Benjamin Moore White Dove – Why Is It So Popular?

Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17 is one of the most popular white paint colors of all time. As a warm creamy white, it looks fabulous in any room of the house.

I’m back today with another in-depth color review answering all your burning questions about BM White Dove. This popular color is also a personal favorite of mine and I’ve used it on the walls of our home office, laundry room, and shiplap throughout our first floor (and a few flip houses too!)

It really is the perfect shade of white. However, like with any paint color, there are pros and cons to consider before making your final decision. So grab a comfy spot and let’s dive in!

**And be sure to scroll all the way through for a video and secret tip!

this post contains affiliate links, see my full disclosure here.

BM white dove paint color review

White Dove walls with Simply White Trim

shiplap wall painted benjamin moore white dove with simply white trim

our foyer with Benjamin Moore White Dove walls and BM Simply White trim, front door color is BM Boothbay Gray

Our remodeled staircase with White Dove walls and Simply White trim, front door color is BM Boothbay Gray, stair trim: BM Cliffside Gray

Is Benjamin Moore White Dove warm or cool?

White Dove is a warm white paint color with greige undertones and a smidge of gray pigment that helps ground the color and keep it from looking yellow.

These creamy undertones are also why White Dove is an off-white and not a true white. However, the warmth of the color lends depth and makes it a great choice for trim work and homes with hardwood floors. (keep reading to find out more about its undertones!)

Grab a peel and stick sample of White Dove to see how it works in your space.

What Undertones are in White Dove?

White Dove has yellow undertones mixed with a slight gray, which together create a beautiful soft creamy off white color. The warm and cool undertones balance each other out to create the perfect neutral white paint.

But paint colors will always be affected by the amount of light in a space. In my opinion, BM White Dove looks its best in rooms with a lot of natural light. In darker rooms, it may appear a bit more shadowed and the greige undertones will become more apparent.

So definitely keep in mind your room’s light temperature when deciding whether or not to use White Dove.

What is the LRV of BM White Dove?

White Dove has an LRV of 85.38. Well, that’s great but what the heck does that mean?

LRV stands for Light Reflectance Value (also referred to as Light Reflective Value) In a nutshell, it’s the number associated with the amount of light a paint color will reflect into the room.

 LRV is based on a scale of 0-100, with 0 being the blackest black and 100 associated with the brightest white (although in the painting world, there is no paint color that is pure black or pure white.)

For reference, Tricorn Black has an LRV of 3 and High Reflective White has an LRV of 93. White paint colors above LRV of 90 run the risk of appearing too stark or cold in a space.

So with an LRV of 85.38, White Dove sits right in the sweet spot for a perfect warm white that’s not too bright white, nor too dull. I recommend it to friends all the time who are looking to give their whole house a fresh paint makeover.

Peel & Stick Paint Samples

So if you’d like an easy (and mess free!) way to sample these colors in your own home, you should definitely check out SAMPLIZE.

  • Samplize offers LARGE 12″ x 12″ peel and stick paint samples of almost every paint color available! No more staring at a tiny 2 inch square trying to pick a paint color.
  • Samples are only $5.95 each with free shipping for US orders over $15
  • Arrive right to your DOOR STEP in 1-3 days
  • They’re repositionable, less messy, and eco-friendly! No more storing or disposing of dozens of leftover paint samples
  • Samples are REAL PAINT, not printed ink so you can see the real color & texture

Grab the BM White Dove peel and stick sample.

Does BM White Dove look yellow?

White Dove does contain yellow pigment, but the gray in the formula balances out the yellow to create a beautiful neutral creamy white tone that falls on the warmer side. So it does not look yellow in most situations.

Situations where the yellow tones may be more noticeable:

  • If you have white appliances, the warmth in White Dove may look yellow
  • If your fixed surfaces such as tile or countertops have more cool tones, then White Dove can appear a bit more yellow in comparison
  • South-facing rooms can intensify the yellow undertone a bit, but honestly, I don’t notice it that much in our own south-facing living room. It just looks warm and bright and neutral, which I love!

On Benjamin Moore’s website you can see that White Dove is part of their off white collection. They describe the color as:

Unerring style defines this classic, softly shaded white. Light and luminous, it is a favorite choice for moldings and trim.

Benjamin Moore

But just remember to grab a sample to see how it looks in your own space and lighting conditions at different times of the day and with your fixed elements (flooring, cabinetry, countertops, etc…)

Does White Dove ever look green?

While I have never experienced White Dove looking green, it did happen to a few of my blogger friends. I think White Dove has the potential to flash a tad green in certain lighting situations like dark hallways or shadowy corners.

But personally, this has never happened to me so I wouldn’t let that stop you from trying this gorgeous color!

Is White Dove a Good Exterior Color?

Yes, White Dove is a great exterior paint color! As a beautiful warm white, it can complement any type of architecture from coastal farmhouses to mid century modern designs.

Many design professionals and realtors recommend using BM White Dove as an exterior color. It’s a beautiful, classic color that will never go out of style and can coordinate well with so many other trim and door colors.

Red door color below is Sherwin Williams #6321 Red Bay

modern farmhouse painted benjamin moore white dove
beautiful modern farmhouse with BM White Dove exterior paint via Hagstrom Builder

White Dove also works really well as an exterior trim color as you can see on this lovely traditional home below featuring Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray walls with White Dove trim work.

traditional home with agreeable gray exterior and bm white dove trim
BM Agreeable Gray walls with BM White Dove trim via Homes by Dickerson

Just remember that paint colors will usually always appear lighter when used in exterior applications. This is due to the amount of natural light being reflected off the surface.

So don’t forget to grab a sample to see how the color looks during different times of day, in different lighting.

beautiful home by Studio Mcgee painted BM White Dove
BRICK, SIDING, & TRIM: Romabio Masonry flat paint in White Dove by Benjamin Moore
DOOR: Black Magic by Sherwin Williams / Sheen: Satin via Studio Mcgee

What colors go well with Benjamin Moore White Dove?

Some of my favorite coordinating colors for White Dove are Hale Navy, Boothbay Gray, Silver Strand, and other blue-gray paint colors. Grays with warm undertones such as Repose Gray and BM Fieldstone are great complementary colors as well.

brick color: BM Fieldstone, mantel & trim color: BM White Dove (check out our brick fireplace makeover for more details)

Be sure to read my Repose Gray and Hale Navy color reviews for more info about those amazing colors!

Just click the links below to purchase 12″x12″ peel and stick samples of these colors and hundreds more. It’s really the best, most affordable (and eco-friendly!) way to sample your favorite colors!

Benjamin Moore White Dove is such a versatile color that it can be used in so many spaces. While White Dove is a great choice to pair with other warm colors, it may not pair as well with cooler colors. Take a look at the Video Review at the end of this post to see why!

What is one shade darker than White Dove?

If you love White Dove but want a shade darker, take a look at Dune White by Benjamin Moore. It has an LRV of 82 compared to White Dove’s LRV of 85.38. It has a similar greige undertone as well but it’s not quite as warm as White Dove.

Does White Dove go with Carrara marble?

In my opinion, White Dove may be a little too warm to use with Carrara marble. However, my fellow blogger Shauna from Satori Design for Living used White Dove on her marble fireplace remodel and it looks stunning! Check out all the details here.

white marble fireplace
marble and BM White Dove fireplace via Satori Design for Living

Great colors to pair with marble according to Kylie are:

Just keep in mind that natural stone colors vary greatly and have different undertones, with some marble leaning cool bright white and others having warmer tones. So it’s a good idea to choose your marble before choosing your paint color.

Or you could take your SAMPLIZE swatches with you to the stone yard to help figure out the undertones of different slabs and which paint colour will work best.

Is Sherwin Williams Alabaster the same as Benjamin Moore White Dove?

SW Alabaster (LRV 82) is just very slightly darker than Benjamin Moore White Dove’s LRV 85.38. But if you use them side by side, the difference is very hard to see. In fact, in my pics below, the White Dove actually looks a bit darker on the closet door, but that could be the different light and shadows playing tricks on us.

In our last flip house, we paired Alabaster shiplap walls with White Dove trim. It created a very warm monochromatic farmhouse vibe, which I love!

Here’s some pics:

White Dove Trim

SW Alabaster walls with White Dove door and trim

Wall color: SW Alabaster; door & trim: BM White Dove

farmhouse style foyer painted SW Alabaster with BM White Dove trim

Walls: SW Alabaster; doors & trim: BM White Dove (You can see how White Dove reads a bit darker on the closet door above)

SW Alabaster shiplap with BM white dove trim

Shiplap walls: SW Alabaster; BM White Dove trim

Does Simply White go with White Dove?

Yes, Simply White and White Dove pair beautifully together! In fact, I chose these colors throughout our current home. They are both considered to be warm whites, with Simply White OC-117 being brighter and cleaner with an LRV of 89.52. I used Simply White as a trim color (as shown below) since I wanted a bit of contrast between the walls and trim.

coastal farmhouse entry with shiplap and blue door

our foyer with Benjamin Moore White Dove walls and BM Simply White trim, front door color is BM Boothbay Gray (pendant light: Serena & Lily)

coastal farmhouse entry with shiplap

BM White Dove shiplap walls with Simply White trim, french doors are BM Cliffside Gray

coastal staircase with light and bright white paint

Shiplap walls: White Dove by Benjamin Moore; stair post and trim: BM Simply White

White Dove Paint in Real Homes

If you’re like most people, you probably have a hard time deciding what color to paint your home. You might look at different colors and imagine how they would look in your space, but it’s still tough to make a decision.

So I’ve gathered some pictures of White Dove in real homes to help you make the best choice possible. All pics are linked to their original sources, so click the links below each pic for more details.

White Dove Kitchen Cabinets

If these next pictures don’t convince you that White Dove is one of the best white paint colors for kitchen cabinets, I don’t know what will. Soft, warm, and inviting – it truly makes a beautiful statement when paired with warm woods and brass or black fixtures.

warm white paint for kitchen cabinets
BM White Dove kitchen cabinetry via Ela Bobak
White Dove walls and kitchen cabinets via Becki Owens
White Dove by Benjamin Moore white cabinets via House of Jade Interiors

White Dove Living Rooms

warm off white paint color in living room
White Dove living room walls and trim via Chango & Co
white dove by benjamin moore built ins
Benjamin Moore’s White Dove built-ins in the gorgeous family room of @our_coastal_farmhouse

Dining Rooms

This beautiful dining room wall colour by House of Jade Interiors is painted White Dove and features warm wood beams and complementary hardwood flooring

White Dove Bedrooms

white walls in bedroom with blue accents
White Dove bedroom walls via Tracy Lynn Studio

Choosing the right white paint can make all of your bedroom dreams come true. Benjamin Moore’s White Dove is a beautiful warm tone that won’t be stark or cold. Pair it with warm wood hardwood flooring and furniture choices for the perfect bedroom oasis you’ll never want to leave.

bedroom painted Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17
French country farmhouse master bedroom painted Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17 via Willow Interiors
Gender-neutral nursery painted BM White Dove via Willow Interiors

Bathrooms

White Dove is the perfect color for your white walls, but it’s also an excellent choice when painting cabinetry throughout a home. A great example of this would be in this bathroom vanity below by Chango & CO.

white dove bathroom vanity
clean and crisp benjamin moore white dove bath vanity via Chango & Co
Bathroom walls painted White Dove by Benjamin Moore via TS Adams Studio

Video Review

Want to see White Dove in comparison to some other popular white colors? Jacob Owens and Kylie are two of the top color experts when it comes to choosing paint colors. Watch these videos if you’re still undecided and need even more help:

Secret Painting Tip and Final Thoughts

To reward you for making it through this ultimate paint color review post, here’s a secret tip that interior designers use to get the perfect paint color:

IF YOU LOVE WHITE DOVE, BUT IT’S TOO LIGHT:

  • Ask your paint store to mix it at 150% (this increases the pigments and makes the color richer and darker.)

IF YOU LOVE WHITE DOVE, BUT IT’S TOO Dark:

  • Ask your paint store to mix it at 50% (this decreases the pigments and results in a lighter color.)
white dove walls at 50%
BM White Dove walls at 50% strength via Tracy Lynn Studio

Choosing the best white paint color can sometimes feel like an impossible task. But I hope these paint color reviews are helpful and give you a bit more information so you can make a better decision. So if you’re still on the fence about what color to paint your walls, give White Dove a try – you won’t be disappointed!

And be sure to check out my other popular paint color posts:

Please pin this post – it helps me reach more people. I truly appreciate your support!

white dove by benjamin moore paint color review

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33 Comments

  1. Hello!
    We are also considering White Dove walls with Simply White trim. What color did you paint your ceiling where you used that combination.
    Thank you!

    1. Hi Nicole – we always just use “ceiling white” from the big box stores to paint our ceilings. It’s cheaper and looks great!

  2. I would like to paint my walls BM white dove matte. I’m on the fence either doing the trim doors and crown molding the same color semi- gloss or going with simply white or another white you can suggest. Either way can you advise me on the ceiling color (which white). Thank you

    1. Hi Janice,
      I think either of those combinations will look beautiful. Simply White is very similar to White Dove, so the difference between the two is negligible. For our ceilings, we always just use “ceiling white” from the big box stores because it’s much cheaper and looks great. Good luck with your project!

  3. Hello!

    Can you please give the details of the flooring that is in the pictures with the white dove walls & simply white trim with Boothbay Gray door?

    Thank you!

    1. Hi Brianna, that’s engineered hardwood (white oak) from Build Direct. We’ve used it in two homes and we’re very happy with it! The color we chose was Sedona Silver. Hope this helps!

  4. What off white / cream white / warm white do you recommend for a dark room facing East but with a big porch overhang and log walls (beach family cottage)? Kitchen has maple cupboards (orange or honey toned) . Worried that White Dove will look dingy… also what light bulbs are best? Artificial light will definitely play a key role given the lack of natural light …

  5. Do you think that White Dove would go with Palka flooring by Flooret? I’m worried that the yellow undertones will clash with the flooring.

    1. Unfortunately, I’m not familiar with that flooring. You’ll need to get a sample or swatch of White Dove and put next to the flooring to compare undertones.

  6. Great article! Building new house, so hard to see the paint colors in how it will look in different lights. Anyway, have already ordered White Dove cabinets for kitchen. There isn’t much wall space in the actual kitchen, but it is very open to dining and great room. I tend to like more of a yellow undertone than tan for the walls. I’m thinking Simply white for all the walls except for laundry and guest bath. Thoughts? Any other suggestions? And what do you think would be a good trim color?
    Thanks, Marie Davis

    1. Hi Marie,
      I think Simply White would be a good choice or you could also try Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee. Studio McGee has a great article about the best white paint colors as well. For trim, I’d just go with whatever color you do the walls but in a semi-gloss finish (so the walls would be satin/eggshell and the trim would be semi-gloss). This will keep things simple but still give a bit of contrast 🙂

  7. I’m going to use White Dove in my home. What finish should I use on my walls? Also, what finish should I use on my kitchen cabinets and trim? Is finish the right word I’m searching for? Semi gloss, egg shell, satin is what I’m talking about. I’m new to all this. Thank you for your posts.

    1. Hi Kim,
      Yes, finish is the right word! 🙂 While it’s a personal preference, I’d recommend eggshell or satin for the walls (it’s easier to wipe down and keep clean than flat.) For kitchen cabinets and trim, I’d do semi-gloss for a bit of contrast from walls and also easier to clean. Your paint store can also guide you in the right direction as far as what type of paint to purchase for each circumstance (kitchen cabinets will probably need an enamel type paint that’s more durable.) Hope this helps!

  8. I am considering painting the walls of my house Dove White. However, I have a lot of wainscoting and trim painted a bright white. I was wondering would Dove Wing be a better choice if I want my trim work to pop a bit? Also do you know what undertones are in Dove Wing?

  9. I have custom cabinets that are painted White Dove. The problem is a majority of the quartz countertops are too white for White Dove. Most white quartz is a cool white and White Dove is a warmer white. Has anyone else had this problem?

    1. Hi Mindy – if you’re trying to find a warmer white quartz, you could always take off a door from your cabinets and take them with you when looking at countertops. We have White Dove on the walls in our kitchen and white quartz counters and I think they look great! We chose LG Viaterra Cirrus quartz and absolutely LOVE it! I love the way it looks with White Dove. Here’s a good review of the countertops from another blogger too. They don’t show any dirt at all, which is what I love most!!

  10. My kitchen and dining are south facing with lots of natural white. Thinking I want cabinets, walls and trim all the same white. The base cabinets are a white oak. I Like a warm white but don’t want to pull yellow.. out of white dove, simply white and cloud white which do you think is best in that lighting?

    1. Hi Mary – I don’t have any experience with Cloud White, but out of those three, I’d probably recommend Simply White as White Dove is definitely warmer and a tad yellow in my opinion. I recommend getting samples so you can see for yourself the various undertones and your room’s natural lighting. Here’s a bundle of peel and stick samples from Samplize with all three of those colors and 5 additional warm white options. They also offer free overnight shipping! Thanks for reading and good luck with your project 🙂

    2. Hi Mary, I’m also thinking of doing the same. Where did you land with same color cabinets, walls and trim?

  11. My kitchen is a little segregated from my dining/living room (archway between the two). I plan to do my D/L area in white dove. Couple questions?
    #1. I’d like to do a dark accent, board and batten wall in D/L space. What would you recommend?
    #2. Plan to do white dove on cabinets, but want a little variation on walls. What would your recommend?

    1. Hi Melissa – I’m not sure what color you’d like for a dark accent (blue, green, gray?) but Hale Navy is a nice dark navy. Or Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal is a nice dark gray. For your walls, I might try Repose Gray or Classic Gray – definitely get some samples though to see how they work with your natural lighting in the space 🙂

  12. I’m thinking of painting our exterior wood shutters either White Dove or Dune White. The facade is antique brick. Would this be too light even with 150% mix?

    1. Hi Joan – both those colors will look light in the exterior sunlight. So the only way to really know is to grab samples and see how they look at different times of day and on different sides of your house (North, South, etc…) I personally tried to use White Dove on my garage, but it looked a little too yellow for my liking.

  13. Hi there! Love this article. Thank you. I now have white dove walls in a great room and kitchen. Wondering if I should do white dove or simply white cabinets, baseboards, crown and trim or the white dove in a semi gloss? Thank you so much. We also have quartz counters.

    1. Hi Lori, it’s really just a matter of preference – either way is perfectly fine. I personally have White Dove shiplap and Simply White semi gloss trim and it looks fine. Many designers also recommend to use the same color paint and just change the sheen to give a little dimension, so you really can’t go wrong either way.

    2. Hi Lori. I also have white dove on my walls and I’m leaning towards white dove or simple white on the cabinets. What did you decide?

  14. Did you really mean 150% to make it darker? Anyways, White Dove sample is looking a little dingy in my space. Would lightening or darkening it help this any?

    1. yes, using 150% mix will increase the pigments used in the formula and will result in a darker color (as they add pigments to a white base) If you are wanting White Dove to look lighter, then you’d ask for them to use less pigment.

  15. I’m so glad to have found this post; very informative! Thank you! I’m having Taj Mahal quartzite installed on the countertops, the walls in my kitchen/living/dining are already Revere Pewter @ 75% and I am considering having the kitchen cabinets painted White Dove. I would very much appreciate hearing your thoughts on this combination. Thanks so much!

  16. We are considering BM Blue Note for our island, and White Dove on the other cabinets and trim. Hale Navy is often paired with White Dove, will Blue Note also work with White Dove? thank you!

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