Shiplap. It’s become a staple in home decor because it works in so many styles. From an accent wall to an entire room or even an entire house, it adds character and dimension without overpowering other details. When it comes to picking the right paint color, finding the perfect white can be tricky. With so many to choose from and not all created equal, I thought I’d share with you today some of my favorites and how to pick the perfect white paint for the shiplap in your home..
Our beach cottage renovation is coming along and we’ve reached a point in the renovation where it was finally time to order the shiplap. We’ll be adding shiplap on the walls throughout the original part of the cottage and as an accent in the newer addition to tie the spaces together. With the bedroom ready for paint, it’s time to choose the white paint we’ll be using throughout the cottage on our shiplap.
My tastes in colors tend to be on the cool side; blues and greens are everywhere in my home. When it comes to white paint, I typically go for a neutral white or a true white over one that has either blue or yellow undertones.
The same will be true at the beach cottage. Our primary color palette throughout the house will be white and navy blue paired with natural wood tones. Given the mix of cool and warm tones, I will once again be selecting a true white over one that leans more cool or warm.
Tips for Picking the Perfect White Paint
Choosing the perfect white paint is a topic that we could explore in multiple posts and still not cover all the nuances. Today my focus is on a more general idea and show you a few favorites.
When it comes to selecting the perfect white for the shiplap (or walls) in your home, think about the overall look, the amount of natural light and the other colors you plan to use to help guide you.
Before picking paint, I even like to have my room plan created, taking note of fixed elements that will be staying or not changing. I like to look at the furniture I’m adding or reusing to find common colors to note and consider the lighting in the room. From there I’m better able to identify the possible best options.
When trying to narrow down possible white paint colors, take note of the whites you see over and over again. I firmly believe that there is a reason why certain whites (and other colors) are so popular. It can take a lot of guesswork out of it for you.
Benjamin Moore – Simply White
This is my absolute favorite neutral white. It doesn’t really have any undertones. It’s a pure white that pairs well with warm or cool colors. This is the white we’ve used throughout our home in PA on all the trim, custom cabinetry, etc. This pure white works with everything.
Sherwin Williams – Pure White
Another solid neutral white that doesn’t have undertones. This is the white we’ll be using at the beach cottage because I love how it pairs with the trim color I’ve selected. Like Simply White, it’s a pure white without undertones and doesn’t really lean warm or cool on its own.
Sherwin Williams – Alabaster
This is one of the most popular white paints out there. It’s a warm white that has more of a hint of warm gray base. It’s off white enough that it can pair well with crisp white trim for a little contrast but still white enough to be used on shiplap or other walls.
Benjamin Moore – White Dove
This is another warm white with a soft, yellow undertone. It’s soft enough that it pairs well with blues, black and warm woods when there is plenty of natural light.
Sherwin Williams – Extra White
This crisp, bright white leans just slightly cool with a slight hint of a blue undertone. This would be a great white for a space that gets tons of natural light because it would balance perfectly with the warm light from the sun giving you a true white.
This was my preferred white for the beach cottage when looking at options here at home but the main floor of the cottage doesn’t get flooded with light so I’m opting for the more neutral “Pure White”.
Benjamin Moore – China White
Another slightly cool leaning white is China White. It has a very subtle cool gray undertone and would be another lovely choice for a space that gets lots of natural light.
I hope you find this post helpful for choosing the right white paint color for your home or shiplap. If you have a favorite, I’d love to know what it is. If you have other questions about white paint colors and how to find the perfect one, please let me know so I can plan future posts that I know you’ll love! Share your comments below.
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