Clean and pure, ULTRA PURE WHITE® is the color we use when emphasizing the textures and structure of a space. When walls and ceilings are completely and immaculately white, the aesthetics of furnishings and architectural design stand out. An all-white or mainly white room with graphic silhouettes and strong lines can look modern. However, if its hard surfaces and geometric angles are softened by fabric and textural accents with flowing or rounded shapes, the room changes from sleek to romantic.
Compare the kitchen and dining rooms pictured. Both are 80 to 90 percent white, but they couldn’t be more different in feel. The Stark White on the cabinets and trim in the kitchen produces a traditional look, while the same white on the walls and ceiling in the dining room results in a very different ambiance because of the furniture with modern lines and the punchy accent colors.
To make a room serene and calming, we use Stark White on all major surfaces and add accents in soft neutrals, such as varying shades of gray. Or, we give the room depth by using several shades of white. Natural elements such as wood, stone and fiber look especially rich in a white setting.
Notice how introducing a non-neutral color affects the room. Two simple blue accents make this room feel cooler; yellow accents would make it seem brighter.
To accentuate the décor pieces, even more, we use black as the accent color. The simple shift of tonality from gray to black takes a room from subtle to bold. And, since the only other color (the brown of the floor) is a neutral, nothing distracts from the contrast. Whatever we put in the room, from artwork to furnishings, is going to stand out against the white background, so we make sure to choose pieces that really speak to us.
Our Behr color ULTRA PURE WHITE® has the clarity of tone to help us pull off any of these looks. It is the perfect white canvas on which to design a room of any mood.
Colorfully yours.
-Erika
We’re planning to paint all our interior walls Behr Whisper White and use Ultra white for doors and trim. We’re considering painting our kitchen cabinets white as well and can’t decide if we should do those ultra white like the trim or a different white to add more dimension. It’s a small galley kitchen with good daylight. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Hello Lori, thank you for visiting our blog!
I recommend using Ultra Pure White to keep the continuity.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
Can you use ultra white on kitchen cabinets and door trims together?
Hello Sandra, thank you for visiting our blog!
Yes, you can use Ultra Pure White on cabinet and trim.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
Hi Deanna! Love this article. I am currently going through remodeling in our home. I’m using Whipped Cream for walls and Pure white for trims and ceilings, and I am trying to find another shade of white I can do my kitchen cabinets, what color white would you go with? Thank you so much hope to hear your recommendations soon 🙂
Hello Marlyn, thank you for visiting our blog!
You can do the cabinets in Polar Bear 75 or Ultra Pure White.
Colorfully yours,
Deanna
What are good complimentary colors that go well with Ultra Pure white?
Hello Deborah, thank you for visiting our blog!
Ultra Pure White is our most purist white so it will work with any color of your choosing. Now it just depends on the style/mood you want in your space. I am not sure how you plan on using Ultra Pure White but if you let me know and tell me what style/mood you want to create I will be more than happy to comment you back some recommendations.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
Does the first image of the kitchen use Behr ultra pure white in semi gloss?
We are thinking of doing a low ceiling room this way. Thank you
Hello Pete, thank you for visiting our blog!
Yes that would be Ultra Pure White in Semi-Gloss.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
Hello!
We want to paint our house interiors with the most bright white possible! I see there are different options in Ultra Pure white (1850 vs PPU 18-06).Also, we are not sure if we want to go with tint or pure white and if there is any difference between the two. Could you suggest the one that is more stain resistant/washable so my walls can resist some wear and tear from my toddler? ( I have been told I am being super brave lol)
I love ULTRA PURE WHITE. But I am not sure about the sheen. What is the sheen used in the last picture with bi-cycle. Is it Flat or Eggshell?
Are Behr ultra pure white matte wall paint and ultra pure white flat celibg paint the exact same color?
Hi Rita – thanks for choosing BEHR products and for contacting us with your questions.
We have checked with our Color Lab and they have confirmed that BEHR Ultra Pure White Matte paint and BEHR Ultra Ceiling Paint are the same color.
Diana O.
What white would look nice painted over a kitchen backsplash (real brick) with cool gray cabinetry?
Helo Arieana, thank you for visiting our blog!
You can take a look at Polar Bear 75 as a great option.
Hope this helps!
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
What color white would match with breezeway and offshore mist. I wanted a white paint on my living and kitchen area and thinking of the Swiss coffee? But not sure. ☹️ Help please.
Hello Veronica, thank you for reaching out!
Swiss Coffee works as well as Polar Bear 75, either one will do just great.
Hope this helps!
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
Hi, I recently painted my bathroom in Infinite Deep Sea. Love the colour but the Ultra Pure White trim(previously painted) is sticking out intensely. Are there other whites I could use that would be more calm that would work with my blue? Thank you!
Hello Melissa, thank you for visiting our blog!
A few other whites that will work are Silky White PPU7-12, Swiss Coffee 12 or Weathered White HDC-NT-21.
Hope these help!
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
Hi,
Can you recommend a dark charcoal/ash or even black to contrast with the ultra pure white? I am planning to paint most of my home in the ultra pure white and do a large wall-long bookshelf In the dark contrasting color. Thank you!
Hello Ethan,
thank you for visiting our blog!
I recommend the following dark charcoal/ash tones that will be enough contrast.
Please take a look at Dark Ash 770F-5, Shadows PPU25-03, or Imperial Gray PPU26-02.
Hope these help you on your painting journey!
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
I painted my ceiling with some white semi gloss 3052 I had at the house. I have a 3’ x 3’ are to finish. The only white I can find in the store is ultra pure white 3050. Will the color be different?
Hello Heather, Thank you for visiting our blog!
Yes the Ultra Pure White will be a tad brighter than the White you have.
Hope this helps!
Deanna
We are painting our house white with black accents and really like Ultra Pure White. We were told by our painter that it might be too bright. What do you think? Is there another white that would be better for a large house?
Hello Michael,
Thank you for visiting our blog!
It may be a little too bright especially since you have a larger home. Another white you may want to consider is Silky White PPU7-12 it is not too bright or too dull and it’ll work with black accents.
Hope this helps!
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
What would Ultra Pure white look on cabinets and trim in a bathroom with tannish tiles on floor. The paint would also be on the bathroom door and would continue onto hall trim and other room doors. The other walls are a more muted white.
Hello Ben, thank you for visiting our blog.
Ultra Pure White will work nicely on your cabinet and trim and there will be enough contrast with your muted white color.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
Durable in bathroom?
Hello Steven,
Thank you for visiting our blog.
Yes Ultra Pure White is durable for a bathroom.
Please purchase in an eggshell or satin sheen.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
I was curious what # behr ultra pure white paint is on the ceiling in the 2nd picture posted? This is the room with the 2 pendant lights. Is there a primer in the paint? Would starting with white walls will give the same effect?
Hi Sahara, All of the pictures the paint color is Ultra Pure White 1850. Premium Plus, Ultra, and Marquee are all Paint and Primer in One products. Starting with a white wall is not the same as priming. You would want to prime first or use paint and primer in one product as the primer has a different chemical make-up than paint.
Here is a link to the color: https://www.behr.com/consumer/ColorDetailView/1850
hi. I see thatbu have 3 kind of ultra white color. Whatbisnthe difference ? Does it match with a blue carpet in a basement ? Thanks.
Hello MG, thank you for visiting our blog!
Ultra Pure White are all the same, a couple just have different color numbers.
Ultra Pure White will coordinate with a blue carpet in a basement.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
Great article! (Even 4 years later) After reading may articles and finally finding this one, I think I’ve decided to go with Ultra white for all of my space, with the exception of the bedrooms (those will be Behr Shoelace) I’m wondering if using Ultra White for the trim AND the walls will look nice. I love the clean pallet idea.
Hello Christine,
Thank you for visiting out blog!
Since you want a clean crips palette then using Ultra Pure White for your trim and walls will be the best idea!
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
Will there be enough contrast if I paint the walls Swiss Coffee and the cabinets, trim, and ship lap over the fireplace Polar Bear. This is in an open concept home, which would include, living room, dining room, and kitchen.
Hello Susan, thank you for visiting our blog!
Those two tones do have enough contrast.
We do have 8oz samples available for purchase at the Home Depot so you can test them on your walls in different lighting.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
Hello
I want to paint my kitchen cabinets. I have lots of light. I want to paint them white but don’t know which shade. I do not want any yellow tones. I don’t want stark white? Sooo confused!!
What color do you suggest? Thank you
Hello Bebe, Thank you for visiting our blog!
We recommend Polar Bear 75, it is not as bright as Ultra Pure White but it is still a great shade of white that is perfect for cabinetry.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
I’m deciding between frost and ultra white for kitchen cabinets. I am buying white countertops with gray veining. Will the ultra white be too white and compete with the white countertops?
Hello Heather, Thank you for visiting our blog!
Ultra Pure White will not compete with countertops but if you want your countertops to stand out then you can go with a different white tone for your cabinets.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
We’re painting our kitchen trim pure white and then want to paint the walls white. Do you have a recommendation for a white to use on the walls that pairs well with pure white? Or should we use pure white for both?
Hello Joan, thank you for visiting our blog!
You could use the same Ultra Pure White for both. Another option is Polar Bear 75 for both walls and trim.
Or you could do the walls in Polar Bear 75 and trim in Ultra Pure White.
We do offer 8oz samples that you can test and see what white you prefer.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
Want to paint brown walls some type of white paint. What paint to use?
Hello Debbie,
If you would prefer a bright tone white we recommend Ultra Pure White. Unless you would like a white that is not so stark we recommend Polar Bear 75 or Swiss Coffee 12.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
I need a pure white wall paint with stark white undertone.does it exist? All the white i’ve seen has faint colored undertones.i want zero color undertone.can you suggest a paint for me?
Hello Brenda,
That is indeed our Ultra Pure White.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
Question
Ultra pure white…is it STARK white?
That is what I’m looking for.
I have all antiques but want to decorate with modern edge using white walls & white shag rugs & a modern art collection. I feel paint color must be pure with no tinting. Is yhis the right one?
Hello there Ramona,
Yes Ultra Pure White is a stark pure white.
You can definitely paint with this white to accent your antiques and it will be the perfect backdrop color for your antique collection.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
Planning to paint walls campfire Ash, please suggest a contrast color for a bedroom wall in light blue tint. Also should we get ultra pure white trim or white 52.
Hey John,
A soft, warm, blue would coordinate nicely with Campfire Ash N320-1. Try Urban Raincoat N440-2 or Oceanic Climate N470-2.
Would you recommend it for painting a ceiling or should is stick with White 52.
Hello Anna,
Thank you for visiting our blog!
Yes it can be used as a ceiling color as well.
Due to differences in monitors and technical factors, the colors here cannot be represented with
their true qualities. These color samples should only be considered a guide. Please refer to actual swatches for true color. We strongly recommend beginning with an 8 oz. sample container of the color you choose and apply it to a small area on your wall to ensure your satisfaction with the color choice. It is always a good idea to see how the light and ambient conditions affect the color at different points in the day.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
I want to use ultra pure white on my shaker kitchen cabinets. I also want white walls, but very slightly different the cabinets. Thinking of using “white” on the walls. Lots of light and natural fiber material accents. Will this look good?
Hello! Just wondering what finish is recommended for painting in ultra pure white for a living room?
Hi Laurelle,
Ultra Pure White in a living room can be in an Eggshell sheen.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna
Love the idea of stark white rooms with pops of color. I have a dining room table, a Tommy Bahama bought years ago at Baer’s. I think it’s a brown wood veneer . I would love to paint it white, this shade of white. Would it be possible to paint the table with this and would I need to sand it first ??? The legs are very fancy so does this paint also come in a spray??? Thank you so much.
Cheryl,
Thank you for the interest in BEHR paint!
Ultra Pure White will work nicely painted on your wood table.
You will need to make certain preparations which may include sanding and priming first before painting it in Ultra Pure White.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna