How to Turn White Paint Off-White

Pure, bright white paint can sometimes be a bit drab. If you'd like to make your paint off-white, there are a few ways to do this.

The first way is by using a few drops of brown paint or dark stain. Any type of brown paint will work, whether it's your child's finger paints, or an old can in your garage. Just remember, only a few drops at a time to tone it down, until you reach the desired color.

Another, more old-fashioned, way to do this is with tea or coffee. This technique has been used for many years to dye fabric or alter colors. The trick is to use the slightest amount (just as with the brown paint) until you reach the color your need. If using coffee, you will brew 5 Tbs with only 1/4 cup of water, then let it set for a minimum of 3 hours before mixing. With tea, you can place a tea bag into hot water for a few minutes, then squeeze the bag out into the can, stir and repeat as needed.

The process is nothing more than adding a hint of brown, or even tan, to the white paint to give it the off-white color.