Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17
Are you looking for the perfect white paint for your home, kitchen cabinets or furniture makeover? Benjamin Moore White Dove is classic and timeless with warm, creamy undertones making a lovely warm white paint color.
One paint selection I have never been disappointed with is Benjamin Moore White Dove. My husband and I have owned three homes. Every single home we have painted ourselves (mostly just me, but no one is keeping track). With the exception of our current home’s foyer – way too high and I would prefer not to fall and break my hip. We’ve done a lot of painting, much paint color selecting and made a few color errors along the way too.
This post contains affiliate links where I can receive commission from your purchases, thank your support. Please read my full disclosure.
Today I am breaking down all the details on the the lovely Benjamin Moore White Dove paint color! All of the trim in our home is painted White Dove in semi-gloss and it’s perfect! Our guest room is White Dove as well and recently I just painted our two children’s rooms White Dove.
Bench: FB Marketplace | Vase | Floral Pillow
Benjamin Moore White Dove Explained
You may be thinking that all white paint colors are the same, but if you have ever gathered several white paint samples from the hardware store, placed them up side by side on your wall; you soon discover that not all white paints are created equal. It can make your head spin.
I’m here to introduce you to this luscious white color paint that you are bound to fall in love with.
White paints fall into three different categories which include warm whites, cool whites, and true whites.
The walls and the trim in these rooms is BM White Dove. The gray color on is Sherwin Williams Passive Gray and an entire color is review is provided here.
Living Room Rug | Sofa | White Lamp | Gold Floor Lamp | Foyer Rug | Clock | Coffee Table | Square Ottoman | Arm Chair
Benjamin Moore White Dove Category
White Dove is neither warm, cool or a true white; it has a great balance of warm and cool tones but is a warmer white rather than a cooler white. How can this be? I’m going to explain.
It is not overly warm or yellow looking either and certainly not a cold, stark white. White Dove has the perfect balance of warm and cool tones in it. Sounds perfect right? So many others think so too since White Dove is one of the most popular and best-selling paint colors.
The unerring style defines this classic, softly shaded white. Light and luminous, it is a favorite choice for moldings and trim. – Benjamin Moore
White Dove Statistics
Benjamin Moore White Dove has a Light Reflective Value (LVR) of 85.38. LRVs range from 0-100, with 100 being pure white and 0 being absolute black. Design pros commonly use LVR to measure the amount of light reflected from a surface. Higher numbers reflect more light and lower numbers absorb light. Since BM White Dove is an 85.38 it is not a pure stark white and falls into the off-white category.
“The hexadecimal color code #f0efe6 is a very light shade of yellow. In the RGB color model #f0efe6 is comprised of 94.12% red, 93.73% green and 90.2% blue.” According to encycolorpedia.com
Fireplace and trim are BM White Dove and the walls are SW Passive Gray; you can read about all about that color review here.
Benjamin Moore White Dove Undertones
What makes this color so great? It is the greige undertones. Since it’s a warm white it has to have some yellow in it, but to keep it from being too warm and looking overly yellow, a tiny bit of gray is added. The gray helps balance out the warmth of the yellow. Genius!
Bed Frame | Basket | Chair | Velvet Comforter | Blinds | Pillow | Fern | Brass Lamp
Frequently Asked Questions: Benjamin Moore White Dove
It is a white paint that reads equally warm and cool together making this color so versatile! It doesn’t read yellow, and while it does have a soft, creamy undertone, it never feels dingy.
Chantilly Lace is a brighter white, whereas White Dove is a considerably a softer shade of white. While BM Chantilly Lace does have a fraction of warmth, it is their brightest white. BM White Dove is a softer, more muted white with a noticeable warmth.
As a rule, it does not appear yellow. It can however have a yellow tint depending on lighting and surrounding decor. Always use a sample before committing to a color.
It is a warmer white; it has a great balance of warm and cooler tones.
No, it is not too white! This is because of the yellow undertones as previously mentioned. The yellow undertones keep it from being too white. It’s more creamy.
Yes, if you want a versatile white color that will accommodate many cool and warm-toned paint colors throughout your home OR if you want a warm, but not too yellow white. If you prefer a white that looks like a true white use BM Chantilly Lace instead.
Check out these other posts!
How to Paint a Brick Fireplace
Benjamin Moore Gettysburg Gray
Sherwin Williams Passive – a Paint Color Review
Is Benjamin Moore White Dove too yellow?
Nope! It is because of the balance of the touch of gray added to balance the yellow.
There are some situations where White Dove can look too yellow:
- In south-facing light, White Dove can look even warmer and can definitely pick up some more yellow but this can be true of many whites. Strong south-facing light offers challenges.
- Partnered with a cool-toned marble or quartz countertop or stark white cabinets/furniture.
- If you have white appliances, White Dove can look considerably more yellow in COMPARISON to your white appliances.
Using Benjamin Moore White Dove
Since BM White Dove is relatively perfect it can be used anywhere and on anything really.
- Kitchen Walls & Kitchen Cabinets
- Interior Walls
- Trim & Moldings
- Exterior
- Ceiling
- Furniture
Kitchen Walls and Cabinets
If you are painting your kitchen or bathroom cabinets white dove then I suggest painting the trim (ceilings/doors) White Dove as well. This will keep things consistent and you can just let the PAINT SHEEN do the work for you rather than blending another white paint color into your space.
Rug | Towel | Frame | Soap | Topiary | Vase
Interior Walls
White Dove is great on walls if you have a lot of natural light coming into your space. Your walls will be the perfect backdrop for all your furniture and decor. The paint on our walls is mostly Sherwin Williams Passive and our trim, doors and walls underneath the chair rails is Benjamin Moore White Dove. We have a lot of natural light that comes into our home so White Dove has been an excellent choice.
If your space does not get a lot of natural light, I would recommend White Dove. White walls look their best when there is a ton of natural light and any white paint color may make the walls look grayed down, shadowy and dull if the room does not have the right conditions.
Assess your natural light before you select any paint color.
Chair | Rug | Chandelier | Greenery | Vase | Table | Curtain Rod | Curtains
Benjamin Moore on Interior Trim and Doors
White Dove is an exceptional trim color. In fact, all our trim in our home, in every room is painted White Dove in a semi-gloss finish.
Since White Dove is a warmer white it pairs nicely with a wall color that leans on the warmer side but it can also work with some cooler tone paint colors too. Since it’s not a yellowish white and more neutral it is balanced and can work with some cool tones too.
White Dove Walls and Trim Color
Hmmm…if your walls are white what color should the trim be? You may be stuck trying to figure out what you should paint the trim but don’t be dismayed.
Did you know a great trim color that goes with White Dove Walls is White Dove? Tada!! Yes, it’s true! You can use the same trim color that you paint your walls with. Use a flat or eggshell finish (makes your walls easier to clean) and a semi-gloss finish on the trim. The slight difference in the sheen will add enough variety.
If you think using White Dove for both the walls and trim is a little too matchy-matchy, you can try Benjamin Moore Simply White OC-117. Still a white paint color but it’s a hint lighter and will pair beautifully with White Dove.
Another fantastic trim color option for White Dove walls is a color like Benjamin Moore Classic Gray OC-23. White Dove will work well with a light gray paint color with a subtle warmth to it.
Check out these others posts:
Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace OC-65
Benjamin Moore Black Onyx (2133-10)
Painting Our Barn
Paint Exterior White Dove
Exteriors painted in white dove are gorgeous too. It’s just such a fabulous shade. If our HOA would let us I would paint our exterior brick in White Dove. Since White Dove has a touch of gray in it as discussed previously and yellow it once again makes the white perfect for an exterior and not too blingy bright when the sun hits it.
Builder: Kroiss Development
Paint Interior Brick White Dove
Our large brick fireplace in our family room needed a facelift and we painted it White Dove to match the rest of the trim. Can I say I love it and it looks fabulous? It’s truly transformed the space. You can read all about the transformation and the steps we used to paint this fireplace.
Mirror | Mantel | Glass Jar | Vase | Greenery
BM White Dove vs. BM Simply White
Both White Dove and Simply White are very popular and you can’t go wrong with either shade, but there are some differences as I outline below. Simply White is a brighter and cooler white than White Dove. If you really want that bright white look then go with BM Simply White OC-117 instead of BM White Dove OC-17.
BM White Dove vs. BM Swiss Coffee
If you are looking for a creamier hue instead of a white hue than BM Swiss Coffee OC-45 is a great match. Do you want more of a cream or white overall shade in your home? Ask that question then you will know which color to choose.
Sherwin Williams Equivalent
The closest Sherwin Williams equivalent to White Dove would be SW Alabaster or SW Snowbound. Now, these colors are similar, but they aren’t exact matches.
If you prefer Sherwin Williams, you can ask them to mix White Dove, however you have to keep in mind, the color systems are different and the color may not be 100% accurate.
There is a common misconception that all paints are interchangeable with different brands. This is not the case since each paint brand uses their own color system when mixing paint. They might come out similar but they will not be exact.
If you paint using BM White Dove, run out of paint and then stop by SW for a color match you will be sorely disappointed. The colors will NOT be the same.
Benjamin Moore White Dove vs Sherwin Williams Alabaster
Sherwin Williams Alabaster is also a very popular white paint that many people use on walls and trim; however, there are a few differences between the two colors.
- Both Alabaster and Benjamin Moore White Dove are considered off-white paint colors.
- White Dove is closer to a white than Sherwin Williams Alabaster.
- Both paint colors are very light and have high LRVs. Alabaster has an LRV of 82 and White Dove is a tiny bit higher at 85.38.
- BM White Dove has a hint of gray in its undertone, which keeps the color from going too warm. Though both colors have the perfect balance of warm and cool undertones.
SW Alabaster and BM White Dove are two colors that are very popular and all over Pinterest and Instagram. They are no-fail paint colors that are truly timeless just with a few slight differences.
What Colors Pair Well with White Dove?
Have I convinced you that White Dove is amazing yet? If you don’t want all white walls no problem, but maybe you want to use White Dove for your trim.
Because White Dove is such a neutral white, it can work with just about any color. Here are a few that work very nicely together but this is not an exhaustive list at all!
- Revere Pewter HC- 172
- Edgecomb Gray HC-173
- Agreeable Gray SW-7029
- Accessible Beige SW-7036
- Passive SW-7064
- Classic Gray OC-23
- Hale Navy HC 154
- Charcoal Slate HC 178
Benjamin Moore White Dove is one of my favorite colors and when I get around to re-painting all the walls in our house I will likely go with white and it will be White Dove. It’s the perfect hue of warm and cool and classic sophistication.
Before you decide on any paint color I recommend trying Samplize peel and stick paint samples. These peel & stick paint samples are super affordable and allow you to test a paint color in all different areas of a room without the mess of a traditional paint sample!
Order Samplize now and have them shipped directly to you. No-fuss, no mess! Check them out for yourself, you won’t be disappointed.
Final Thoughts on White Dove
White Dove is one of my favorite colors because of its extreme versatility and the shade of white is unmatched. I will continue to use White Dove and don’t plan on using another shade for my trim or walls.
It works well with just about any color because of both its warm and cool undertones. No wonder it is on Benjamin Moore’s best seller list. Try it out; you will not be disappointed.
Follow for home decor, DIY and to shop: Instagram | Pinterest | LiketoKnowit
Thank you. Would you be able to tell me what color you used on the walls to pair with white dove trim in the picture with the stair case?
Yes! I used Sherwin Williams Passive and you can read all about that color https://www.amelialawrencestyle.com/sherwin-williams-passive-paint-color-review/
Hello!
Your home is gorgeous! Would you mind telling me the exact counter tops and backsplash you chose with white dove cabinets in kitchen? I am so worried I’m picking quarts samples that bring out too much yellow. The windows in my kitchen are on the east side of the house.
Hello and thank you for reaching out! We chose white carrara marble countertops and you can read about those here. https://www.amelialawrencestyle.com/marble-kitchen-countertops/. Of course each slab will be different, but carrara tends to lean white with gray veining. The tile is a “hand made” white subway tile https://www.tilebar.com/lancaster-3×6-bianco-polished-ceramic-tile.html and you can read about the tile in this post. https://www.amelialawrencestyle.com/essential-elements-of-a-major-kitchen-remodel/
I love this whole look! Thank you. Could you tell me what type of flooring you have? Or do you have a post on them?
Hello. Thank you for reaching out! We have have oak floors with Minwax Dark Walnut Stain. Hope that helps!
Hello! I am REALLY struggling trying to decide between BM White Dove and Simply White for the cabinets, trim, shiplap in my modern farmhouse style kitchen with white oak floors and leathered via lactea (charcoal gray/soft black) countertops with white veining. I had decided on White Dove because everyone seems to love it, but now feel like the brighter white shade of Simply White is a fresher look. I would greatly appreciate your advice!
Hello Beth and thanks for reaching out! Paint colors are such a hard decision and always a tricky one especially when it comes to white paint. While I do love White Dove I also love Simply White too. We recently moved from this featured home here and beginning again with white paint colors. White I just painted this house White Dove I am contemplating using Simply White in other rooms as well because of its brighter shade. I would suggest getting samples of the two. A company called Samplize has peel and stick samples you can place on the walls so you can really get a good grasp of the colors side by side. If you this is a new build trying samples will likely be more difficult. The other thing I also know is that it’s best to go with your gut and if you feel the brighter white is more what you are looking for than stick with that. White Dove can look more creamy so it does also depend on other factors like how many windows you have, etc. I hope that helps and I would love to hear what you chose. Would love to see a picture of the finished kitchen!! Best to you!! Amy
Hey Amy – great post! Could you tell me what color your walls are in those photos? I’m assuming the trim is White Dove but what about that soft light blue?
Hello Margo! Thank you for reaching out and I’m glad the post was helpful. The light blue is actually a gray color and it is SW Passive. You can read all about that color Sherwin Williams Passive – a Paint Color Review I have updated the post to be more clear about the gray color on the walls. I hope this is helpful to you. Have a great evening. Amy
Hi! What floor stain color did you use in the first two pictures? We just painted our walls White Dove and now need to find a stain for our red oak…it has been a tireless task. Thank you in advance for any help/tips you may have on that front and what color stain you did!
Hello Lauren, On all our wood floors we used Minwax Dark Walnut after testing several samples. We have white oak floors and the stairs are red oak which stain a little darker. Some pictures the stain can look a little lighter such as the foyer because the space received a lot of light from two story windows in that space. We were very happy with the Dark Walnut because it wasn’t too dark. Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any more questions.
Hello, First your home is absolutely gorgeous! Second, this post was so helpful! Thank you! My question is about ceilings… Did you paint the ceilings in white dove also? Any tips for choosing ceiling paint that compliments walls…? Thank you in advance.
Thank you so much Sharon! Glad the post was helpful to you! I did use White Dove on the ceilings as well as the walls. I would recommend using the same color paint on the ceilings that you use on your trim for any room of your house. I like to keep my ceilings and trim consistent throughout the house. Hope that helps!
Will white dove work in a traditional home with a lot of yellow, greens, browns, and beiges? I have a granite countertop with a lot of very warm tones. I have a creamy subway tile backsplash. I see this color being used a lot in homes with grays and cooler tones. I am wanting a soft white that has enough life (not dull) to go well
With my warm tones. Thanks.
The great thing about White Dove is that it is very versatile. People use it with cooler tones to warm a space so there is a softness to all the grays, etc. It helps balance the cools. You can use White Dove with yellows, greens, browns, etc. It will pull the warms in your space. Always suggest getting a sample and giving it a try. Samplizecom has peel and stick samples shipped to your door and you can try the sample in different rooms with different lighting situations without having to paint anything. Let me know how it goes.
Great article!! I’m definitely using White Dove!!! Thank You!
Hi Amy — LOVE your article(s)! You sold me on BM White Dove for my kitchen cabinets and now I’m stuck on a sink… was thinking of a white, farmhouse-style, fireclay sink but am worried the white sink might make the cabinets look cream by contrast… or are they close enough in color to read as whites that are close enough to not look like a mistake? Otherwise I may just go with a standard undermount sink instead. Would love your advice and thank you again!
We painted the exterior of our brick home in White Dove. Now we are trying to find a color to paint our gables and exterior trim. Do you recommend lightening White Dove or another lighter complimentary color or staying with White Dove’s original formula?
Thank you in advance!
Always comes down to personal choice. You could continue to use White Dove for the trim/gables or you could do a complimentary color such as Agreeable Gray or a light tan/gray color. That would be very lovely with White Dove. Let me know what you do…your home sounds gorgeous. I love painted brick.
Thank you so much…sorry for my slow reply. October has been busy and flying by. The undermount sink would work, but I think the white farmhouse sink would add more character and dimension. I don’t believe it would clash with the cabinets, but you could always take a paint sample with you when looking for sinks to see if you like the paint color and the white sink together. I say go for the white farmhouse style, but it does come down to personal choice. I would have done a white farmhouse sink in our kitchen, but the cost was more for the sink and the cabinet and I had other projects on the list so my budget was running out. Hope that helps…would love to know what you decide.
So glad you found it helpful!
Amy I just wanted to say thank you so much for all the inspiration. Finally decided on White dove thanks to your help, and i was sick to death of looking at white paint swatches. You are the best <3 Cheers from Canada
Thank you Emilia and and so glad the post was a help to you. Picking a white paint color is such a daunting task…glad you have decided on a color. Let me know how it turns out. Amy
Hi there, you have changed my mind to white dove cabinets, your kitchen looks beautiful and bright, I have seen some look more on the yellow side (possibly the lighting) mine is a south facing kitchen but will have some light coming in from the north as I am building a cathedral ceiling in our main room, I have a question for you, I am doing white dove cabinets, bianco antico counters, the island will be butcher block. What color of white subway tile will look best? Thank you.
We painted our living room and dining room with White Dove (different sheens) and Passive on the walls and I love it.
We are redoing our kitchen. White dove for the cabinets (Satin), Trim Semi Gloss and for the ceiling flat. I want to put white dove on the walls but also contemplating going back with the Passive from SW on the walls. What is the wall color in your kitchen?
the paint color in the kitchen is SW Passive
Wow, thats a tough one as there are so many whites. Best to order a sample and look at it with your cabinets, countertop, room lighting etc.
A lot rides on how lighting affects a space and also the other finishes. Best to get a tile sample(s) before committing to buying all the tile.
Hi! We have just painted our kitchen cabinets in White Dove and are searching for a good subway tile to match. The one you picked looks lovely! Could you please tell me what color grout you used? I can’t tell from the photos whether you have used white or something slightly warmer, but I love the clean look.
Thank you so much!
hello…I bet your kitchen is lovely. To be honest, I don’t recall what the exact color of grout we used, but it was a white color as I didn’t want anything too dark or yellow.
Hi there! I will be painting White Dove on bathroom vanity using BM Advance paint. I have used Advance before but not as light of color. Have you had any yellowing? I am seeing reviews where it yellowed with lighter colors.
Thank you!