Benjamin Moore White Dove Review & Inspiration

White Dove’s gray undertones make it part of the off-white color palette, but although it’s a gray-white color, it’s warmer than it seems. Undertones of cream and beige add richness and complexity, making White Dove appear to change with the light. Depending on the lighting in a room the warm greige undertones might be more or less visible. In brightly natural light or south-facing rooms, White Dove paint will appear slightly warmer. If you have north-facing windows or overcast weather, you can expect the gray undertones to give it a cool off-white appearance.

Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17 vs Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace OC-65

With a light reflectance value or LRV of around 85, Benjamin Moore's White Dove will look like a true white when on its own. However, when it’s used alongside a brighter white like Chantilly Lace you can tell it’s not a pure white; its creamy, warmer undertones come through. White Dove is unique among shades of white for its complexity; it’s the perfect choice for either interior or exterior paint when you want a true white, but not a cold and stark white.

Where to Use White Dove

White Dove is a premium soft white wall color for the family room, dining room, or master bedroom, especially in a matte or eggshell finish. It's also homeowners’ favorite choice for molding, trim, baseboards, cabinetry, and ceiling paint, as well as a show-stopping exterior color. White Dove adds a soft warm feeling to a bright entrance. In this entry hall, it adds richness to the walls while avoiding a white that’s too stark or cold.

BM White Dove OC-17 is a bright, warm paint color in a well-lit entrance

White Dove is an ideal companion for bold colors because its complex undertones keep it from being overly influenced by nearby shades. This bedroom uses White Dove on the walls to balance a show-stopping ceiling in Benjamin Moore’s Pink Peony:

Benjamin Moore White Dove on walls, Pink Peony on ceiling

With its cool undertones, White Dove is the perfect complement for dark blue and gray paint colors like Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy or Wrought Iron. On this fireplace White Dove creates a crisp contrast with the navy blue background:

Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17 complemented by navy accents on built-in shelves

In this midcentury home, a seamless flow between White Dove walls and ceiling makes the perfect complement to warm, earthy textures and colors:

Benjamin Moore White Dove walls with kitchen cabinets in Steep Cliff Gray

White Dove is definitely one of the best white paint colors to paint kitchen cabinets. Gray undertones make it a perfect companion to marble countertops, while creamy undertones complement natural wood shades. In this stylish kitchen by A-List Interiors, kitchen cabinets in White Dove combine traditional and modern for a look that’s both crisp and cozy:

Benjamin Moore White Dove kitchen cabinets; design by A-List Interiors, photo by Brittany Ambridge

White Dove Trim Paint

White Dove in a semi-gloss finish is a favorite trim paint and provides warmth and softness against a cool wall color.

Benjamin Moore Breath of Fresh Air wall color is paired with trim in Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17

In this bedroom, White Dove trim sets off Benjamin Moore’s pale green Soft Fern, and picks up the cool undertones of Forest Green:

Benjamin Moore White Dove trim with walls in Forest Green and Soft Fern

White Dove Exterior Paint

White Dove makes a beautiful, classic exterior paint as well. Dark wood tones and green plants enhance White Dove's smooth, creamy undertones on this stucco home:

Home exterior painted in Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17

But don’t count it out for modern architecture too! Here White Dove is striking paired with sleek black doors, windows, and accents:

White Dove trim looks crisp and cool against Benjamin Moore’s Pale Oak on the siding:

Benjamin Moore Pale Oak siding with White Dove exterior trim

What colors go best with White Dove?

White Dove has a hint of gray that makes it the ideal companion for cool blues, grays, and blue-greens. Consider pairing it with the dark blue of Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy or the blue-green of Wythe Blue.

Living room with White Dove walls, Hale Navy accent wall, White Heron ceiling, and trim

White Dove’s creamy richness and lack of yellow undertones also work beautifully with nature-inspired shades; try it with terracotta, a light green like October Mist, or the pale sophistication of Palladian Blue. For a crisp, clean finish, use White Dove to trim a neutral wall color like Edgecomb Gray or Revere Pewter. Combine either interior or exterior White Dove walls with shiplap finishes and soft black Wrought Iron window frames for a modern farmhouse look.

Other Similar Colors

Testing white paint colors to find just the right one can be time-consuming, but our Benjamin Moore Color Guides make the process a lot easier. If you’d like more distinct blue or green undertones than White Dove offers, try Benjamin Moore's Decorator's White for a cooler white. Paper White, also part of the Off White Collection, is a slightly more gray. For a warmer, creamier white, try Swiss Coffee, Oxford White, or Simply White.

Benjamin Moore Simply White OC-117 vs Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17

There are even more options available in the Benjamin Moore White & Off-White Collections.

Order a Sample of Benjamin Moore White Dove

All white paint colors are susceptible to shifts in an undertone that could make them appear cooler or warmer, depending on the lighting conditions and time of day. We recommend testing a sample of White Dove and any other options you’re considering before deciding on your final choice. Ring’s End offers all of Benjamin Moore’s 3,700+ paint colors in-store and online, shipping anywhere in the U.S. Order samples online for fast, convenient shipping straight to your door and get your project started this week!

One of our designers’ favorite tips for an easy way to test paint swatches on multiple walls in your house, is to paint a large poster board using a Benjamin Moore Paint Color Sample and move it around the room to observe the color on different walls and in different lighting conditions. Once you’ve settled on your color choice and are ready to order your paint, come back here for convenient, free shipping* on our best-selling Regal Selct or AURA interior paints.
*Free shipping on all standard orders of $150 or more