Key Points
- The main difference between Benjamin Moore Simply White and White Dove is their undertones and light reflectance. Simply White is brighter with yellow warmth and an LRV of 89.52, while White Dove is softer with greige undertones and an LRV of 83.16, making it more muted and cozy.
- Choose Simply White for modern, bright spaces with natural light. It works best on trim, ceilings, and cabinets in kitchens or bathrooms where a crisp, clean look is desired.
- Choose White Dove for traditional or transitional rooms needing softness. It hides wall imperfections well and creates a calming feel in bedrooms, living rooms, and shaded spaces.
A Tale of Two Whites: Picking the Right Shade for Your Space
Have you ever stood in front of a wall of white paint swatches and felt totally overwhelmed?
Or painted a room only to realize your “perfect white” looks yellow at sunset?
If you’re deciding between Benjamin Moore’s Simply White and White Dove, you’re in the right place.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the key differences, pros and cons, and real-world performance of each color—especially how they behave in homes right here in Ann Arbor, where lighting can change with the seasons.
By the end, you’ll have the confidence to choose the white paint that works best for your interior painting needs—and avoid the stress of repainting.
Ready to get started?
When you’re done reading, give Tribble Painting Company a call or fill out our contact form to bring your vision to life.
Let’s dive in!
Simply White vs White Dove: Quick Answer
When it comes to Benjamin Moore Simply White vs White Dove, the best choice depends on your room’s lighting and the overall feel you’re going for.
Both are timeless white paint options, but they create very different moods—especially in homes around Ann Arbor, where natural light can shift dramatically throughout the day and across seasons.
Here’s a clear breakdown to help you pick the right shade faster:
- Benjamin Moore Simply White
- Lighter and brighter with a crisp, clean feel
- Subtle yellow undertones that add warmth
- Works great in modern spaces with lots of natural light
- Popular for trim, ceilings, and cabinetry
- White Dove
- Softer and more muted with a hint of greige
- A cozy, warm white that’s not too stark
- Ideal for traditional rooms or areas with softer lighting
- Helps hide imperfections on walls
If you’re aiming for a fresh and airy vibe, Benjamin Moore Simply White is your best bet.
If you want a warm, welcoming backdrop, Benjamin Moore White Dove might be the better pick.
These two paint colors are among the most popular Benjamin Moore shades because they consistently deliver beautiful results in real homes.
Curious to see how some other Benjamin Moore paints compare?
Follow the link to view a comparison of Benjamin Moore’s Aura vs. Regal Select paint lines.
You can also explore the differences between Benjamin Moore vs. Sherwin-Williams paints.
Up next, we’ll dig into their undertones so you can see how they’ll look once they’re on your walls.
Understanding the Undertones
When comparing Benjamin Moore Simply White vs White Dove, the biggest difference is in the undertones.
Even though both look like classic white paint colors, they behave very differently once they’re on your walls—especially with Ann Arbor’s mix of sunshine and cloudy days.
What Are Undertones and Why Do They Matter?
Undertones are the subtle colors underneath the surface of the main shade.
With white paint, those hidden hues can shift how a room feels—warm, cool, bright, or muted—depending on your natural light and finishes.
If you’ve ever picked a white that looked perfect on the swatch but turned beige or yellow on your wall, undertones were likely the cause.
Simply White: Warm With Subtle Yellow
Benjamin Moore Simply White (OC-117) is a warm white with just a touch of yellow undertones, which makes it feel inviting but still bright.
It’s not a pure white, but that added warmth helps it feel less sterile.
- Feels bright white in rooms with lots of natural light
- Can look slightly creamy in shaded corners or near cooler tones
- Works well with modern or transitional interiors needing a soft glow
In Ann Arbor homes with south-facing windows or open layouts, Simply White shines—literally.
White Dove: Soft With Greige Nuance
Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC-17) leans more neutral.
It’s a soft white with a gentle hint of greige (gray + beige), which makes it more adaptable across lighting shifts.
- Looks clean but not cold, even under cloudy Michigan skies
- Rarely feels too stark, even when used on all the walls
- Blends nicely with warm wood floors, soft textiles, or transitional style furniture
If you’re going for a cozy feel in a living room or master bathroom, Benjamin Moore White Dove offers a soothing balance between brightness and softness.
Light Reflectance Value (LRV) Comparison
Not all whites reflect the same amount of light.
That’s where Light Reflectance Value (LRV) comes in.
It tells you how much light a paint color bounces around the room.
What Is LRV?
LRV is measured on a scale from 0 (absorbs all light) to 100 (reflects all light).
In practical terms:
- High LRV = Brighter, more light-reflective paint
- Lower LRV = More muted or shaded appearance
Here’s how these two Benjamin Moore favorites compare:
| Paint Color | Light Reflectance Value (LRV) |
|---|---|
| Benjamin Moore Simply White | 89.52 |
| Benjamin Moore White Dove | 83.16 |
What That Means for Your Space
- Simply White: With a higher LRV, this color reflects more light, making it ideal for dim rooms, shaded hallways, or spaces that need a little extra brightness—like kitchen cabinets or trim.
- White Dove: The slightly lower LRV gives it more depth, so it feels richer and more calming—especially useful in areas where you want to avoid glare or create a soft atmosphere.
In a place like Ann Arbor, where lighting changes from sunny to overcast fast, this small difference in light reflectance can make a huge difference in how your walls look throughout the day.
Up next, we’ll show you how these two shades actually perform in real homes—both in sunshine and under artificial light.
How These Colors Look in Real Homes
While paint samples can help, nothing beats seeing how colors behave in actual living spaces.
The way Benjamin Moore’s Simply White and White Dove appears in a room depends heavily on the lighting conditions—especially the mix of natural light and artificial light common in Ann Arbor homes.
In Natural Light
Sunlight shifts throughout the day in Michigan, so how your white paint looks at 9 AM can be different by late afternoon.
- Simply White
- Looks like a bright white in rooms with lots of natural light
- Yellow undertones can become more noticeable at peak sun, especially in south-facing rooms
- Excellent for open floor plans and kitchen cabinets where clarity and freshness matter
- White Dove
- Appears soft and smooth without looking too warm or too gray
- Maintains a balanced look across the day—even in fluctuating daylight
- A top pick for bedrooms, dens, and living room walls where coziness is key
Whether your home is modern or traditional, knowing how light interacts with these paint colors helps avoid surprises once everything’s painted.
In Artificial Light
Evenings (and cloudy Ann Arbor days) rely on bulbs and fixtures, so it’s important to know how each color performs under artificial light.
- Benjamin Moore Simply White
- Warm bulbs may pull out the yellow undertones, making it feel off-white or slightly creamy
- Works better with cooler bulbs if you’re aiming for a crisp white look
- Best used in spaces where clarity and brightness are priorities, like home offices or bathrooms
- Benjamin Moore White Dove
- Holds up well under all types of indoor lighting
- Feels soft and inviting under warm light but never too shadowy or flat
- A smart choice for rooms where lighting shifts often, like a dining room or hallway
So, if your home leans heavily on lamps or overhead lighting, White Dove might offer more reliable results.
Room-by-Room Recommendations
Choosing the right shade of white paint comes down to function and feel.
Here’s how Benjamin Moore’s Simply White vs White Dove performs in specific rooms throughout a house.
Best Rooms for Simply White
- Kitchens with lots of windows or bright finishes
- Bathrooms with chrome fixtures or white tile
- Open layouts where a clean, modern vibe is desired
- Ceilings, trim, and cabinetry for a bright, crisp contrast
Benjamin Moore Simply White is a go-to for achieving that bright white, fresh backdrop often seen in updated interiors.
Best Rooms for White Dove
- Bedrooms where you want warmth without feeling heavy
- Living rooms that balance sun and lamplight
- Hallways or corners with less natural light
- Walls in traditional or transitional style homes
Benjamin Moore’s White Dove offers a grounded, calming base without feeling too beige or shadowy.
It’s a great fit for homeowners who want their white walls to feel soft yet polished.
Up next, we’ll break down how your personal design style can help you pick between these two beautiful Benjamin Moore white paint colors.
How Style Influences Your Choice
When comparing Simply White vs White Dove, your personal style and interior design choices play a big role in which shade works best.
Both are beautiful Benjamin Moore classics, but they bring out completely different vibes depending on your home’s color scheme, materials, and finishes.
Simply White: Ideal for Modern and Minimalist Styles
Benjamin Moore Simply White is a popular choice in clean, updated spaces that lean toward a sleek or Scandinavian aesthetic.
It’s a warm white, but its brightness and clarity help it behave almost like pure white in well-lit areas.
Best paired with:
- Black, navy, or deep green accents for high-contrast
- Cooler colors and light woods for a minimal vibe
- Trim color and kitchen cabinets to provide a fresh, seamless backdrop
- Industrial lighting, marble countertops, and matte black fixtures
This is the kind of white paint that elevates open floor plans, modern condos, or minimalist homes around Ann Arbor that want a crisp, gallery-like feel without going sterile.
White Dove: Ideal for Traditional and Classic Interiors
Benjamin Moore’s White Dove brings softness and calm, making it a favorite in homes with richer details and traditional character.
This off-white paint leans toward a soft greige, which helps balance warm and cool elements in the room.
Perfect with:
- Creams, taupes, and classic wood tones
- Crown molding, wainscoting, or built-ins with a historical or cozy touch
- Earthy finishes like brass, beige tile, or oak floors
- Subtle fabrics and textures like linen or wool
If your Ann Arbor home has a lot of charm—like arched doorways, vintage touches, or a dining room with moodier accents—White Dove is the kind of neutral that ties everything together without feeling flat.
Common Questions Homeowners Ask
Even with all the comparisons of Benjamin Moore’s Simply White vs White Dove, some homeowners still get stuck on the final decision.
These are some of the most common questions we hear from clients in and around Ann Arbor.
Is Simply White Too Yellow?
Simply White isn’t usually overly yellow, but its warm undertones can show up more in certain lighting—especially with warm light or if it’s next to a cooler, pure white paint.
Always test it in your space first.
Pro tip: Place paint samples on at least two walls and check them at different times of day.
Does White Dove Ever Look Gray?
White Dove has subtle greige tones so that it can take on a slightly muted look in darker areas or under cool bulbs.
But it rarely reads as true gray—it’s still very much a white paint, just one with depth.
Can I Use Both in the Same Home?
Absolutely. Many designers and homeowners use both shades together:
- Simply White trim or ceilings paired with White Dove walls create a soft but defined crisp contrast
- This combo works well throughout the whole house, especially if you want variety without changing your wall color dramatically
How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Room With Benjamin Moore paint?
The cost of painting a room with Benjamin Moore paint depends on the specific type of paint as well as the size of the room.
Follow the link to discover how to calculate the cost of painting a room with Benjamin Moore paint.
Still unsure?
Up next, we’ll break down all the pros and cons of both options to make the decision even easier.
Simply White vs White Dove: Pros and Cons Summary
Still weighing the pros and cons of Simply White vs White Dove? Here’s a quick breakdown to help you make the final call.
These are two of Benjamin Moore’s most popular white paint colors, and while they share a similar softness, they behave very differently once applied to your walls.
Simply White
Pros:
- High light reflectance, making spaces feel larger and brighter
- A great warm white for open, modern interiors
- Pairs well with clean finishes and bold accents
- Looks fantastic on white walls, trim, ceilings, and even cabinetry
- Versatile in a range of paint colors and design schemes
Cons:
- Warm undertones and soft yellow hints may be too much in some lighting
- Might clash with cool white accents or appear too creamy in shadowed areas
- Can look warmer than expected in a north-facing room
Best for: Modern spaces, bright kitchens, bathrooms, or minimalist homes around Ann Arbor that lean into crisp and fresh design.
White Dove
Pros:
- Balanced and soft with just enough warmth
- Works well with both cool and warm decor tones
- One of the most forgiving off-white paints for uneven or older walls
- Ideal for cozy settings like a dining room or bedroom
- Consistently ranks as one of the best white paint colors from Benjamin Moore
Cons:
- A bit deeper than some expect—less reflective in dark spaces
- May appear slightly gray or muted in dim natural light
Best for: Traditional or transitional homes in Ann Arbor that value warmth, subtle elegance, and comfort without going too bold.
Expert Tips for Choosing Between Them
Choosing between Benjamin Moore Simply White vs White Dove comes down to understanding your space and doing a little prep work before opening a single can of paint.
Here’s how to feel confident in your final choice:
Always Sample First
Never skip this step—especially with white paint.
- Apply paint samples to large sections of your wall in different rooms
- Check how they look during the day and at night
- Compare next to your trim, flooring, and furnishings
Consider Your Fixed Elements
The best white will play nicely with what you already have in the room.
- Think about flooring, tile, countertops, and cabinets
- Simply White works well with clean white finishes or modern metals
- White Dove pairs beautifully with wood tones, brass, and taupe walls
Use Finish Wisely
The type of finish makes a big impact on the final look.
- Satin finish or semi-gloss for trim, doors, and cabinetry—makes white paint pop
- Matte or eggshell for walls to keep reflections soft and smooth
- Avoid high-gloss unless you’re going for a bold, dramatic look
Whichever direction you go—whether you fall for the softness of White Dove or the brightness of Simply White—testing first and considering your space’s lighting and features will make sure your walls turn out exactly how you imagined.
Why Ann Arbor Homeowners Trust Tribble Painting Company for White Paint Perfection
Now that you know the key differences between Simply White vs White Dove, you’re ready to choose a color that fits your lighting, style, and home’s personality.
Whether you want something crisp and bright or soft and welcoming, you’ve got the knowledge to make a confident decision.
When you’re ready to transform your space, Tribble Painting Company is here to help.
Our expert painters handle every detail of your interior painting project with precision and care—so your white walls turn out exactly how you imagined.
