Best White Paint & Neutral Colours
Image Source: Design & Style to Love
Your guide to the best Resene whites & most popular neutral paint colours
Choosing the right paint colour shouldn’t be harder than choosing the house.
Yet some of the most common questions I get are “Which white is right for my home?” and “What’s the best white or neutral colour?”
Resene alone has over 100 shades of white and neutral tones — beautiful, yes, but overwhelming? Absolutely.
Whether you're refreshing one room or making selections for a full renovation, this guide is here to help you avoid decision fatigue and feel confident about your colour choices.
From creamy warm whites to crisp cool tones, there’s a perfect Resene shade for your space. And it all starts with understanding how light, location, and your furnishings interact.
So, where do you start?
Test in your own space
Natural light (or lack of it!) completely transforms how a colour looks. Don’t rely on tiny paint chips alone — sample pots are your best friend. Paint a large A3 card or directly on the wall to see how the colour behaves at different times of the day.Know your undertones
Cool whites often have hints of blue or grey, while warm whites lean towards cream, yellow, or even a soft peachy pink. Choosing the right undertone makes all the difference between a room that feels calm and cohesive or cold and mismatched.Use white to your advantage
Use cooler whites (like Resene Black White or Resene Sea Fog) to freshen up spaces with strong natural light.
Choose warmer whites (like Resene Rice Cake or Resene Half Bianca) in south-facing rooms to stop them feeling too chilly.
I’ve grouped some of my favourite and the best Resene whites and neutrals into three easy-to-understand categories:
Contemporary Cool Whites & Neutrals
Cool whites have blue or grey undertones. They’re perfect for modern, minimalist spaces and great at softening bright light. These give a clean, fresh, and spacious feel.
My top picks:
Resene Sea Fog
A soft greyed white with a cool base
A quiet achiever. I love using this for open-plan living — it reads as a soft white without being stark, and plays beautifully with natural timber and greenery.
Resene Half Merino
Cool white with a grey base
A modern classic. It feels crisp but not cold, making it perfect for paired-back contemporary spaces with soft furnishings and neutral textures.
Resene Quarter Wan White
Delicate grey-white with a cool undertone
This one’s great when you want a little contrast. It works beautifully on walls paired with a true white trim for that sharp, architectural finish.
Natural Neutral Whites & Neutrals
Neutral whites strike the balance – not too warm, not too cool. They’re versatile, light-reflective, and easy to pair with almost any palette.
My top picks:
Resene Half Thornton Cream
Warm, gentle white with a soft vanilla tone
It brings a feeling of sunshine into a room. Ideal for bedrooms, family rooms or anywhere you want that soft, cocooned feeling.
Resene Quarter Milk White
Neutral white with subtle beige undertones
This one hits the sweet spot. Not too warm, not too cool. It’s calm and versatile, especially when used with nature-inspired styling or pale timber.
Resene Half Blanc
A creamy white that leans sophisticated rather than yellow
It gives depth without feeling old-fashioned. I love it with soft greys, sage accents or brushed brass fittings.
Modern Classic Whites & Neutrals
These are green-based whites. They shift subtly with the light and feel grounded, soft, and timeless. Great in both traditional and contemporary homes.
My top picks:
Resene Quarter Linen
Green-based off-white with an earthy softness
Elegant and grounded. It gives you colour without overpowering and works well with natural materials and matte finishes.
Resene Half Ecru White
Aged white with subtle green undertones
Warm and refined, this colour has a real sense of character. It’s perfect when you want a home to feel layered and lived-in.
Resene Secrets
Fresh white with a whisper of green
I love this in spaces where you want a fresh feel but still a hint of something ‘extra’. Pairs beautifully with leafy plants and pale stone.
Designer Favourite Resene Whites & Neutrals
Here are some of the most loved, and most used whites and neutrals from the Resene range:
Resene Alabaster – Clean, crisp, with a hint of coolness. Ideal for trims, ceilings, and modern homes.
Resene Black White – The designer’s go-to for a cool, contemporary white with grey undertones.
Resene Sea Fog – Ever so slightly warm, with a soft greige feel. Brilliant in rooms with natural wood or texture.
Resene Half Rice Cake – A soft warm white, great for open-plan living areas or bedrooms.
Resene Quarter Tea – A gentle neutral with subtle depth, works beautifully across large wall areas.
Resene Black White vs Resene Alabaster — What's the Difference?
These two are frequently compared, and for good reason. They are both beloved Resene whites, but they serve quite different purposes:
Resene Black White: Cool, modern tone
A crisp, slightly greyer white that’s perfect for a clean, architectural look. Great for walls and trims in modern spaces.Resene Alabaster: Soft, light cool tone
A softer, gentler white with a subtle warmth. Often used on ceilings, trims, or when you want a white that doesn’t feel stark.✨ Tip: If you’re pairing with cool greys or charcoals, Black White offers a seamless, clean finish. If you want to soften a space or you're working with warmer whites or neutrals, Alabaster is a beautiful choice.
Interior Designer Tips:
Always test your whites on large samples and view them at different times of day — light changes everything.
Sheen levels matter: flat finishes hide imperfections, while semi-gloss is great for trims and durability.
Don’t be afraid to use different strengths (quarter, half, double) of the same white to help you lighten or deepen your colour and to create subtle contrast and flow. You can even use different strengths across walls, trims, and ceilings for a seamless flow. A change in variation can even shift a colour from cool to warm.
Still stuck?
If you’ve narrowed it down to five options but your walls are looking like a patchwork quilt, or you just really don’t know where to start, I’ve got just the thing.
My colour consultion is a one-hour session where we choose the right colours together. You’ll walk away with clarity, decisions made, and no more colour swatch overwhelm BOOK NOW!