Benjamin Moore Simply White

Benjamin Moore Simply White ranks among the most popular white paint colors. This shade is a light off-white with just the right amount of warmth.

Benjamin Moore's Simply White (OC-117) is a warm white that looks crisp and clean, yet still creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Named Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year in 2016, it's a white that suits almost any decor or house style.

If you're searching for a white paint, you know it's anything but simple! BM Simply White, however, is a versatile, gorgeous bright white with just enough cream to keep it soft and pastel rather than stark or cold.

Benjamin Moore's website describes it in lyrical terms:

“Crisp and clean as freshly fallen snow, this all-purpose white stays a favorite for trim, ceilings and walls year after year.”

It's also MY go-to shade for trim. I used Simply White for all the trim in my current house, and I painted the kitchen cabinets in my previous home in Simply White!

Let's dive in and explore this incredible, popular white.

What color is Benjamin Moore Simply White?

Here's a quick overview of the essential qualities of this great shade:

warm off-white with mild creamy undertones
bright shade with an LRV of 89.52
popular choice for kitchen cabinets, ceilings, and trim
versatile hue that works with any style of home

simply white bead board in laundry room — Simply White Bead board in my Laundry Room

Undertones in Simply White

Simply White paint is a versatile off-white with a mild yellow undertone. As a bright white, it usually looks clean and crisp in most spaces, with no hint of yellow. In areas with yellow-tinted lighting, however, this shade can look warm and cozy.

Although BM Simply White has a warm, creamy feel, you usually won't notice any yellow unless it's placed next to a cooler white.

Note: Because of its yellow undertones, this creamy shade can be a bit tricky to pair with other whites when building a white palette. That's exactly why testing paint swatches side by side is so important!

PRO Tip

Whenever you choose a new paint color, try out the real paint color in your home first!

The easiest and quickest way to do that is with Samplize! I use them exclusively for paint samples now. There's no mess and no leftover sample pots. Plus, these no-mess, peel-and-stick rectangles made from real paint are easy to move around the room and easy to save for future reference!

Order REAL Paint Samples

LRV of BM Simply White

Light reflectance value (LRV) measures how much light a paint color reflects or absorbs. A higher LRV means the color reflects more light rather than absorbing it. In other words, LRV 100 is pure white, and LRV 0 is pure black.

Simply White has a Light Reflectance Value of 89.52.

In terms of brightness, Simply White is very light. It's light enough that most people will see it as white rather than off-white, and very few white paints are brighter.

Benjamin Moore Simply White coordinating colors

BM Simply White goes well with SO many colors! Benjamin Moore recommends pairing it with:

Dove Wing
Somerville Red
Silver Satin
Casco Bay

I love pairing it with a few of my personal favorites, such as:

Best Trim Colors to Go With Simply White

If you plan to paint your walls Simply White and want some contrast with the trim or ceilings, I recommend a clean, bright white. Two good options are Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace or Benjamin Moore Oxford White.

Another way to create contrast between trim and wall colors is to use different paint sheens. A semi-gloss will make white trim look brighter, while an eggshell finish (which is more matte) on the interior walls will make the wall color look deeper.

This is a great approach that lets you use Simply White for both your walls and your trim AND still see the contrast!

Benjamin Moore Simply White vs. White Dove

Both of these shades are very popular. Although they both read as soft and creamy on the walls, they look quite different when placed side by side.

Like Simply White, BM White Dove has yellow undertones. But it also has gray undertones that tone down the yellow, creating a soft white that never looks too yellow.

Where can you use Benjamin Moore Simply White?

Simply White by Benjamin Moore is one of the most versatile and timeless white paint colors. You can use it almost anywhere with confidence! Use it for:

Kitchen cabinets
Wall molding
Trim
Interior walls
Exteriors
Ceilings

Home styles that work with Simply White

Traditional
Transitional
Classic
Farmhouse
And more

Room examples using Benjamin Moore Simply White

I've gathered a few examples of BM Simply White paint in a variety of rooms and settings. Pay attention to the different decor colors and lighting to see how they change the way Simply White looks.

Simply White Kitchen Cabinets

When I painted the kitchen cabinets in our old home, I chose Simply White. It looks clean, crisp and gorgeous with the cool-toned walls and warm wood tones. Its clean profile bridges the gap between warm and cool tones in any space.

simply white cabinets in kitchen — via my kitchen reveal

Simply White Walls in the Living Room

I transformed our previous living room by installing board and batten and painted it Simply White. Instead of covering the entire wall in white, I kept it to the accent. I love how bright and clean it looks and how much it opens up the space!

Board and Batten in the Living Room — via How to Install Board and Batten

I paired it with Revere Pewter on the top part of the wall!

Bedrooms in Simply White

Bedrooms offer great color palette potential, and Benjamin Moore Simply White is definitely a go-to choice. I painted our guest bedroom Simply White.

This bedroom from So Much Better With Age also looks incredible. No hint of yellow in either room!

Benjamin Moore Simply White bedroom from So Much Better With Age — via So Much Better With Age

Bathroom painted BM Simply White

Bathrooms are often small, dark spaces, so light shades like Simply White do a great job of making them feel spacious and airy! I absolutely love this gorgeous bathroom from The Lived-In Look.

bathroom in benjamin moore simply white from the lived in look — via The Lived-In Look

Benjamin Moore Simply White Home Office

I used to have my office in the guest room of our old house. I painted the room Simply White to open up the small space and make it a great environment for productivity.

Benjamin Moore Simply White Painted Office | Easy Steps for Painting a Room | TheTurquoiseHome.com — via my office + guest room

Benjamin Moore Simply White exteriors

When we bought this house, the shutters were green and the trim was yellow. I couldn't wait to change that! About a year and a half after we moved in, we tackled the exterior.

I painted the shutters black and the trim in BM Simply White. I love how bright and clean it looks! Simply White is creamy enough to keep the exterior from looking stark white. It won't blind you in direct sun!

Frequently asked questions

Is Benjamin Moore Simply White warm or cool?

Simply White is a warm, clean white. Although it leans warm, it won't look too creamy or yellow, which makes it a top choice as a versatile white.

Does Benjamin Moore Simply White look yellow?

Although Simply White leans warmer than many other white paints, it usually looks clean and neutral. Its yellow undertones give it a soft, creamy appearance, and in very warm-tinted lighting you may notice a hint of yellow.

Which is whiter, White Dove or Simply White?

Because Simply White lacks the gray undertones that make White Dove a touch darker, Simply White is the brighter white.

Isn't Simply White amazing? Given how versatile it is and how clean it looks, is it any wonder it's my go-to white paint?

How to choose a white paint color

Choosing a white paint color is a tough task! Many people steer clear of true white in a home because it can feel cold and harsh. That's why off-whites and creamy whites top the list of home decor recommendations.

Check out my article on how to choose a white paint color to make this challenging process easier.

Some of my favorite white paint colors are: