Sherwin Williams Alabaster (7008): Undertones, LRV, & Best Uses

Sherwin Williams Alabaster is a creamy white paint color. It works well on walls, cabinets, and trim, as well as in open-concept spaces and whole homes, making it a flexible choice overall.

Warm white paint colors like Alabaster can change their appearance from room to room based on surrounding finishes, natural light, and lighting placement.

However, in your color journey, you’ve likely come across Pure White, Extra White, Simply White, Alabaster, and so many more – but which one is best? Reading each color’s review is the best place to start…

IS ALABASTER A WARM OR COOL WHITE?

Alabaster is a soft, warm shade of white with more undertones than some simpler, cleaner whites (which we’ll get to shortly).

Alabaster’s warmth comes across as soft and creamy, not abrasive or overly yellow, meaning it’s not even close to the three whites I would never paint my trim or cabinets. This said, make sure your finishes love this warmth and wouldn’t prefer a more muted approach.

SW ALABASTER’S UNDERTONES

Many people turn to Alabaster expecting a slightly warm white, but it’s more than that. Alabaster has a wink more visible warmth (a soft glow) than its more passive cousin, Benjamin Moore White Dove, without being as yellow (or as fresh/white) as Benjamin Moore Simply White.

This is because Alabaster has creamy yellow undertones. 

Notice the shift between the Alabaster trim and white windows – Alabaster looks more yellow.

This is a concern if you have white appliances or traditional white subway tile, as Alabaster will look more yellow-cream than finishes that are whiter. I mean, you do you, but it’s not a look everyone loves. However, choose the right, warm white subway tile, and you create a seamless, classic, and timeless kitchen palette.

IS ALABASTER TOO CREAMY?

In my Online Color Consulting experience, yes, Alabaster is too creamy for some people. However, for interior finishes that NEED a creamier warmth (common with some early 2000s finishes) and homeowners who love a bit more softness, it’s the perfect shade of white.

So, whether it’s ‘too creamy’ is open to perception. Sample and compare it to similar shades (which we’ll do shortly) to see the ebb and flow of warmth. 

THE LRV & DEPTH OF ALABASTER

Many people think Alabaster is an off-white. While it’s darn close, Sherwin Williams states its LRV as 82, making it a white—it’s just on the very edge of the off-white world.

Will Alabaster ‘act’ like a bright shade of white?

Well, if you have a ton of natural light, sure, it will look lighter and brighter, but Alabaster’s goal is to be soft and muted with its warmth rather than overly bright and cheerful.

But while it’s not the brightest shade of white, it can still work reasonably well in darker rooms.

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

WILL IT LOOK DINGY OR MUDDY?

Alabaster isn’t known to be an overly dingy or muddy warm white; however, compared to brighter whites and those with more yellow undertone, it can SEEM that way.

The only way to clean it up is to decrease its neutral base and add more white/yellow. Most people don’t want to do that.

Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Alabaster…

Alabaster really is a great happy medium between whites that are too yellow/warm and those that aren’t warm enough.

Before, this living room was dull-looking with tan/greige walls…

And after, it’s light, bright, and welcoming with Alabaster!

My client is the LOVELY Jenna Christian

WHERE ALABASTER WORKS (& WHERE IT DOESN’T)

Just because you’ve fallen for a color doesn’t mean it’s best for every paintable surface in your home.

First, let’s do a shortlist of Alabaster’s best uses, then we’ll bust into some particulars…

ALABASTER OFTEN LOOKS BEST…

• On kitchen cabinets, trims, and doors, as well as bathroom vanities
• On walls – everything from single rooms, to open-concept spaces, and whole homes
• It works well with some older granite countertops that need more warmth than a typical shade of white.
• Be careful with surrounding white finishes, such as appliances and subway tile, as they can over-enhance Alabaster’s creamy yellow undertones.
• If you love cool, clean colors, Alabaster can appear a bit too dingy/dirty warm in contrast.

Now, let’s hit a few of the above, along with some other challenging topics…

IS ALABASTER A GOOD KITCHEN CABINET COLOR?

Does the Pope wear a funny hat? You bet your cute little booty it is.

Alabaster can be a gorgeous warm white for cabinets – bathrooms, kitchens, built-ins – you name it. This is, assuming it coordinates with the surrounding finishes.

Sometimes, Alabaster is a bit too warm and creamy for the backsplash and countertop it’s paired with. In this case, a more muted warmth might be needed.

This is why it’s so important to sample and compare at least 3-4 similar shades. 

Again, my talented client’s home – Jenna Christian

IS ALABASTER GOOD FOR A WHOLE HOME?

Absolutely yes. Whereas previous trends saw entire homes painted in brighter shades of white and gray, today’s homes lean toward a softer approach.

Alabaster adds warmth to a space without a real commitment to color, making it an interesting option for walls and trims (matching).

In the next two images, notice how its appearance changes depending on where it’s viewed from/time of day/etc…

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… be careful, as trends have shifted even further toward non-white walls. Many are embracing warm off-white paint colors, along with moderate and slightly darker shades of beige and tan.

Does this make Alabaster a bad idea for your ‘whole home’?

Not at all. Seeing as Alabaster trim is reasonably flexible, as trends shift, you can always change secondary rooms to accommodate new looks.

CAN ALABASTER BE USED ON WALLS & TRIMS?

Yes, in fact, that’s my recommendation if you want to use white on two or more surfaces. While some mix-and-match whites work, they can potentially…

a) create clashing undertones as one white competes with another

b) expose the undertones of one, in this case, most other whites will expose Alabaster’s warmth and enhance it (if that’s what you want, it’s a good thing, but most people don’t).

In this next photo, Alabaster looks good with the white trim (similar to Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace). However, notice that because the trim is whiter, it makes Alabaster look that bit warmer and more yellow ‘in comparison’…

Long story short, if you’re painting it white and want to keep things simple, paint it Alabaster. 

WHAT’S THE BEST TRIM COLOR WITH ALABASTER WALLS?

This is a different question from, ‘Can you use Alabaster on your trim and walls’ – that question relates to using it on BOTH surfaces at the same time.

This question is for when you don’t want your trim painted Alabaster.  

So, if you’re feeling brave and don’t want to listen to the wee little Ginger, here are my best recommendations…

• ALABASTER WALLS: If your walls are Alabaster, your trim needs to be the WHITER of the two.
• ALABASTER TRIM OR CABINETS: If your trim or cabinets are Alabaster, your walls should be DARKER than them, which means you’ll be exploring the off-white world, not white.
• While I can go into specific colors, it’s nice to see examples, which you will find here: Which 2 Whites Go Together?

White Walls, Trims, & Cabinets: DO THEY NEED TO MATCH?

In this next kitchen, the cabinets are Alabaster, and the trim is a whiter white…

I mean, you do you, boo, but ideally, these would both be Alabaster.

Why?

The trim makes the cabinets look creamier than they need to/should. It’s not to say this is BAD, but it’s best if they’re the same.

The 4 Best White Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams

IS ALABASTER A GOOD WHITE FOR EXTERIORS – SIDING OR TRIM?

White exteriors are tricky. They were a big trend, and we saw WAY TOO MANY white houses that were never meant to be white. It’s often safer to shift into the off-white world to prevent your home from looking too glaring or shocking.

If your home suits white (e.g., authentic farmhouse, cottage, seaside, etc.), Alabaster can be an interesting choice, as long as you know how its warmth can come up – it is a creamy white.

If you ask this color cowgirl, Alabaster is a bit too creamy-yellow for the average exterior (siding or stucco). 

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, which isn’t everyone’s cup of tea or vat of whisky. While this isn’t as much of a concern with interior windows (since they tend to fall back), it can be more noticeable on exterior windows.

DOES ALABASTER WORK FOR NORTH OR SOUTH-FACING ROOMS?

One of the many things I love about Alabaster is that it’s stunning in north-facing rooms or in those with flat eastern afternoon or western morning sun. Sure, it might not look as warm and creamy as it would in southern light, but it holds its own more than more muted whites. In fact, its subtlety can be just what a cool or dull natural light needs.

Alabaster with a gorgeous green-gray accent wall.

As for south-facing rooms, be cautious if you have southern sun, as the sun’s warmth will add to Alabaster’s – it’ll come down to personal tastes as to whether it’s perfect or a bit too much!

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

DOES ALABASTER GO WITH OAK CABINETS, WOOD TRIMS & FLOORING?

Alabaster is reasonably flexible with a range of wood species and stains. Whether you have golden oak, maple, cherry, or pine, Alabaster usually hits the mark.

Alabaster trim and ceiling | The Best Colors With Wood Finishes

The only stain I might be cautious with is a pink-stained wood. The lighter version of red stains is pink. And while most red-stained wood can work okay with Alabaster, the lighter pink stains aren’t always so hot (hit-or-miss, really).

Anything beyond this next pink undertone can be a bit much…

DOES ALABASTER GO WITH CREAM CABINETS & TRIMS?

Insert awkward silence here… No, Alabaster doesn’t go with cream cabinets and trims, unless you…

a) like the look where your walls are lighter than your cream cabinets/trims (it can look a little ass-backwards – there are only rare exceptions.

b) your cream cabinets need to be the RIGHT TYPE of cream to coordinate with Alabaster. It doesn’t love overly ‘creamy’ creams. Even with a glaze on the cabinets, wooooof, I wouldn’t do it.

Instead, read this: The Best MODERN Paint Colors to Update Cream Cabinets & Trims

WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO ALABASTER?

You won’t find a perfect match between brands; that reality doesn’t exist (sadly – and no, not even ye ole Home Depot can do it perfectly). However, there are some equally beautiful warm whites.

These whites share warm intentions, so let’s compare…

ALABASTER COMPARED TO SW GREEK VILLA

This is a great comparison, as these are two of Sherwin Williams’ most popular white paint colors.

Personally, I prefer Alabaster and its more muted approach, but it’s not all about me – not all the time, anyway.

Alabaster’s LRV is 82 vs. Greek Villa’s, which is 84. This makes GV a slightly brighter shade of white and not as close to the creamy off-white world.

As for overall temperature and approach, Greek Villa appears a bit cleaner, with less gray and a bit more yellow (which can be a good or bad thing, depending on your needs).

Sherwin Williams Greek Villa Color Review

ALABASTER COMPARED TO BENJAMIN MOORE WHITE DOVE

All, clash of the titans! Benjamin Moore White Dove is one of their most popular warm whites, just as Alabaster is one of Sherwin Williams. So, how are they different?

Alabaster’s LRV is 82 vs. White Dove’s LRV of 83.16. This is a very small difference and shouldn’t play a lot into your decision – it’s only slightly noticeable.

Where you’ll see more of a shift is commitment to warmth. This, combined with its marginally darker look, gives it a creamier look.

Benjamin Moore White Dove Color Review

As alternatives to Alabaster, Benjamin Moore White Dove and Cloud White are interesting options.

Ideas to Update Your 2000s Home: SERIES

WHAT WALL COLORS GO WITH ALABASTER?

Oh gosh, where do I even start? Alabaster is hugely flexible. Here are a few of my favorite color families…

• BEIGE & TAN PAINT COLORS: A wide range of tan paint colors and some beiges (as long as they aren’t overly orange-pink and have a bit more depth vs. being off-white).
• GREIGE PAINT COLORS: Many light to medium greiges are awesome. Darker shades of greige are great accents.
• TAUPES: Some taupe paint colors can work as long as they’re in the light to medium-depth range (or darker) and aren’t too strong in chroma (color/undertone).
• DARKER SHADES OF BLUE & GREEN: Any number of darker shades, including dark green paint colors and darker gray-blues.
• GRAY-GREENS: A range of light to dark gray-green paint colors can be stunning partners.
• OFF-WHITES: Alabaster goes with ‘some’ off-whites, but can be fussy.
• GRAY PAINT COLORS: Grays that are stormy or warm and at least light depth (or darker) can be interesting partners to the warmth in Alabaster.

This next photo shows Alabaster with Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige, which looks wicked pretty…

QUICK SUMMARY (TL;DR)

• Sherwin Williams Alabaster is a soft, warm, creamy white paint color
• It’s awesome on kitchen cabinets, trims, and walls.
• It can work on a ‘whole home’ basis or in a single room.
• It has yellow undertones, but a gray base to calm them.

READ MORE

The Best White Paint Color (Singular)

Sherwin Williams Designer White Collection

Sherwin Williams 3 Best Warm White Paint Colors

Get the best paint color advice with Kylie M’s Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

Updated with new content and images for 2026