Sherwin Williams Creamy (7012): Undertones, LRV, & Best Uses
Sherwin Williams Creamy is a warm, off-white cream paint color. It works well on interior walls, especially in open-concept spaces and whole homes, as well as cabinets and trims in select spaces.
Based on surrounding finishes, exposure, and interior lighting, shades like Creamy can change in appearance from one room to the next.
The key is to learn what a color is made up of before slappin’ it on your walls. This is where my color reviews come in handy. So, let’s jump in and see what Creamy has to offer…
I always get a giggle when my Online Paint Color Consulting clients say they love cream but don’t love yellow.
Why is that funny?
Well, because a) I’m easily amused when I’ve pounded two glasses of wine and a bag of Boom Chicka Pop, and b) because without yellow, there is no cream!
The basic idea behind cream is to start with a light yellow color and add a neutral, like beige/black/gray. Once you do that, your ‘yellow’ turns into cream. The more neutral you mix in, the less yellow it gets until you eventually have beige or greige.
You’ll also find creams with notes of orange, red, or green in them, adding more layers of flexibility.
IS SW CREAMY CREAM, WHITE, OR OFF-WHITE?
Creamy is a warm, off-white, neutral paint color. Being an off-white, it has more depth than traditional shades of white…but only by a wink and a nudge.
- If you’re looking for a SUPER light and subtle shade of cream, Creamy could hit the spot as it’s one of the lightest cream paint colors.
- However, if you want a soft, creamy shade of white, Creamy could also be the look you’re going for as it tiptoes on the light between white and off-white.
However, its flexible depth makes it not as usable on trims and cabinets (in the average home, I’ve got way better options for those surfaces).
Why is Creamy so tricky?
There are a few reasons.
- The most popular shades of cream have more obvious warm yellow undertones. Because creamy is toned down, it’s not always warm enough for the average cream connoisseur.
- It’s not white, it’s not off-white, and it doesn’t always satisfy the need for either.
So, if it’s not really a creamy white and it’s not a traditional shade of cream either, what type of color is Sherwin Williams Creamy?
As mentioned above, Creamy is a warm, flexible, off-white, neutral paint color…with yellow undertones.
WHAT’S THE LRV OF CREAMY?
Creamy has an LRV of 81, which in the color world is PRETTY DARNED HIGH, and plants it on the edge of the white and off-white range. This is one reason why Creamy is often mistaken for a white paint color and mistakenly applied to trims and cabinets (or sometimes on purpose).
While it suits some interior finishes, especially those from the early 2000s, Creamy isn’t flexible enough, is too dark, and is FAR too yellow for the average home’s finishes.
If you aren’t familiar with LRV, you should read this. It’s a game-changer when choosing colors – trust the Ginger. The basic idea is that the higher the LRV number is (on a scale of 0 to 100), the lighter a color is (closer to pure white); the lower the LRV number is, the darker the color is (closer to pure black).
WHAT ARE CREAMY’S UNDERTONES?
YELLOW—surprise, surprise! Well, yellow is its actual ‘color,’ but it has a neutral undertone that calms it down so that it’s not day-glo yellow—it’s a muted shade of cream.
That lovely neutral base helps it stay a bit softer and more neutral compared to a slightly more yellow off-white like Sherwin Williams Dover White (which I find a touch too yellow, personally).
CREAMY IN A SOUTH-FACING ROOM
South-facing light is a warm, yellow light that enhances warm colors, bringing out their glorious warmth. So, when you place Creamy in a south-facing room with average light, you can expect the creamy yellow warmth to rise and become a bit more noticeable. You may notice a similar effect in the afternoon in a west-facing room, where the light becomes more golden-toned as the day progresses.
The next photo shows the absolute warmest, most yellow I’ve ever seen Creamy look (south-facing/warm bulbs)…
The Best Paint Colors for a South-Facing Room
CREAMY IN A NORTH OR EAST-FACING ROOM
I LOVE Creamy in a north-facing space; I believe that’s where it’s at its very best.
Northern light is a gray light that can have a slight cool cast. This cool natural light calms Creamy, so it acts like a soft, subtle, almost not creamy color. It still has residual warmth, but it’s not noticeably as ‘yellow’ (you may see a similar effect in an east-facing room).
Shown here with Benjamin Moore Cloud White trim color
The Best Paint Colors for a North-Facing Room
Click HERE or on the above image to see available packages!
IS CREAMY A GOOD OFF-WHITE FOR A DARK ROOM?
Well, I’ve said it before, and because I like to hear myself talk, I’ll say it again…
If you have a dark room & not enough artificial or natural light, no paint color will save you – Moi.
You need to improve your interior lighting before you pick a paint color. Sure, Creamy will ‘help’ and might reflect some of the minimal natural or artificial light, but don’t expect it to work wonders if there’s not enough light to play with.
Can you not add more lighting to your room or hallway? Amazon sells wall sconces that are battery or remote-controlled!
Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Creamy…
IS CREAMY A GOOD COLOR FOR A BRIGHT ROOM?
With its higher light reflectance value (81), you can expect Creamy to wash out on a well-lit wall, particularly at the height of day with direct sunlight on the walls. If you’re okay with a bright softness, this could be perfect.
However, if you prefer to ALWAYS see a contrast between your walls and trims, you might sample shades of cream with lower LRVs, flexible warm off-whites, or muted beiges.
SW Creamy | BM Ballet White | SW Aesthetic White | SW Pure White
In a room with average or slightly bright natural light, Creamy should hold itself as a soft, warm white, creamy off-white as long as it has a brighter white (trim/cabinets) to contrast with.
Note the slight difference between the Creamy walls and warm white trim
IS CREAMY A GOOD COLOR FOR CABINETS & TRIMS?
Hard…no. If we’re talking about the average homeowner and average home, Creamy is too dark and too warm/yellow for cabinets and trims.
What do I mean, too dark, warm, and yellow?
Of course, you want the color of your trims and cabinets to match the surrounding finishes. The best way to do this is with a versatile, flexible shade of white—which Creamy is not. These shades of white tend to have LRVs starting at 82 but more commonly hit 85-93. This increased brightness makes them easier to coordinate with, should you want to change wall colors/finishes in the future.
Don’t get me wrong—Creamy is gorgeous on walls (I had it in our last home); it’s just a tougher sell for cabinets and trims UNLESS your home has particular finishes that need more depth and warmth. These finishes are common in homes built in the early 2000s but also show up in more cottage, country, and even traditional-style homes.
While these next cabinets aren’t Creamy, they give off a very familiar creamy vibe. My client hired me because they had chosen the wrong color for their cabinets, as you can see…
Colors like Creamy are too warm for slightly cooler finishes or brighter white walls, as shown in the above kitchen.
The Best Modern Cream Paint Colors for Cabinets
What I’m saying is that Creamy could be good for your cabinets and trim; just make sure your home needs its particular depth and warmth, as it’s not the ‘typical’ or popular choice. For example, this next home suits Creamy perfectly.
The 5 Best Creamy White & Off-White Paint Colors
IS CREAMY GOOD WITH CREAM CABINETS & TRIMS?
If you have cream cabinets and trims and want to paint your walls Creamy, it’s not going to work. Your cream cabinets will be darker than Creamy (as if they’re lighter, they aren’t cream, they’re either white or too yellow).
It can look weird to have cream cabinets with lighter, warm white/cream walls.
Are there exceptions? There are very, very odd exceptions, but don’t expect your home to be one.
DOES CREAMY GO WITH WOOD TRIMS & CABINETS?
Creamy can look good with some wood finishes, depending on their undertones.
Generally, I wouldn’t pair Creamy with a pink-toned wood. I’d be equally as cautious with red-stained woods, but it can work better than pink.
However, if your wood has a yellow or slightly golden undertone (e.g., golden oak), Creamy could be an interesting partner, but this depends on the surrounding finishes.
WHAT WHITE TRIM OR CABINET COLOR GOES WITH CREAMY?
Most shades of white suit themselves when coordinating wall colors with trims and cabinets. Because Creamy has a bit more depth, several shades of white coordinate with it for cabinets and trims…
- Benjamin Moore Cloud White
- Sherwin Williams White Snow – for a brighter, slightly cleaner pairing and more obvious contrast
Sherwin Williams Creamy walls with Cloud White trim
The 8 Best Benjamin Moore White Paint Colors
IS CREAMY A GOOD EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR FOR SIDING OR BRICK?
I wouldn’t do it.
Why?
While Creamy is a more muted shade of cream, it still has a reasonable amount of yellow that can come up CONSIDERABLY on an exterior, especially on your south or afternoon-west facing side.
If you want to paint your home a warm, soft white or off-white (like the one above), there are many better options available, some of which you’ll find links to next. However, if you WANT a soft yellow home…fill ‘yer boots.
WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO CREAMY?
If you’re looking for similar colors, remember there will always be a shift in undertones, depths, and temperature. There are no perfect matches between brands (especially not with color matching).
However, for colors with similar intentions, I’ve got some great ones for you to explore…
SHERWIN WILLIAMS CREAMY VS. ALABASTER
Alabaster is slightly lighter than Creamy but has a comparable degree of warmth. Regarding cabinets and trims, Alabaster is by far the more popular choice as it has more flexibility than Creamy. If you’re looking for a nice trim color with Creamy, Cloud White offers a SUPER subtle contrast.
FULL Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Alabaster
SHERWIN WILLIAMS CREAMY VS. DOVER WHITE
Creamy and Dover White have one interesting thing in common—they’re both whites, which I love for walls but hesitate to suggest for cabinets and trims.
When comparing Creamy and Dover White, you’ll see that Dover White has more chroma, meaning it’s a TOUCH more colorful. And while neither is really green-inclined, Creamy is slightly less likely to grab green, which is good for the average home.
FULL Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Dover White
SHERWIN WILLIAMS CREAMY VS CASA BLANCA
I love comparing these two popular shades of cream! Why? Casa Blanca shows how muted and neutral Creamy is. Thanks to its higher chroma and beautiful warmth, Casa Blanca is closer to what most people consider a ‘real shade of cream. ‘ Not to say Casa Blanca is TOO warm; it’s one of my favorite cream paint colors because it says it’s cream and yellow-hued without punching you upside the head with color.
Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Casa Blanca…
Casa Blanca is also darker than Creamy. With an LRV of 76 (to Creamy’s 81), Casa Blanca is a more traditional off-white paint color and offers more contrast with the average white trim color.
Sherwin Williams Casa Blanca: IMAGES, Info, & More
WHAT COLORS LOOK GOOD WITH CREAMY?
Creamy is an easy partner to live with and suits many partners (just like me, wink wink…just joking). However, as a cabinet or trim color, you’ll have a tougher time finding a fit, so you may want to explore THE 16 BEST WALL COLORS TO UPDATE CREAM CABINETS OR TRIM.
These colors are best for adjoining rooms.
- Creamy looks great with many stormy and warm shades of gray, as long as they’re DARKER than Creamy.
- Consider shades of greige with slightly noticeable green undertones to play with the warmth of Creamy, colors like Sherwin Williams Amazing Gray and Jogging Path.
- Accent walls in green, navy blue, and even some dark charcoal grays look GORGEOUS with Creamy. Check out my medium to dark green blog post and the best shades of navy blue. If you’re looking for warmer accents, I’d hop over to Benjamin Moore, as they have a much wider range of rusty red oranges like Sherwin Williams Tawny Rose and Fresh Clay.
- Creamy will be happy with many shades of tan but fussy with stronger creams and some shades of beige.
READ MORE
The 13 Best Cream Paint Colors
The 5 Best Creamy White & Off-White Paint Colors
Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Ballet White
The Best WHOLE HOME Warm Neutral Paint Colors
Get the BEST color advice…
Check out my E-Design and Online Color Consulting packages!
Originally written in 2018. Awesomely updated for photos, grammar n’ stuff 2025
I will add that creamy is a great exterior trim color. It’s not too white and it doesn’t go yellow, like say BM linen white. I personally think it’s got a teensy bit of green in it.
Loved this article! How does Sherwin William’s Antique White compare to Gentle Cream? Is it between Creamy and Gentle Cream? I’ve run across several pictures of Antique White and really like it. Thanks!
My entryway and front hall (which face East) are painted Sherwin Willians “creamy” and it’s so beautiful! I love it! It’s such a pretty color! My trim is Sherwin Williams “Extra White” and the rest of downstairs is painted Revere Pewter. The colors look nice together!
Our builder’s default trim color was Creamy (2009) and it worked with the colors and finishes used then. Now that we have updated our wall colors to brighter/fresher, we will be painting all the trim–mostly because of Creamy’s extreme variability. In some rooms, Creamy is fine and looks fairly “white” and in others it looks dingy or oddly, gray. I think Creamy is a color that has to be really really tested in context and next to any hard finishes. Just my 2 cents 😉
Ooo yes, it is a tricky one! It’s all about exposure and ‘what it’s with’. And it’s a tough one on trim too, I always find it interesting when builders veer away from more standard whites – personally, I think Creamy is best for walls only!
For those of us with the unfortunate builder choice of Creamy trim and doors, what is the lightest wall color you would recommend? In south facing parts of my house I have it paired with Revere Pewter (lightened 25%) on the walls and pure white ceilings, which looks good. I’m looking for something lighter for a north facing 2-story foyer with minimal natural light from north and west windows. Thank you!
HI Brianne, have you thought about doing Creamy on the walls, for a super soft look?
That could be really pretty! I’ll make a board 🙂 Would you paint the ceilings Creamy too so white ceilings don’t make the Creamy look yellow in comparison?
I’ve heard that Creamy is the closest color to the “white” furniture from Pottery Barn. Would you agree with that or is there another color that is a better match?
Hi Mary Ann, I’m just not sure, unfortunately we don’t have a Pottery Barn here!
Can Sherwin Williams “Alabaster” be used for trim with Creamy on the walls? Is there enough contrast using both together?
Yes, it would be soft and subtle, but quite pretty! I might ask them to add 4 ounces of white to Alabaster, which just cleans it up a wee wink (and improves the coverage of it too).
Hi. I have Creamy trim and doors. I am painting the kitchen cabinets and walls. I am leaning toward Albaster. Why do you recommend making it more white? I don’t get a lot of light. Thanks.
Hi Carol! Well, some people find that it’s just a touch too warm/creamy and the 4 ounces can just clean it up a stitch. Whites also don’t always cover well, and the 4 ounces can help with that!
Hi Kylie, I always find your articles fun and interesting, thank you!
I have been on the hunt for a warm off-white paint color for the majority of my main floor. I’m currently testing SW Creamy on few walls but unfortunately, it’s not quite ‘it’, I think I would like it just a smidge less yellow but still warm and maybe a bit more neutral – any suggestions?
I, like you have a weakness for creamy colors, I had Gentle Cream for 15 years and loved it. Finding the right ‘white’ is honestly the most challenging color I have ever picked. When searching the web, I always find similar suggestions for whites – Dove White, Simply White, Decorator’s White etc. It would be nice to see suggestions for some other whites that are maybe not quite as ‘white’. Maybe – Gasp light beige! Ok ok, maybe we could call it sand. Yes, an off-white or sandy white, a white that looks lovely with wood tones, one that would be beautiful in a cottage or farmhouse. One with enough depth to show some contrast next to white trim (mine closely resembles BM Snowfall White) but is still light and fresh. With all the white right now, it would be nice to see more ideas for whitish wall paint colors. Are you pondering anything? If so, please share your wisdom.
Thanks so much, Susan in Alberta
Hi Susan, I wonder if you might like SW White Duck perhaps????!
I’ll have a look at White Duck, thanks so much! White is tough!
I plan on painting my split-level home in SW agreeable gray. what’s your opinion on SW network gray for west facing kitchen, dining room and hallway walls? the blue undertone in it looks nice next to my oak cabinets and trim.( based on the swatch ) , my only concern is if it will fall flat in the hallway.(not much natural light). Glad I found your site and videos. I’ve learned a lot. Thanks!
Hi Kylie,
I just painted my bedroom in Creamy after reading your review of the color. Is your bedroom/ or do you happen to have any photos of bedrooms painted this color? I’d love to see some photos for inspiration for decorating. Thanks for creating such helpful and thorough reviews. You are so helpful!!
HOoray, another Creamy lover! Unfortunately, I don’t have any bedrooms in Creamy, but I would love some (hint hint…)
Hi Kylie-
I know your super busy with the Holidays. I am a true follower of yours and I speak and understand your language. I moved into a home with tons of vaulted windows in an open concept floor. No break in the walls for accent color or anything. West and East facing walls 13 windows with bright recessed lighting. Trim is extra white or Bright white. interior Material Colors from 2014 are slate rock gray dusty blue fireplace to top ceiling. black countertops and floating shelves and bright white cabinetry and bright white kitchen backsplash seen in open room. Vintage charcoal counter chairs lean more warm gray. Leather couches lean taupe mushroom purple undertones not caring for but new from other house. I would like to update the wall color for this large high contrast space with espresso brown warm wood floor with off white and blue gray charcoal tan swirl. Thinking a neutral white. Looking at Creamy or Pure White. I know you said color goes flat this modern home style I want to lean towards minimalist has high contrast so I need to let those materials shine correct? And neutral on walls but which one for my E W facing chameleon walls. I paid a painter 5000 K with BM Cumulous cloud 75 % tinted darker. gasp!!! it’s all wrong. please won’t you send 2-3 suggestions. I have Drift of Mist, Pure White samples for now.
Thank you so much!!!!
Hi Kylie! Love your site…I have been on it all evening….thinking of using Creamy in my front hall and west facing living room but not sure which SW white to use as a trim colour. I’ve always used BM Cloud White, but my painter uses SW products.
I want some contrast between the two colours….maybe Pure White? Or Alabaster? We’re looking to sell the house.
Thanks!
Thank you Julie! With Creamy I also like Cloud White, but Alabaster would be a pretty choice!
I have pure white trim. Would Creamy not be a good choice for walls? Thankyou.
Hi! Creamy can work with Pure White! But also check out SW White Duck, which is quite lovely too and less yellow.
Ok we’re buying a house that has Creamy on the trim and gold walls. We’re painting the walls and leaving the creamy trim to help the cost. Should I do the walls creamy as well or a light light warmer grey?! Ahhh
Hi Krystal, you can do the walls Creamy as well or a light soft gray, just knowing that Creamy will slightly enhance the gray and the gray will enhance Creamy!
Hi Kylie!
Thank goodness for your willingness to share your expertise! Choosing paint color is not my strength,, so I am reading everything I can find. Our east/west facing home has honey oak baseboards and doors, that is what was “in” when we built our home…sigh. Painting the baseboards and doors are not currently an option….double sigh & roll my eyes, so my paint color expedition has been quite perplexing. We will be painting the entire first floor-two-story entry, dining, living, and kitchen areas. These rooms flow into one another, so we are looking for one fabulous color. These areas are entirely done in Brazilian Cherry hardwood floors.
As I type, painted on my walls are the following color patches: SW Creamy, SW Steamed Milk, SW Patience, SW Moderate White, and SW Natural Linen…our home looks like a fun-house. 🙂 I’m not a fan of walls that scream yellow, but I know there is yellow in some of these colors.
I would greatly appreciate any guidance your could provide! (My husband will thank you too!)
Hi Patty, thank you! You know, when it comes to personal questions, I do refer to my E-design services. I try to give as much helpful, complimentary advice on my blog, and if that doesn’t help, it might be time for me to look at some photos and spend some time with your room! If you’re interested, I’d love to help! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
This was soooo helpful! My husband and I just bought a house and I have been stressing about pairing creamy with white trim. I was afraid that painting the walls creamy and the trim white would look like an oops but your post has convinced me otherwise! We have a living room with gorgeous stained wood trim that I don’t want to paint and creamy looks soo good with it! But the sunroom is right off the living room and has painted trim. What SW white do you recommend for the painted trim throughout the house? I like a good white white trim and may even paint the kitchen cabinets the same white.
THANK YOU!
Hi Medora, take a look at SW Pure White, it’s pretty awesome!
Creamy is a miracle-worker! We just purchased an 80s home and doing a total reno of the small master bath isnt priority as everything is functional…. but SW Creamy just went up after reading this & your article on beige/almond fixtures. Salesman tried to suggest Alabaster but I was armed with your expertise and knew it wouldn’t work. It’s been about 3 weeks and I still cant believe the difference… Creamy brightened the room and tied together ALL the different shades of brown: multitonal brown stone shower tiles, beige marbled floor, dark brown vanity, 80s beige countertop perfectly with the white toilet and tub. Creamy basically neutralized everything, and calmed the room down to just look more intentional and cohesive. It definitely is yellowy, but goes away against the browns, and it’s not dingy. We used SW extra white on the small amount of trim and the door. A sincere thank you for your very specific and insightful guidance via these articles and comment sections!
What do you think of kitchen cabinets painted creamy in a partly west facing kitchen? The rest of the room will also be warm with dark stained wood floors, a dark stained island and dark stained woodwork on windows with a soapstone counter and white quartz counter on island?
I am looking for a white for the exterior of my stucco house. I want a slight off white (not stark white) but not too beige or too yellow. Would creamy work?
Hi Corinne! It really does depend on your roof/stone/brick/window colour and exposure, but generally, I think Creamy is too yellow. Take a look at BM White Dove or SW Alabaster which aren’t off-whites, but are warm whites. In the off-white range, I’d hit up SW White Duck, but once you hit the off-white range you WILL see more colour (beige/greige/cream) 🙂
I first discovered SW Creamy almost 11 years ago when I had the entire interior of my home repainted that color. I love it so much, that when it was time for a refresh, yep, I used Creamy once again. I am a big blue and white fan, and my pieces pop with the Creamy background. Love, love, love it!
I know, right?! It is such a stinkin’ gorgeous colour! I loved it in our last home and was disappointed when it didn’t totally suit our current home – if you love warm colours, this is a winner!
So glad I found your website!! You really have the most comprehensive explanations of paint colors I have seen and you are spot on. I was trying to figure out a color for my 2 story/vaulted ceiling living / dining room, stairway and loft that is mostly north facing with 1 east and 1 west window. I first tried repose grey and just like your post said it could, it came out very blue. I decided to go with your recommendation here of creamy (at 75% because I had 1 walk showing a little too yellow for my liking) and it is perfect!! Not a stark white, not cream but just a slight hint of warmth. I decided on sw extra white for trim. Lastly I need to figure out the ceiling. What did you paint your ceiling in your house? Or what ceiling color do you recommend for a vaulted ceiling to go with creamy?
Hi Lindsay, I just LOVE notes like this! As for white, I chose BM Cloud White – I liked the warmth and how it sat with Creamy. You can also look at SW Alabaster, which is soft and warm, but I might ask them to add 4-6 drops of white to the gallon, just to clean it up a stitch :).
Hi Kylie! I learn so much from your articles and videos. Thank you for sharing so much good stuff! After studying my space (floor color, room direction, type of lighting, all the things I never thought about until you pointed them out) I decided SW Creamy was THE color I wanted in the stairwell and downstairs of my split level home. I bought a sample, painted everything, and decided it was beautiful, I just wanted it to be a bit richer and more contrast with th e trim. So, knowing from you that a color can be lightened by nearly any percentage, I asked my SW guy if he could make Creamy a tad more saturated with color, without changing the undertones. He said it was no problem at all, and we dabbled with it a bit, starting at just 125%. I came home with a gallon of Creamy at 200% saturated and I LOVE IT!!! I painted right away and went from a murky Macademia to a dreamy Creamy! I kinda want to find another space for this color. My front door is SW Quixotic Plum and the two colors paired together have me all????????????!!! It is beautiful! Light and friendly, but still warm and inviting. It’s perfect. Thank you for sharing your thorough knowledge.
Thank you for sharing great advice and information.
If I use SW-White Duck on my walls, what warm white paint could I use for my kitchen cabinets? Thanks.