Sherwin Williams Aesthetic White 7035: Paint Color Review
A beige with unusual benefits…
Have you been looking for the perfect, soft, off-white paint color that isn’t gray? You’ve come to the right place. And while Aesthetic White isn’t necessarily the most popular beige, it’s found its way into many homes, on walls, exteriors, cabinets, and more.
So, let’s find out what makes this bad boy tick…
*Updated content for 2026 with the best paint colors, timeless design, and home update ideas for today’s homeowner.
IS AESTHETIC WHITE A WARM OR COOL PAINT COLOR?
Sherwin Williams Aesthetic White might look like a simple off-white, but it’s a beige paint color with a feather-dusting of gray.
With this gray undercurrent, it doesn’t have the typical golden look that many beige paint colors have (the ones that often scare people) and lacks strong undertones. This makes it an interesting option for the beige-phobic folks, while still offering a wink of warmth for those who, come heck or high water, are beige-bound.
This next photo shows a HOT MESS of a kitchen (said with love) with a wide variety of finishes and undertones – none very well-coordinated…
With a few coats of Aesthetic White, it’s like a brand-new space; we didn’t even touch the countertops or backsplash…
In a room with north-facing light, you might see Aesthetic White lean a touch toward the grayish end. However, even though it might look grayer than usual, it will still hold a passive warmth, as Aesthetic White is a warm color at heart.
99.5% of the photos in my blog are of REAL HOMES from my Online Color Consulting clients, readers, and friends. While not always magazine-perfect, they’re packed with ideas and proven color choices to help you create a home you’ll love.
However, Aesthetic White will be in its glory in south-facing or afternoon western light. Unlike golden beiges that can look downright toasty, Aesthetic White keeps things calm.
North, East, South, West – Paint Colors for Exposures
THE LRV OF SHERWIN WILLIAMS AESTHETIC WHITE
Aesthetic White has an LRV of almost 73. This number (Light Reflectance Value) means it’s an off-white paint color on the hairy crack of the light range (so it’s not as close to the white range as some off-whites).
If you have a bright room, Aesthetic White can appear like a much brighter off-white and will seriously wash out. However, if you have a dark room, it could look flat and dingy (learn more HERE).
Aesthetic White does its best work in a room with ‘average natural light (give or take) – nothing too extreme one way or the other’.
- Would I still use Aesthetic White in a dark room? Maybe, but I’d improve my interior lighting and use the right Kelvins.
- Would I use it in a super bright room? It depends. If I’m using it on the walls and trims, probably, as it would create a soft, seamless look.
Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint-lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.
In this next photo, look at how the soft off-white of Aesthetic White works with the older-style granite countertop and beige tile floor…
Case Studies: Update Your 2000s Kitchen
While the above finishes might prefer a beige paint color with a bit more orange-pink undertone, Aesthetic White has a slightly more modern, moderate look.
WHAT ARE AESTHETIC WHITE’S UNDERTONES?
Generally, Aesthetic White doesn’t grab any obvious undertones in the average room. While I’ve seen it flex slightly pink, purple, and green, these hues are modest…at best.
While Sherwin Williams website says that Aesthetic White is a cool white with a purple undertone, it’s pretty far from cool OR white. Sure, the odd time it picks up a bare flash of pink, purple, or green, but it’s not common…
BM Ballet White | SW Alabaster | SW Zurich White | SW Greek Villa
This is because, like most white and off-white paint colors (thanks to their higher LRVs), Aesthetic White can pick up cues and reflections from its environment. Therefore, please pay attention to your exposure and any strong interior or exterior colors/finishes (e.g., green grass or a red feature wall) that could affect how it looks!
Here’s Aesthetic White looking a bit more typical (this is the bathroom at our lake home, which faces east)…
Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Aesthetic White…
WHAT WHITE COLOR GOES WITH AESTHETIC WHITE WALLS?
Being a soft beige, Aesthetic White can be very fussy with whites that are too warm (yellow/creamy). The best white paint colors for Aesthetic White include…
- Sherwin Williams Pure White
- Sherwin Williams Extra White
- Benjamin Moore White Dove, although I recommend lightening White Dove by 25% (this is what I did in my home).
While Extra White might not normally be a great match, its trim and cabinet paint formulation makes it look warmer than expected (but I still prefer Pure White and White Dove).
Here’s the bedroom at our lake home, with Aesthetic White walls and White Dove 25% lighter on the ceilings and trims…
The 4 Best White Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams
IS AESTHETIC WHITE A GOOD COLOR FOR KITCHEN CABINETS?
HELLLLLLS YEAH! Aesthetic White is a great option if you don’t want white cabinets but are nervous about having overly creamy cabinets.
Here’s another great before-and-after shot of Aesthetic White on kitchen cabinets…
Keep in mind that while Aesthetic White can work, some finishes, especially from the Tuscan-style early 2000s, need more of an orange (orange-pink) undertone (sample and compare to see which colors settle in best!)
See a CURATED BUNDLE of my FAVORITE OFF-WHITE BEIGE PAINT COLORS!
IS AESTHETIC WHITE A GOOD EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR?
Aesthetic White can be a soft alternative to white for many homes with warmer stone and brick colors. It can also be a great exterior trim color. However, if your home has a lot of beige brick or stone, Aesthetic White might not have enough orange undertone to do the trick – sample and compare!
Aesthetic White is on the areas labelled #2.
5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color
COLORS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO AESTHETIC WHITE
Every color has its particular nuances, and it’s these shifts in undertone, depth, and temperature that make one color a better choice than another!
AESTHETIC WHITE vs. WHITE DUCK & SHOJI WHITE
With trends leaning warmer, all three of these warm neutrals are getting more attention. However, there’s one main difference between these colors: undertone. White Duck and Shoji White have a bit more of a creamy backdrop (yellow undertone) mixed up with a neutral base to calm it down. Aesthetic White favors an orange undertone, although it’s similarly muted.
FULL Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams White Duck
Shoji White trim with Sherwin Williams Retreat siding / FULL Paint Color Review of Shoji White
What they have in common is that they all approach their undertones in a super passive way—some people don’t see White Duck and Shoji White as being cream at all, while others find Aesthetic White too gray. And this is their glory for those who want a minimal commitment to color!
As for undertones, of the 3, Shoji White is the most likely to grab a wink o’ pink, which means it’s the least likely to grab green.
AESTHETIC WHITE vs. ACCESSIBLE BEIGE
Comparing these two is smart as they’re closely related! Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige has an LRV of 58, so it’s darker than Aesthetic White at 73 (while still in the light range). If you want to use one of these colors for your walls/cabinets/trims in one or trims, there’s enough contrast that these two colors miiiight work together; however…
Accessible Beige is on the cabinets, Aesthetic White is on the walls, and it works.
With Aesthetic White’s tendency to dip into gray (more so than Accessible Beige), it’s hit-or-miss. Sometimes, Aesthetic White settles a bit too cool in a room’s natural lighting to be a good partner.
Aesthetic White (walls) doesn’t read quite as warm on this side of the room and barely makes the cut. I do wonder if lightening it by 25% could shift it a bit – I’ll have to try!
FULL Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige
With its increased LRV and touch more warmth, Accessible Beige has more color and body compared to the slightly more grayed-out look of Aesthetic White; however, both approach beige with similar, muted intentions.
Ideas to Update Your 2000s Home – 6-PART SERIES!
AESTHETIC WHITE VS SHERWIN WILLIAMS SHOJI WHITE
You’re smart to compare these two, as they’re two popular warm, neutral paint colors – with different approaches to warmth.
While Aesthetic White sits on a subtle beige base, Shoji White sits on a cream base (so subtle, it’s a stretch to call it cream). Of the two, Shoji White is more likely to pick up a very vague pink undertone. This next image is a great example of the main difference…
REVIEWS: SW Heron Plume | SW Pure White | SW Pearly White | SW White Heron | SW Origami White
As for depth, they’re kissin’ cousins, as Shoji White’s LRV of 74 is one point above Aesthetic White’s 73.
WHAT BENJAMIN MOORE COLORS ARE SIMILAR?
While you’ll never find a perfect match (or color match), I always recommend sampling a range of alternatives. Sometimes, that wee tweak makes one color perfect over another!
- Benjamin Moore Sea Pearl (also known as China White) is a great alternative to Aesthetic White, especially if you want something a bit lighter.
- Benjamin Moore Maritime White isn’t remotely overpowering (it’s quite fabulous) and comes at beige with more undertone and purpose, including a more noticeable beige base and a touch more depth than Aesthetic White.
Here’s a quick peek at Sea Pearl…
And here’s Maritime White in action…
WHAT COLORS LOOK GOOD WITH AESTHETIC WHITE?
Being a light, warm neutral with muted undertones, Aesthetic White is pretty darn flexible, and it’s relatively easy to create a beautiful color palette around it, depending on your needs…
- A wide range of greige paint colors, especially those with LRVs of 60 or darker, including Amazing Gray.
- Muted stormy shades of gray with blue-green undertones like Sherwin Williams Argos.
- Medium to dark green paint colors can look gorgeous with Aesthetic White’s organic base.
- Aesthetic White doesn’t want to be paired with many other similar depth off-white paint colors.
READ MORE
The 14 Best Trendy Beige & Tan Paint Colors
Why I love Sherwin Williams Aesthetic White
The 11 Best Off-White Paint Colors
Get the best paint color advice…
Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!
Originally written in 2020, updated for you in 2026!
I’m really liking this whole paint swatch (aesthetic white, white heron, zurich white, etc), what trim color goes best?
I really love some others you mentioned (white duck, creamy, etc), but they pair best with a warm trim. Mine is a crisp white trim. So how do you know what trim color looks best with a particular paint color? Is there a general rule of thumb?
Hi Kylie, I’m in the process of choosing a color for my downstairs area. I watched many of your paint color videos multiple times. I love the Aesthetic White, I painted a small sample on my wall. My only delima is that I have cream color cabinets and off white trim. I think it looks pretty good but I know you said cream colors don’t typically look great with Aesthetic white. I have a sample of Ballet white and White Duck on my walls also. They are pretty but still likes AW better. Just not sure since it’s hard with only a small area that’s painted. Thoughts welcome
Hi Kylie! Thank you so much for all of this incredible info. You are my guiding light in selecting paint colors for a huge home renovation! Please excuse the non-paint-related question but I was wondering if you know the brand of cabinet hardware in the photo with the granite counters, or could point me in a direction to find out. I’m desperate to find similar hardware for my new kitchen and having no luck. Thank you so much!
Oh Danielle, I DON’T know where it was from!!! I do have this blog post, maybe it would be helpful??? https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/update-oak-wood-cabinets-with-hardware-thats-budget-friendly/
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! You’ve helped me soooo much with picking paint colors. My kitchen cabinets are aesthetic white and also my fireplace mantle/trim. But now I’m desperate to know what color to do the trim in for my whole house. Please help! 🙂
Wahoo, you’re welcome! Without seeing the room and its finishes, I would guide you towards SW Pure White or BM Chantilly Lace :).
Hi Kylie, I love all your advice, and especially your HUMOR 🙂 All of my doors and trim are basic L4 white. I love the idea of Aesthetic White for my kitchen cabinets. What do you think? Also, would Modern Gray wall color pair well with Aesthetic White and L4?
Thanks, Emily! I’m not at ALL familiar with L4 white and when I looked it up, all I got was info on pills ;). HOWEVER, I can say that I’m not a huuuuge fan of Aesthetic White with Modern Gray on the walls. However, Aesthetic White is pretty good at handling whites, as long as they have a higher LRV and not too much yellow :).
Thanks!
Hi Kylie! Thank you soooo much for this great info. I’ve read your articles for many days!
And it helps me to narrow down the paint colors for my living room wall!
Could you help me the last question? I am thinking of painting my wall with this SW Aesthetic White or SW Alabaster , but I have a travertine floor and I have an easy facing, west facing, and South facing in my living room. And I have true white door,trim, and fireplace… So now I’m desperate to choose. (We have a lot of greens outside of my backyard;)
Could you help me the last dicision? Please help!
Hi Mina, I would be nervous with Alabaster that it will a) flash too yellow and b) pick up too much of that green reflection from outside!
Thank you so much for your advise! Right, that color looks like that.(I painted a sample. ) SW Aesthetic White looks okay for samples, but I am not sure yet… I am thinking of getting a sample of Edgecomb gray as well. I might need to change my floor soon. 😂
I really like your website and how you have changed a house! 💘
Thank you so much for your posts! Is it too much to paint the kitchen cabinets, walls, trim and ceiling aesthetic white using the appropriate paint sheen for each surface?
i love it for the walls issue is deciding trim color as thats going to need to be the same color I paint the builtins and kitchen cabinets (we still have the santa cecilia granite and travertine backsplash). Issue if we use Aesthetic for cabinet paint then what is wall and trim. I like trim/cabinets to be the same or lighter than the walls.
After reading this post I went to my local SW and got one of their ginormous samples in Aesthetic White. My room is west facing with a large 10 ft wide picture window, but the sample board just looks beige? I also tried alabaster but it just looked yellow. Would lightning this color help?
Hi April! It is a beige, but it’s an off-white beige with a bit of gray to calm it down. What were you thinking it might look like?
Kylie, what would happen if I were to make “Aesthetic White” 25% darker? I have a north facing, dark bedroom. Accessible Beige is much too dark. I’m shooting for an LRV around 65ish. Thanks!
Hi y’all!
I’m trying to redo kitchen cabinets and whole house walls. But I have to deal with Sapphire Blue granite countertops.
Currently I have pickled oak (aka PINK!) cabinets that match perfectly but YUCK 🤢
I’m thinking of Perfect Greige for the cabinets and Aesthetic White for the walls.
I can’t seem to get a light cabinet paint to work.
Would this be a HUGE mistake??!!
I thinking of painting my walls Aesthetic White and wanting a light beige cabinets but a little darker than my walls, I was thinking Accessible beige but it looks much lighter than I expected in my kitchen and I noticed in your article that is a lighter shade than AW. Any suggestions for light beige color for cabinets. Should I consider reversing the colors?
Hi Kylie!
Obsessed with your posts! You are the only person I refer to for color help! Just painted my south facing exterior Aesthetic White with a large double door painted Uncertain Gray. We have a concrete step under it and I’m leaning towards painting it Dorian Gray. Is there a darker color you’d suggest instead for the concrete steps? Even Fawn Brindle! I know most of your posts have color combos you recommend but this one seems to be missing color combos. Thank you for always making me laugh while learning about colors!
Hey yo! I’m glad we were able to touch base via email – LET ME KNOW HOW IT GOES!
Hi Kylie. I’m preparing to move to a new home, and I’ve learned so much from you. Thank you!
Do you have any experience with using Aesthetic White at 50% darker?
Linda, I don’t, but i’m EXCITED to try. I’m making a note to go to SW and have them mix me a quart 25% darker and 50% darker. I’m hoping to do a video on it as Aesthetic White is a popular shade!
Thanks for your response. I look forward to the video.
Hi! I am thinking of doing aesthetic white darker. Have you tried that out yet?😁
No, not yet, but I still plan on it.
We used Aesthetic White at 50% darker for our south facing family room when we moved in about 10 years ago. I liked it at the time, but it’s been too dark for my taste for about 5 years now & around that time we painted our north facing living room Aesthetic White, not lightened or darkened. The darkened version in the back of the house pulls extremely beige(I call it sand) & the regular version in the front of the house pulls a bit pink in the winter, but we still like it enough that we are repainting the entire main floor with it. We find that it’s just an easy color to work with, as most accent colors work well.
Hey Kylie,
Wanting to do my kitchen cabinets and trim SW pure white, walls aesthetic white on top and evergreen for on lower half wainscoting. Your opinion?
Thanks so much!
Hiya! I love these colors together! I haven’t seen your space to know that this is best for your countertop, backsplash, and flooring, but I like the combo! I also LOVE BM White Dove 25% lighter with Aesthetic White 🙂
Hi! We are remodeling and considering Aesthetic White for kitchen cabinets (Black Pearl Leathered Granite on the perimeter countertops, lighter quartz on island tbd) Planning a classic black and white farmhouse kitchen…but NOT wanting stark white but also don’t want to lean yellow.
We wondered about using Aesthetic White for all our trim too (and for the kitchen walls…just in a different sheen.) I know you have talked about using an off-white for everything (with no brighter white for contrast) so that it all just looks soft white…not beige or off-white. Would it be ok to use Aesthetic White for cabinets, trim and ceiling? We have an open floor plan with warm brown refinished cherry floors and wood beams in the kitchen as well. I was planning Accessible Beige in the living room. Thanks! If there is another white you would recommend, feel free to suggest. I have purchased about 20 different whites from SW wall stick-on samples (White Duck, Shoji, White Heron, Origami, Pearly White, Pure White (too white for me!), Greek Villa, etc.) Thanks for any advice you have!
Oh my goodness, Wendy, YES. And you’re not the only one thinking this, as I’m considering painting my walls/trims Aesthetic White too (just not the cabinets). As for the others you mentioned, the only other color you might explore (although I like Aesthetic White more) is BM China White. I do like Shoji White and White Duck, but they don’t have the same beige backdrpo that Aesthetic White has (that I’m personally partial too). The others on your list, I would leave be :). As for the ceiling, that’s tough. If it’s an 8′ ceiling, you might get a sample of AW made 50% lighter – see how that looks. If it’s a higher ceiling…well, even at 9′ I might do that too.
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see photos when it’s all done!
Thank you Kylie! I will send you pictures! ❤️
The main area of our house is accessible beige which I love, I’m wanting to paint my bathrooms and thought about aesthetic white. We have oak (orange) cabinets and our countertops have creams and greys, our flooring is more of a cream with a slight touch or gray. Would this color be ok or is there is a different color you would recommend? I don’t like seeing blues but don’t want a warm yellow either. I was basically thinking one shade lighter than accessible beige… thank you!
Your site is my GO TO for my whole-house renovation. You never steer me wrong! 🙂
My trim and wainscot in a north facing room are painted Simply White. I would love the walls to be a barely-there beige-ish. Would Aesthetic White work with the Simply White? THANK YOU!!
Would simply white (BM) trim work with Aesthetic White?
Ooo, I find Simply White a touch yellow for Aesthetic White.
Hello! I am about to paint my whole house eggshell Aesthetic White. Currently my whole house is painted flat Behr Classic Silver courtesy of the builder. I have white cabinets and pure white trim and my floors are gray in color with some hints of brown but more gray. My dilemma is that I want dark green and/or dark gray accent walls. Before I knew what I wanted to do, I painted my bathroom Behr Swiss Coffee with an accent wall in Valspar Flora (gives you and idea of what I like?). I do not particularly like the Swiss Coffee’s yellow undertones. All that being said, what dark green or dark gray colors would you suggest for accent walls that would go well with the Aesthetic White?
Oh, there are TONS! Check out SW Grizzle Gray, SW Cast Iron, SW Night Owl – just to name a few!