Benjamin Moore White & Off-White Paint Colours for Kitchen Cabinets
Choosing the right white for custom cabinetry and millwork
White cabinetry can make a kitchen feel bright and welcoming, but two whites that look similar on a screen can behave very differently beside your countertops, flooring and backsplash. The right shade brings those materials together; choosing it in isolation can leave the room feeling mismatched.
Whether you are planning a kitchen renovation in Vaughan, Toronto or elsewhere in the GTA, this guide will help you compare Benjamin Moore white paint colours for kitchen cabinets and custom millwork. Start with a shortlist, then test it in the space where the cabinetry will be installed.
Which white paint colours are trending at Benjamin Moore?
Benjamin Moore Canada’s Trending and Popular Paint Colours page currently includes six shades in its Trending White Paint Colours collection: Chantilly Lace, Decorator’s White, Gray Owl, Pale Oak, White Dove and Simply White. Treat this curated selection as a starting point for comparison, then narrow it down to suit your home.
The collection covers more than bright white. Pale Oak is a warm gray neutral, while Gray Owl is a light gray. That difference matters if you want cabinetry with a little more depth. The light reflectance values (LRVs) below are listed on Benjamin Moore’s individual colour pages; a higher LRV indicates that a colour reflects more light.
| Colour | Character | LRV |
|---|---|---|
| White Dove OC-17 | Clean, classic warm off-white | 83.16 |
| Chantilly Lace OC-65 | Bright white with little to no visible undertone | 90.04 |
| Simply White OC-117 | Clean white with a hint of warmth | 89.52 |
| Decorator’s White OC-149 | White softened by cool gray | 82.68 |
| Pale Oak OC-20 | Light neutral with warm gray undertones | 68.64 |
| Gray Owl OC-52 | Light gray with a cool cast | 64.51 |
White Dove OC-17: a softer starting point
White Dove OC-17 offers a clean, classic appearance with warmth. Benjamin Moore’s white and off-white guide identifies it as its most popular white and most sampled paint colour.
For cabinetry, it is worth sampling when you want a softer white beside natural wood or warm stone. Place the sample against your actual countertop: a surface that looks neutral on its own may reveal a different undertone next to the cabinet colour.
Chantilly Lace OC-65: a bright, crisp white
Chantilly Lace OC-65 is one of Benjamin Moore’s brightest white options. Its white-paint guide describes Chantilly Lace as having little to no visible undertone, and the colour page lists an LRV of 90.04.
Sample it if your goal is crisp cabinetry or a clear contrast with a wood island. Compare it with existing white trim and appliances as well as stone; the brightest white is not automatically the most harmonious choice.
Simply White OC-117: brightness with gentle warmth
Simply White OC-117 brings a small amount of warmth to a clean white. Benjamin Moore identifies it as a former Colour of the Year and includes it among popular kitchen whites. Its LRV of 89.52 makes it a bright option to compare with Chantilly Lace.
It is worth testing in a kitchen where you want the cabinetry to feel light while working with warmer finishes. Check it under your evening lighting, particularly if the room has warm LED strips or pendants.
Decorator’s White OC-149: a cooler white
Decorator’s White OC-149 has a touch of cool gray, according to Benjamin Moore. That makes it a useful comparison when warmer off-whites feel too creamy against the rest of a room.
If your kitchen includes cool gray stone or tile, sample this shade beside those materials. View it in daylight and with the lights on; a cool white can look different depending on its surroundings.
Pale Oak OC-20: a warm neutral with more depth
Pale Oak OC-20 has warm gray undertones and an LRV of 68.64. Although it appears in Benjamin Moore’s trending whites collection, it has more depth than the bright whites above.
Consider it when you want a quiet neutral finish rather than a crisp white cabinet. Compare it with flooring, backsplash and trim to see whether the combination gives you the warmth and contrast you want.
Gray Owl OC-52: a light gray alternative
Gray Owl OC-52 is described by Benjamin Moore as a light gray with a cool cast. Its LRV is 64.51, so it sits noticeably deeper than White Dove or Chantilly Lace.
It is an option to explore when you prefer the softness of a light gray cabinet. Testing it alongside the whites in this guide will help you see whether your room needs a white finish or a more visible neutral colour.
Four other white and off-white colours to compare
William’s shortlist also includes these familiar alternatives. Each has its own character, so add one or two to your samples if the six trending shades do not quite suit your materials.
- Cloud White OC-130: A soft, balanced white, also featured in Benjamin Moore’s popular white kitchen cabinet colours.
- Swiss Coffee OC-45: A warm white to compare when you want a gentler, welcoming palette.
- Super White OC-152: A bright, slightly cool white that Benjamin Moore highlights alongside Chantilly Lace among its cleanest whites.
- White Heron OC-57: A versatile white that Benjamin Moore’s white kitchen cabinet guide includes among cooler off-white options.
How to choose a white for your kitchen cabinets
A paint shortlist becomes useful when you compare it with the things that will stay in the room. Use this sequence before approving your cabinet colour.
- Start with the fixed finishes. Bring together your countertop, backsplash and flooring samples. For more help comparing surfaces, read our countertop materials guide.
- Compare a warm and a cooler option. Testing White Dove or Simply White beside Chantilly Lace or Decorator’s White makes subtle differences easier to notice.
- Test in the room. View physical samples in the morning, afternoon and evening. Include the lighting you actually use over counters and under cabinets; our kitchen lighting guide explains why lighting choices matter.
- Check the whole palette. Look at trim, wall colour, appliances and hardware together. Decide whether you want the cabinets to blend into the room or create a clear contrast.
- Approve a finished cabinet sample. Confirm the coating and sheen with your cabinet maker, then evaluate a sample made with the proposed finish before committing to the full installation.
The colour and the cabinet finish need to work together
A colour name does not specify the complete cabinet finish. The coating, sheen, surface preparation and application all contribute to the result. Benjamin Moore’s kitchen cabinet paint guide recommends durable cabinet finishes and identifies Advance Interior as a furniture-like finish for cabinetry.
For custom millwork, confirm the actual finishing system proposed for your project. If a Benjamin Moore colour is being matched in another coating, judge the finished sample rather than assuming the result will be identical to a paint chip.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose White Dove or Chantilly Lace for cabinets?
Start by comparing them beside your countertop and backsplash. White Dove offers a warmer, softer direction; Chantilly Lace is a brighter white with little to no visible undertone. Your materials and lighting should decide which one works better.
Are Pale Oak and Gray Owl white paint colours?
Benjamin Moore includes both in its trending whites collection, but Pale Oak is a warm gray neutral and Gray Owl is a light gray. They are useful alternatives when you want more depth than a bright white.
Can I choose the cabinet colour from these pictures?
Use the pictures to build a shortlist, then use physical samples. Benjamin Moore notes that screen colours can differ from actual paint. For cabinetry, the final check should be an approved sample of the specified finish in your own space.
Plan your cabinetry and millwork palette with William Millwork
Choosing a white is easier when the cabinetry, stone, lighting and surrounding finishes are considered together. Explore our custom cabinetry services and completed projects for ideas, then contact William Millwork to discuss your Vaughan or GTA home. Bring your shortlisted colours and material samples so the conversation starts with your actual space.
Colour references
This guide uses Benjamin Moore Canada’s Trending and Popular Paint Colours, White & Off-White Paint Colours guide, White Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colours guide and the individual colour pages linked above. Colour names, descriptions and LRVs were checked on 3 October 2026.