Looking for a great neutral paint color for your home? Look no further. Let me introduce you to Benjamin Moore Ballet White. The perfect neutral you’ve been searching for.
I have been searching for the perfect warm neutral to paint the entire interior of my home. Something that isn’t too light, but not too dark. Something that’s warm but not yellow and tan but not 80s beige. Something that looks good in the warm light of a south-facing room and in the cool light of a north-facing room. Something that doesn’t flash pink or look too yellow…you know, the perfect color!
Does such a color exist?
Yes it does. It’s Benjamin Moore Ballet White.
I really wanted a light, warm neutral color that would serve as a beautiful backdrop for my furnishings. With an open floor plan, I really don’t have the ability to change paint colors from one room to another, so this color needed to look good everywhere!
I recently wrote about my eight favorite warm whites. This list was based on my own experience sampling these colors in my home. I ultimately decided on Benjamin Moore Ballet White and am so glad I did! It’s the perfect warm whole house neutral. Here’s why.
What Color is Ballet White
Ballet White really is the chameleon of colors. It definitely has a warm, creamy base but depending on the lighting, it can lean a tad toward the greige side.
Now don’t let my use of the word “creamy” scare you away. Yes, it has a yellow base, but unlike other cream colors, the neutral base really tones down the yellow and makes it….well, neutral!
What is the LRV of Ballet White
Ballet White has an LRV of 73.68, making it part of Benjamin Moore’s off-white collection. If you’re not familiar with LRV, you might want to read this first.
The beauty of Ballet White is that unlike some of the other light colors I tried, Ballet White has enough color depth that it doesn’t wash out in my brightly lit living room. Conversely, it looks equally great in the dark hallway, unlike other off-whites that can look dirty or dingy when not well-lit.
Keep in mind, though, that Ballet White is an off-white paint color with a high LRV. Like any paint with a high LRV, surroundings can cast color on a wall. Look what happens in my entryway when I open the door and the reflection from the porch color casts onto the wall.
What are the Undertones of Ballet White
So many of the off-whites I tried flashed yellow, pink, or green. But not Ballet White! But I’d be lying if I said it didn’t have a yellow base. But don’t panic! The yellow has been heavily neutralized so that it doesn’t really flash yellow per se, but more of a cream. It’s definitely a warm base, though.
In my south-facing room, Ballet White looks like a warm tan. In my north-facing room, it looks like a soft tan/greige. But never have I seen it flash pink, green, or yellow. It’s just a creamy neutral!
Now, I will say that any paint with a high LRV is susceptible to surrounding colors. That being said, you do have to pay attention to your surroundings when choosing a light paint color. If the paint has a pink undertone and you have a red tile roof, you can likely expect to see more pink than others might who use the same color!
If you find yourself having trouble identifing pesky undertones that might be present, here’s a helpful guide for How to Identify Undertones.
Ballet White in a South-Facing Room
My living room is south-facing, so it gets warmer light than the rest of my home. But still, Ballet White remains neutral without leaning yellow!
Here you can see the wall on the left has more of a cream look. This wall directly faces a south-facing window which typically does cast more of a warm light.
Ballet White with Southern and Eastern Light
In my dining room, Ballet White looks more like a warm beige.
Ballet White in a North-Facing Room
My family room is lit from the north and west which casts cooler light than a south-facing light. Ballet White takes on a cooler appearance, but it retains its warmth and doesn’t go gray.
Ballet White in a Kitchen
My kitchen is early 2000s, so it’s out-of-date by today’s standards. I have a dark granite countertop and travertine backsplash but Ballet White works with both! Now there are other colors that match travertine better (like Kelly Moore’s Wise Owl), but for a whole house color, Ballet White doesn’t clash.
Ballet White in a Dark Hallway
No light? No problem. Here’s a look at Ballet White in my downstairs hallway. Despite its high LRV you’ll see that it doesn’t look dingy as some other off-whites do.
Trim Pairing with Ballet White
My trim is Swiss Coffee from Kelly Moore, but they aren’t a national paint company so depending on where you live, you might not be able to find this color. While at the paint store, though, they recommended three Benjamin Moore colors to me that pair well with Ballet White: Chantilly Lace, Simply White, or White Dove.
Regardless of whether you use a Benjamin Moore color or something else, be sure that you’re white doesn’t lean yellow and that it has enough contrast from Ballet White.
Want to try Ballet White in your own home? Here’s a guide I put together for The Best Way to Test Paint Colors.
Ballet White Alternatives
If Ballet White is close but not quite right, try Sherwin Williams White Duck OR Farrow and Ball School House White. Both are extremely similar!
Or, take a look at these 7 other of my favorite warm whites that I considered for my own home.
More Decorating Tips
- The Complete Guide on How to Choose a Rug that’s Right for You
- The BEST Way to Test Paint Colors in Your Home!
- The Beauty of Neutrals
- 6 Easy Tips to Transform Your Space with Accessories
- 6 Tips for Creating Beautiful and Stylish Interior Design Vignettes
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I am currently painting my kitchen cabinets Ballet White and am desperate for a complimentary wall color. I was opting for Alabaster, but it’s looking too yellow. I am actually shying away from stark white walls, so I may need something very similar to Ballet White. I would love a few suggestions to get me started. I have lots of dark brown trim in my home (built in 2008). Thanks!!
Hi Michelle – Ballet White has a warm undertone, so to be complementary, look for something with a warm undertone. For lighter walls, try White Dove (popular), Cloud White Simply White or Chantilly Lace. For darker walls, try London Fog, Pashmina, Smokey Taupe, or Stone Hearth, all of which are neutrals. Remember the lighting in your home (natural and artificial) will greatly affect how each of these colors look in your space, so you’ll have to try out a few different ones to find the best fit for you. Good luck with your project!
I love the Ballet White paint color for my home, I am painting my kitchen cabinets white and do not want it to clash. What color are your kitchen cabinets?
Very well done blog on the effect of lighting on the colour of this paint. I have used Ballet White in my hallway and an office. With Cloud White trim I am happy with the results. I was debating using it in my south facing living room that is made dark by a large spruce tree and this article has convinced me to use this colour due to its versatility with different furniture and fixtures. Thank you.
Hi
Can you tell me where you bought that beautiful entryway console? I’m looking for same wood tone and Can o my find darker/redder or more ashy
Thank you!!!
Hi Monica! So sorry for the delay. I found it at a consignment shop. I can’t find any brand info on it to share with you – so sorry!
Hi Kim, thanks for your article. I couldn’t agree more!
I discovered BM Ballet White 10+ years ago for my living room and I still love it. I love how the wall color transitions throughout the day and changes with each season. It’s as if I have all these beautiful neutrals in one paint color. I gradually repainted each room to Ballet White and I enjoy how each angle brings out a different neutral and how they compliment each other. My house decor is fairly minimal and try and avoid repainting whenever possible. It was important that I choose something I would be happy with for many, many years and I’ve found that in Ballet White. There’s a lot of trim in my home (built in 1929) and I choose BM Cotton Balls. I’ve been using this color combination since I first started in my living room and I haven’t tired of it yet.
I’m painting my colonial exterior ballet white. I LOVE how your blue/gray armoire compliments it. What color did you paint it? Beautiful job.
Hi Shana! I actually bought that cabinet already painted like that so I’m not sure of the color. I’m sorry I couldn’t be more help!
:) Kim
Are you slipcover couches pottery barn? I’ve been looking for a white paint to go with my PB slipcovered sofa that is very creamy and some white paint make the sofa appear dingy yellow.
I just love the blog, i think white is a pure colour and these white are just amazing, really awesome, thanks for share.
I’m getting ready to paint a new-to-me house and this is perfect. I love white but not one that’s too cool or too warm, I want “just right” and this sounds ideal. Thanks for researching. I’ll check it out.
Thank you, Kim.
Karen
Kim, Did you paint the numbers on the back of your dining chairs? If so, could you tell me where you got the stencil and what type of paint did you use?
Thank you so much!
Deborah D.