Sherwin Williams Snowbound: LRV, Undertones and a Little More

If you’re looking for the PERFECT white paint colour for your trim, walls or exterior – THIS ISN’T IT! Just joking (kind of).

The thing is, Snowbound is not a true white. And while in the end, it might be EXACTLY what you’re looking for, you also need to know what you’re getting into before you start slappin’ it on your walls (some serious undertones).

In order to show you RELATEABLE & REAL homes, I ONLY use photos from my Online Colour Consulting clients. This means I don’t always have the quality pics I need (hence the ‘QUICK Review’), but DEFINITELY have some SUPER helpful info to help you on your way!

What type of paint colour is Sherwin Williams Snowbound? Is it warm or cool?

Snowbound is definitely a warm, soft white paint colour. If you have south-facing light, you may find it looking that bit warmer, leaning more into its undertone. If you have north-facing light, it will mute a bit without looking look icy cold or stark.

What’s the LRV of Snowbound?

Snowbound has an LRV of 83, putting it in the white range, but NOT FAR into it. Most of the more popular whites range from approx. 84-94. With an LRV of 83, Snowbound is a relatively SOFT white with more LIMITING undertones.

Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

What are the undertones of Snowbound? Will it look like a TRUE white?

HECK NO! With it’s slightly lower LRV (for the white world anyway), Snowbound has a tint which picks up a beautiful WARM SLIGHTLY TAUPE undertone. In my experience, this is usually an undertone my colour consulting clients want to avoid (especially in a white) so make sure it’s the look you’re going for! It really looks BEST with most taupes.

And while I’ve read A LOT about it having a green undertone, I’m YET to experience that, it’s more of a cream-pink from EVERYTHING I see and know about this colour.

What’s the best way to sample paint colours?

If you aren’t familiar with SAMPLIZE, I highly recommend you try them out! Samplize is a peel & stick paint sample that you can easily move around your room for over HALF THE COST of traditional sample pots – and they deliver right to your front door!

Learn all about Samplize HERE

If I’m painting my walls Snowbound, what’s the best white paint colour for my trim?

That depends. If you want to downplay the depth/undertone, its often best to paint the trim/doors the SAME COLOUR as the walls. However, if you want to highlight the soft white look of Snowbound, you could partner it with a cleaner white, such as…

Sherwin Williams High Reflective White
Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace

I would ABSOLUTELY avoid warm whites with Snowbound, as the yellow of warm whites can react POORLY with the purple-pink in Snowbound.

Is Snowbound a good colour for the exterior of my home?

If you’re thinking of using Snowbound on your exterior and paint the trim the SAME COLOUR, you may not notice the undertones as much, however, that doesn’t mean they aren’t there (and could be more noticeable if you have white windows). Sample as LARGE as you can (two coats) and make sure you separate your existing colour and your sample with poster board. Why? Well, if your home isn’t already a stark white, ANY colour will make Snowbound ‘look white’ in comparison, when it’s not.

I also recommend sampling some other, brighter whites alongside Snowbound to see how they compare (HERE and HERE).

Is Snowbound a good paint colour for my trim and cabinets?

I’m not going to say NO, but I will advise you to tread carefully. The thing is, on a ‘room-by-room’ basis, Snowbound can be lovely when partnered with the right paint colour on the walls. HOWEVER, on a larger scale, ie: all the trim in your home, you may find it limits you long-term should you want to stretch outside of Snowbound’s limited colour preferences.

What Benjamin Moore paint colours are the same as or similar to Snowbound?

Every paint colour has its own particular blend and there will be NO perfect match – you WILL see shifts in undertones, temperature and depths and Benjamin Moore doesn’t have anything that REALLY comes even CLOSE.

And if you’re thinking of colour matching between brands (ie: getting BM to make an SW paint colour), you might want to read THIS first.

What type of paint colours look good with Snowbound?

Snowbound is FINICKY, which goes back to my point about not using it EVERYWHERE. The types of colours Snowbound can humour include some…

Warm gray paint colours with a purple undertone
Some greige paint colours with a purple or purple-pink undertone – bordering on taupe
Clean whites
Some grays with a stronger blue or blue-green undertone
Darker charcoal grays with ANY undertone (ie: a feature or accent wall)

I DEFINITELY wouldn’t partner Snowbound with…

Cream, tan or beige paint colours
Stronger taupe paint colours
Green paint colours unless they’re HEAVILY mixed with gray and blue

Not sure if Snowbound is right for you? Want a bit warmer or cooler? I’ve got more!

SHERWIN WILLIAMS PURE WHITE

SHERWIN WILLIAMS EXTRA WHITE

BENJAMIN MOORE’S BEST WHITE PAINT COLOURS

Not sure which paint colour is best for YOUR home?

Check out my Online Paint Colour Consulting – I’d love to help!

Ally B
January 1, 2021 at 5:37 pm

Kylie – I have been following you for 3 years. You taught me so much about paint. I have to say I’m disappointed to see you don’t share my mad love for Snowbound. My kitchen cabinets are Snowbound with Agreeable Gray walls and Pure White trim. It was done in the Spring of 2019 and I’m still happy with it. I understand people can disagree. I’m just surprised you don’t like this popular color.

1. Post
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  KylieMawdsley
  January 2, 2021 at 4:39 pm
  
  Hi Ally! So, it’s funny, I actually LOVE Snowbound (I’m thinking about using it in our lake build), but it’s just that it’s unpredictable and not as ‘safe’ as other whites. So many people use it as a trim colour and expect it to be flexible, and it just isn’t great for that application! I think what you have sounds LOVELY!
  
Melissa Cruz
June 5, 2021 at 11:28 am

Thanks so much for this review on this not so predictable color. ” I think the joy of color should be approachable and accessible to everyone, whether you live in a bachelor suite or a mansion – I’ve got you covered.” I will always quote your words to everybody, you have been very helpful to me!!!

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  KylieMawdsley
  June 5, 2021 at 12:59 pm
  
  MELISSSSA, I just love this comment, thank you so much for taking the time to write it :).
  
Natalia Giancola
June 12, 2021 at 6:29 pm

This article has helped me a lot! I’m building a beach home and the builders mentioned they’re using Snowbound as the trim work color. I am really not happy about that. I feel the same way you do about, it limits me to the wall selections.

1. Post
  Author
  
  KylieMawdsley
  June 12, 2021 at 6:47 pm
  
  Hi Natalia, it is SUCH a beautiful colour, but yes, a bit limiting. Any way you could ask them to shift to Pure White? I don’t see WHY it would be an issue as it’s the same brand!
  
  1. Natalia Giancola
    June 13, 2021 at 7:35 am
    
    I am going to ask!!! Thank you!! 😘