The best classic white paint color for furniture.
I absolutely love a lot of Pottery Barn Kids & Restoration Hardware Baby & Child furniture, but I’m not at all in love with the prices. It’s difficult for me to invest in pieces where they grow and transition so rapidly, but there’s more than one way to achieve the same aesthetic!
The previous owners of our Colonial were incredibly kind to gift us with a beautiful canopy bed, which is now Adalyn’s. I found a great dresser that mimicked the pattern with gorgeous brass hardware & have blended it with a Pottery Barn Kids table & chairs set.
Blending old & new not only feels more interesting, but it also elevates older pieces.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I receive a small commission at no cost to you!
We’re now doing the same for Ani’s room – I purchased a bed on Craigslist, am repurposing a vanity that was in the guest bedroom {a thrift store find} & am awaiting the right dresser to come along.
To make it feel cohesive, I’m painting it all in the same color we painted Adalyn’s furniture. Finding the right white paint color isn’t always easy. Some are too bright & harsh & others just have too much blue or yellow undertones.
Pottery Barn Kids’ simply white furniture paint color is a soft, not-too-creamy off white. I borrowed a sample to take to Sherwin Williams and found that Sherwin Williams 7012 Creamy in satin is a nearly perfect match!
We’ve been using it for the past few years for Adalyn & Isla’s furniture. If it were up to me, I’d call it right white. It’s just the right white paint color for furniture.
Learn more about Sherwin Williams Creamy here. If you’re looking for the best primer for furniture, we’ve had great luck with this one!
Photography: Alea Lovely
You can learn all about choosing ceiling paint and here! You will also find detailed information about using this color in tile paint and how to paint furniture.
Join the club! You can find daily updates on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and see my latest YouTube videos here!
More Paint Tips and Colors
- Create a cohesive Paint Palette
- The Best Cream Color Paint
- Our Neutral Paint Colors
- The Ultimate Guide to Trim Paint
- Paint Sheens
- Painting Trim White
Trying to match the color RED for The Pottery Barn My First Table.
Hi! Order a sample of the table and take it to your favorite paint store. It should be pretty accurate.
So glad I found this article! We purchased a used PB crib on fb marketplace. It’s in perfect condition, but now I need to paid the grey target dresser to match! I got a swatch and the creamy seems to match! However I’m not sure if the PB white has been changed in the past 5 years based on some of these comments, because I will have to get the toddler conversion kit and wondering if I’ll need to paint that down the line?
Hi! What kind of primer do you use and also do you know where the knobs are from on the dresser pictured?
Hi Alyssa!
We’ve had great luck with this primer, I’ll add that to the post. https://rstyle.me/+B5Yi-H2v_cAjkOQ9SqSk2A
Unfortunately, the knobs are vintage! Good luck to you with your painting project!
Julie
Want to provide you an update since I found this post so helpful.
My new home office is nearly done – just waiting for the second bookcase to come in (it was damaged in transit, and the replacement was back-ordered.) We installed the ca. ~2005 Antique White bench seat under a window, and placed the brand new Dutch White “Aubrey” bookcase (both items from Pottery Barn) right next to it.
Walls and ceiling in the office are SW “Tres Naturale”, and we’ve created accent pieces for the wall and bookcases in SW “Dard Hunter Green.” Floor is a medium, natural Acacia engineered hardwood. Complemented with an ivory and sage gray area rug. I love, love, love the look.
Our home is completely trimmed in Sherwin Williams Alabaster semi-gloss.
I affixed baseboard molding in Alabaster to both the bookcase and the bench. On the bookcase, it looks like an extension of the built-it molding. Flows right in, and I can’t even tell the difference in color. Perfect. The (very few) close friends we’ve had over to look were amazed that the bookcase came with molding that matched the baseboards!
For the bench, I had to cut the top of the molding off because it was a hair too tall. There’s a strip of wood between the open cubbies and the molding, so I experimented and painted that in Creamy. SW Creamy is MUCH more “bright white” than the old-school PB Antique White. It is just slightly less “pure” than the adjacent alabaster trim.
Before we began, I was concerned about the white-shade-mismatch between the bench and the bookcase. Wife said she’d paint it if it’s a problem, but let’s try it first. Frankly, between the gaps between the pieces, the deep green cushion, and the fact that they ARE separate, adjacent pieces with a different style – they complement each other very nicely, and it does not look jarring or like we made a mistake mixing the two different whites. (Once the 2nd bookcase comes in and I do some more touch-ups, I’ll go over the Creamy with a coat of Alabaster to even that out.)
Long story short – creamy goes dreamily with Antique White, but does not match it by any stretch. Alabaster is so close to Dutch White that sitting next to each other they look the same, but I don’t think Alabaster could seamlessly blend for repairs in the Dutch.
Hi Tom!
Thank you so much for such a detailed and helpful comment! It’s so great for other readers to be able to find this information and I know it’s so helpful to others taking on painting projects.
I really appreciate it, thanks so much!
Julie
Thank you for the detailed write-up! My kids have since outgrown their Simply White PB Kids furniture. We have a piece from the regular collection in Antique White. Other online sources have expressed that SW 7012 Creamy in Satin is a match for that, as well. It looks to be, by the swatch I have in hand. I have a sample, but have yet to test it out.
My question, though, is PB seem to have discontinued the Antique white, and much of their furniture is now a “Dutch” white. I haven’t seen any discussion on a color match to that, or any reference on the Sherwin Williams site. Any experience? If I’m able to find anything once my new piece comes in, would you like to no about it?
Hi Tom! I’m not aware of that, but I can tell you we have purchased both Pottery Barn Kids and Pottery Barn Teen furniture this year and it looks wonderful with Creamy. Hope that helps!
We color matched our kids Pottery Barn Simply White Catalina furniture to paint a wall the same color and the girl that did the match did an awesome job, it’s almost perfect. If you’d like, I’m happy to get the recipe she made up and post it. When I say it’s almost perfect, there were some dings on some of the furniture and we took the trim paint (same color match used) and used it and you couldn’t tell the difference.
Hi! We are desperately trying to find a shade of white to paint our bedroom. We do have a crib and dresser in our son’s room in the PBK simply white and I was looking for the paint match bc I like that shade! But then I saw the wall in the 1st pic with the dresser in front of it and wondered….what is the color of your wall?! Thanks!
It’s Soft Chamois – it’s so versatile, I highly recommend it.
Great post. We too matched pieces with PB white to my child’s crib purchased at PB kids.
We’ve since purchased a PB kids bunk set in Navy. I’ve scoured the Internet looking for a paint code to match and haven’t found anything definitive. Anyone know where I can find this?
No, but I recommend you purchase a swatch from them and take it to a paint store to color match. Enjoy!
Hi Julie, Do you use oil or water based paints for your furniture?
I love Sherwin Williams Pro Classic, which is a water based. It’s great for trim, too!
I am about to paint a light brown changing table and darker brown tv console. So do I need to sand or use a liquid sandpaper or just the primer? Thank you so much for this post by the way we are about to welcome baby number two and need to match our old crib with some other pieces we got second hand. I am a little OCD so if the color was off my eye would twitch forever lol!
I would just use the liquid deglosser, prime and paint. So excited for you!!! Congratulations on your growing family.
Does the Sherwin Williams Creamy match PB Simply White as well? In particular I am looking at the Beadboard Bed. It seems on Pottery Barn Kids I see a lot of Vintage Simply White? SO I just wanted to be clear that we are matching the same colors here! All of these whites are SO confusing!
Yes, Simply White, enjoy!
July, 2018. Your article lives on. Just had Home Depot mix me some up!
Hope you love it as much as I do!
Can you tell me which primer you use with this? Also, you mentioned above that you don’t use a varnish/sealer on top, but I’m looking to paint a crib and I’m wondering about my baby teething on the rails. Any suggestions for a sealer that would pair well with the satin finish?
Honestly, I have no idea, but 2/3 of my girls were chewers. Sorry! I just use Sherwin Williams primer.
Hi there.
Thank you for your article. I am getting ready to pain my daughter’s bed to match her other pottery barn furniture pieces. I bought the bed second hand. I plan to sand, prime, and then paint. However, I was wondering if you sealed the piece at the end with anything. Thanks for the help.
I didn’t and when it chips (they’re rough on it), I do a-tip touch ups. Enjoy!
This article was amazing! I used the Sherwin Williams 7012 Creamy in satin as you recommended in a pottery barn kids desk i bought second hand for 75 bucks! The desk was in excellent shape with exception of the paint. There were scratches on the top and some hard glowing color paint on the front drawers. I scrubbed the desk with a sponge and clorox cleaner, dried it, sanded it and painted it with a paint roller. The Sherwin Williams 7012 Creamy in satin as you recommended and it was a PERFECT match! It looks amazing! Now this desk looks perfect with the rest of my daughters pottery barn furniture, thank you so much for this article!
So glad you love it, too.
Hi Julie, any chance you have a spray paint option for a color match for p.b. Simply white paint color? Thanks
I’m sorry, I don’t. You could use a paint sprayer though!
Hi Julie, are you aware of any spray paint match for the simply white? For example rest oleum’s painters touch and if so what sheen?thanks a lot.
What kind of paint sprayer do you use? Do you have one that attaches to a compressor? I am looking for one that does not have to. Thanks!
We purchased $150 sprayer from Lowe’s – kind of an all-in-one that’s easy to use for furniture.
Hi Julie, the pro classic sherwin white 7012 is what you would use to paint a console under a black tv that is hung on the wall for a rustic white look in a great room?
Also, what are your recommendations for removing the shellac this piece has now without scratching with a sander or sandpaper?
Finally, oh boy, never used a paint sprayer! Is there a moderate one you can advise of? thank you very much
Yes, but to give it a rustic look, I’d sand the edges or possibly use chalk paint. You can read my post here to avoid sanding. I think $100 sprayers do just find for furniture. You can always use a roller, I just like to get it done as quick and painless as possibly with a smooth finish. I hope that helps, Linda!
Hi Julie, thanks for all the info. but the Sherwin creamy white 7012, would that be a mud paint or chalk paint, to paint furniture? And what is the final step applied for the look of your painted pottery barn like piece
I use Pro Classic. To achieve a smooth finish like ready made furniture use a paint sprayer rather than a brush.
Hello what color matches Sky white from Pottery barn? Thank you Sarki
I’m not sure – but you can ask for a swatch and have it color matched.
Is it necessary to sand over the white veneer lightly before you paint? Is it better to spray paint in SW creamy color if you are trying to repaint the entire furniture? Thank you.
I would use a paint sprayer or roller from Sherwin Williams intended for furniture and do this. Enjoy!
Do you use any varnish overtop of the paint?
I don’t, personally and with a good primer and SW Pro Classic it should be completely unnecessary. We’ve had some furniture for 6 years and just did 1 round of q-tip touchups, which doesn’t feel too bad with toddlers. Enjoy!
Would this white match the white used on the pottery barn kids speedboat bed with matching white speedboat dresser? I bought a set used and it needs a lot of touching up. I also wanted to know if anyone knows the color match stain for the older sun valley honey color?
Get a small sample test in an obscure place, but it’s pretty close! Best wishes.
I haven’t used this color yet, but I’m loving the look of it in your pictures and am going to pick some up today!
Thanks, Sara! Have a beautiful day and don’t forget to come back to tell me what you think!
Do you think I could use the Sherwin Williams paint to touch up some minor scratches? I don’t want the touch up to be noticable but I definitely want to cover them up with paint if possible. Thanks!
Call their customer service to see if they offer a paint pen first. If not, I would try somewhere discreet using a qtip to see if you like the way it looks and only touch up the raw wood.
Do you know if that is the same PB white they use on their home items. I have 6 chairs that I am trying to match something too. Thanks
I’m not sure – I bet if you called the store they could tell you if their white was the same as the kids’ white and go from there.
Just curious if this is the same
match to what Pottery Barn now calls ‘Vintage Simply White’.. We have a crib in that color and I desperately want to paint the room molding the same color as the whites clash horribly.
I think so, but you can always take a furniture swatch {Pottery Barn Kids offers them for a nominal fee} to match or bring a paint swatch home to make sure it matches the crib. Either way, I don’t think this color would clash. Enjoy!
I know this is very old, but just wanted to confirm that you use Sherwin Williams “Creamy ” in a satin finish to match Pottery Barn Kids “Simply White” colored furniture? I need to refurbish a lovely older bed to match my child’s dresser and have been searching for the right color! Thank you!!
That’s correct, Anna and I LOVE it! Enjoy.
Love the white concept here. Creates an illusion of making a room wider. (oh, the girls are so cute!)
Thank you!
White furniture is timeless. Fits any home, whether traditional or modernized.
You make a good point about furniture that they outgrow quickly. Sometimes a piece that they can grow with and keep for many years as they grow up is great, but other times it’s hard to resist a great table or dresser that would be great for only about a year or two. It all comes down to personal preference I suppose.