What are the best white paints for kitchens? 6 light and airy picks from interior designers

While color trends come and go, white paints are amongst the most timeless, and that's especially true for kitchens. The heart of the home, opting for a white color scheme evokes a calming backdrop in this social space, while providing longevity to withstand everchanging trends.

But when it comes to choosing the perfect white paint for your kitchen, it can often require more deliberation than expected. With so many white paints out there, each with subtle differences between brightness and undertones, knowing which is best can be a minefield.

And so, we asked interior designers for their tried and tested recommendations to help you find the perfect shade for your kitchen color ideas. Below, we've rounded up six of the best white paints for kitchens, from bright whites to warm whites.

Best white paints for kitchens

In 2024, we're seeing lots of popularity around white paints with slightly more warmth than classic bright whites. These warmer paints allow for a cozy and relaxing space, without compromising on a light and airy look. Interior designer Sabah Mansoor of Sabah Mansoor Design explains below the benefits of warmer whites in the heart of the home:

'Our clients often request white kitchens. All-white can feel too stark, so we opt for creamer shades. Subtle off-white shades, ones that still feel light and bright yet carry warmer undertones make a kitchen feel more inviting. We like to mix the off-whites, using a greige tone for the cabinets, and then using creamy shades or brighter tones on the ceiling and accent wall.'

Having said that, there's still a time and place for brighter and cooler whites, which are included in the roundup below to cater to all types of decorating styles.

1. Swiss Coffee, Benjamin Moore

Benjamin Moore's Swiss Coffee is a firm favorite white paint amongst designers, used widely throughout the home. When it comes to the kitchen, this warm white paint provides just enough warmth to create a cozy look, while not leaning too warm that it appears cream.

'Our favorite white paint for a kitchen is Benjamin Moore's Swiss Coffee,' says interior designer Stacy Becker of White Label Interiors. 'We love it because it's a warmer white but not too yellow. Any room in a northern region looks instantly comfortable. We aim for a balance of warm and cool tones which lend themselves well to this color in particular.'

2. Soft Chamois, Benjamin Moore

If you want to avoid the stark look white paints can sometimes create, Benjamin Moore's Soft Chamois is another warm white paint that reads almost like a greige color. With very subtle warm undertones, Soft Chamois is an elevated white paint that will maintain a light and airy look in the kitchen.

In this kitchen designed by Tara Felice Interiors, Soft Chamois is used across the kitchen cabinets, pairing beautifully with the muted blue and red color scheme, without providing too much contrast.

3. Alabaster, Sherwin-Williams

If you're looking for a white paint to brighten your kitchen while maintaining a soft and gentle look, you can't go wrong with Sherwin-Williams' Alabaster. This gentle white is used time after time by designers; warming up spaces without overdoing it.

'For this kitchen in our Pure Michigan project, we painted the kitchen cabinets the same color as the trim and most of the walls on the first floor: Sherwin Williams Alabaster,' explains interior designer Thomas Riker of James Thomas Interiors. 'The color is super neutral while remaining fresh, warm, and crisp without being too harsh. The handcrafted quality of the backsplash tile provides texture and relief, while oil-rubbed bronze fixtures and fittings really pop off the white.'

4. Simply White, Benjamin Moore

While warm whites are having a moment, sometimes a clean and classic white is what's needed to refresh a space. Paint colors like Benjamin Moore's Simply White will do just that, creating a crisp, timeless backdrop to allow the rest of your kitchen's decor to shine.

This is a favorite white paint to use in the kitchen for interior designer Margarita Bravo, who adds: 'It's a versatile, warm white that offers a fresh look without being too stark or cold. This makes the shade ideal for creating a bright and inviting kitchen space while also complementing various cabinet styles and materials.'

5. Calm, Benjamin Moore

If you're on the hunt for a white paint that leans slightly cooler while still maintaining a soft and cozy look, Benjamin Moore's Calm should be on your radar. With gentle undertones of lavender-gray, this fresh white paint helps create calming spaces.

'White paints can be tricky, as they depend heavily on the character of the natural daylight in your space,' says designer Anand Sheth of Studio Anand Sheth. 'For a recent kitchen, I used a new favorite, Benjamin Moore's Calm, which complimented the big – sometimes foggy – sky view out of the kitchen windows.'

6. Super White, Benjamin Moore

Similar to Simply White, Benjamin Moore's Super White is another clean and crisp white paint. Super White leans more towards a bright white, with slight cool undertones giving spaces a refreshed look.

'We used Benjamin Moore’s Super White in this Upper West Side kitchen,' explains interior designer Erin Fearins of Studio SFW. 'With the simple detailing and equally white monolithic Caesarstone kitchen countertop, it looks modern and clean.'

From the brightest whites that feel crisp and fresh to much warmer whites that create relaxed and cozy spaces, the right shade of white paint will make all the difference to the overall look and feel of your kitchen.

If you're looking for more expert advice, we explain how to choose the best white paint with plenty of expert tips.