SW recommends these two.

Thank you! I'm looking for something much lighter and more neutral.

I never like creamy trim and that one even more yellow than some. Why beige at all? IMO that is neither neutral or usully light . I like this with that trim but I cut this usually 25% it is a BM color BTW and you do know paint does not really lighten a space what really lightens a space is more lighting . I do like this color becuase it is so much more neutral than beige These are ones SW says work The color I lkke is close to Sea Salt

Just do the same Dover White on the walls, but use a matte finish.

Dover White is yellow, sometimes peachy. If you don’t want to repaint your trim you could try Accessible Beige. Agreeable Gray is a similar hue, just less saturated, so it may show off the color of Dover a little more. As always, sample the color first. I like Samplize, because you can move it around, it’s big and not messy to test. It may be difficult to see how the colors work in the space with your dark blue walls, though.

@Patricia Colwell Consulting We have lots of natural light...very high ceilings, large open foyer and several sky lights in the kitchen/ living room area. The Healing Aloe color is very pretty, but I'm looking for something more neutral that will go with anything. The color we have now I feel like I'm stuck decorating. We will be painting the whole house the same color.

I second Susie's recommendation of Accessible Beige. It's very similar to BM Edgecomb Gray. It's greige, so it will move you away from gray toward beige.

Thank you. Has anyone used accessible beige with Dover white trim?

#12 in her examples shows accessible beige on walls with Dover trim cabinets.

https://heatherednest.com/dover-white/

Accessible Beige is one of the lightest beiges. You could go a little darker if that’s what you want. Best to sample it.

AF-15 Steam from Benjamin Moore is very pretty with Dover White. Steam isn't lighter but it is less colorful, more neutral than Dover.

Have you considered painting the walls Dover White? The trim will generally look a bit lighter because it is usually painted in a higher gloss than the walls.

@Lori Sawaya I love the color Steam but unfortunately I have to use Sherwin Williams paint. Do you have a suggestion that is similar? Thank you for your input, it's greatly appreiciated.

@Jennifer Hogan I did consider using Dover White also as the wall color. I'm worried it might pull too much yellow though.

We have had SW color match Steam successfully.

Not all colors cross brands gracefully so it’s always a risk.

But when we measured the SW Steam match, it worked for me.

Dover White will look yellow next to blue because blue and yellow are complements.

Dover white next to anything less yellow will appear more yellow, but next to itself it should appear as a creamy white. The only way to have it appear less yellow is to use a stronger yellow on the walls.

I would prime your walls and then sample Dover White and see if it just feels creamy or if it still too yellow.

What color is your flooring? How does Dover White compare to it?

The center blocks are all the SW RGB Value for Dover White. Gives you an idea of how the appearance may change depending on what it is next to.

@Lori Sawaya I just ordered the samplize of Steam! I can't wait to see it. Thank you again.

@Jennifer Hogan Here are some pictures of my flooring - natural light, under the kitchen lighting and then in the kitchen with the light off. I'm really trying to take my time amd pick the best color for our house. I've rushed things and I haven't been happy...so trying to take my time with this. Thanks for your input.

@user525,

When I help someone choose paint colors for a new home I start with the colors that must stay. (Things they will not be replacing in the next 5 years). These colors often include flooring, cabinets, countertops, bathroom tile, vanities. You have to work with those colors - you can't pick something that will clash.

The next thing I find out is what colors they love. If you could pick any bedspread that captured your heart without thinking about any other color in your home what would it be? What colors are you drawn to in art? What color dominates your closet?

Once I have figured out these two things I move on to picking a neutral color that works with the colors that must stay and the colors they love.

Once I have picked the neutral, I choose the trim that works best with the neutral.

Now they can surround themselves with that perfect color and the walls will be the perfect backdrop for their art and furniture and bedding.

Example: I love purples, pinks, and wine reds and teals.

I won't paint all my walls these colors, but I want these colors around me. My art, shower curtain, bedspread, décor, will have these colors and when I sit in my living room I will be wearing these colors. I want to feel joy when I in my home and the colors that bring me joy help achieve this goal.

Dover white would look too yellow with purples and violet grays or even the more purple wine reds.

It would be hard for me to keep the Dover White, but if I loved fall colors it may be the perfect backdrop.

I know the idea of painting all the doors and trim along with the walls seems huge, and may not be necessary if the colors you love work beautifully with Dover White, but if your colors don't look good with Dover White do you really want the trim color driving all your color decisions?

If you are set on keeping the Dover White I would not choose a whiter white for the walls. In my eyes having the brighter white (even just a bit brighter) would make the Dover feel dingy. You may be okay with the darker trim and it really is all about what you love.

Here is an example of Cold Foam - very close to Steam, plus several other colors I would consider.

Dover and Cold Foam

Dover with Dover

Dover with Simple Stone

Dover with Accessible Beige

Dover with Pachyderm

Dover with Jogging Path

Dover with Slumber Sloth

Dover with Canvas Tan

Personally I love the Simple Stone, but that is just my opinion and again - I am not the person who has to love the combination.

@Lori Sawaya Here are the pictures of Steam in my area. I'm having the hardest time deciding. I really like Steam but I'm wondering if I should do something with a bit more color. I had to take a little break because these paint colors are driving me crazy. Any suggestions would be so appreciated.

I’ll take a look for options more colorful thanks Steam.

Stepping away for a sec is sometimes the best thing to do.

Dover is not the easiest color to manage when it’s on doors and trim so totally fair to give yourself a break.

If you want to stay in the Steam-like lane, both of these have a similar vibe but are a smidge more colorful.

@Lori Sawaya I can't thank you enough!!! Both of those colors look beautiful. I just got a coupon code for Samplize today...bonus! They must see me on their website everyday, ha ha. I'm going to order these colors and I'll keep you posted. Thank you again, have a great night.

So what color did you end up going with? I am in the same boat, my entire house trim is Dover White and I want to brighten my house and the trim does not need painting and it's so expensive and time consuming to change the color of all the trim. I was wondering how Oyster worked out?

What color did you end up going with? I am in the exact same boat with Dover White trim.

Hi! After MONTHS of debating this….I went with Nacre…had the living room and kitchen painted and FREAKED out. It was way too light. Before I had the whole house painted I had the painters do the dining room in Canvas Tan and loved it. They had to re-paint the kitchen/living room and finished the rest of the house. I HIGHLY suggest painting an entire wall the color you’re debating before letting the painters get started.

The whole house is Canvas Tan with Dover Trim. It looks beautiful. We have lots of nature light so that does help keep the Dover looking bright and white.

Thank you! I was so happy to come across this discussion because I really need to brighten my house and want to save some of the budget for new furniture etc. I think we must have similar type houses, I have tall ceilings, open foyer and two story family room. When you have a house like that you really need to find a color you can work with throughout the house. I really appreciate you answering me. Thank you!

You’re so welcome! I hope it works out for you. I know how stressful it is!

I wish I could send you a picture through private message or something!

If you are on FB you could possibly send through messenger?

Maureen O'Connor O'Shea - if you don't feel comfortable doing that, I understand. Thx

I love it! It looks warm but fresh and bright. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you! While the other color did look nice it was just way too sterile for me. I needed something with a little more warmth.