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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.

benjamin moore simply white light reflectance value is 89.52

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

Is Simply White a true white?

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

Due to its pale yellow undertone, it gives a warm white feel. So, if you are looking for a standard, “neutral” pure white, this may not be the best 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 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 classified as warm, I would define Simply White more as a multi-purpose, since it manages to pick up warmth when paired with warm elements, and cools down when paired with cooler tones.

Overall, Simply White can make your room inviting, clean, and appealing. It looks great in a well-lit area, whether the light is artificial or natural.

Does Simply White 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?

kitchen cabinets painted in benjamin moore simply white
Christopher Scott – all cabinets pictured above are painted in Simply White

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 of hardware will look good with your white cabinetry. It doesn’t matter whether you are going 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.

benjamin moore simply white in a beautiful kitchen, on the shiplap walls and cabinets
The Grit and Polish – cabinets in Simply White

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 best to paint the entire ceilings and all of the trims the same color, but with varying sheens for a subtle color movement. For instance, the trims could be satin and you could use flat paint on the ceiling. It will still allow you to achieve a consistent look and keep the undertones coherent.

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

benjamin moore simply white shown on the exterior of a two story home
Avenue B Development. BM Simply White and BM Azores on the door

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 decided to use Simply White as your white paint, you’re probably wondering what other colors go well with it.

The good news is that finding a color you can pair it with won’t be tricky, thanks to its versatility. It’s definitely one of the reasons 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 known for its warm undertone, Chantilly Lace is described to have grey or blue undertones, which make it lean more towards a neutral or even a cool white.

However, many have noticed that they do not really see any cool or grey tones after putting it on their walls. It just looks clean and bright. It is also recognized as the cleanest white paint color on the market. 

Studio McGee actually paired Chantilly Lace and Simply White in the kitchen pictured below. Can you guess which paint is on the walls, and which paint is on the upper cabinets? 😉

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 can also give off a hint of yellow. It’s part of Benjamin Moore’s off-white color collection, offering “subtle nuances of whites” that match a serene environment.

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

If you search Benjamin Moore Simply White, you will likely find information about Sherwin Williams Alabaster. Although Alabaster has a lower LRV of 82 (versus LRV 91 of Simply White) , homeowners often have difficulty choosing between Alabaster and Simply White. Which one do you 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 hope this helped you out a little! If there are other paints you’re interested in hearing more about because you’re in a pinch, drop me a comment below! I’ve already written about Revere Pewter (one of the most popular greige paints), so be sure to check that one out if that’s one that you’re considering (it actually pairs super nicely with Simply White!).

Ok bye!

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24 Comments

  1. Philip Weissman says:

    Vivian:

    Excellent and helpful article. Thank you.

    Im wondering if you wouldn’t mind giving us the benefit of your expertise beyond the piece. Color matching our newly installed Simply White cabinets with wall and trim paint is stressing our my wife so much so that I have taken up the mantle (which led me to your article. Benjamin Moore’s site offers conflicting information and there are too many talking heads on You Tube, each with their own, often conflicting, take on the subject, leaving us with more opinions and no consensus.

    Our kitchen is approx 300 sq feet with a large bank of upper and lower cabinets which we recently had repainted in Simply White. Our island is a dark grey-blue. We’re using brass/gold pulls and knobs. Our counters are a rare limestone that has veins and flex of yellow and copper.

    We simply don’t know what color to paint the walls. Chantilly is attractive but we read that it might make the cabinets look “dingy”, and whereas my wife thought GreyOwl was a winner, we cannot find any site or expert recommending the combination.

    Can you please weigh in with any suggestions?

    Thanking you in advance with best wishes for the holidays to come.

    Sincerely yours,

    Philip

  2. Great info!! Would Simply white on kitchen cabinets look well with white quartz countertops?

    Thanks

    1. Yes! But make sure to check a Simply White paint chip sample against your favorite white quartz samples to make sure the whites aren’t clashing. Whites come in a million different shades.

  3. If I use simply white on my walls, what would you recommend for the trim and ceilings?

    1. I used Simply White on my ceilings and trim. I used egg shell texture of it on my walls and ceiling and semi gloss on the trim. So the semi gloss in some ways looks a tad different due to the texture.

  4. We are having our stained trim/wainscotting in our family room painted. I am going with BM Silver Satin on the walls but cant decide if I should use BM Simply White or BM White Dove on the trim/wainscotting. I have read up on both colors but not sure if the gray undertone in White Dove would look as good with Silver Satin. I would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions.

  5. I have used BM Simply White w/ BM Classic Gray on the trim, crown/baseboards and it’s reading SO purple/lavendar. I don’t like it. Sounds like adding black furniture/fixtures can help but IF I do repaint, what is your best suggestion or two for a subtle gray that will pair nicely with the Simply White walls?

    1. I am wondering the same – what gray pairs nicely with Simple White!

    2. Check out Gray Owl and Moonshine. They both pair very nicely with Simply White. But ultimately how a color pairs with another and reads depends on everything going on in your space.

  6. Steven R. says:

    Great article. We also watch and love your YouTube videos. The room I am working on has tons of honey oak next to the wall which is also difficult to light up, so I’m concerned the white paint will go too yellow. I’ve read it’s best to have warm whites next to honey oak wood but it also needs some brightness. The other color on the wall next to the white is October Mist.
    If I use a high LRV white, will that also look yellow as it’s next to the honey oak wood?
    Mainly I am wanting to tone down the impact of the 90s honey oak domination of yellow/orange and brighten things up but also not look stark beside the oak and October mist. If you have another color white you suggest, I would love to know what you think. Any assistance is very appreciated.

    1. No matter what white you pick, it will pick up on the yellow oak if there is a lot of it in the room. But I think a warm bright white is definitely the way to go if you’re wanting to brighten yet not create a stark feeling!

  7. Judy kelly says:

    I have simply white flat paint on kitchen walls. I just bought simply white semi gloss for cabinets as I wanted a contrast from the walls. Have I made a mistake?
    (Painter is coming tomorrow)

    1. Not a mistake at all, switching up your paint finishes is a fantastic way to add interest to a space without changing colors.

      1. Judy Kelly says:

        Thank you. I already painted my walls simply white and was going crazy deciding on a white for the cabinets. I finally decided on just using simply white in a semi gloss
        I have the paint. Just waiting for the painter. Reading this was very useful

        Thank you. Judy Kelly in Omaha

      2. Elisabeth says:

        We are doing a kitchen reno
        We have hardwood floors (being refinishe, painted cabinets, Corian Ashen Grey quartz countertops.
        I recently saw cloud white with the countertop and it looked too yellow for the quartz. I like the Ashen grey quartz as it seems a bit timeless.
        Now for a timeless color for cabinets…ugh…
        I am torn between Simply White, White Dove and sw Alabaster (and now maybe Chantilly lace)
        I don’t want stark white cabinets nor too creamy.
        Advice?

  8. I was planning to pair it with Ceaserstone’s Calacatta Nuvo but now think it will look yellow. I really want the brightness as my house is definitely more modern/contemporary with lots of natural light. Would you risk it or pair one of the other whites mentioned with the quartz?

    1. I don’t like the word “risk” when it comes to making pretty big interior decisions 😅 Samples are your friend!!!

  9. Excellent article… I was so confused to select the white for my hallway and you explained it very well with the pictures. Thank you.

  10. What do you think of simply white as a trim for Navajo white?

  11. Very helpful! We are doing a kitchen Reno and will be using Simply White on cabinets and Cheating Heart on island. Can you recommend a good wall colour that would work with year 2?