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Decorating a home can be a fun and rewarding process, but it also involves making many choices. One common question when selecting paint colors is whether cloud white trim pairs well with walls painted in white dove. Both are soft, neutral whites that can work beautifully together to create a clean, bright, and airy look. However, it’s important to consider the undertones and subtle differences between the two shades. Examining some key factors can help you determine if cloud white trim and white dove walls will complement each other or clash.
Comparing Cloud White and White Dove
Cloud white and white dove are two popular white paint colors manufactured by Behr. Here’s how they compare:
Color | Undertones | LRV |
---|---|---|
Cloud White | Cool, bluish undertones | 86 |
White Dove | Warm, yellow/beige undertones | 81 |
As you can see, cloud white contains subtle cool undertones, while white dove has subtle warm peach undertones. LRV stands for Light Reflectance Value, which measures how much light a color reflects. The higher the LRV, the lighter the color. With an LRV of 86, cloud white reflects more light than white dove.
Overall, cloud white has a crisper, brighter look than white dove. White dove is a touch darker and reads as slightly creamier and more antique. However, both whites are fairly clean and light.
The Importance of Undertones
When pairing paint colors, it’s essential to consider undertones. Mixing warm and cool undertones can create an unbalanced or disjointed look.
For trim and walls, it’s generally best to stick with the same undertones. Cool-toned trim (like cloud white) will look most cohesive with cool-toned walls. Warm-toned trim (which white dove reads as) fits better with other warm walls.
However, sometimes slightly different undertones work well together. Especially with white paints, which have subtler cool and warm hints. Adjoining whites with similar LRVs can occasionally crossover successfully.
Testing Cloud White and White Dove Together
The best way to determine if cloud white and white dove work well together is to test them side-by-side. Paint swatches of each color on poster board or foam core. Look at them in both natural and artificial light. Pay attention to how the two whites interact.
Here are a few factors to consider:
- Do the whites relate well to each other or clash/fight?
- Does one color look more crisp and bright compared to the other?
- Do the different undertones create visual interest or discord?
If cloud white looks noticeably bluer or brighter next to white dove, this contrast may not be ideal for trim and walls. But if the two whites appear more similar in tone and don’t compete, they will likely make a good combination.
You can also paint larger swatches on your actual walls and trim to judge. Evaluate the colors at different times of day before making your final decision.
Using White Dove and Cloud White in Different Rooms
If cloud white and white dove don’t complement each other as trim and wall colors in the same room, another option is to use one shade for walls and the other for trim in separate rooms.
Here are some ideas for effectively using white dove and cloud white in various rooms:
Room | Wall Color | Trim Color |
---|---|---|
Kitchen | White Dove | Cloud White |
Bathroom | Cloud White | White Dove |
Bedroom | White Dove | Cloud White |
Dining Room | Cloud White | White Dove |
Using white dove in warmer rooms like the kitchen and bedroom plays up its subtle peach undertones. The cooler cloud white can brighten and open up smaller spaces like bathrooms.
Alternating the two whites room by room allows you to take advantage of both shades while avoiding any discordant combinations.
Factors that Impact the Color Pairing
A few other factors beyond the paint colors themselves can impact how cloud white and white dove look together:
Lighting
The type of lighting in a room significantly affects paint colors. Cool, blue-tinged light makes whites look brighter and crisper. Warm, yellow light mutes whites and emphasizes their creamy qualities. Be sure to evaluate cloud white and white dove together in the actual lighting conditions of your spaces.
Sheen
Higher sheens like gloss make subtle color variations more apparent. The difference between cloud white and white dove may be more noticeable in trim with an eggshell or semi-gloss finish. Lower sheen flat wall paint can mask their dissimilar undertones more effectively.
Room Size
In a smaller space, the two whites will be closer together and their contrasting undertones may be more obvious. But in a larger room, they will be farther apart and any differences will be less jarring. Size impacts the viewing distance between trim and walls.
Tips for Using Cloud White and White Dove Successfully
If you want to work cloud white trim and white dove walls together, here are some tips:
– TEST colors first before full commitment
– Use cloud white on CEILINGS to connect walls and trim
– Add WARM ACCENTS like wood furniture to balance the cool undertones
– Include GREYS or TANS to ease transition between the whites
– Use SEMI-GLOSS or high-gloss sheen on trim for clean delineation
– Add MOULDING or extra trim details to further define each element
– Use FLAT finish on walls to minimize cool undertones of cloud white
– Increase lighting with WHITE BULBS to make whites more harmonious
– Paint in SMALLER ROOMS to lessen impact of clashing undertones
Proper planning through testing, lighting, sheen adjustments, warm décor, and thoughtful detailing can allow cloud white and white dove to work in combination. But if the two whites still compete after making design tweaks, keeping them separate is best.
Conclusion
Cloud white and white dove are both lovely, airy neutral paint colors. However, cloud white’s cooler blue undertones differ from white dove’s subtle warm peach tones. Testing them together is the best way to determine if they complement or clash. Pay attention to how the whites interact in your lighting conditions and room size. If the colors compete noticeably, using one shade on walls and the other on trim in different rooms is a better approach. But small décor adjustments like adding warm wood tones, using flat wall paint, and installing white-toned lighting can sometimes allow cloud white trim and white dove walls to coexist successfully. Getting the perfect pairing just takes careful evaluation and a few design solutions. With the right adjustments, you can achieve beautiful, harmonious white-on-white style.