Cream color paint is a warm neutral wall color that fits just about every home and every room. The best cream paint colors for walls – these warm white paint colors are all around easy to use.
Originally published February 2015, updated with video February 2020.
You’ve seen all of these pretty cream paint colors before in our home, but given that it’s one of the most frequently asked questions, I wanted to share more about them. I know how agonizing selecting a color can be!
Furthermore, I don’t take paint color decisions lightly. Fortunately for you, you can! I am taking the guesswork out of selecting paint colors for you. By detailing pros, cons, features, styles, where to use it, colors to pair them with, sheens and more, I hope to eliminate the guesswork. All you’ll need to do is sample to confirm.
The Best Cream Color Paint For Your Walls
Maybe you recall how I obsessed over our exterior paint colors and had the neighbors thinking I was crazy with every swatch I had Chris test! In response to your questions, I’m sharing my tried and true cream paint colors and how they look in actual rooms.
One of the most frustrating things about selecting a paint color is how the swatch varies from computer and swatch to wall.
Last week I thought I had selected the perfect blue hue for a piece of furniture online. When I got to the store I realized it was a much brighter indigo versus the dark, dusty navy I thought it was.
While colors can still vary from one space to another, seeing it in a room is much more indicative of the color than a swatch.
I’m going to walk you through four of my very favorite cream colors. You don’t even have to choose a favorite, as they coordinate beautifully throughout various spaces of a home.
You can see even more in this YouTube video!
How To Choose Cream Paint Colors
Paint colors can vary based on the previous wall color and light in the room, so I thought I’d show you various lighting situations for paint colors so that you can make an informed decision on the best cream color paint for your home.
Warm white paint colors offer a neutral background but feel anything but stark. Cream color paint makes your home feel warm and inviting. Most importantly, the color needs to work for you and the feeling you want to create in your home. Subsequently, paint is not a one-size-fits-all decision.
For example, the image above and below is the same paint color used on bedroom walls. One is photographed in morning sun, and the other in afternoon sun.
Isn’t it amazing to see the difference? The good news is that I love both! That’s why it’s so important to test your sample colors on opposite walls.
Is Cream A Neutral Color?
The answer is yes. In my humble opinion, it’s the best neutral paint color because it’s warm and cozy. While a clear white can often feel a little cold, warm creams are a perfect compromise between whites and deeper gray/brown neutrals.
My reasoning for choosing these warm cream colors for the walls of our home? I want a space that reflects the love of our family and friends.
Choosing a soft, neutral tone for a backdrop allows the people and love inside the home to really stand out. It gives us a soothing, calm interior that can help create a sanctuary in the craziness of our lives!
Moreover, I just love that I can change my decor accents throughout the seasons. I never have to worry that a new pillow, artwork or rug will clash with my walls! In short, it’s the best way to simplify your decorating process.
What’s The Best Warm Cream Paint Color?
Do I have a favorite out of all of these options? One that is guaranteed to work in any space, in any lighting situation? Don’t I wish it was that easy!
With the difficulty of my past decision-making process in mind, make sure you read all the cream color posts. This is truly helpful if you’re looking for guidance to choose the best warm cream paint.
While I have narrowed it down to some wonderful options, every home is different. The windows, trim and floor colors, and layout of your home can impact your wall colors.
Here is another example of the same cream paint color (Soft Chamois) in the master bedroom:
Benjamin Moore Soft Chamois
All of the above bedrooms are painted Benjamin Moore Soft Chamois (using Valspar’s Signature paint found at Lowe’s), in eggshell. This is one of the most versatile paint colors I’ve used to date. It’s a great fit for a lot of spaces and it’s so soft.
This color is a foolproof choice. It’s not too yellow even though it has that tone in the background, and in fact it never reads yellow even at night. You can read more in detail about this lovely paint color in the link above.
Sherwin Williams Zurich White
We painted the living room Sherwin Williams Zurich White (in Valspar Signature at Lowe’s) eggshell sheen. You can see how the same cream paint color reads in full daylight.
This color has just a touch of greige without being too much. It’s a wonderful option for those who love grey, but would like something a touch warmer or a slightly greige tone or if you’re transitioning from a grey room. In the same vein as the other options I’m showcasing here, this color works in almost any lighting situation. To summarize my thoughts on this color, read about it in greater detail at the link above.
You can see how dusty this cream becomes as the sun fades in the image below.
What Color Looks Good With Cream?
That’s the beauty of these tones. Anything looks good with these colors! They are the ultimate neutral tones that can work well with any accent colors. Personally, I like to keep my interiors soothing and neutral. With that in mind, I like to stick with warm wood tones and accents of blue and pink throughout most of our spaces.
Sherwin Williams Creamy
Another go-to cream paint color I love is Sherwin Williams 7012 Creamy which I also contemplated using in our mudroom and kitchen. This photograph of Adalyn’s dresser is a good representation of the color. The wall behind is also Zurich White – the color of the 3 images above.
It’s a soft, warm white that is classic, but not stark. This wall color is a warm white. Not dirty, not yellow, not blue. A great in-between for any lighting situation! This is a warm cream that also works beautifully for trim, cabinets and furniture.
And for trim? I like to pair these colors with Valspar Paint + Primer Ultra White Base 221395.
You can read more about trim paint here and furniture paint here. Did you know you can even paint tile?
Reader Questions About Cream Paint
- Tabitha says “Hi! I really liked your article on cream colors, and want to paint the walls cream throughout my house. However, the trim and floors are honey oak. Which color paint would you recommend for the walls? Thanks!” Tabitha, I bet you’ll love Soft Chamois.
- From Beth “Hi Julie! Your decorating is elegant yet simple, artistic yet classic…all at once. I am so inspired from your posts and hope and pray I can make my home as cozy and as inviting one day.
Is there a reason why you choose Sherwin Williams colors and use them with Valspar paint? Just curious! I saw your post from today about the beautiful breakfast room and then clicked over to this post to study paint color!” Because it’s less expensive and at the time, we were doing a ton of renovations and hadn’t closed on our other home, so every penny counted. I often still do, pending the project!
Sherwin Williams Everyday White
We painted the screened porch in Sherwin Williams Everyday White in Valspar Signature – it’s so soft, yet warm and inviting.
This color was used in our screened porch and also on the exterior of our home. This color has a hint of beige and yet reads in the perfect creamy white tone. It’s wonderful for any exterior projects or any rooms in your home that might receive a little lower light. For instance, this photograph of our screened porch shows you just how warm and soft it is.
How To Choose Cream Paint Color
A few tips to see if it’s the right paint color for you:
- Get a sample.
- Try it on two walls in the room or exterior that face different directions.
- Look at it various times during the day to see how it reads in various lighting situations.
- Test it with your trim color.
Painting indoors? You can learn all about choosing ceiling paint and trim paint here! You will also find detailed information about using this color in tile paint and furniture paint.
More Paint Details
- Zurich White
- Sherwin Williams Creamy
- Soft Chamois
- Everyday White
- Farrow and Ball Clunch
- Farrow & Ball White Tie
- Benjamin Moore White Dove
You can read more here about my favorite interior paint colors and exterior paint colors 1, exterior paint colors and take a tour of our home here. I hope it helps seeing our cream paint colors in various rooms and lighting situations.
You can also find my complimentary paint color chart here to keep them all organized!
Want more? Receive the best ideas directly to your inbox and connect on Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!
Hi Julie, I’m looking for a cream colored paint that will look best with a blonde maple Perot in a small condo? Thanks for your feedback.
I would do Benjamin Moore Soft Chamois. Enjoy!
Hi! Great information! I never thought about soft chamois will definitely have to color sample to give it a try – I a bit confused though – in your video you mentioned you used Navajo white in your mudroom and other spaces; however on your website SW Creamy is listed instead. Thanks!
I used different colors in different spaces. The mudroom, mudroom powder room and breakfast nook are Navajo White. I use creamy for furniture, but it’s also a pretty trim color. Soft Chamois is used throughout our upper level. Hope that helps!
*beadboard* 😉
Trim throughout our home is BM Antique White. Can I paint our wall soft chamois? Thanks for your beautiful ideas!
I would definitely test it, that’s a darker trim.
I scrolled through the comments but didn’t see this asked. What do you mean when say “Benjamin Moore Soft Chamois (using Valspar’s Signature paint found at Lowe’s) how did you get Benjamin Moore color from Lowe’s? I love BM colors but hate having to go out of my way to a store that has it. Do you have a post with the deets?
Another question, do you think soft chamois would make a good cabinet color?
Yes! Sometimes I do…they have most of the color codes on hand but you can always bring a card. I do, if you’re not looking for a white but rather a cream!
This is such a great post! Love the info and you can’t go wrong with cream paint!
Happy day friend!
karianne
Thank you, friend!
Super helpful! We moved into our home last summer, and all of the downstairs was newly painted by the seller in a greige color that’s just too dingy grey for me. It feels dirt and uninviting, I think. (Nobody else here sees it, but I bet they see the difference after I paint. I hope!) I’m planning to repaint all of the rooms a soft, warm cream. This will help me choose just the right paint color! Thank you!
Julie
Thank you for your insight. I have recently purchased a craftsman style home with dark brown wood trim. I am looking to lighten up the previous yellow toned walls. I am n/s facing with a screened porch over the back . I am leaning towards gray mist BM but just can’t pull the trigger. The BM chamois you mentioned interest me . Any thoughts .
I truly think you’d love it – North South facing can look gray/blue to begin with and with the porch even more so. If you try it, let me know what you think!
I used BM Soft Chamois in my dining room. The color looks better in your photos than it does on my walls. It looks darker on my walls. I used BM Chantilly Lace for the trim. I started to use it in my hallway which is well lit, but it looks almost dirty. The walls were painted Linen White in the past. I did not use a primer. Do you think this is making a difference? Also, do you think that Chantilly Lace is a good trim to use with the Soft Chamois? Should I use something creamier like White Dove. Would that make a difference? What trim color did you use? Thank you so much for your help! You house looks beautiful, by the way!
Thank you, Therese.
Quite possibly! What sheen are you using?
I am so tired of the gray that everyone has been using for the past couple of years. However, will it date my house for resale if I use the cream instead of the gray?
Not at all! In fact, it feels warm and has been proven to make people feel “at home”.
My cabinets are natural maple and my granite is black galaxy. All my trim is white. Would soft chamois work ???
I think it would be lovely!!!
Hello Julie,
This post was so helpful when approaching neutral colors. Picking out paint colors gives me anxiety but thorough details like yours along with suggestions on trim colors gives me peace! I am hoping to paint one of our guest rooms a neutral so it can easily transition into a nursery when the day comes. Always planning for the future 😉 Thanks again.
Thank you, Carrie! Best wishes!
Hello Julie,
Three questions: Can you tell me where you purchased your sofas? Also, did you paint the bricks surrounding your fireplace? Lastly, I love BM White Dove for trim and ceiling. Would Soft Chamois and Zurich White used on the walls work well with White Dove trim/ceiling? Thanks!
Hi Nancy! You can find the sofas in my shop.
Yes, we did…you can read about it here: A Timeless and Traditional Fireplace Mantel
Absolutely! I’ve used it with both! Best wishes you redecorating!
Hi Julie, I have English antiques and primarily red oriental rugs. I am trying to update my look with paint and artwork and objects. I tried SW antique white paint on the walls but it seems to have too much beige undertown. I tried to match my woodwork which is PPG Queen Anne’s Lace. I don’t like a red undertones and I am trying to avoid the pasty look. Do you think creamy is a brighter cream without the beige and pasty look? I would appreciate any thoughts you have. My living room is fairly dark. Thank you!
I love warm neutral walls. Would creamy by Sherwin Williams look creamy on a wall facing the East> or Crips Linen vs line white by Benjamin Moore. I have to have a paint selection by Monday
I’m sorry I missed this – what did you choose? I’d love to see. I don’t think you can go wrong with either.
I have a south facing glassed-in sunroom that is in need to repainting and am considering the Chamois in Valspar. Looks beautiful. Question is the largest wall that needs painting is previously painted white brick. Any special paint/instructions for painting on brick??
I don’t believe so since it has already been painted. You should be good!
Love these colors!
Hi Julie,
I love the soft chamois paint!
My husband and I are painting the whole house interior and trying to decide between cloud white or soft chamois, our floors we put in is a grey wood style laminate, which of these colors your think will go well with our grey floors?
I haven’t used cloud white and don’t have a sample of your floors – I’d personally get a sample of each and paint a swatch near your laminate to see which you prefer. It appears they are very close in color!
I have been using Ben Moore’s Heavy Cream on all of my walls (the valspar match) and valspar ultra white base semigloss on my trim. It’s a crisp but warm vibe throughout.
So pretty! Thanks for sharing…I’m adding it to my list of colors to try!
Hi Julie, I just saw you’re post on cream paint colors. I love the look! I wanted your opinion on what colors whites or beiges for living room dining room connected. I have a dark brown couch with black trim and canvas paintings of elephants grey and grey. Lol. The living area has a north facing window and dining room north and west facing window but rooms are small. I like your style so should I go with creamy white or light brown or light grey? I love your style so ant suggestions would be great!
Since it’s north facing, I would avoid grey and personally go with a creamy white. You can see how it will all come together using this simple method: https://julieblanner.com/design-your-room/
These are beautiful! I’m looking for an office color. There is zero natural light in my office. Any tips on a color that won’t look washed out in only artificial light? I’m also thinking of doing an accent wall in BM Hale Navy.
Thank you!
Soft Chamois goes really well with Hale Navy!
Hi Julie did you also paint the small chair in the 3td picture? If yes, do you mind sharing what brand/color? Thanks!
Hi Ash, it’s available in my shop, enjoy!
I would love to Julie, but I live in Canada, so unfortunately would be cost prohibitive to get it shipped to here. I was hoping to simply buy paint if and paint a chair I would buy locally.
Sadly I don’t have a color match for it, but you can show it to your paint store and get something close.
Hi! I really liked your article on cream colors, and want to paint the walls cream throughout my house. However, the trim and floors are honey oak. Which color paint would you recommend for the walls? Thanks!
I love Soft Chamois
Hi Julie! Your decorating is elegant yet simple, artistic yet classic…all at once. I am so inspired from your posts and hope and pray I can make my home as cozy and as inviting one day.
Is there a reason why you choose Sherwin Williams colors and use them with Valspar paint? Just curious! I saw your post from today about the beautiful breakfast room and then clicked over to this post to study paint color!
Because it’s less expensive and st the time, we were doing a ton of renovations and hadn’t closed on our other home, so every penny counted. I often still do, pending the project! Thank you for your kind words, I truly appreciate it!
Thank you Julie.
Julie, I love your cream colors, what a nice idea to post the rooms on different times.I am not sure what color is the second below the first left row?
Soft Chamois, enjoy!
Love the whites! Curious though. What color are your ceilings? In a few of the photos it looks like a different color than what is on the walls. Thank you.
My ceiling white is untinted ceiling paint, with the exception of the breakfast room where we painted the ceiling the same as the walls. I hope that helps!
Great information! I never knew how complex it could be picking a shade of “white” until we remodeled our kitchen…so much to consider.
Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
Blessings,
Cindy
Hello – beautiful! Wondering where you found that gold candle chandelier in the master bedroom? Looking for something just like that, but having a hard time finding the right one. Thank you!
You can find it here, enjoy!
HI – I love your house – so beautiful.
I mistakenly painted my house with Benjamin Moore Hilton Head Cream, while its a nice color it was so wrong. I live in a condo with only windows/sliding doors facing north (living room & Master bedroom) & second bedroom facing south. It come across so yellow. My living room colors are red curtains, light beige sofa with dark brown wood floors(accents of red throughout). Master bedroom as cherry wood dark furniture. Do you think Zurich White would go in the living room(its also connected to the dining-one big room).
Thank you!
Margaret
It’s difficult to say without seeing your home…I would try a sample of Soft Chamois first before heading to the greige-ier Zurich White with the hints of red.
Thank you Julie – I will give Soft Chamois a try. I appreciate your reply. I love your blog!
Thank you! Best wishes!
I love the rug under your ottoman, and your home is just lovely!
Can you tell me where you purchased this rug? And what kind of pad you used underneath… I have hardwoods, too.
I’m very excited to try your color recommendations!
Thank you!
Belinda
Of course, it’s from Overstock…I linked to it on an old living room post, I can’t recall the name.
I always purchase pads at Home Goods – they’re inexpensive and work well! Enjoy!
Thanks so much for your wonderful blog with so many great ideas!! I’m using some of your paint colors to update my home and am in the process of changing my trim paint from dark cream to white. My fireplace in the living room is encased with dark grey trim fro the ceiling with white and gray marble tile. What color walls would best compliment this? It’s a fairly dark room with not a lot of natural light. Would Zurich White work or be too drab? Is chamois too creamy??
Thanks so much!!!
I personally love the slight cream of soft chamois – it’s very subtle, but warm. Have a beautiful weekend, Gina! Best wishes on your updates!
Beautiful rooms. I need help selecting off white color for my new kitchen cabinets. Looking at BM Navajo white or SW Creamy 12. Don’t want a strong yellow undertone. Cabinet maker has been waiting months for my decision. It sooo… difficult. I have white trim on doors and windows.
I love BM Navajo White, but it has a significant yellow undertone. I highly recommend creamy. It’s perfection. I plan to use SW Creamy or BM Soft Chamois for our kitchen cabinets.
Thank You
Your home is lovely. 🙂 I am going to look at the Soft Chamois. Your comment on SW accessible beige purple undertones was very timely. I had narrowed down to it and Kilim beige. Several rooms in my home are painted Benjamin Moore New Chest Nut which is a deep color. We have a lot of rock inside our home. Colors are rusts, sand, grey…. In fact all of my dining room walls are rocked from floor to vaulted ceiling. The ceiling in that room is BM New Chestnut as well. I want to paint our trim color a cream but not to yellow, or peach or purple 🙂 is there such a thing as a cream with no undertone? If that makes sense. I plan to paint the interior doors black. I have picked out BM Onyx for the doors. I have been seeing the black doors a lot in photos and like them. Hoping it will look good in our home. If not both trim and doors will be cream. For the trim I tried to go with a earthy, dirt, mmm sort of smokey taupe for lack of better word on trim as our grout color in our tile which is through our whole house and the grout in all the rock work is that color. I gave up finding that color after I don’t know how many samples. They all had a purple undertone…I know that sounds dark for trim but our home is warmer deeper tones. Old world rustic. Deeper colors. What are your thoughts on Sherwin Williams Kilim Beige? Thank You
That’s not one that I’ve used before, sorry! I can tell you all colors have undertones, which are more noticeable in neutrals, so you just have to decide which undertone you prefer. Best wishes!
I live the chandelier in the nursery! Can you tell me where it was purchased?
You can find it here.
Hi, I’m looking for a warm cream color that will go with a brick fireplace which has been painted white. Do you think these creams you lust above would work?
Of course! Here are a few to try – Farrow and Ball Klunch, Farrow and Ball White Tie, Benjamin Moore Soft Chamois, Benjamin Moore Navajo White
Awesome post as always! I love the unique and soft tone the cream color gives a room, it just makes it into something different! Thanks so much for sharing, I cannot wait to start planning my colors out soon!
I have 1960’s brick ranch, and love the color of brick in the colonial home. What exterior colors did you use?
Thanks, Debbie! You can get all of the details here.
I’m not sure what exactly the point of this is. I look at soft chamois, which is a color I am thinking about, and I think u r showing how it depends on the surrounding as to what tint of color is in the white? I wa thinking maybe just a regular soft looking white but can’t seem to figure out what tint is in a lot of different white or if it’s just plain ol white. (Which is what I prob should go with) Any advice would be great! 🙂
I’m sorry that you found it confusing. I think it’s great to see how paint can vary in lighting situations so you know what to expect. I find that Zurich White is a nice, soft white and that Soft Chamois is a warmer white. Either make your home feel less sterile than a plain white. I hope that helps!
I recently stumbled upon your blog when I wa researching paint colors for our new home. I love your style!! I have a paint related question and would love your feedback considering you are a pro! I plan on using soft chamois throughout my home (I found your blog when I was looking at pictures of this color!) Our family room has a vaulted ceiling with exposed wood beams. We plan to leave the wood beams and paint the ceiling a creamy white. Would accessible beige be too heavy in here? It will be next to a hallway with soft chamois and a kitchen with cherry cabinets. Thanks! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts.
I think it would be pretty and make the room feel really warm, if that’s what you’re going for. You can see some examples of what that might look like here.
I am installing brazillian cherry hardwood floors in my living rm. I have a 14′ entertainment center in medium cherry. What color would you paint the walls. I love the cream hues but am confused on which one to pick. Also would you consider a color on the ceiling? My style is more traditional not contemporary.
I do love a color on the ceiling – usually a shade or two darker {or lighter} than the wall color. It can make a space feel really warm. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/438678819926508896/
Thank you so much for this post! I have been searching for the perfect paint color for our open concept living area and am going to get samples of some of the colors you suggested. Question though — we are going to be painting over a very yellow-y color (its horrendous – with red streaks throughout to boot! previous owner choice) so with these colors, would it be best to prime with a white first?? I am in love with Sherwin Williams brand paint.
Thanks for the advice!
Even if you were going darker, I’d recommend a primer. You don’t want the previous paint color to be an undertone for the new color. Enjoy!
Hi Julie, I have found a bar I love, but do not care for the finish. If I recall from an earlier post, you spray-painted your bar. Do you recall what product you used? It has such a nice finish. Thanks!
What bar? The bar cart? If so that was Ace Hardware brand gold spray paint. I loved the color more than most. Valspar now also has a beautiful gold/brass spray paint at Lowe’s that I love as well.
Where did you purchase that ottoman?
Restoration Hardware – it’s actually intended to be at the end of a bed and is half the price of their traditional ottomans!
I love your website! and you are so like your home…soft and beautiful looking 🙂
I have been struggling with paint colors for way too long. Going to try a lighter shade of accessible beige, and maybe soft chamois. I’m worried it might show up yellow. Also looking for a similar shade to zurich white, which looks a bit purply in my light. Everything looks SO nice on your walls!
Thank you! You’ll find accessible beige definitely has purple undertones. Soft Chamois should work well for you. It doesn’t have much undertone to it. What color are your walls currently? Your paint color will look different in different lighting at different times of the day.
Hello – can you tell me where the chandelier is from in the 3rd photo – bedroom?
Thank you,
Alessandra
Of course! You’ll find all the details here.
I am interested in where you purchased your screened in porch curtains if you don’t mind sharing.
I am interested in your curtains on your screened in porch. Where did you purchase them if you don’t mind sharing!!!
Of course not, Sue! Wayfair! You can find specifics here: https://julieblanner.com/screened-porch-art-mini-makeover/
Love your paint colors! I have a question–when you wrote about BM Soft Chamois in Valspar Signature, do you mean you had that BM hue color matched and mixed at Lowe’s in their Valspar Signature paint?
Yes! I almost always do to save a little money. I also love that paint – it goes on really well.
I LOVE the trio of pictures in the nursery – details, please (where to purchase them, framed yourself, etc.)!
Thank you, Wendy! I painted Hobby Lobby frames & used Rifle Paper Co cards. https://julieblanner.com/islas-coral-mint-nursery/
I thought they might be DIY treasures! Thank you for the inspiration!
Of course! So easy to create, Wendy!
Julie – My daughter is expecting our first grandchild this August. I love your nursery, but especially the little riding lamb. Would you be able to share where you purchased it?? She’s actually doing her nursery in a lamb theme, so it would be perfect! Many thanks, Diana Seeley
Of course, congratulations! RH Baby and Child.
I’m in love with your porch color! I assumed it was Valspar, but they don’t show an Everyday White. Is it another brand?
I just updated it, Patty! It’s SW.