White Dove by Benjamin Moore is one of the most popular designer paint colors. It blends white and cream so well that you get all the warmth and brightness you need.
Benjamin Moore’s White Dove is a warm white that feels both rich and bright, classic and timeless. It stays crisp and clean while still feeling inviting and cozy. It's truly a paint color that works with any color scheme and almost any decorating style.
If you're a fan of white-painted rooms, this is one of the best shades you could pick, because it's so easy to live with. It's also an ideal white for trim.
The Benjamin Moore website describes it perfectly:
A timeless style defines this classic, softly shaded white. Light and luminous, it's a go-to choice for moldings and trim.
Let's dive into all the reasons this color is a classic off-white.
NOTE: If you’re painting the room yourself, these tools will help tremendously. And this post will give you my best tips for painting a room in 5 easy steps.
Expert 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 are made from real paint, so they're easy to move around the room and simple to save for future reference!
Order REAL Paint Samples
White Dove Undertones
White Dove has a definite warm, creamy yellow undertone. Most people won't notice it unless it's right next to bright white. Surprisingly, though, the shade can also show gray undertones, which keeps the color from feeling overly warm.
When placed against a light gray, the White Dove swatch takes on a taupe undertone, almost turning into a greige. But set it against a darker shade and it instantly looks nearly stark white. Amazing!!
Of course, any cream shade can reveal yellow undertones depending on color pairings and lighting. That's why getting swatches on the walls is so important!
White Dove's gray and cream undertones may leave you wondering whether it will look muddy next to muddy or earthy colors. Usually the answer is yes, but with this amazing color, it's remarkable how crisp White Dove stays alongside almost any muddy shade you can imagine!
Again, it's important to test White Dove in the room you're going to paint. With plenty of natural light, White Dove looks good on any wall, or as a trim color with practically any color.
Order a Peel & Stick White Dove Paint Swatch from Samplize
If you have a room that doesn't get much light, or it's often gray outside, a lighter white may be a better choice. White Dove still does well in that room, though. Just be prepared for it to feel much warmer than you might expect.
LRV of BM White Dove
White Dove has a Light Reflectance Value of 85.38.
Light reflectance value (LRV) measures how much visible light a paint color reflects versus absorbs. The higher the number, the more light it reflects rather than absorbs. So an LRV of 100 is pure white and 0 is absolute black. It makes sense that White Dove falls close to 100 at 85.38.
White Dove OC-17 Coordinating Colors
BM White Dove goes with practically anything, though it pairs better with some shades than others. Benjamin Moore recommends:
- Cheating Heart
- Silver Lake
- Yukon Sky
- Horizon Gray
Other shades that absolutely go with it include some of my other favorites:
- Hale Navy
- Revere Pewter
- Northampton Putty
- Chocolate Fondue
- Flint
- Sea Haze
- Classic Gray
A note on trim and walls: using the same white for both works really well, especially with White Dove.
You can use different paint finishes to create variation in the look. A semi-gloss or gloss sheen will make white trim look brighter than a more matte sheen, like eggshell, on interior walls.
Another thing to consider is whether other whites are being used in the room, such as appliances. In the kitchen, White Dove works well with both stainless steel appliances and warm brass accents.
Is White Dove Too White?
No, it's not too white. It has a little yellow and gray in it, which keeps it from being a pure white.
Let's compare it to some other popular white paint colors. In the image below you can see that it's slightly darker than Simply White and Chantilly Lace.
Is White Dove the same as Sherwin Williams Alabaster?
While White Dove (LRV 85.38) is similar to Sherwin Williams Alabaster (82), they aren't the same color. As you can see in the image above, White Dove is just a touch lighter and reads more cream, while Alabaster is a little darker and reads more taupe.
Where Can You Use Benjamin Moore White Dove Paint Color?
White Dove by Benjamin Moore is one of the most versatile paint colors out there. You can really use it anywhere!
Works Well As
- Trim
- Wall Molding or Millwork
- Interior Walls
- Exteriors
- Ceilings
- Kitchen Cabinets
If you can paint it, White Dove will typically work!
White Dove Feels
- Light and Airy
- Soft and Creamy
- Classic and Timeless
Styles it Works with
- Traditional
- Classic
- Farmhouse
- Country
- Transitional
Room Examples of White Dove OC-17
Let's take a look at some examples of BM White Dove in various rooms. Notice the different undertones created by pairings (like hardwood floors) and lighting in each room, to get a feel for what could work in your home.
Bedrooms with White Dove
This kids' bedroom in White Dove has a bright tone. The paint gives the room a warm feeling while still keeping it light and airy.
White Dove Bathrooms
Here's a different way to see White Dove in this bathroom from Semerijan Interiors. This image shows a side that's a bit more stark (though not in a bad way at all).
The cabinets, walls and trim are all White Dove, giving the bathroom a united look. It feels clean without being abrasive or cold.
White Dove in the Kitchen
This White Dove kitchen remodel shows how it can pair with any color. The wood accents and light floors work just as well with White Dove as the darker accents did in the kitchen I shared earlier.
Living Room painted White Dove
This family room with White Dove walls by The Decorologist plays nicely with brown, blue and green accents.
From her page, this remodel was done to soften the room's odd angles, which look completely normal with White Dove on the walls and trim. It's warm and bright.
White Dove Exteriors
This White Dove exterior is shared by Plank and Pillow. Paired with the gray roof and accents, the gray undertones of White Dove come through. With this lighting and the greenery, the creaminess of White Dove is softened, leaving a pleasant white.
Common Questions
Is Benjamin Moore White Dove Warm or Cool?
White Dove is definitely warm, but it has enough gray undertones to keep it from looking too yellow.
Does White Dove go with Simply White?
Yes! These two popular off-white colors pair well together. Simply White is lighter than White Dove, so use Simply White on the trim or cabinets and White Dove on the walls.
Does White Dove look yellow?
No. While it has yellow undertones, the average person won't be able to detect the yellow. Placed next to a true white, White Dove will look cream or off-white.
Why is Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17 so popular?
Design professionals and homeowners alike love this color because it's beautiful and incredibly versatile. You can paint it almost anywhere.
Have I convinced you yet? Isn't White Dove wonderful? In my opinion, it's one of the best shades of white to use.
How to Choose a White Paint Color
First, let's talk about how tricky it can be to choose a white paint color. Many people want to steer clear of true whites because they can feel cold and harsh in a home. That's why off-whites and cream colors usually sit at the top of the list for home decor.
So if you're trying to pick a white paint color, be sure to check out my article about How to Choose a White Paint Color.
Some of the best white paint colors are:
- Simply White
- Shoji White
- White Dove
- Alabaster
More Paint Colors
Don't forget to check out some of my other favorite paint shades here:
Tools to Help You Paint a Room Yourself
I've gathered some of the best tools for painting a room yourself. First, check out this post I wrote: Painting a Room in 5 Easy Steps. These are the top tools I reach for when painting my own rooms, which is how they get painted 95% of the time!
- Paint Brush – These brushes cost a little more than a basic one, but they're worth it! I've used them for more than a decade, and if you wash them out well after each use, they'll last for years.
- Painter’s Tape – a MUST have for taping off edges. You'll want to tape off all the edges if you don't have a steady hand.
- Drop Cloths – a must have if you don't already have some lying around the house.
- Paint cup – Sure, you could use any old cup, but I've come to swear by this one. The magnetic piece holds your brush neatly in place when you need to take a break. And it fits my hand perfectly, so it doesn't cramp.
- Roller Tray – This is the only paint tray I'll ever use again. The magnetic piece is great for holding the roller in place. The liners are a luxury, but I won't paint without them because they make cleanup a breeze!
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