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Paper White, by Benjamin Moore

Benjamin Moore Paper White is a soft, off-white paint color that is best described as gray. It is a pale neutral that goes nicely in many spaces.

Benjamin Moore describes Paper White as, “A very usable white with a blue-gray undertone, this exquisite shade suggests the timeless elegance of a handwritten note on beautifully embossed stationery.”

Overall, Paper White is a popular paint color. If you want to learn more about Paper White, including where to use it, and what colors it works with, keep reading for all the details!

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What Color is Benjamin Moore Paper White?

Paper White Benjamin Moore Paint Drop

Paper White is a sophisticated and elegant paint color.

As I mentioned above, Paper White is best described as a gray paint color. But Paper White is technically an off-white paint color. It is light enough that it can look almost like a white on your walls in bright rooms. But, when placed next to a bright white trim, Paper White has enough color in it that it shows up.

There is a little more to understand about this paint color though. It isn’t a pure gray, because they really don’t exist. All gray paint colors have undertones – typically green, blue, purple, or beige. So…

What Undertone Does Benjamin Moore Paper White Have?

Paper White by Benjamin Moore

According to Benjamin Moore, Paper White has a blue gray undertone. In addition to this though, you can also see Paper White take on a green undertone at times.

Paper White will lean more into its grayness in cooler, northern light. In those southern-facing spaces though, you may see a bit more of the blue or green pop up.

Paper White is also a shade that will look different in different parts of the room, depending on the lighting. So, in one room, Paper White can look more gray, more blue or more green in a different spot all at the same time.

Additionally, the furniture and fixed elements around Paper White are going to change the way it is perceived. If Paper White is placed next to a more true gray, you’ll see it take on those green and blue undertones more. But, in a space with blue or green, you may find it looks more gray.

Is Benjamin Moore Paper White Cool or Warm?

With its blue and green undertones, Paper White is a cool paint color.

Typically, cool paint colors can look soothing or spa-like, icy or chilly, or fresh and clean. Paper White takes on all these qualities at times.

Cool colors also tend to recede into the background of a room, making the space feel more expansive. Paper White can do this as well.

Benjamin Moore Paper White LRV

Paper White has an LRV of 75. The LRV, or Light Reflectance Scale, of paint colors goes from 0, which means it is completely black, to 100, which means it is completely white.

Truly white paint colors tend to have LRVs in the 80s or above. So, you can see that Paper White is a pretty light, close-to-white paint color.

What Color Code is Benjamin Moore Paper White?

Benjamin Moore Paper White actually has two identifying color codes associated with it.

First, it was given the number 1590, which means that it was a part of Benjamin Moore’s Classic Color collection. Later, it was included in the Off-Whites Color collection and given the code OC-55.

Don’t worry though. If you ask for Paper White by either color code at Benjamin Moore, you’ll get the same paint color.

What Colors Go With Benjamin Moore Paper White?

Benjamin Moore has two color schemes for Paper White.

In the first color palette, Paper White is paired with Jackson Tan and Equestrian Gray. Both of these paint colors are technically brown, but with some differences. Jackson Tan has more of an orange undertone, while Equestrian Gray has a good bit of gray in it.

This warm color palette shows how Paper White can be used to bring balance to an otherwise warm space.

Paper White Benjamin Moore Color Scheme 2

For some more coordinating colors for Paper White, check out Slate Blue, a light blue paint color, and French Beret, a black paint color.

This color palette features cool paint colors, and demonstrates how Paper White works nicely alongside other cool shades.

Paper White Benjamin Moore Color Scheme 1

In addition to the paint colors listed in these color schemes, Paper White also tends to go with blues, some browns, deeper grays, blacks, some yellows, and some reds.

Trim Colors for Benjamin Moore Paper White

Paper White is a fairly light paint color. If you want it to stand out against the trim in your home, the best bet is to go with a really bright white trim paint color.

My favorite bright white trim paint color is Chantilly Lace. Chantilly Lace is clean and almost undertone-free. This makes it go nicely with almost any other wall paint color.

If you don’t want a super bright white paint color, you may prefer a slightly more shaded color such as White Heron. White Heron is a white paint color that has a soft gray undertone in it. It will still look white on your trim, but won’t be quite as stark as Paper White.

Trim Paint Colors for Paper White

Benjamin Moore Paper White Compared

If you’re considering Paper White, you’re probably also considering other white or off-white paint colors as well. In this section, I like to compare the paint color I am reviewing to other popular paint colors in the same family.

This can be helpful if you are trying to decide between two popular shades that are similar.

So, let’s take a look at Paper White in comparison to Classic Gray, Decorator’s White, and Horizon.

Paper White vs. Classic Gray

Benjamin Moore Paper White vs. Classic Gray

Classic Gray is a popular greige paint color by Benjamin Moore. Classic Gray has a lot of gray in it, but also definitely leans towards beige at times. It is a warm color that looks neutral, but doesn’t really pass as a white paint color.

When you compare Paper White to Classic Gray, you really see the beige in Classic Gray stand out. In fact, compared to Paper White, Classic Gray doesn’t look gray at all.

The comparison also highlights the coolness of Paper White.

Paper White and Classic Gray are about the same depths though. One doesn’t look too much darker or deeper on your walls than the other. This is because their LRVs are almost the same.

So, if you’re looking for a cool gray paint color, Paper White is definitely going to be the better choice here. But, if you want something that is more greige, and is perhaps more versatile, Classic Gray is a good pick.

Click here to learn more about Classic Gray.

Paper White vs. Decorator’s White

Benjamin Moore Paper White vs. Decorator's White

Decorator’s White is a cooler white paint color with blue, green and purple undertones. It is favorited by many who want a cool white paint color that doesn’t have icy blue undertones.

At 83, Decorator’s White has a higher LRV than Paper White. Accordingly, Decorator’s White looks much more like a white paint color than Paper White does.

Since Paper White and Decorator’s White have a lot of the same undertones, they tend to make each other look more like their base colors. When compared to each other, Decorator’s White looks more like a true white, and Paper White looks more like a true gray.

In fact, you could even use Decorator’s White as a trim paint color for Paper White walls.

If you are trying to decide between Paper White and Decorator’s White, the biggest question to ask yourself is whether you want the walls to look white or not. If you want a white wall, go with Decorator’s White. But, if you want an off-white wall color, Paper White is the pick.

Click here to learn more about Decorator’s White.

Paper White vs. Horizon

Benjamin Moore Paper White vs. Horizon

Benjamin Moore Horizon is the paint color that is closest to Paper White in this list. Horizon is a soft, off-white paint color that favors gray. Similar to Paper White, Horizon has blue and green undertones.

But, Horizon has a smidge less green in it, making it a little bit more icy looking than Paper White.

Truly, these paint colors are very similar. The best way to choose between these two shades is to try them in your home. This will help to determine which shade goes best with your fixed elements and furnishings.

Click here for all the details on Benjamin Moore Horizon.

Wondering How To Pick the Perfect Paint Color?

I have the best solution for you!

Samplize sells peel and stick paint samples in almost every paint color.

These no-mess, peel and stick sheets are made from real paint, so they will show you exactly what the paint color will look like.

Simply place them on your walls next to your trim, furnishings or fixed elements, and easily see which paint color works best in your space and with your lighting.

Then, peel the sheet off your wall and reapply it somewhere else if you like. You can try several different paint colors with no mess, no fuss and no cleaning paint brushes.

SAMPLIZE Peel and Stick Paint Samples

Oh, and you can have them in your home by tomorrow with OVERNIGHT shipping!

As a bonus, be sure to use the code LoveRemodeled10 at check out to get an extra 10% off! Samplize sheets are cheaper than a sample can of paint, and way less work.

They are the easiest (and fastest!) way to try a paint color in your home, with no hassle.

Where to Use Benjamin Moore Paper White

Since Paper White is a cool paint color, it is a great shade to use in a bedroom, bathroom, or living room. Really, it is good in any place that you want to give a relaxing, expansive look.

But, Paper White isn’t limited to only working in bedrooms, bathrooms or living rooms. It can be used as an anchor color for a whole house color scheme as well. Paper White works in entryways, dining rooms, and kitchens too.

With its high LRV, Paper White isn’t limited to only bright, sunny rooms. It also works in basements and hallways.

Final Thoughts on Benjamin Moore Paper White

Paper White is a popular off-white paint color that tends to look gray on your walls. It has a bit of green and blue in it too, which make it a fresh, relaxing choice for your room.

If you want a gray paint color that is soft, pale, and decidedly cool, Paper White may be the color for you!

Click here for other white paint colors with blue undertones.

Have a question? Leave me a comment! Remember to check back for a response – it may take me up to a week or two depending on how busy I am, but I’ll be sure to get back to you!

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Want to see all your paint options in one convenient place? Click here to get everything you need to start painting, including Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore paint color decks!

Thanks for sharing!