IS THIS THE SHADE OF WHITE YOU’VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR?
Pure White, Extra White, Simply White, Alabaster – SO MANY WHITES TO CHOOSE FROM! But which one is BEST? Well, if you’ve been looking for a soft, warm white paint color, you’ve come to the right place, as today we’re getting up close and personal with Sherwin Williams Alabaster…
WHAT TYPE OF PAINT COLOR IS ALABASTER? IS IT WARM OR COOL?
Alabaster is a soft, WARM white with MORE undertone than some of the simpler, cleaner whites (i.e., SW High Reflective White). This warmth comes across as soft and creamy vs. abrasive and yellow, meaning it’s not even close to the three whites I would never paint my trim or cabinets.
If you have north-facing light, you’ll find that the warmth of Alabaster can be a nice balance to the cold light coming in your windows. If you have south-facing or afternoon western light, the warmth of Alabaster will increase slightly.
North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?
WHAT’S THE LRV OF ALABASTER? IS IT WHITE, OFF-WHITE, OR CREAM?
Alabaster has an LRV of 82. This number puts Alabaster in the white range, but it DEFINITELY isn’t one of the fresher, brighter ones, and EVEN starts winking at the off-white range.
Not sure what LRV is? It could save you paint lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.
Alabaster with a gorgeous Evergreen Fog shiplap accent wall!
WHAT UNDERTONES DOES ALABASTER HAVE? WILL IT LOOK YELLOW?
Many people turn to Alabaster expecting a slightly warm white, but it’s a BIT more than that. Alabaster has a wink more warmth than its more passive cousin, Benjamin Moore White Dove, without being AS yellow (or as fresh/white) as Benjamin Moore Simply White.
If you have white appliances, Alabaster will look more yellow-cream in comparison (you do you, but it’s not a look many love). However, choose the right white subway tile, and Alabaster is the perfect soft partner, as shown in this next bathroom…
This warmth can be a great choice if you have a north-facing room, but it will ONLY get warmer looking if you have intense southern or afternoon western light. Because of this, sample it carefully in your space before you start slappin’ paint on the walls.
Check out this next kitchen, with Alabaster trim and Sherwin Williams Creamy walls…
Now, check it out with Alabaster on the cabinets…
THANK YOU to my Online Paint Consulting clients for sending their AFTER photos in – you make my colorful lil’ world go round!
Before, this living room was dull looking with tan/greige walls…
North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?
And after, it’s light, bright, and welcoming with Alabaster!
My client is the LOVELY Jenna Christian
EXPLORE ALABASTER WITH SAMPLIZE PEEL & STICK PAINT SAMPLES
I highly recommend using SAMPLIZE. It’s more affordable and EASIER than janky ole sample pots. Plus, your samples get delivered to your door in 1 DAY!
Get your PEEL & STICK SAMPLE OF ALABASTER!
WHAT WHITE TRIM OR CABINET COLOR GOES WITH ALABASTER WALLS?
If you’re painting your trim and cabinets a white paint color and have fallen for Alabaster, I would do them the SAME white; otherwise, a different white could have Alabaster looking more yellow, just in comparison. Depending on the white, Alabaster could even look dingy or COOLER than your trim!
In this next photo, Alabaster looks good with the white trim (similar to Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace). However, because the trim is WHITER, it makes Alabaster look that bit warmer ‘in comparison’…
If you want white walls and are using Alabaster on the cabinets, I HIGHLY recommend using Alabaster on the walls as well and just letting the change in SHEEN do the work for you.
However, if you’re doing white walls and trim, it depends on what you plan on doing…
- ALABASTER WALLS: Alabaster trim, although you can check out a brighter but still warm white for the trim if you want a layered look. This works because the trim will be the LIGHTER of the two.
- ALABASTER TRIM: I would do Alabaster walls as there isn’t another white that will partner well with Alabaster for this layout.
Why?
Alabaster is as dark as white gets before it’s not white anymore. This means that if you put a DIFFERENT white on the walls, it will inevitably be lighter than Alabaster, meaning your trim is darker than your walls – and this rarely…rarely looks good.
White Walls, Trims, & Cabinets: DO THEY NEED TO MATCH?
SHOULD I Paint My Wood Cabinets White? A QUESTIONNAIRE
The 4 Best White Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams
IS ALABASTER A POPULAR WHITE COLOR FOR EXTERIORS?
HECK YES! I mean, I’m not going to tell you it’s the BEST white, as there’s a LOT that goes into picking the best paint color, but it’s definitely worth checking out if you want a white exterior.
I mean, need I say more?
Alabaster also looks great on exterior trim. Just keep in mind that if you have white windows, it could look more creamy/yellow in comparison…
WHAT PAINT COLORS ARE THE SAME AS OR SIMILAR TO ALABASTER?
You won’t find a perfect match between brands, but there are some equally as beautiful warm whites. These whites have similar warm INTENTIONS and include popular shades like…
- Benjamin Moore Cloud White
- Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee
- Sherwin Williams Greek Villa
WHY IS SHERWIN WILLIAMS ALABASTER SO POPULAR?
Alabaster is one of the best white paint colors because of its softness. Its popularity comes from the WIDE RANGE of projects it can be used on, including walls, exteriors, cabinets, trims, ceilings, and furniture – it’s a great go-to shade of white!
And while it’s warm, the yellow in Alabaster isn’t so obvious that it’s off-putting (for most people), leaving it one of the top whites. However, some whites give Alabaster a run for its money, such as Sherwin Williams Pure White, Benjamin Moore White Dove, and Benjamin Moore Simply White.
Not sure if Alabaster is right for you? Want a bit warmer, whiter, cooler? I’ve got more!
READ MORE
Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore White Dove
Sherwin Williams White Snow DESIGNER COLLECTION
Sherwin Williams 3 Best Warm White Paint Colors
The 8 Best White Paint Colors from Benjamin Moore
Sherwin Williams 4 Best White Paint Colors
The 3 Best Warm White Paint Colors
Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?
Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!
Chat soon,
ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2021, UPDATED FOR YOU IN 2023
Hi Kylie! I love Alabaster. Do you think it would work in a great room/kitchen that faces northwest?
Hi Kylie! I was thinking of using Alabaster on my walls in an open concept plan with low ceilings. I have white appliances. What color trim do you recommend with those walls? I know you mentioned using Alabaster for the trim too, in a different sheen. My husband tends to think that you should always have some sort of contrast? Our cabinets are a taupe/light to mid grey. I like things on the warmer side. Any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks!
I had my dining room painted in Alabaster. There is a fireplace in there, which has a black with white vain marble going through it. It turned out to be the cat’s meow.
I’m looking at Alabaster for a north facing basement room, with a deck overhanging the biggest window. The hope is to brighten up the space, but I’m reading in some places that Alabaster can go stark and cold in a north facing room. Have you found that to be true?
Author
Actually, Alabaster could be a great choice because it’s one of the WARMER whites and could balance off that cooler north-facing light much better than MANY other whites! You could also check out SW Creamy or Whitetail for more colour/warmth, but if you’re going for a white ‘look’, then I don’t have any problem with Alabaster. It WILL lose some warmth, but I can’t’ see it going icy cold ;).
What about alabaster white in basement with no natural light and black ceilings?
Author
It could look LOVELY – you might see a BIT more of its creamy warmth if you have warm bulbs and that can be nice!
I made the dreaded mistake of painting my cabinets (lots of them) Dover White. It is in my great room with SW Camelback on the walls , Dover White on ceilings and trim. This is in a west-facing room with window glass up to the 24 ft cathedral ceiling. This room is blasted with sunlight. The ceiling and trim do not seem to throw the yellow cream that the kitchen cabinets are. I would like to paint the walls and love blues with green undertones. Is there a beige or cream color that can work with Dover White and the best medium blue that wouldn’t look baby blue with all the light.
I had my bedroom painted in dove white in the house we sold. I do not like dove white at all. To me it had a green undertone, too cold. I stay away from that. Only an opinion. You could try putting an actual color with it, which will offset anything you don’t want noticed.
Hi Kylie,
Do you happen to know what was used on the shutters and the trim ( on alabaster exterior -house featured in photo)
I’m trying to see if I can get it approved with my HOA.
Thank you 😊
Author
Oooo, you know, I BELIEVE it was Benjamin Moore Half Moon Crest 🙂 I’d love to see it all done!
Kylie, in the second picture with the alabaster as the trim, do you know the paint color that is used? The color next to the brick?
Author
Hey Erin! I’m looking, but I’m not seeing a second photo with brick in it. Do you mind clarifying for me? 🙂
I’m thinking of painting our kitchen cabinets alibaster. We have canvas tan on our walls and alabaster on the trim… Will alabaster cabinets make the canvas tan walls seem overly yellow?
Do you happen to know what the colour of the black door (interior) is in the 2nd picture? (The one after the Edin councelling reception.
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Hi Kylie,
We have a one story mid century modern home. We want to paint it a light color, and are considering SW Alabaster. Our front face east, so I think the color will look good on that side especially in the afternoons and evenings. The backof the house faces west and gets a lot of sun, and I am concerned SW Alabaster will make the house look washed out or too yellow. Would you recommend this color for us? or are there alternatives that would make the front brighter in the afternoon/evenings while keeping the back of the house also nice and white without loooking yellow or washed out. Thanks a lot
Hi Kylie,
We are painting our exterior Alabaster with Iron ore on the garage and door. Do I keep the trim alabaster as well or should the trim be a whiter white? Our windows are white.
Thank you!
I am getting ready to replace my windows on my house with aluminum clad. They mostly come in a White or a Cream option. Which color would go best with my “Alabaster” color that I have on the exterior body and trim?
Author
Ooo Becky, it’s hard to say as each window brand has different shades. I mean, white is always SAFER of the two, but it could look a bit stark with Alabaster. However, depending on the shade of cream, it could be too yellow for Alabaster! If i HAD to choose though, off the top, I’d choose white.
Hi Kylie! I’ve learned so much from your site! Quick question – If I go with Alabaster for walls, trim and cabinets – should I also use Alabaster for the ceiling? Or do you recommend another white for a ceiling?
A really quick response would be amazing! We purchased our first home and are renovating it! We’re painting our house this week and I’m driving my husband crazy with deciding on paint colors lol! Thank you!!
Author
Hey Charlotte! Yup, I’d stick with Alabaster, but you could get a sample made 25% and 50% lighter and see if you like it that bit brighter on the ceiling – as long as it doesn’t look more yellow and has a similar look to the regular version :).
Hi Kylie! Several years back (before I found you and learned more about paint colors!) I made the mistake of color matching paint. I painted all my trim BM White Dove but had it mixed with SW paint 😬 It actually turned out to be a nice color and doesn’t have any green undertones to it, and it paired really nicely with my Edgecomb Gray walls at the time. BUT it is a lot darker/creamier than actual BM White Dove! It reads much closer to Alabaster, but is just slightly darker than alabaster. Fast forward a few years and we did a kitchen renovation and now I’m painting my walls white, ideally a color matching closely to the trim (cabinets are BM Natural Cream so walls need to stay light). So my question is, would painting the walls Alabaster but darkened maybe 25% potentially work in this situation? Or maybe even Creamy? It’s hard to find a white that isn’t lighter than my trim is! (Repainting all the trim isn’t an option). Thanks!
Author
Oooo, it’s so HARD to say as you could end up with a few versions of the same white – but none of them actually matching. If you can’t paint your trim, your best bet might be to take a piece off and take it to the paint store to see if they can get a close color match with their computer system. Without seeing your current trim in person, I couldn’t say whether Alabaster or Creamy would work!