Benjamin Moore White Dove 0C-17 Paint Color Review
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If you’re searching for the perfect white paint color, Benjamin Moore White Dove has likely come up in your search. In fact, it is one of – if not – the most popular white color available. Its neutral, warm base means it goes with just about everything without looking yellow. There is a lot to cover with this clean and classic color by Benjamin Moore so let’s dive in.
Before you start to question if this is another post about your basic white paint color…Don’t.
In order to properly utilize a white paint color in your space it’s important to understand that every white paint color will appear different depending on a variety of influences.
White paint colors are often categorized in 5 different ways- warm white, cool white, bright white, soft white, and true white.
White Dove in particular is a neutral white that appears both soft and bright depending on surrounding circumstances like natural lighting or accent colors.
It doesn’t feel too warm and it doesn’t feel too cool. You’ll be sure to love this paint color along with many other people who can’t get enough of this popular white.
Unerring style defines this classic, softly shaded white. Light and luminous, it is a favorite choice for moldings and trim.
Benjamin Moore
Benjamin Moore White Dove Paint Color
White Dove by Benjamin Moore (OC-17 also known as PM-19) is one of the best selling and most popular white paint colors.
BM White Dove is a very popular paint color that can be found all over Pinterest when searching for a clean and crisp color option that works well on a variety of surfaces like walls, trim, ceilings, molding, cabinets, etc. It’s also one of Joanna Gaines’ from Fixer Upper favorite white paint color.
Related: Wondering what are the best white paint trim colors?
What Color is BM White Dove?
If you’re looking for a versatile paint color that looks great in any room, White Dove is a great option. It is white enough to brighten a room, but neutral enough to appear warm to provide comfort to your interior.
If you’re in search of a paint color that can be used throughout your whole interior, this might be the paint color for you.
Many people prefer to use White Dove because it harmonizes well with other design choices. Using a pure white paint color can appear bland and doesn’t provide as much comfortability as a warmer white paint color like White Dove.
I know, I’m making this paint color sound pretty perfect. I could be biased but it is a great choice.
Let’s get into some details that are important to be aware of before using White Dove.
Does BM White Dove Look Yellow?
No! White Dove doesn’t really appear yellow at all. This paint color is created with warm yellow undertones that are perfectly settled by a greige (gray/beige) base coming into view as a beautiful creamy off-white.
As I like to add with any paint color review- be sure to sample this paint color in your home before going all in. The amount of lighting entering the room plays a big factor in how the color will show up in your space. This is due to where your chosen paint color falls on the LRV- light reflectance value scale (I will explain this in more detail later in the post.)
I like Samplize paint sheets for testing paint colors on walls. They are 9” x 14.75” peel and stick paint samples that you can stick on your wall to see how the paint color actually looks in your space. Pretty genius right?!
The sheets use actual paint colors so it’s a true match. It’s so nice not having to get out the paint can and swatch five different colors on your walls.
You can move them around to other walls if you want and they don’t damage your wall. You just order them online and they arrive on your doorstep in a couple days! No extra trips to the paint store. Check out Samplize here.
BM White Dove Undertones
Most beautiful paint colors like White Dove are made up of a combination of different hues that work together in harmony. The warmth of this paint color comes from the touch of yellow undertone that is blended with gray.
Some design professionals have talked about the unexpected green undertones that show up under some lighting conditions. Although mild, definitely noticeable if you are using White Dove as a primary color throughout most spaces in your home. In one room White Dove may be influenced by natural light, making it appear different in the next room that lets in less natural light.
Overall the influence that lighting has on White Dove isn’t extreme, but something to be aware of when using this paint color in your home. For the best results you should make sure you’re aware of how the undertones in White Dove may show up under different circumstances by sampling first.
Below you can see some real examples of how White Dove is displayed across a few different lighting conditions.
You can expect to notice the darker undertones in darker, shadowed areas near trim or cabinets or in rooms with darker lighting. Don’t let this deter you from choosing BM White Dove- all paint colors are created to adapt to the environment accordingly.
Trim Colors that go with White Dove
If you are using White Dove as a primary wall color you’re probably wondering what you should do with your trim.
Lucky for you, this paint color works well with virtually any color palette thanks to its neutrality. It’s really all up to your style preferences!
Related: The best white paint trim colors
You can go darker on your trim or lighter – I would personally suggest using a lighter paint such as Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace. Or if you like a tone on tone look, you can even get away with painting your trim White Dove as well.
These are some coordinating colors that pair well with White Dove:
Is BM White Dove Warm or Cool?
White Dove by Benjamin Moore is classified as a warm paint color.
How do we know if a paint color is warm versus cool? Light Reflectance Value (also referred to as LRV) is a scale used by design professionals that is rated from 0-100- 0 being the blackest black and 100 being the brightest white. White Dove by Benjamin Moore is rated 85.38 on the LRV scale. Most design professionals would agree that many beautiful white paint colors fall between 70-85 LRV, making White Dove a great choice!
It is to be expected that a color will fall on the warm side if it is made of creamier tones and warm undertones like this BM color. White Dove will stand alone as an off-white that does not appear warm until additional colors and design choices are added to the equation. Although warm, White Dove isn’t warm enough to appear too yellow regardless of surrounding accents.
Is White Dove Versatile and Great for Any Room?
Absolutely! BM White Dove is a great option for any room. There is a reason that this paint color has been one of the most popular Benjamin Moore paint colors from year to year. It is a great all around adaptable shade of white that enhances all areas from walls, to ceilings, to trim, to molding, and even kitchen cabinets.
White Dove is a great color for kitchen cabinets because of how classic and neutral it appears in a kitchen. Be sure to consider how well it will coordinate with your countertops, backsplash, and flooring before going all in.
You can use a paint sample to get a feel for how well White Dove compliments your already existing design choices. One rule of thumb is to pair White Dove with other warm colors to avoid it appearing dingy or dirty next to cool tones. To learn more about using White Dove for your cabinets I wrote a whole blog post you can refer to: Is White Dove a Good Color for Kitchen Cabinets?
Painting your ceilings isn’t likely to be a task that you devote all of your effort and research to. It’s usually a thought that comes after you have already finished all of your interior design. White Dove can be the perfect paint color for ceilings because with most ceilings painted white anyway, White Dove will add a sense of creativity to your area and coordinates well with other colors. If you are wondering what colors you should use on your walls if White Dove is your ceiling color- keep reading!
What Color Compliments White Dove?
As long as you use coordinating, complimentary accent colors that lean more towards the warm side, just about any color goes!
Complimentary Colors:
If you are looking for a bolder, more colorful option you could consider these paint colors:
Is White Dove Benjamin Moore the Perfect White for Your Walls?
Look no further than White Dove by Benjamin Moore if you are looking for a warm white full of creamy undertones that will leave your home feeling cozy and inviting yet clean and modern. I think it’s such a beautiful color that is versatile allowing you to use it in any room and on a variety of surfaces. White Dove is one of my favorite Benjamin Moore neutral paint colors. It’s no surprise that it has over and over again been one of the most popular white paint options.
