White Walls are Back With a Vengeance, How to Choose the Perfect White.
Home builders routinely lean toward all white interiors mainly for convenience. Many homeowners are doing the same but in the name of style rather than ease. After many years playing the part of the ugly step sister, white is quickly becoming 
the interior ‘go to’ again. But all shades of white are not created equal. The grayish hues are wildly popular, as are whites leaning toward cream and ivory.
Many Home Sellers are electing to repaint in whites. If you’re considering putting your home on the market, you might be wise to consider freshening it up with white walls. An all white interior can give your home look cleaner, brighter and even larger appearance. White gives home buyers a neutral palette that makes it easier for them to imagine themselves living in and decorating the home to make it their own.
Before you select a white for your home however, there are a few important considerations.
How to Choose the Perfect Shade of White.
Designers and homeowners continue to love the look of white walls for kitchens, dining rooms and living spaces, but there are hundreds of shades in the white color palette. Choosing the right one is critical to achieving the look and ambience you’re striving for.
“You’ll want to consider three key factors when choosing the perfect white,” explains Sara McLean, color expert at Dunn-Edwards. “Number one is your home’s lighting; second is where you live, and third is the architectural style.”
According to McLean, north-facing rooms don’t tend to have as much natural light, needing warmer whites to give the space some life. Warm whites are those with yellow, brown or even red undertones.
Conversely, south-facing rooms get more sunlight, so cooler whites—those with subtle gray or blue tints—can help add balance. “Be sure to paint large samples on the walls and live with them for a couple of days. You’ll be able to see how the light reflects off each color at different times of the day.”
Where you live is yet another factor that has a big influence on which whites to choose for your home. Warmer whites work well in northern climates, which have cooler, bluer natural lighting. Conversely, southern climates tend to have warmer, natural lighting, so cooler whites can help create a clean, cool look.
Your home’s architectural style can also help narrow down your choice for whites. Warmer whites are ideal for traditional Spanish-style and desert ranch and Craftsman homes. Tropical designs come alive with tinted and warmer whites that reflect the natural elements in the room, such as wood and bamboo. Mid-century modern homes and Scandinavian designs tend to favor neutral and cooler whites.
One way to determine the best shade of white for your home might be to tape or even paint a swatch of three or four different whites to walls in several rooms. View them in different lights and at different times of day. How do they work with your existing flooring, furniture and window treatments? Which one takes your eye when you glance at them in a grouping?
Be sure to carry out your due diligence instead of just choosing any white at the store. The differences among them may be subtle, but the variance in results is dramatic.
