The Wide World of Real Estate May 30, 2025

9 Beautiful Spaces That Prove Why “Swiss Coffee” Is Every Designer’s Favorite Shade of White Paint

By Alyssa Longobucco Published on May 26, 2025

Get inspired for all the ways you can us this color in and around your own home.

clean modern kitchen painted white
Credit: Photo by Caroline Sharpnack for Lilly Taylor Interiors

Choosing a paint color is never an easy task, and deciding between white paint options can be way trickier than you may think. Contrary to what many people think, white paint is never just white paint; it often has undertones of blue, purple, green, yellow, or even pink that can drastically impact how it looks. Add to that all the other factors you need to consider when choosing a paint hue—like light exposure, room orientation, and other finishes you’re working with in your palette—and you have all the makings of one very difficult design decision.

Luckily, there are a few tried-and-true favorites on the market that tend to be like the perfect pair of blue jeans—they look good on everyone (or should we say, every house). One such shade? Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore. Described by the brand as “an essential white with just the right amount of warmth,” this versatile hue is equal parts cozy and fresh, with a frothy feel that pairs beautifully with traditional decor while bringing an air of timelessness to more modern interiors. Below, we’re rounding up nine designer examples of Swiss Coffee in kitchens, bedrooms, and more to showcase just how versatile the shade is.

01of 09

A Modern Kitchen

modern kitchen with wood slatted ceiling
Credit: Photo by Josie Henderson for Claire House Design

Swiss Coffee shines when mixed with a variety of textures and finishes, which can work to bring out its inherent warmth and coziness. In this kitchen by designer Shandy Arend of Claire House Design, the hue is offset by a plethora of refined finishes, from sandy stone countertops and a planked wood ceiling to a concrete-style stove hood.

02of 09

A Dramatic Exterior

exterior of home painted in dark grey and swiss coffee white
Credit: Photo by Dionel Lake for KLH Custom Homes

Aside from being a rock star hue for interiors, Swiss Coffee is also a popular choice for exteriors, too. Ideal for homes that face north, Swiss Coffee can help a home read as a “true” white in cool light, rather than a shade tinged with gray or blue. On this sleek home, the KLH Custom Homes team paired Swiss Coffee with Sherwin-Williams’ Iron Ore for a color-blocked exterior that falls somewhere between storybook cottage and modern manor.

03of 09

A Charming and Traditional Living Room

charming living room painted white
Credit: Photo by Hector Sanchez for Lauren Robbins Interiors

When it comes to crafting a home with a traditional DNA, the right paint choice can me the difference between a space that still feels fresh and one that would be better suited to your great-grandmother’s home. In this sweet space, designer Lauren Robbins combined elements of traditional design with playful fabrics, soft pastels, and a crisp backdrop of Swiss Coffee for a family-friendly room that feels at-once timeless and totally current.

04of 09

A Light-Filled Cook Space

clean modern kitchen painted white
Credit: Photo by Caroline Sharpnack for Lilly Taylor Interiors

White kitchens will never go out of style, but it’s important to remember that the color “white” isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. If you’re contemplating white cabinetry, it’s important to make sure the shade you choose suits your overall vibe. Whites with a cooler blue undertone will read modern and sleek, while whites with a warmer base, like Swiss Coffee, are best for traditional cabinetry profiles. Here, Lilly Taylor Interiors pairs everyone’s favorite white with shaker-style cabinetry and sleek stone countertops for a classic design.

05of 09

A Dimensional Hallway

two-tone hallway walls painted taupe and off white
Credit: Photo and Design by Amber Brown for Magical Manor

For a home that feels good from every angle, it’s important to consider not just your “big” rooms, but also smaller spaces, like a powder bath or hallway. Thoughtful strategies, like wallpaper or colorblocking with paint, can transform what was once a forgotten or transitional area into a special moment. Case in point: This hallway by the duo behind Magical Manor, which teams Swiss Coffee with Benjamin Moore’s Stone Hearth for a subtle yet graphic punch.

06of 09

A Classic Exterior

exterior of home with porch and balcony painted white
Credit: Photo and Design by Kathryn Packard

There’s nothing more classic than a white exterior with black shutters, especially if your home tends toward a traditional style, like Colonial or Georgian. For a white hue that looks great in any light (and any season!), try combining Swiss Coffee with an inky black, like Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black or Farrow & Ball Pitch Black. In Virginia, creator Katie Packard complements her home’s quintessential Southern charm with rich black shutters and a fresh coat of Swiss Coffee on the brick.

07of 09

A Richly Layered Kitchen

kitchen with dark wood island and cabinets painted white
Credit: Photo by Lauren Miller, Design by Sarah Birnie Interiors and KLA Interiors

With everything going on in a kitchen, sometimes it’s nice to have a tranquil and simple backdrop for it all. In this luxe space by Sarah Birnie Interiors and KLA Interiors, custom cabinets coated in Swiss Coffee provide the perfect warm balance to a rich stained island and eye-catching pendant lights.

08of 09

A Dynamic Bedroom

office painted white
Credit: Photo by Kelsey Ann Rose for AD:ROIT

An ecelecctic design style always needs a quiet counterpoint to feel balanced, and that’s just what the right white paint can achieve. In this more-is-more bedroom by Madelaine Mayer of AD:ROIT, a substantial art collection and plenty of pattern are offset by tranquil Swiss Coffee walls.

09of 09

A Layered Living Room

cozy living room painted white
Credit: Photo by Rubinski Visual for Emily Pueringer Design Studio

Swiss Coffee is one of those chameleon-like paint shades that takes its queues from the other elements you work into your space, allowing it to skew warm, cool, or anywhere in between. In this tranquil living space by designer Emily Pueringer, neutral accents and plenty of warmth make Swiss Coffee read cozier than ever.