White paint is having a years-long moment in the spotlight, and its popularity might just keep going—but this popular paint color isn’t just pretty. You may not have been able to quite put your finger on it, but white paint does a few things for its surroundings that other paint colors don’t. Call these benefits visual effects or design principles or white paint superpowers; they are one of many reasons you see white paint so often, and likely have helped white paint stay so popular for so long.
Wall painting is pretty subjective, so white paint might not be right for your space or lifestyle; there are plenty of dark paint colors out there that are just as beautiful on walls, trim, ceilings, and more. But if you’re trying to decide if you want to paint your walls white, these extra benefits of using the color, from Leigh Spicher, national director of design studios for homebuilder Ashton Woods, might just push you closer to making a decision. And if you’re staunchly a fan of more colorful paint colors, at least you'll have some smart design facts to share at your next dinner party.
