White out! Why we’re switching to warmer neutrals

When it comes to selling a property, estate agents are unanimous. A freshly decorated home in light, neutral colours is a surefire way to appeal to the broadest set of buyers. 

It’s age old advice. Paint over bright, bold colours and tone down anything that might be subjective. Your plum coloured dining room? It may feel dramatic and cosy when lit by candlelight but it might not photograph well, or be to everyone’s taste. Your backdrop should feel clean and palatable to everyone who sees it.

All white rules

There is absolutely nothing wrong with nipping down to the DIY store and buying 20 litres of brilliant white paint. Once on the walls, it’ll make any home feel fresh. It also creates a blank canvas for splashes of colour. Readers will know we’re fans of adding accessories to stop a home looking too cold.

More interior design-led property sellers may recoil at the thought of white washing their home – an unimaginative move in a world where there are multiple neutrals to choose from (and at least 100 shades of white). For you, there is good news.

Warming to a new theme

Interior publication The English Home has declared the end of the cool white colour palette. For the uninitiated, white shades come in different temperatures.

Cool whites – including the popular brilliant white – all have hints of cool colours like blue, green and violet. This can make them appear slightly grey or on the colder side.

Warm whites have hints of warmer colours like pink, orange and yellow. When applied to walls, warm whites can make cool rooms feel cosier.

The switch over to warmer whites is great news if you have any north-facing rooms. Cool white and a north-facing orientation can result in a stark space that verges on clinical. A warm white will counteract the lack of direct light and create an inviting environment, especially when teamed with warm white light bulbs in lamps and pendants.

Choosing a warm white for your home

There are so many shades of white that it can be mind boggling, especially if you want to avoid anything on the cool end of the spectrum. We’ve narrowed down the best warm whites to help you ahead of a decorating project: 

Dulux

Dulux is a failsafe when it comes to white paint. You can browse shades, use the visualiser app and order tester pots online here or visit a decorating centre to choose from a vast array of colour cards that can be mixed. Our favourite warm whites? Timeless, Jasmine White and Icing Sugar.

Farrow & Ball

For a classic, timeless take on white, opt for a shade in Farrow & Ball’s white paint collection. Its All White shade is described as ‘the softest most sympathetic colour without the colder blue undertones of a brilliant white’. One step away from pure brilliant white is Farrow & Ball’s Wimborne White, mixed with a yellow undertone for a slightly buttery finish. 

Coat

If you’re struggling to choose the right white, consider ordering Coat’s White Pack of ‘peel and stick’ tester swatches. There are 18 neutral shades to compare, although we have our favourites. Jojo’s White and Nada would look good as part of any home refresh. 

Paint & Paper Library

The place to head if you love architectural and more obscure white influences. Capuchin takes its inspiration from the ochre tones of Thames Mud yet manages to stay on the bright side of white. Cashmere I is billed as the perfect mood-lifting neutral for north-facing rooms. 

Thinking about selling your home? Book in for a valuation and discover what your home is worth.