Benjamin Moore White Dove paint -find out why so many professional interior designers and DIYers alike LOVE this versatile paint color.
Benjamin Moore White Dove Paint is an extremely versatile color to with unerring style.
When it comes to the best white paint colors, this is by far my favorite choice!
So, of course I’m excited to share with you everything you need to know about this popular color!
This post was first published several years ago, but it’s been updated with new and relevant info.
Our current mudroom in Connecticut.
Our current mudroom in Connecticut.Benjamin Moore White Dove
I’m so glad so many of you are finding this post on the best trim paint and trim details so helpful!
Today, I thought I’d do a follow up post just focusing on one of the most popular colors in the world of premium paint: Benjamin Moore White Dove.
I’ve gotten so many email questions specifically about this beautiful white paint color.
We use White Dove SO much and in SO many places.
It’s especially great to use on trim and built ins as it works with almost any color palette…
Above you can see how this looks in our mudroom.
Our former front entry from our New York / Westchester County home.
White Dove Walls
The first time we used this classic color was back in our old home in New York.
We needed to quickly pick paint colors and had no idea what we were doing, or even what our precise paint needs were.
After flipping through several high end shelter magazines, it was the beautiful interior design work of Suzanne Kasler that inspired us to give this color a try.
I’m so glad we did!
It proved to be the perfect introduction to this classic color.
We had this on our kitchen cabinets for years in our former home and loved it.
It gave the whole space a classic and fresh look.
Once it was up on our trim we fell in love with this shade of white.
If you’re wondering what finish we chose, I highly recommend a semi gloss for trim in the Aura paint line.
The subtle shine this gives looks so pretty and this type of finish creates an easy-to-clean surface with a great depth of color.
It’s also the most popular finish for kitchen cabinets, so keep that in mind.
The way this color simply works perfectly with everything simplified a lot of future design and decor decisions for us going forward, and what’s better than that?
You can read more about different interior wall paint finishes here.
Our former mudroom in New York the trim color is White Dove.
Second time around, loving Benjamin Moore White Dove paint color even more!
Back in 2009, we renovated our former New York home.
There were SO many design decisions which needed to be made.
It was overwhelming.
Having a trusted color you love in your design arsenal is so great.
It leads to quicker decisions, less stress and of course, most important – a beautiful outcome.
We went back to the time-honored tradition of Benjamin Moore paints once again and…
As you can see we (of course) opted to use this perfect white paint shade in our renovated former mudroom above.
We went with it pretty much everywhere – I love the subtle warm undertones.
Our current foyer here in Connecticut.
Third time’s the charm with Benjamin Moore White Dove paint.
Having now painted our original house and our renovated house, when we moved here to Connecticut a few years ago, we knew we would repeat a lot of the same paint colors.
Moving is stressful enough on it’s own.
Already knowing a few great paint colors we could immediately rely on for our interior paint job was one less thing we had to deal with.
We knew beyond a doubt, all of the trim in the new house (except for this bathroom and the butler’s pantry) would be painted in white dove, semi gloss finish.
One less thing to worry about!
SO why do we love White Dove so much?
Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide if this is what you’re looking for:
It has virtually no yellow in it, unlike many other white paints.
This color is the type of neutral which will literally work with everything and all color schemes.
It’s considered a very versatile white for a reason!
The creamy undertones of White Dove look great with modern, transitional, traditional, cottage, farmhouse – you get the picture!
It’s neither a cool, stark white or a beige, warm white.
This is exactly why so many professional designers love this rich color so much.
Especially on trim, built ins, doors, baseboards, window frames and a wide variety of surfaces.
The only time where I wouldn’t recommend this perfect color for your trim work, is if you’ve already chosen a white paint for your walls other than White Dove.
In this case, you should go ahead and paint the walls, trim and base moldings the same shade of white – using different finishes on each.
PRO TIP: If you’re working with less-than-perfect surfaces, you’ll want to choose an eggshell finish, with at least two coats of paint.
Related: 10 Reasons to paint your trim the same color as your walls.
And, then I did a full post on my other go to white paint color, OC -151 this one is more of a true bright white color.
White Dove OC-17 paint sample
Is White Dove Paint A Good Wall Color?
The short answer is YES!
Here’s why…
By now you can tell how much I love to use White Dove on both trim and walls!
I think it’s such a beautiful soft white with no yellow undertones.
Ultimately you need to love it.
I can’t recommend trying it out as a sample in your home first enough.
Maybe this seems so obvious, but even the surrounding natural light from one room to another can differ.
Live with a few samples for a few days before making your decision.
Test it in natural and artificial light too!
These large self sticking paint samples which you can order online are brilliant for testing things out.
No messy paint cans and brushes to deal with!
Someone asked me how this compares to Benjamin Moore Oxford White.
Since I’ve never used Oxford White, I’m not sure, but why not order a few samples of various whites, right?
Order Samplize peel and stick paint samples here.
If you’re at all curious, you can check them out and order them here.
You don’t want to just rely on a small sample, which is another reason why these are SO genius – they’re a great size!
White Dove looks equally at home in a bedroom, kitchens, family room…you name it!
It’s also a really great choice for a ceiling paint color!
Benjamin Moore Simply White vs. White Dove
These are two are the most popular white paint colors.
It’s SO important to compare these two with paint samples to see how they look in the context of your home.
See how the color of your floors, counter tops and furnishings bounce off and work with these white colors.
Always consider the lighting, natural or otherwise as well.
Once you compare, go with your gut instincts…no doubt you’ll get beautiful results.
What Color Goes Well With Dove White?
Almost any color looks so great with Dove White.
Here’s a few top recommendations:
You simply can’t go wrong with this light gray paint, Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist.
Benjamin Moore Cape Hatteras Sand, Calm, Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray and Sea Salt are all lovely color palettes which also look perfect with White Dove.
What is the Light Reflectance Value of Dove White?
Light reflective value is also commonly known as LRV.
White Dove’s lrv is 85.38.
This simply means this is a color which will reflect a lot of light.
Lrvs range from 0 – 100.
Think in terms of absolute black being at a zero on the LRV scale and the truest white is at one hundred.
So, in terms of this white, it’s not the whites white, but it’s still pretty bright!
LRV with higher numbers will be more of true, bright white.
BENJAMIN MOORE WHITE DOVE oc-17 conclusion
Hopefully this post will help you find the perfect white paint color for your home.
Obviously I love to use Benjamin Moore’s White Dove and think it’s such an excellent choice.
It’s truly one of my favorite colors.
If you do end up using BM White Dove in your home, let me know! I’d love to see it.
If you have any other questions, please shoot me an email or leave it in the comments below.
I’ve already answered a popular inquiry on the best white exterior paint colors for your house, just in case your wondering:)
Additional Home Decor Ideas
If you’re looking for even more paint color inspiration and home design, be sure to check out these other posts by clicking on each title below-
Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter Paint.
Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige.
Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White Paint.
The best looking mirrors for your dining room.
Cream and neutral paint colors for your kitchen cabinets.
Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace paint.
Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee Paint.
The Best Neutral Wall Paint Colors.
How to style your kitchen island.
The Top 10 Most Popular Paint Colors For Your Kitchen Cabinets.
The Best Gray Paint Color For Your Living Room.
A few more things…
Design lovers! Have you joined our fun and VERY helpful design Facebook group?
In this group – members share photos with their design questions and dilemmas from their own home. We all chime in with our best advice!
It’s also great for sourcing hard to find items and pieces.
Lastly, to help you even further with your home projects, download my FREE DESIGN CHEAT SHEET, it’s loaded with all sorts of quick tips and handy measurements.
Sign up below to grab this, it’ll be super helpful!
PS: Be sure to PIN ONE OF THE IMAGES below – this way you’ll have all this info conveniently saved for your next home project!
Why did the Dove White not work on your kitchen cabinets in this house? I am trying to understand the whole idea of painting the kitchen cabinets, walls, and trim in Dove White. How do I know it will or won’t work in my kitchen? And If I do, what sheens would you use for each? Do I mix in Simply White somewhere? Thank you so much for this fabulous article
We knew because when we tried the sample on the cabinet it looked all wrong, it was to dark/grey in our kitchen. The best way to know is to sample it on the cabinets. I would do a light shine sheen on the cabinets and trim, flat on the walls, I hope this helps.
Can u tell me the black used on the bannister? Thank you!
It was black high gloss from Fine Paints Of Europe.
This is a great & very helpful! Quick question- do you use white dove on the ceiling too since other whites seem to compete with it or can you use Ceiling white? TIA
White dove on the ceiling or ceiling white will both look great.
I would love paint the exterior of my lake cabin Dove White, with black and cedar accents. But, since there is so much sand (and wind lately), anything painted white ends up looking dirty. Any thoughts on best lake home color(s)? On each side of me, the cabins are gray. Two cabins down is SW Cyberspace with cedar. Third home is a stunning charcoal/dark taupe. Any recommendations? I’m contemplating blue (SW Labradorite) with navy trim and cedar accents . . . but, have always been hesitant of blue.
That’s so interesting about the wind and sand. Wondering if maybe you should lean into this and look at sand/taupe paint colors? Just a thought…
I have choosen white Dove for walls and trims and simply white for cabinets and fireplace
would those go good together?
Yes, should look great.
Just looked at this again – you are the paint color queen! I love White Dove – all trim our old farmhouse is in that.
Thanks so much! I’ll take the title:)
As with all your posts, I start on one page and wander all over your site for hours. Right now, I am obsessed with the Nautical Rose on your mudroom floor. Would you give any insight as to how you did that?
Thanks in advanced!
Thanks SO much! We googled various images for a Nautical Rose and then hired an artist who was experience with painting wood floors to execute it! Hope this helps!
My friend is buying a townhouse. Recommended Dove White in eggshell for walls. Dove White in Satin for trim. Dove White in flat for ceiling. Can the kitchen cabinets also be Dove White? Can they be Satun? Or should they be Semi gloss? What color should the bannister be? I was going to recommend Tricorn Black in satin.
Thank you!
Yes, all of this sounds so great. I think semi gloss for cabinets.
I am painting my office white dove with white dove on the trim. How do you think that will look with black interior doors, The color is Wrought iron from Benjamin Moore
Honestly, I think it will GREAT! good luck!
Did you use white dove on the ceilings too?
yes, just not in a shine finish, flat or eggshell
Hello!
Great post!!! Love this color for my bedroom walls , my question is what color should I use for trim? Could I use white dove on both but have the finish on the trim different? Thanks for your help!!!
Yes! Exactly what you just wrote! I love how this looks so much! Good luck!!
Hi, sorry me again. I’ve always thought Willow on my wall of windows to the west and same on my gally windows to the east would be awesome as they say the dark trim pulls the views in. I’ve been too chicken, what are your thoughts on that idea as well?
Love your website, thanks so much
I love dark trim! Try out a sample on a small spot and live with it. Good luck
Our large open concept kitchen has a lot of natural light from the West, East and South. The walls are painted Davenport Tan with adjoining rooms in Alexandra Beige. The west windows are pretty much floor to ceiling with expansive views (we’re rural lol). My question is the colour to paint the stippled vaulted ceiling and trim around the windows. White Dove? My floor trim is Willow which looks great against my golden oak floors and I have used the Willow as an accent wall in another room. Now, my kitchen cupboards are almond with a large black granite counter. Do you think Revere Pewter could be an option should I repaint my kitchen considering the Alexandra beige in adjoining rooms?
Revere Pewter is a stunning gray option. Beige will be fine with it in my opinion. As for the ceiling, try to stick with a plain white, like OC 151. and then white dove on trim. Good Luck!
I painted my living room dove white. I’m going to paint my adjoining entryway. I’ve read not to use this paint color next to white appliances. My door is white in my entryway. Should I paint the walls another color besides dove white? Any suggestions on a color, carrara marble is the flooring. Thank you
I’ve heard the same thing about white appliances. You might want to try BM’s OC 151 if you search white paint colors on the blog, there’s more about this there.
Great post – Are your stair railings stained or painted black? Looking for an appropriate black paint to be used on a re-habbed stair railing. Thanks!
Thanks, They are painted high gloss black.
the paint is by Fine Paints Of Europe.
Would you paint kitchen cabinets white dove? Have you used or are you familiar with Dunn Edwards white DEW 380?
Our old kitchen cabinets were white dove because we had a very open plan and wanted everything to work together. We tried it here in our new house in a swatch, but it didn’t look great. I don’t know the color DEW 380. Sorry! Good Luck!