By Carmen Pascual · Suministros Barrero
Choosing the right off-white: 8 color codes
A bad off-white looks dirty or yellows next to wood. These eight references work best for Mediterranean homes and hotels.
Color palette
The white trap
There are over 200 whites in the NCS chart. Each one has a different tint: pink, gray, yellow, or green. The one you like on the sample swatch changes with the light. Warm LEDs can make it look yellowish, and north-facing light can make it look blue.
The 8 safe references
1. NCS S 0500-N — Pure neutral white. It is for ceilings.
2. NCS S 0502-Y — Lime white. It has a bit of warmth and feels very Mediterranean.
3. NCS S 0505-Y10R — Linen white. For a Nordic style.
4. NCS S 0505-Y20R — Bone white. This is the all-time classic.
5. NCS S 0510-Y20R — Sand white. We see this a lot in coastal hotels.
6. NCS S 0500-Y — Soft cream white.
7. NCS S 0603-G80Y — Greenish off-white. It works well in cold rooms.
8. NCS S 0505-R20B — White with a lilac touch. For bedrooms.
Recommended finish
Use Blatem Plus matte anti-stain for ceilings. On walls, go with Blatem Mate Sedoso. For humid areas like bathrooms or kitchens, ask for Blatem Antimoho.