Sherwin Williams Natural Linen (9109): Undertones, LRV, & Real Home Results
If you’re nervous about beige, don’t be, as this one ain’t builder basic. Sure, at first glance, Sherwin Williams Natural Linen is a light, warm beige paint color, easy-peasy. But that’s not all it’s got up its colorful little sleeves.
Natural Linen isn’t just pretty, it’s popular. I recommend it all the time to my Virtual Color Consulting clients for everything from single rooms and open-concept spaces to whole homes.
However, just because it’s a hot shade doesn’t mean it’s the perfect fit for you and your home. This is why researching and sampling are an important part of choosing your best paint color. So, let’s check out Natural Linen and see why it’s one of my favorites…
WHAT TYPE OF COLOR IS NATURAL LINEN?
Natural Linen is definitely a beige paint color. However, it’s not golden warm like many of the beiges from the early 2000s Tuscan trend, which is one reason it’s popular. That’s not to say it caters to taupe or gray, it doesn’t, but it sure as heck isn’t rich. Because of this, it’s one of the more modern beige paint colors on the market.
If you have a room that faces north, Natural Linen’s warmth will still show up at the party, but could be a bit muted (the same goes for eastern light in the afternoon/western morning). However, if you have a south-facing room or one that gets warm afternoon western sunshine, you can expect Natural Linen to look warmer, but it shouldn’t be overwhelming.
North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?
THE LRV OF NATURAL LINEN
Natural Linen has an LRV of 66, making it a pretty well-balanced light-depth paint color. While it will still wash out in bright light, once the light is a bit more subdued, it will return to its full glory. It’s also a great depth for a darker space, as it’s still light enough not to weigh it down.
This is really as MUTED as you can expect Natural Linen to look
Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint-lovin’ life: LRV Explained – A Paint Color Expert’s Guide
WHAT ARE NATURAL LINEN’S UNDERTONES?
Being a beige paint color, Natural Linen’s main undertone is orange. And while orange can lean toward yellow or pink, Natural Linen doesn’t lean strongly toward either, making it flexible for a wide range of interior finishes and lighting conditions.
Look at how amazeballs lit looks with my client’s stone fireplace and orange-toned maple built-in cabinets…
Get your PEEL & STICK SAMPLE of Natural Linen!
THE BEST WHITE TRIM COLOR WITH NATURAL LINEN
Because Natural Linen has an orange undertone, it’s fussy with whites that have too much yellow. For this reason, I’d sample…
- Sherwin Williams Pure White (which isn’t actually PURE, it’s a soft white).
- I’d also check out Benjamin Moore White Dove which has a pretty, soft warmth.
- Sherwin Williams Alabaster can be pretty, but some find it a touch too creamy with Natural Linen.
The ULTIMATE GUIDE to White Paint Colors
WHERE NATURAL LINEN DOES & DOESN’T LOOK BEST
Natural Linen is great for many issues…but not as great for others. Let’s see where it does its best work.
WHERE IT WORKS BEST (GENERAL)
- Single rooms and open-concept spaces
- It’s great as a whole home, warm neutral paint color
- In north-facing rooms and those with eastern afternoon/morning western sun, it can add a nice balance to those cooler natural lights
- With many finishes from the early 2000s, but also with some newer, more modern finishes
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.
AS AN EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR
Natural Linen can work on the exterior, but it isn’t popular. You need the right type of stone, brick, and roof to pull it off, which isn’t easy. Many exterior finishes need a beige with a bit more red (pink).
AS A WHOLE HOME PAINT COLOR
Because Natural Linen suits a ton of tiles, carpets, and countertops from the early 2000s, it’s often used as a whole-home paint color. This is thanks to its combination of depth (LRV) and subtle undertones.
While the rug is too gray, the walls look fab.
WITH CREAM CABINETS & TRIM
It’s a hard no – so hard, I’m getting a little excited. Seriously, though, most cream cabinets and trim need a beige with more depth and/or less orange.
WITH WOOD CABINETS, TRIM, & FLOORS
Heck yes! Natural Linen goes well with several wood tones, including many golden and honey oaks. It can go with some red-toned woods, too, but it depends on the other finishes/lighting/etc.
This next home was an interesting one, as I had to find a color that suited the slightly taupe-inclined carpet, the dark wood trim, and the beige tile flooring – Natural Linen did the job…
The Best Paint Colors with Dark or Historic Wood Tones
WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO NATURAL LINEN?
Choosing your home’s best paint colors is ALLLLL about comparison. Comparing similar shades helps you see the ebb and flow of undertones, temperatures, and depth. From there, notice which samples best suit your finishes and which clash.
But first, is Sherwin Williams Natural Linen the same color as Benjamin Moore Natural Linen? Heck no. Want to learn more? Read this… Same Paint Color, Different Name? How to Know for Sure
SHERWIN WILLIAMS NATURAL LINEN VS. NATURAL TAN
Ahhh, this is a really interesting comparison (if you’re a color nerd like me), since they approach this type of beige-tan warmth in slightly different ways.
- Natural Tan has an LRV of 65 and is a bit darker than Natural Linen.
- As for the way it leans, Natural Linen is a bit more likely to pick up a green undertone, given the right conditions, whereas Natural Linen is less likely. It also has a touch less warmth.
Sherwin Williams Natural Tan Color Review
SHERWIN WILLIAMS NATURAL LINEN VS. ACCESSIBLE BEIGE
While it would take a lot to kick Accessible Beige out of its spot as America’s and Canada’s favorite beige (or close to it), Natural Tan tries.
- Accessible Beige has an LRV of 58, making it darker than Natural Linen and Natural Tan.
- As for undertones, it might not show up as orange and warm as Accessible Beige, looking a bit muddier and muted; in fact, it leans a bit flat/grayish in some real home lighting.
- While Accessible Beige is more popular, it’s less likely to suit a wide range of interior finishes.
Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige Paint Color Review
WHAT ABOUT ALTERNATIVES FROM BENJAMIN MOORE
Benjamin Moore has a few great alternatives, although nothing exactly the same (and they sure as heck can’t color-match it). I’d definitely sample and compare…
- Benjamin Moore Muslin, for SURE
- Benjamin Moore Maritime White for a softer, lighter look
Here’s a comparison of Natural Linen and Benjamin Moore Muslin…
And here’s Muslin in my client’s bathroom with Benjamin Moore Cloud White trim…
PAINT COLORS THAT GO WITH NATURAL LINEN
If you’re creating a color palette, you need some coordinating shades! While it depends on WHAT you’re painting – an accent wall, cabinets, adjoining room, etc, these will get you on the right path.
- GREEN PAINT COLORS: Any number of green paint colors, so long as they’re not lighter than N.Linen and have a grounded, organic base.
- LIGHT TO MEDIUM GREIGES: Many greige paint colors are gooooorgeous additions to a palette, again, so long as their LRVs are lower than 66.
- DARKER SHADES OF GREIGE: If you need a gorgeous accent, check out a range of medium to dark greige paint colors.
- TAUPE PAINT COLORS: You can also try taupes, so long as they’re around the light-medium or darker range.
- GREEN-GRAYS: Green grays can be beautiful, whether around 60 LRV or much darker.
- DARK GRAY-BLUES: Medium to dark gray-blues that wink at green make for gorgeous accents.
SUMMARY OF NATURAL LINEN
Here’s the meat n’ potatoes (the gravy is in the rest of the blog post)…
- It has an LRV of 66, making it a light depth, beige paint color
- The main undertone you might see is orange, but it’s flexible.
- It suits a wide range of interior finishes, more so than many other popular shades of beige
- While it’s not as popular on cabinets or exteriors, it’s hugely popular for walls, including single rooms and whole homes.
READ MORE
The 8 Best WHOLE HOME Beige & Tan Paint Colors
Paint Color Review: Benjamin Moore Cedar Key
Get the best paint color advice with Kylie M’s Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!
Updated with new images and content for 2026
Hi, two questions. One, would Natural Linen work with the beigy pink tiles of 2004? Second, would Pure white work as trim?
Do you think Natural Linen has enough weight to be contrasted with White dove built-in bathroom cabinets and other white decor to do a “beige and white” style approach? It’s not too pale?
It’s touch and go. Maybe ask them to darken Natural LInen by 25%, just to give it a bit more oomph 🙂
Would BM Elmira White be a good comparison to SW Natural Linen? They look very similar to me.
Hi Kylie, I too would like to know if SW or BM -Natural Linen work with a pink beige tile. Please reply. Thank you
Of the two, I would definitely cater to the SW version 🙂
Hi Kylie,
What are your thoughts on SW Pure White as a trim color for SW Natural Linen.
Thank you!
Why is it that I see “green” in the linen color?
We just painted the entire house in SW linen and with white trim and ceilings and I feel like I see green!
Ughhhhhh
Have you checked your bulbs? It can be hard to find the info, but some bulbs have a low CRI. Bulbs with a CRI lower than 90 can cast green onto the walls. Another reason could be some green reflecting from the outside of your home – perhaps a bank of trees/landscaping? LASTLY, have you checked it with the original color swatch to ensure it matched perfectly? If it wasn’t done at SW it won’t be perfect, which could account for this, but even the brands themselves get it wrong sometimes!
What is the color that was on your walls before ? mine was light blue and I think I see green too but I’m not too sure, I’ve only applied one coat so far and will do a second coat.
Do you think Natural Linen would look good again Natural Cedar walls?
YUP!
Hi Kim, these blogs are so informative, so thank you for your hard work! We’re looking at painting our living room walls with SW Downy and Natural Linen on the trim. Do you see any issues with this? The space has wood beams, rich-colored wood floors, & a brick fireplace/hearth with a woodburning heater. All this to say, it will be farmhouse-y.
Hi Kylie, so, I have bisque kitchen cabinets and travertine backsplash. I originally painted the walls accessible beige, but not happy with it. I’m leaning towards natural linen. Countertops have beige and grey coloring. I have popular grey through the house. What color would you recommend for the kitchen island? I have alabaster white on my trim, crown mounding and doors. Thank you!
Hey Kimberly! It TOTALLY depends on the exact countertop. Some prefer darker colors with blue undertones, some want green, and others want violet or even just BLACK!
Kylie, I have a North-East room with 2 large windows (north) and full glass patio door (east); thinking of Natural Linen or Divine white. Want a cozy TV room and willing to go any color, even dark.. would love your thoughts. Appreicate you.
Hey Michelle! Of the two, I would lean into Natural Linen over Divine White. And I bet there’s some DARK coloirs that could look fab, but it tooootally depends on the finishes in the room, including the furniture and any hard finishes. Maybe this blog post will help? https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/7-fabulous-dark-colours-for-a-dark-room-or-basement-sherwin-and-benjamin/
I like natural linen but just a little too light for me during the day, how much would suggest darkening it? Malabar is the next darker color but that’s too dark for me. Thanks!
Hey Nicole! Ask the paint store to make you two samples pots: 1 at 25% darker and 1 at 50% darker. Neither are as drastic as they sound, but they will get you that bit darker without hitting Malabar :).
Hi Kylie, my family room is currently painted in “Natural linen” color, it’s a north- and east- facing room, and it looks great. Now, the wall on the east side of the room has open stairs that go down the basement (that wall gets lots of light). However, the rest of the basement needs a lighter color — it is quite dark. Do you think I could paint the other walls something like BM White Dove? Or would you have other suggestions for an off-white that will look good in a dark basement, and won’t look too different from Natural linen? Thank you.
Oooo, maybe you might try Natural Linen 50% lighter or something like Moderate White?
Ah, that’s a great idea! Thank you!!
It turns out my room was painted Natural linen Benjamin Moore, not SW! I have tried lightening by 50%, but it’s still too dark. Do you have any suggestions for a colour with the same undertones as natural linen BM, but significantly lighter? Thank you so much.
Hi Kylie!
I have a bedroom with small windows ( northern and eastern exposure) and wood floors that definitely lean orange. I think natural linen would be a great choice given the lighting and fixed elements however my husband is planning on making our headboard out poplar and nightstands out of maple. Do you think lighter woods will work with natural linen paint color? Thank you!
Yup, they certainly can, as long as they have a ncie orange undertone!
Would Greek Villa trim work with Natural Linen on the walls? My painter refuses to use Benjamin Moore paint so White Dove is out. I’m not a fan of Alabaster in my north facing room. Otherwise, would one of SW Emerald Designer Whites work? I’m losing sleep over this. 🙁
Kylie, I went and checked out Cheviot and it’s gorgeous, but I don’t think I can swing it my budget. I think Alabaster is too creamy with my honey oak cabinets and Baltic brown granite countertops with a dark coordinating backsplash. I think pure white would be too white for my brown kitchen. Since I cannot do a Benjamin Moore paint, what are your thoughts about Westhighland White?
I put samples of both on my wall and the samples a de by side look great together. Nervous about pairing them after doing some research. Did you end up using them together? All of my trim is Greek Villa.
Melissa, I’m sorry, I just saw your question. I did end up using them together. They look nice together, but in certain lighting Greek Villla looks a little too creamy for my liking. I think I would have been happiest with BM’s White Dove. If I had a do over, I would have found a painter willing to paint both brands.
What would be a good green color for some cabinets with the walls natural linen? I was thinking SW retreat maybe?
Hello! If I wanted something a little lighter than SW Natural Linen, would I just ask them to make it 25% lighter? Or is there a SW color that basically accomplishes the same thing? I’m using Antler Velvet in my kitchen and have Malabar in the primary bath and Natural Linen in two half-baths already. I wish there was one shade lighter on the paint strip so I’d know what to choose! This would be for the main color in my house – foyer, long hall, living/dining great room, plus a large wall on a stairway to the basement. We have 9′ ceilings and S/S-E exposure, so it’s a nice light space. The color I originally chose – BM Lighthouse Landing – is much darker and more yellow than I’d hoped. Oops. 🙁 Thank you!
Have you checked out the likes of SW Divine White, BM Maritime White and SW Moderate White? They might be up your alley!
I have the dreaded honey oak flooring with the orange tones and trying to come up with a neutral color tone it down- would natural linen be that color?
Same problem, Alabaster is perfect.
Hi Kylie!
I’m painting my kitchen and living room with orangee-toned wood floors. I think I settled on Casa Blanca for the east facing living room and now i’m trying to figure out the west/south facing kitchen. Based on your review of Casa Blanca, a darker beige with an orange undertone would work with it. Do you think Natural Linen is dark enough, with an LRV only 10 less than Casa Blanca? I could darken it a bit, or maybe go with Malabar?
Thanks so much!
Hi we have divine white on our walls in our kitchen. Western afternoon sun. Contemplating colors for our cabinets and considering agreeable grey or maybe natural linen? Our backsplash is a pebble green grey tile (came with the home!) what would you suggest?
We have lots of natural wood framed furniture in the space as it’s open plan into our dining and living room…thanks so much!
Hi! Love following your videos.
What do think of a pairing of SW Natural Linen in an adjacent area to a room painted with SW Rainwashed in a coastal home. Older orange oak floor throughout.
Appreciate your feedback
Hi Sharon, yup, I think those two could be pretty!
Hi Kylie, I love your blogs and videos, they have been my absolute go to for paint colour info lately! I have the dreaded Honey Oak cabinets! I am following your suggestion of painting my walls SW Natural Linen! You mention SW Pure White, BM White Dove, BM Chantilly Lace, as whites to go with Natural Linen, would BM Simply White go with Natural Linen?
Hi Kylie, what would your top trim colour be to go with SW Natural Linen?
Thank you
Oooo, I’d have to go with Pure White.