White can be white, whiter, whitest

white can be white, whiter, whitest

The undertone of white paint

Did you know that every shade of white has a different undertone? This means that every type of white contains a tiny bit of another colour, making the white either warmer or cooler. Warm white often has a hint of yellow or red, while cooler white contains a slight blue glow. And when choosing pure white, without an undertone, it often leans a bit towards gray.

What does the space do?

When you choose a white colour, it’s good to determine which undertone best fits the atmosphere you have in mind. But it is also good to look at the furniture and other interior items already in the room. Does a warmer or a cooler white match better? And exactly how warm or cool do you want it to be? There are 1001 shades possible. Also, good to remember: how the sun falls on the painted part will also have a significant effect. Is there a lot of natural light, or will the surface in question be lit more by artificial light? These are all things to take into account, as they determine which undertone will eventually suit your shade of white best.

Colour samples are key

The colour on your screen often looks quite different in real life. That’s why we advise you to always order a colour sample, or even better: several colour samples. Stick them on your wall or whatever other surface you intend to paint and view them at different times of the day! Do you have other white elements in the room? Hold the colour sample in question against them as well. Because white next to white can, if you choose the wrong colour, suddenly look a bit yellowish or dingy, and that is obviously exactly what you don’t want! So test. To your heart’s content. And then choose a colour that makes you feel great! All set? Great! Then this is the time to prepare your wall, where necessary, and get to work.

Let's paint white!

Choosing white is about more than the name on the tin. Consider the undertone, light and finish. Want to know which properties have been assessed? Our extra-matt and extra-covering wall paints are listed on EU Ecolabel certificate NL/044/005. Explore the certificates page and technical data sheets for details.