White paint is deceptively complex. After trying many over the years, we settled on Benjamin Moore’s Simply White (OC-117) as a trusted go-to for its warm, bright character. We used it across walls, trim, doors, and cabinetry for a cohesive look. That said, Simply White isn’t perfect for every situation—lighting, adjacent colors, and exposure can change how it reads.
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What makes BM Simply White a popular white?
There’s no single “perfect” white; most successful whites contain tiny hints of black and subtle undertones—yellow, green, or pink—that prevent them from feeling sterile. Simply White earned attention for being bright yet warm and was Benjamin Moore’s 2016 Color of the Year. Designers reach for it when they want a versatile warm white that reads crisp without feeling cold. Still, like all paints, it has trade-offs depending on light and context.
Is Simply White warm or cool?
Simply White is a warm white. Warm whites often feel more inviting and are less likely to read as stark or clinical than cool whites. That warmth made it an ideal trim color throughout our previous house and a good complement to greige wall colors like Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray.
Because of its warmth, Simply White pairs nicely with warm textiles and finishes; cooler whites might clash with rusts, taupes, or warm woods.
What is Simply White’s undertone?
Simply White carries a visible yellow undertone that gives it a soft, creamy warmth. It doesn’t push the color into off-white territory in bright light, but in dimmer or artificial light the yellow can become more noticeable. For many, that subtle creaminess creates a cozy, lived-in feel.
In the photo above, the built-in’s yellow warmth is clear compared to cooler stock-white cabinets in the background.
Does Simply White look dingy and yellow?
Some people find Simply White too yellow. While it usually reads bright rather than dingy, in certain conditions it can look creamier or off-white. If you want a less yellow white, consider a cleaner white like Sherwin-Williams Pure White.
Simply White tends to look most yellow when:
- Used in north-facing rooms with limited natural light
- Paired with cooler wall colors, accents, or cool wood tones
- Applied long ago and allowed to yellow with age
We noticed these effects in a living room where ceiling beams and trim received little light and appeared warmer than other surfaces.
Conversely, in bright south-facing rooms Simply White reads crisp and clean, especially when used on both walls and trim.
We later repainted that bedroom’s walls a soft greige while keeping Simply White on the trim because it provided a crisp contrast against colorful accents.
Because of its yellowing tendency in some lights, we eventually switched to a different whole-house white for our current home.
What is the LRV of Simply White?
Simply White has a Light Reflective Value (LRV) of 89.5, meaning it reflects a lot of light. An LRV near 90 makes it one of the brighter warm whites, which helps interiors feel clean and open—useful for dark closets, hallways, or bathrooms.
Where should you use Simply White?
Simply White works well in many applications; here are the places we’ve used it and what to consider for each.
Simply White as a trim paint color
It shines as a trim or molding color paired with warm wall tones, helping details and accents stand out. We used it as a whole-house trim color in our previous home with great results.
Simply White as a wainscoting color
It’s an excellent choice for wainscoting and moldings, creating crisp contrast against deeper wall colors. For trim work and cabinetry, we recommend a high-quality paint to limit future yellowing.
Simply White as a door color
It provides a clean, classic look on interior doors without appearing unfinished. For exterior doors, be cautious: in direct sunlight bright whites can feel harsh, so a lower-LRV white may be preferable outdoors.
Simply White as a cabinet or built-in color
Its yellow undertone keeps cabinets and built-ins from looking cold, while the high LRV keeps them bright. In darker north-facing rooms it may read creamier, so if you prefer a neutral white with fewer undertones, consider alternatives.
Simply White as a wall color
Used on walls, Simply White can feel modern and warm in bright, sunny rooms. In lower-light rooms or spaces with cool accents it can read more yellow. Bright whites also reflect surrounding colors, subtly shifting how they appear.
As a whole-house white it can work if you accept its variable warmth in different lighting, but many homeowners choose a white with subtler undertones for consistency.
Comparing Simply White to other popular whites
Slight differences in undertone and LRV change how whites behave in a space. Below are common comparisons to help you decide if Simply White is right for your project.
Simply White vs White Dove
White Dove shares warm yellow undertones but has a lower LRV, making it slightly darker and more muted. It’s a good option if Simply White feels too bright.
Simply White vs Pure White
Sherwin‑Williams Pure White has subtler beige undertones and reads closer to a clean white. It’s a strong alternative if yellowing is a concern or you have cooler decor.
Simply White vs Chantilly Lace
Chantilly Lace is cooler with faint gray or blue undertones. It’s equally bright but lacks yellow warmth, making it suitable for cool-toned schemes.
Simply White vs Alabaster
Alabaster is warmer and darker, leaning toward off-white or beige. It pairs well with Simply White trim for a layered warm palette.
Simply White vs Greek Villa
Greek Villa is slightly creamier and can pick up faint pinkish hints in some light. It pairs well with Simply White in warm palettes.
Simply White vs Swiss Coffee
Swiss Coffee is darker with hints of green that cool it slightly. It remains a warm white and can look off-white next to a bright trim white.
Simply White vs Cloud White
Cloud White is creamier and slightly darker; choose it for an antique white feel or if you have many warm finishes.
Simply White vs Decorator’s White
Decorator’s White is grayer and cooler; it avoids yellow undertones but may read too gray for some rooms. For a bright cool alternative, look at Chantilly Lace.
Simply White vs Extra White
Sherwin‑Williams Extra White is a cool, crisp white with minimal undertones, making it flexible if you want to avoid warmth.
Final considerations
Benjamin Moore Simply White is a reliable bright warm white that works beautifully on trim, doors, cabinets, and many walls—especially in well-lit spaces. Its yellow undertone adds welcome warmth but can read creamier in low light or as paint ages. If consistent neutral whites are a priority, test alternatives with subtler undertones before committing to a whole-house application.
We used Simply White extensively in past homes, but for our current house we chose a different white with less obvious yellowing. Always sample paint in your own space and lighting before finalizing a color.
More Paint Colors We Love
Explore more of our favorite paint colors and deep dives in the Painting Projects section of the blog to find coordinates and inspiration for your next paint project.
- Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
- Sherwin‑Williams Pure White
- Sherwin‑Williams Extra White
- The Best “Haint Blue” Paint Colors
- The 12 Best White Paint Colors
- The 9 Best Greige Paint Colors
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