warm lighting it may show its mild creamy cast.
Because it leans warm, Simply White can be slightly tricky to pair with cooler or true whites. When creating a white palette, test swatches in the space and compare them side by side to ensure they read well together.
LRV of BM Simply White
Light Reflectance Value (LRV) measures how much light a color reflects on scale from 0 (black) to 100 (pure white). Simply White’s LRV is 89.52, making it a very bright white that still retains a soft, warm quality. It’s light enough to open up small spaces and still reads as white rather than a muted off-white.
Coordinating colors for Simply White
Simply White pairs well with a wide range of shades. Benjamin Moore suggests combinations like Dove Wing, Somerville Red, Silver Satin, and Casco Bay. Popular pairings from designers and homeowners include:
- Hale Navy
- Revere Pewter
- Gray Owl
- Chelsea Gray
- Edgecomb Gray
- London Fog
- Comfort Gray
- Sea Salt
Best trim colors to use with Simply White
If you want contrast between walls and trim, choose a clean, bright trim white such as Chantilly Lace or Oxford White. Another easy way to create contrast is by using different sheens—eggshell or matte on walls and semi-gloss on trim—so the trim appears brighter without switching colors.
Simply White vs. White Dove
White Dove and Simply White are both soft, warm whites, but they differ subtly. White Dove has both yellow and gray undertones, which slightly mute its warmth and make it appear less bright than Simply White. Simply White is the cleaner, brighter option of the two.
Where can you use Simply White?
Simply White is one of those truly versatile whites that can be used almost anywhere in a home:
- Kitchen cabinets
- Trim and moldings
- Interior walls
- Ceilings
- Exterior trim
- Built-ins and wainscot
Home styles that suit Simply White
- Traditional
- Transitional
- Classic
- Farmhouse
- Contemporary
Room examples using Simply White
Below are common ways homeowners use Simply White and how it performs in different spaces and lighting conditions.
Kitchen cabinets
Simply White makes kitchen cabinets look bright and clean while balancing warm wood tones and cooler surfaces. Its slight creaminess helps the cabinets feel welcoming instead of clinical.
Living room walls
Using Simply White on accent features like board and batten or on full walls can open a living space and make it feel fresh and airy. It pairs well with mid-tone neutrals like Revere Pewter for added depth.
Bedrooms
Simply White is an excellent bedroom choice when you want a calm, bright backdrop. In many bedrooms it reads as a neutral white with no obvious yellow cast, making it easy to style with linens and accent colors.
Bathrooms
Because it’s bright and reflective, Simply White can make small bathrooms feel more open and airy. The color works well with mixed metals and varied tile palettes.
Home office
Simply White brightens compact home offices and creates a neutral backdrop that supports focus and productivity without feeling cold.
Exteriors
Simply White is a flattering exterior trim color—soft enough to avoid glare in bright sun but still crisp enough to frame shutters and siding attractively.
Frequently asked questions
Simply White is a warm, clean white. It leans toward a soft creamy tone without becoming overly yellow.
Does Simply White look yellow?
While it has a mild yellow undertone, in most lighting it reads as a neutral bright white. In very warm lighting it may show a gentle creamy cast.
Which is whiter, White Dove or Simply White?
Simply White is the brighter, cleaner white. White Dove contains subtle gray undertones that slightly mute its brightness.
How to choose a white paint color
Picking the right white requires testing in your own space. True whites can feel cold, so many homeowners prefer warm off-whites like Simply White. Test real paint samples on different walls and observe them at various times of day to see how undertones shift with natural and artificial light.
More paint colors to consider
If you’re exploring whites and neutrals, also look at popular options such as White Dove, Alabaster, Shoji White, and a range of warm grays and greiges that can coordinate well with Simply White.
Conclusion: Benjamin Moore Simply White is a flexible, timeless white that balances brightness with a soft warmth. It’s an excellent choice for homeowners who want a clean, inviting white that works across many rooms and architectural styles.