Antique white is a popular off-white paint color that can give any space a classic, timeless look. Unlike plain white, antique white has subtle warm undertones that keep it from looking sterile or cold. This versatile neutral works well in almost any room of the house, from kitchens to bedrooms to living spaces. But to get that perfect antique white color, you need to know what paint colors to mix together.
In this article, we’ll break down exactly how to mix your own custom antique white paint color. We’ll go over recommended color combinations, tips for choosing the right antique white tone, and how to test your mixed paint before committing it to the walls. Whether you want a warm antique white, cool antique white, or something in between, we’ll explain the paint mixing basics so you can DIY the perfect antique white for your needs.
The Basics of Mixing Antique White
Antique white is not a single paint color—it encompasses a wide range of off-white hues with varying undertones. Most antique whites sit somewhere between white and beige on the color spectrum. The key to mixing antique white paint is blending a warm base color (usually in the yellow/beige family) with white or off-white paint. By controlling the proportions, you can create anything from an oatmeal colored antique white to a pale whitewashed look.
Here are some tips as you get started with mixing antique white paint:
– Use high quality white paint as your base. Look for an interior latex paint labeled as white, extra white, or bright white. Avoid dingy “apartment white” options.
– Choose a warm beige, yellow, or greige (gray + beige) as the accent color. Stay away from reds, oranges, taupes, and blues which can create muddled or dirty looking antique whites.
– Start with roughly a 3:1 or 4:1 ratio of white to accent paint. You can adjust from there if needed.
– Mix the paints thoroughly before testing swatches. Use a paint stick or power mixer to fully incorporate the colors.
– Test your antique white on boards before painting entire walls to ensure you like the color. Lighting can impact how the paint looks when dry.
Now let’s dive into the specific accent paint colors that work well when mixed with white to create beautiful antique white shades.
Mixing Warm Antique Whites
If you want an antique white with warm golden, peach, or buttery undertones, these pairing options can help you achieve that look:
Beige + White
For a warm antique white with subtle beige tones, mix in a color like:
– Behr Cappuccino
– Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan
– Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige
– Valspar Horizon
Start with 3 parts white to 1 part beige and adjust as needed. This creates a versatile, welcoming antique white.
Yellow + White
Adding a soft yellow brings a creamy antique white color. Try mixing:
– Behr Buttercup
– Benjamin Moore Sunflower
– Sherwin-Williams Smoked Oyster
– Valspar Fieldstone
Again, start with a 3:1 ratio and go lighter or bolder on the yellow from there.
Greige + White
For an antique white with both gray and beige notes, greige paints work beautifully. Consider these greige options:
– Behr Gray Clouds
– Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
– Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray
– Valspar Vapor Trail
3 parts white to 1 part greige offers a great starting point to mix a chic antique white from greige.
Mixing Cool Antique Whites
Prefer an antique white with subtle gray, blue, or green undertones rather than warm yellow undertones? Here are color combinations to help you mix a cool-toned antique white:
Gray + White
Mixing in a light gray creates a cooler antique white. Ideal grays include:
– Behr Silver Drop
– Benjamin Moore Horizon
– Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt
– Valspar Parallel
Blend 3 parts white and 1 part gray for an elegantly understated antique white.
Blue + White
For an antiqued white with the faintest hint of blue, try pairings like:
– Behr Sky Blue
– Benjamin Moore Baby’s Breath
– Sherwin-Williams Rain
– Valspar Breezeway
Blue adds a subtly cooling effect to antique white paint. Begin with 4:1 white to blue.
Green + White
Finally, pale greens can yield a crisp, faintly greenish antique white. Test these combinations:
– Behr Crisp Linen
– Benjamin Moore White Heron
– Sherwin-Williams Naval
– Valspar Winter Calm
Mix 3 or 4 parts white paint to 1 part green to start when going for this antique white look.
Always feel free to tweak proportions as needed to get your perfect custom antique white tone. Testing swatches first lets you get color-matching exactly right.
Choosing the Right Undertone
When mixing antique white paint, pay attention to the undertones you want:
– Warm antique whites with yellow, peach, or beige undertones create a comforting, welcoming look. They pair well with woods like oak and maple.
– Cool antique whites with gray, blue, or green undertones feel more elegant. They complement marble, granite, and other cool materials.
– If you prefer a clean, bright look, stick closer to white with very subtle warm undertones. Too much yellow or beige can feel dingy.
– In older homes, warm antique whites complement traditional architecture while cooler ones feel more modern.
Consider the look you want for the space and what colors already exist (furniture, floors, counters, etc). Let that guide your choice of undertone for your custom mixed antique white.
Lighting Effects on Antique White
The way antique white paint colors look shifts in different lighting. Be sure to test swatches at different times of day before fully committing to an antique white paint color.
Here’s how lighting affects the look of antique white:
| Lighting | Effect on Antique White |
| Natural daylight | Shows the truest color of paint |
| Warm incandescent | Warms up antique white, enhances yellow/peach undertones |
| Cool fluorescent | Pulls out blue and gray undertones in antique white |
| Morning light | Slightly cooler effect on antique white |
| Evening light | Much warmer look to antique white |
To get the most accurate sense of how an antique white will look, paint swatches and view them in both daylight and artificial light before fully painting a room.
Antique White Sheens
Antique white paint comes in a variety of sheens ranging from flat to high-gloss. Sheen impacts how light plays off the paint colors. Here are some tips for choosing sheen with antique white:
– Flat or matte finishes provide beautiful, velvety antique white walls. They work well for hiding imperfections. However, flat paint is harder to clean and touch up.
– Eggshell or satin sheens offer slight shine and are fairly washable. They are popular choices for antique white walls, trim, and cabinets.
– Semi-gloss and high-gloss sheens add major shine and dimension. They are best for high use areas like kitchen cabinets or bathrooms.
In most cases, eggshell or satin finishes are ideal antique white sheens for walls, while kitchens and bathrooms benefit from tougher semi-gloss or gloss. Make sure to coordinate sheens for a cohesive look. For example, match trim and wall sheens.
Antiquing vs. Glazing
Besides mixing paint to create antique white, you can also antique new or existing white paint:
– Antiquing involves layering translucent paint or glaze over a base coat to create an aged look. Browns, grays, and yellows work well for antiquing over white.
– Glazing also involves applying a thin topcoat to create depth. The key is subtly enhancing the original color rather than covering it.
Use antiquing and glazing techniques on top of white paint to create a classic antique white finish with extra dimension.
DIY Antique White Paint Recipes
Here are three specific recipes for mixing custom antique white paint colors:
Warm Antique White
4 parts Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17
1 part Benjamin Moore Century Gold YELLOW VC-12
Cool Antique White
4 parts Sherwin-Williams High Reflective White
1 part Sherwin-Williams Rainwashed SW 9182
Bright Antique White
3 parts Behr Ultra Pure White MQ1-26
1 part Behr Cappuccino BNC-23
Mix up test batches to find your perfect antique white tone, adjusting the proportions as needed. With the right white and accent paint, you can easily whip up beautiful antique white paint.
Conclusion
Mixing antique white paint colors allows you to customize the exact warm or cool undertone you want. Combining white paint with a beige, yellow, gray, blue, or green base color lets you dial in everything from a warm buttery antique white to a cool whitewashed one. Testing swatches first helps ensure the mixed antique white paint color translates well in your space before fully committing to it. With the right paint pairing, perfect lighting, and well-coordinated sheen, you can easily DIY a stunning antique white paint color to use anywhere in your home. Let our tips guide you in creating and applying the ideal custom antique white paint for your needs.
