Benjamin Moore Cloud White vs Simply White: The Comparison That Actually Helps You Decide
- Beril Yilmaz
- 4 hours ago
- 9 min read
These two get compared constantly, and it is easy to see why. Cloud White and Simply White both sit in Benjamin Moore's warm white family, both appear on almost every designer shortlist for soft, inviting interiors, and on a paint chip they look close enough that most people assume the choice is minor. On a wall in your specific room, they behave quite differently.
I have used both on projects and the choice is never arbitrary. Here is exactly how I tell them apart and how I decide which one a room actually needs.
At a Glance
| Cloud White OC-130 | Simply White OC-117 |
LRV | 85 - soft off-white, warm and creamy | 89.5 - very bright, close to true white |
Undertones | Warm yellow with soft taupe base - creamy, muted | Yellow with a hint of green - crisp and clean |
Character | Softer, creamier, more obviously warm | Brighter, crisper, cleaner warm white |
Green risk | None - taupe base prevents any shift | Yes - can flash green near trees or foliage |
North-facing | Good - warmth balances cool light | Excellent - high LRV fights flat cool light best |
South-facing | Good - can lean creamy in strong afternoon sun | Beautiful - crisp and luminous in good light |
On cabinets | Soft, classic, farmhouse result | Crisp, fresh, slightly warm result |
Trim colour | Simply White or Chantilly Lace on trim | Chantilly Lace - not Cloud White on trim |
Use together? | Avoid - similar LRV, undertones conflict | Avoid - see above |
Style fit | Farmhouse, traditional, warm organic modern | Contemporary, transitional, whole-house trim |
Architect's pick | When you want warmth that reads as cream | When you want warmth that reads as white |
Benjamin Moore Cloud White OC-130 - What It Really Looks Like
Cloud White has an LRV of 85 and a warm yellow undertone anchored by a soft taupe base. That taupe is what makes Cloud White different from Simply White. It softens the yellow, prevents any green risk, and gives Cloud White a creamier, more muted quality that reads as a genuine off-white rather than a near-white.
Cloud White is a warm white that knows it is warm. It does not hedge on warmth. It commits to it. If the surrounding materials are warm — warm wood floors, warm stone, brass hardware — it looks beautiful and considered. If the materials are cool, the creaminess can feel slightly heavy.
Cloud White has no green risk. The taupe base acts as a counterbalance to the yellow undertone in all conditions. Rooms with large windows onto trees, heavy garden planting, or significant outdoor greenery are perfectly safe. This is one of the most important practical differences between these two colours.
On cabinets Cloud White creates a soft, classic result — particularly beautiful in farmhouse and traditional kitchens with warm stone countertops and unlacquered brass hardware. For the full picture on how Cloud White compares to White Dove, the Cloud White vs White Dove guide covers that comparison in detail.
Benjamin Moore Simply White OC-117 - What It Really Looks Like
Simply White has an LRV of 89.5. That puts it very close to the bright end of the warm white spectrum — the kind of white that reads as genuinely white in most rooms, with warmth you feel rather than obviously see. The yellow undertone is clean and crisp. It reads as freshness rather than creaminess.
Simply White is Benjamin Moore's most broadly useful all-purpose warm white. It works on walls, trim, cabinets, and ceilings across almost every interior style without making a strong colour statement. BM named it Colour of the Year for good reason — it is endlessly adaptable. For how it compares to Chantilly Lace, the Chantilly Lace vs Simply White guide covers that comparison directly.
The one thing to know: Simply White has a slight green component alongside its yellow. In most rooms it is invisible. But in rooms with large windows onto trees or heavy outdoor planting, that green can reflect into Simply White and make it read slightly green on the wall. I have redirected clients from it for exactly this reason. Always test in your room before committing, especially with significant outside greenery.
Simply White is the single most useful trim colour in BM's warm white range. It provides clean, bright definition alongside almost any wall colour without fighting it. For the full picture on pairings, the Simply White vs White Dove guide covers where it sits in the BM white family.
The Real Difference Between Cloud White and Simply White
Cloud White is a warm white that knows it is warm. Simply White is a warm white that does not announce itself.
Side by side in good light, Simply White looks almost white. Cloud White looks like an off-white. That 4.5-point LRV gap combined with Cloud White's creamier taupe undertone means they create genuinely different rooms — Simply White rooms feel open and fresh, Cloud White rooms feel warm and soft.
Cloud White works best when creaminess is the explicit brief and the room's materials support it. It is the right choice for a farmhouse kitchen with warm wood, for a traditional bedroom where the brief is cosy and characterful, for any room where warmth needs to be visible rather than implied.
Simply White works in a wider range of contexts because its warmth is more quietly delivered. It suits contemporary kitchens where Cloud White's creaminess would feel heavy. It works in open-plan spaces across different light conditions throughout the day. It is the safer choice for anyone who wants warmth but is not prepared to commit to a creamier result.
The green risk is the critical practical difference. Never use Simply White in a room with significant outside greenery without testing first. Cloud White has no such risk — the taupe base prevents green shift in all conditions.
Never use Cloud White and Simply White on adjacent surfaces. Their undertone families are too similar and the LRV gap is too small to read as a deliberate scheme. They will read as two whites that do not quite match. If you want one on your walls, use Chantilly Lace or the other as your trim — not both together. For the full picture on Chantilly Lace as a trim option alongside both, the Chantilly Lace coordinating colors guide covers every combination.
Not sure which one works for your room? A colour consultation is included in all our design packages - book directly here. |
When to Choose Cloud White
Choose Cloud White when warmth and creaminess are specifically what the brief calls for. These are the conditions where it is the right answer:
South or west-facing rooms with good natural light where the creamy undertone has something to activate it. Farmhouse, traditional, and warm organic modern interiors where a soft, enveloping warmth is part of the design intent. Rooms with large windows onto gardens or trees — Cloud White has no green risk. Rooms with warm wood floors, warm stone, and warm natural materials throughout where everything is pulling in the same direction.
Avoid Cloud White in contemporary or minimal interiors where cool-toned materials will make the creaminess feel heavy. Avoid it in kitchens with cool stone countertops or stainless appliances where the creamy quality will sit uneasily against the cool surfaces. And never use it directly alongside Simply White on adjacent surfaces.
When to Choose Simply White
Choose Simply White when you want warmth without the full commitment to cream. These are the situations where it outperforms Cloud White:
Open-plan spaces where the colour needs to work across different zones and different material temperatures. Contemporary or transitional interiors that mix warm and cool tones. Simply White is also the better choice for trim and woodwork in most schemes. Its high LRV and clean warmth make it read as defined and bright on joinery without competing with wall colours.
Avoid Simply White in rooms with large windows onto trees or heavy outdoor planting without testing first. And avoid it directly alongside Cloud White. For how Simply White coordinates with other colours throughout the house, the White Dove coordinating colors guide covers trim and cabinet pairings in detail.
How the Pairings Differ
For Cloud White on walls, the most natural trim choice is Simply White itself — the step up in brightness creates clean definition while keeping both colours in the same warm family. Chantilly Lace is an alternative if you want sharper contrast. Avoid brilliant white trim alongside Cloud White — it will make the walls read cream rather than intentionally warm.
For Simply White on walls, Chantilly Lace on trim gives the crispest definition. Simply White on both walls and trim is a popular whole-house choice — particularly in bedrooms and living rooms where the goal is softness throughout.
For flooring, both colours work well with warm wood tones. Cloud White needs warm floors more urgently — cool grey stone or tile alongside Cloud White walls creates an undertone conflict. Simply White is more forgiving and handles warm stone, limestone, and warm-toned porcelain tile without clashing.
For hardware, both colours suit aged brass and brushed gold. Simply White also works with brushed nickel and matte black in contemporary schemes. Cloud White is less comfortable with cool metals — the warm creamy quality fights cool metal finishes in a way that Simply White's more restrained warmth does not.
Architect's Verdict - Cloud White or Simply White?
For most homes — particularly those with mixed material temperatures, open-plan spaces, or any uncertainty about light conditions — Simply White is the more reliable and broadly versatile choice. Its high LRV, clean warmth, and performance as a trim colour make it work across more conditions without surprise. It is the safer bet and in most rooms the more consistently beautiful result.
Cloud White is the right choice when you specifically want the creamier, softer, more enveloping quality it delivers — and when your room's light and materials can support it. In a south-facing farmhouse kitchen with warm wood and warm stone throughout, Cloud White is more beautiful than Simply White. The warmth reads as intentional and the colour has real character.
The test I always use: hold a large sample of each in your room in morning light and under your evening lighting. If Cloud White looks rich and creamy in both, go with Cloud White. If it reads heavy or slightly yellow under artificial light, Simply White is your answer. And if you see any green in Simply White during testing, Cloud White is the clear call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cloud White warmer than Simply White?
Yes — Cloud White has more body and a creamier character. The taupe base in Cloud White's undertone gives it a soft, muted warmth that reads as obviously creamy. Simply White's warmth is present but more restrained — it reads as a clean warm white rather than a creamy one. The difference is clearly visible side by side, particularly in warm natural light.
Can I use Cloud White on walls and Simply White on trim?
Yes — this is a well-established and effective pairing. Cloud White on walls with Simply White on trim creates clean definition while keeping both colours in the same warm family. The brightness step on the trim reads as considered contrast. What to avoid is the reverse — Simply White walls with Cloud White trim will look slightly heavy and unintentional.
Which is better for kitchen cabinets?
Cloud White is the better cabinet choice for warm, traditional kitchens. Its creamy quality paired with warm stone countertops and brass hardware is beautiful and characterful. Simply White on cabinets is the better choice for contemporary and transitional kitchens — the higher LRV reads as clean and fresh and works with a wider range of countertop and hardware finishes. The cabinet choice should follow the kitchen's materials and brief.
Does Simply White look green on the wall?
In specific conditions, yes. Rooms with large windows onto trees or heavy outdoor planting can reflect that greenery into Simply White and bring out its slight green component. It does not happen in most rooms, but it is worth testing carefully before committing — especially if your room faces a garden. Cloud White does not have this risk.
Which is better for a north-facing room?
Simply White handles north-facing light better between the two. The high LRV of 89.5 fights the flat, cool quality of indirect north light more effectively than Cloud White's LRV of 85. Cloud White in north-facing rooms can read slightly heavier and creamier than intended. Both can work with warm 2700K lighting, but Simply White is the more reliable north-facing choice.
What is the LRV of Cloud White vs Simply White?
Cloud White has an LRV of 85 and Simply White has an LRV of 89.5. That 4.5-point difference is clearly visible side by side — Simply White reads as a proper bright white while Cloud White reads as a softer off-white with more body and warmth. The real distinction is in the undertone and character, not just the reflectance.
Final Thought
Cloud White and Simply White are both excellent warm whites. The choice between them is not about which is better in an absolute sense — it is about which one your room can support.
If your light is good, your materials are warm, and you want the walls to have genuine creamy character — Cloud White will reward you with real warmth and beauty. If you have any uncertainty about light, materials, or outside greenery — Simply White is the more forgiving and ultimately more reliable choice.
Buy sample pots of both, paint large patches side by side in your room, and look at them across a full day. The answer will be clear within 24 hours.
Want a complete colour scheme built around Cloud White or Simply White? Our design packages cover full palette selection, finish recommendations, and 3D visualisations - see our packages. |
About the Author
Beril Yilmaz is a qualified architect and interior designer based in the UK. She runs BY Design And Viz, a design platform covering paint colour reviews, interior design guidance, and residential design projects. Beril has applied both Benjamin Moore Cloud White and Simply White across residential projects in the UK and internationally - and has seen the green shift in Simply White catch clients out on site more than once.
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