Cloud White (OC-130, 967, CC-40) is a soft beautiful off-white paint color that we could use all day long. It has soft invisible taupe undertones. You can use Cloud White for your walls and makes a lovely trim, cabinet or ceiling white paint color.
It looks best in rooms with tons of light but can also work well if you have some shadows. It can start to look dingy in rooms with very cool north facing light.
This was a house where we specified Cloud White as the predominant paint color. This amazing remodel in Colorado has lots of window and light in the common areas, with expansive west facing views and some darker hallways. We used the same off-white throughout this house for walls (eggshell), ceilings (flat) and trim (satin) and it never disappointed.
Photo by M. Marceny
Please note: All color reviews feature our color consulting projects, and many of our photos come from our satisfied clients!
Benjamin Moore Cloud White (OC-130, 967, CC-40)
When Should I use Cloud White?
Cloud White is one of the most versatile whites on the planet. It looks great as a white to update a dated Tuscan home, and also with a modern white kitchen. Since it is an off-white, it pairs well with clean whites and creamy whites. It provides contrast without a harsh look.
Photo by M. Marceny
Cloud White, as with many white paint colors is a great tool to enhance architectural details. You don’t need to shift colors to highlight the details; a shift in sheens is sufficient.
Photo by M. Marceny
You can use it with most white quartz countertops, clean white subway backsplashes and soft warm Calacatta tile.
This paint color is a great backdrop for colorful art. This room has soft filtered light with east facing windows. West facing windows backlight this photo.
Photo by M. Marceny
What are the best trim and ceiling colors to pair with Cloud White?
My favorite placement for Cloud White is to paint the ceiling, walls and trim the same color, but with shifting sheens for a subtle movement of color. The ceiling is flat, trim is satin or semi-gloss and the walls are eggshell or matte.
Photo by M. Marceny
If you want more contrast, pick a clean white for the trim and ceiling such as BM Chantilly Lace or BM Oxford White. I like to use matching trim and ceiling whites in a room, lighter than the wall color.
For trim and ceilings, don’t use blue-white colors such as BM White Diamond or BM Decorator’s White because they will look discordant with Cloud White.
Darker whites such as BM White Dove, Cloud White or BM Swiss Coffee will look dingy as trim and ceilings when paired with Cloud White walls.
When should I avoid Cloud White?
Avoid Cloud White with north facing exposures that have blue light and very crisp blue-white paint colors. For example, I don’t recommend as a trim or cabinet color with Carrara Marble. If you use Chantilly lace for trim and cabinets with Carrara marble, then Cloud White can pair well as a wall color, as long as it’s not adjacent with the cool Carrara marble.
We don’t recommend Cloud White for exteriors because it’s too bright and stark when you take it outside. Also, since it’s a low pigment paint color (that’s what makes it beautiful inside), you would need more coats to get enough coverage. If you want a bright white for your exterior, consider SW Pure White instead. It has more pigment and will look similar to Cloud White outside.
How does it look in darker spaces?
Cloud White can look very nice in slightly darker spaces, but you still need some light to make it look beautiful.
This basement photo shows an area under the stairs. The basement still has tons of filtered natural light. Cloud White looks soft and lovely.
Photo by M. Marceny
This beautiful Cloud White hallway has nice skylights. The light is also soft and filtered.
Photo by M. Marceny
Can my painter match Benjamin Moore Cloud White to Sherwin Williams?
The answer is NO. Not unless you want your house painted light green. That’s what seems to happen when they try to match. Instead, consider SW Pure White.
Learn more about matching paint colors here.
The Verdict
Cloud White is a beautiful and versatile off-white paint color! You can use it in bright rooms, medium lit rooms and even with muted earthy finishes. It is a beautiful trim color. Don’t use Cloud White as a trim or cabinet color with Carrara marble
No matter what, don’t forget to test your paint colors. It’s a standard best practice. Whenever I test my paint colors, they are perfect, and when I don’t test they turn out wrong. Learn how to test your paint colors here.
NEVER, EVER use paint matches from a different brand than the one specified. Results are poor and there are no standards for the sheens. Even though your painter may truly believe it can be done, don’t do it. See results from paint matching here.
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The 6 Best White Paint Colors For Dark Rooms
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Benjamin Moore Simply White Color Review
We love your comments! Please note that the blog is meant as general advice, and it is not possible to give out specific answers to your paint questions. If you want more specific advice, please consider purchasing a color consultation. Thank you for your understanding.
So gorgeous, you guys!!
So glad you enjoyed it!
All I can say is Wow!
Thank you!
I have enjoyed this Post very much
Beautiful!
I do have question ?
You mentioned that Cloud White can be used on walls , trims , and ceilings
As well as kitchen cabinets shifting different sheens ( love that look!)
However it also says if “ you want more contrast- use a clean white such as chantilly lace or Oxford white
Using darker colors such as BM white Dove ,Cloud White or Swiss Coffee will look dingy as trims & ceilings when paired with Cloud White walls”
Im confused since earlier in the post is saying Cloud White looks great on walls , trims, ceilings & kitchen cabinets. Which is something I would like to do in my new home including my Custom kitchen all in cloud white.
Can you please help me understand it
Or any other suggestions
Thank you so much
Maria
Hi Maria,
I was really referring to two different looks. The first monochromatic look has a shift in sheens. The second look is a look where the baseboard and ceilings are lighter than the walls. Both lovely!
I hope that helps,
Michelle
Hi Michelle
Thank you so much for your quick response
I totally understand now
I do admire all your beautiful work.
I enjoy your posts very much
I would like your opinion
We r building a 1900 square feet home . Open plan-with beautiful millwork. ( east – west & south exposure)I would like to paint the entire home with BM cloud white using different sheens like you have suggested in your post , also a custom
Kitchen using once again Cloud White ( satin)
My question is do u think this will be a great choice or will I be disappointed.
Also does BM Super white pairs well with Cloud white ( walls cloud white & trim & ceiling Super White
Thank you so much for taking time to give me your advice
Regards
María
Hi. I’ve been using cloud white for my trim color and would like to paint my walls white in my west facing entryway. My front door is mostly glass, needless to say, it’s very bright here in the afternoon. Is there another white you could recommend for the walls or would you stick with cloud white for walls and trim?
Hi in our new beach house we would like to have monochromatic color and an updated clean look. Our cabinets are simply white and we are south facing with tons of light. Should we do all simply white or could Cloud White work with our cabinets too?
Simply White sounds nice for the walls, but not if your house has alot of Tuscan finishes. It also depends on your tile, floor and carpet.
My kitchen is being redone, i have antique white cabinets and a soft white quartz with thin gray veining. My decor is farmhouse. I bought a gallon of BM Chantilly White and after painting one wall of my kitchen I hated it. It doesn’t look good next to my antique white cabinetry. I found a sample of BM Cloud White in my garage (made with Sherwin Williams paint) and I like it so much better. The stark white of Chantilly just didn’t look good. Cloud White seems to be several shades lighter than my cabinets. If the Sherwin Williams paint was great in the sample size might it be different in a gallon? My BM store isn’t open til Tuesday and I would like to redo my painting before then. Or do you have any other suggestions of a light paint that looks good with antique white cabinetry? I
The most similar paint Sherwin color to BM Cloud White is SW Snowbound.
I’m confused. I thought SW pure white was the color most comparable to BM cloud white. Also, if the wood floors have an orange tint, the color is called “Auburn”, will the cloud white compliment those floors?
Hi Cherisa,
Pure White is similar, but brighter and crisper. I’m not familiar with an Auburn floor, but Cloud White may complement the wood floors if they don’t have too much yellow. My suggestion is that you test the paint color before you paint it.
Hi! I’m Interested in using feather down as the main paint color. What white would you pair with it? For trim, doors, Cloud white?