Choosing the right white paint can be one of the most unexpectedly challenging decisions in the world of interior design. What seems like a simple choice unfolds into a universe of subtle undertones, shifts in natural light, and varying sheens. Get it right, and your space feels curated, bright, and intentional. Get it wrong, and you’re left with walls that feel clinical, dingy, or just… off. Among the countless options at the paint store, two perennial favorites from Behr often rise to the top of the list: Behr Bit of Sugar (PR-W14) and Behr Polar Bear (75). While they might look nearly identical on a tiny paint chip under harsh store lighting, these two whites have distinct personalities that can dramatically shape the atmosphere of a room.
This ultimate guide will take you on a deep dive into the nuances of Behr Bit of Sugar and Polar Bear. We’ll move beyond the paint chip and explore everything from their core undertones and light-reflecting properties to how they perform in real-world homes, across different rooms, and alongside various design styles. If you’re standing in the paint aisle feeling overwhelmed, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s end the white paint paralysis and find the perfect shade for your project.
The Psychology of White: Why the Right Shade Matters
Before we dissect our two contenders, it’s worth understanding why this choice carries so much weight. White is the ultimate foundation in design. It can make a small room feel expansive, a dark room feel brighter, and a cluttered room feel more serene. Psychologically, white is associated with purity, cleanliness, and new beginnings. In design, it acts as a blank canvas, allowing your furniture, artwork, and architectural details to take center stage.
However, the “feel” of a white is dictated entirely by its undertones—the subtle hints of other colors mixed in. A cool white with blue or gray undertones can feel crisp, modern, and formal. A warm white with yellow, pink, or beige undertones can feel soft, inviting, and cozy. This is precisely where the battle between Bit of Sugar and Polar Bear is waged: in the subtle, almost imperceptible realm of undertones.
At a Glance: The Tale of the Tape
| Feature | Behr Bit of Sugar (PR-W14) | Behr Polar Bear (75) |
|---|---|---|
| LRV (Light Reflectance Value) | 89 | 90 |
| Primary Undertone | Neutral to Cool (subtle gray) | Softly Warm (subtle yellow/peach) |
| Feels Like… | Crisp, clean, bright, modern | Soft, inviting, cozy, gentle |
| Best For | Modern, minimalist, and Scandinavian designs; creating high contrast; making details pop. | Farmhouse, traditional, and transitional styles; creating a welcoming, livable atmosphere. |
| Avoid If… | Your room is naturally cold or north-facing and you want to add warmth. | You want a stark, gallery-white with absolutely no creamy or yellow undertones. |
A quick comparison of the key characteristics of Behr Bit of Sugar and Behr Polar Bear.
Deep Dive: Behr Bit of Sugar (PR-W14) – The Modern Minimalist
Think of Behr Bit of Sugar as the clean white shirt of the paint world. It’s crisp, bright, and effortlessly stylish. Its defining characteristic is its lack of a strong, discernible undertone, particularly yellow. This is a huge selling point for many homeowners who are terrified of their white walls looking creamy or dated. Instead, Bit of Sugar leans ever so slightly into a cool, gray undertone. This coolness is very subtle and in many lighting situations, it will read as a true, neutral white.
“Bit of Sugar is my go-to for a clean, architectural look. It provides a beautiful, gallery-like backdrop that makes art and furniture the stars of the show. It’s a white that doesn’t try to be anything else.”– Interior Designer Showcase
Light Reflectance Value (LRV) and Brightness
With an LRV of 89, Bit of Sugar is firmly in the “very bright white” category. It excels at bouncing both natural and artificial light around a space, which is a powerful tool for making rooms feel larger and more open. In a sun-drenched, south-facing room, it will appear as a brilliant, almost pure white. In a darker, north-facing room, its subtle gray undertones might become slightly more apparent, giving it a soft, sophisticated coolness without feeling starkly blue or cold.
Where Does Bit of Sugar Shine?
- Modern and Minimalist Spaces: Its clean profile is the perfect canvas for modern architecture and minimalist decor.
- Trim, Ceilings, and Doors: Used on trim, it creates a crisp, clean line that makes your wall color—whether it’s a neutral or a bold hue—look more intentional and defined. It’s an excellent choice for a “standard” trim color throughout a house.
- Kitchens and Bathrooms: Paired with marble or quartz countertops with gray veining, Bit of Sugar creates a seamless, high-end look. It feels clean and hygienic, which is always a plus in these functional spaces.
- Spaces with Warm Woods: If you have honey oak floors or warm-toned cabinetry that you want to modernize, Bit of Sugar provides a beautiful, balancing contrast. The cool-neutral white cuts against the warmth of the wood, making both elements look more deliberate.
Deep Dive: Behr Polar Bear (75) – The Cozy Companion
If Bit of Sugar is the crisp white shirt, Behr Polar Bear is the soft, cashmere sweater. It’s a white that wraps the room in a gentle, welcoming embrace. Its magic lies in its subtle warm undertones. Depending on the light and surrounding colors, you might perceive a hint of yellow, a touch of cream, or even a very soft peachy-pink. This warmth is what makes Polar Bear so incredibly livable and versatile. It takes the edge off the brightness, preventing it from ever feeling clinical or sterile.
“I painted my entire open-plan living area in Polar Bear and I couldn’t be happier. It’s bright without being blinding, and it has a softness that just makes you want to curl up on the sofa. It feels like home.”– Homeowner Review
Light Reflectance Value (LRV) and Brightness
At an LRV of 90, Polar Bear is technically a hair brighter than Bit of Sugar. However, this one-point difference is virtually imperceptible to the human eye. What you will notice is how the warmth interacts with the light. In warm afternoon light, Polar Bear will glow, enhancing that cozy, golden-hour feeling. In the cooler light of a north-facing room, the warmth in Polar Bear will neutralize the coldness of the light, allowing the space to feel balanced and bright rather than shadowy and gray.
Where Does Polar Bear Shine?
- Living Rooms and Bedrooms: These are the spaces where you want to feel most comfortable and relaxed. Polar Bear’s soft warmth is perfect for creating a serene and inviting sanctuary.
- Farmhouse and Traditional Homes: This style of decor, with its emphasis on natural textures and a lived-in feel, is a perfect match for the gentle warmth of Polar Bear. It complements wood tones, natural linens, and warm metals beautifully.
- Whole-House Color: Because it’s so well-balanced, Polar Bear is an excellent candidate for a single paint color to use throughout your entire home. It flows beautifully from room to room and adapts well to different lighting conditions.
- North-Facing Rooms: If you have a room that feels perpetually chilly or dim, Polar Bear can be a game-changer. Its warm undertones will counteract the cool, blue-toned light, making the space feel warmer and more inviting.
Room-by-Room Showdown: Which White Wins?
The Kitchen
Winner: Bit of Sugar. While Polar Bear can be lovely, Bit of Sugar’s crispness often wins out in kitchens. It pairs flawlessly with popular choices like white subway tile, chrome or black fixtures, and quartz countertops, creating a look that feels both timeless and exceptionally clean.
The Living Room
Winner: Polar Bear. The living room is all about comfort and relaxation. Polar Bear’s soft warmth creates an instantly inviting atmosphere. It’s a forgiving color that works well with cozy textiles, leather furniture, and a mix of decor styles.
The Bedroom
Winner: It’s a tie. This depends entirely on your desired vibe. For a serene, spa-like retreat, the clean neutrality of Bit of Sugar is perfect. For a cozy, warm, and nurturing cocoon, Polar Bear is the undeniable choice.
The Basement
Winner: Polar Bear. Basements often lack natural light and can feel cold. Polar Bear’s high LRV and warm undertones work together to combat the dimness and add a much-needed sense of warmth and light, making the space feel more like a true extension of the home.
The Ultimate Litmus Test: The Power of Sampling
I cannot stress this enough: you must sample these colors in your own home. A computer screen can’t replicate the unique lighting conditions of your space. The direction your windows face, the color of your floors, the amount of artificial light, and even the green trees outside your window will all influence how a paint color looks on your walls.
- Buy Sample Pots: Get a sample pot of both Bit of Sugar and Polar Bear.
- Use a Large Swatch: Don’t just paint a tiny square on your wall. Paint a large piece of foam board or poster board (at least 2 feet by 2 feet) with two coats of each color.
- Move it Around: Place the sample boards on different walls in the room you plan to paint. Observe them in the morning, at noon, and in the evening with the lights on.
- Check Adjacencies: Hold the samples up next to your trim, your flooring, your kitchen cabinets, and your sofa. This will immediately reveal which white has the more compatible undertone for your existing finishes.
The Final Verdict: A White for Every Wish
The choice between Behr Bit of Sugar and Polar Bear isn’t about which white is objectively “better,” but which white is better for you and your home.
Choose Behr Bit of Sugar if you are striving for a bright, clean, and modern aesthetic. It’s the perfect partner for contemporary design, high-contrast palettes, and spaces where you want a crisp, gallery-like feel without any trace of yellow or cream.
Choose Behr Polar Bear if your goal is to create a space that feels soft, warm, inviting, and effortlessly livable. It’s a versatile and forgiving white that shines in creating cozy atmospheres and works beautifully across a wide array of lighting conditions and design styles, from modern farmhouse to traditional.
So, take a deep breath, grab your sample pots, and trust your eyes. The perfect white wall is waiting for you, and whether it’s the clean slate of Bit of Sugar or the warm hug of Polar Bear, your home is about to get a whole lot brighter.