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
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?
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?
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 😊
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?
Hey Erin! I’m looking, but I’m not seeing a second photo with brick in it. Do you mind clarifying for me? 🙂
She is referring to the pic underneath the pic with shutters.
Perfect, thank you for clarifying!!
Hey Erin, that’s Sherwin Williams Mink!
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.
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?
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!!
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!
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!
Hi Kylie, I have been reading your blog trying to choose a warm white that works with warm and cool finishes. I put samples of SW Alabaster, BM Simply White, and SW Pure White on my walls. Alabaster feels a little too dark/dingy for my preference, Simply White is a little brighter than I was expecting, and Pure White reads a little too gray sometimes. Would it be worth it to try Alabaster at 75% strength? Or is there another color you would suggest sampling? Thank you!
Hmmm. It sounds like BM Cloud White or SW Greek Villa could be worth exploring? Just remember, less dingy means more yellow, and the more yellow there is, the trickier it can be to coordinate paint colors with. In general, I’m a fan of BM White Dove for massive flexiblity, but if you find Alabaster dingy, I don’t see you loving it much more.
What color is on the kitchen island? Charcoal or black?
Hey Aimee, that’s SW Iron Ore, which is a soft black. In some lights it can look like a super (duper) dark charcoal. I do have a great review on it, too!
Hello Kylie,
We have a historic colonial revival house currently painted white with black shutters. I need to repaint the house and I’m thinking to stay in the current color scheme. For the walls I decided to go with alabaster and either black magic or tricorn black for shutters (do you have preference here?). Not sure what to do about the trim. Would you suggest that I do trim in alabaster as well or should I go with either extra white, snowbound or pure white? I know a lot of people are painting monochromatically one color for trim and walls. However, I wanted to possibly make the trim stand out since there’s a lot of architectural detail. Is that a good route?
Hi Janin! I would worry that the weee subtle shift between Alabaster and Extra White could have the house looking just a bit ‘off’ from the trim, rather than purposefully cream. I would lean into doing the house/trim the same OR doing the trim white and doing a house color with just a bit more depth.
This has been super helpful, thanks! I’m just moving into a house with the dreaded orangey-oak cabinets and have decided to keep them. Appliances are black and I am planning to do a white subway tile backsplash so I am wondering if Alabaster might be the perfect wall color to combat the orange and dark, or is there something better for a dark kitchen? Thanks!
Wellll, just be careful as it’s ‘ideal’ of your whites are the same, so you may want to find a tile that’s not entirely ‘white’ and has a similar softness/warmth as Alabaster :).
Hi Kylie!
Do you happen to know which direction the family room faces in this post? I love the difference the color made in the room in the “after”.
We have a very similar layout but an east facing family room and are considering alabaster for the walls. Floors are a dark walnut and couches are a warm linen type color, with overall warm accents throughout the room. Thought I’d ask before I slap this color all over the walls!
Thanks 🙂
Oh, I’m sorry, I don’t!
Hi Kylie, thanks for this great post! We are repainting our kitchen cabinets and initially picked Alabaster. The kitchen has north and east facing windows, walls are SW City Loft, and trim is SW Pure White. Do you think Alabaster cabinets would clash with Pure White trim? We don’t want to redo the trim, since it was recently repainted.
Oooo, I would stay away from Alabaster as it can be pretty yellow with White Dove/City Loft. I would definitely stick with Pure White on the cabinets, assuming it suits the countertop/backsplash – it’s best to keep whites consistent, otherwise a white like Alabaster can look a bit cream-yellow in comparison!
have you ever darkened Alabaster? I’m agonizing over a kitchen cabinet color!!! I have bead board on the lower half of my kitchen nook that happens to share a wall with the kitchen cabinets. To complicate things more, there’s a window with wood shutters butting up against the cabinet. I’m in LOVE (I think) with the look of BM Pashmina on the upper wall & SW Alabaster on the bead board, trim, & window shutters. I’m hoping to find a kitchen cabinet color within the same shade as Alabaster, a little bit darker with a slight noticable difference, but not so much as too look like there’s too much going on.
I’m wondering the same thing! Has anyone darkened alabaster 25% for cabinets to pair with their alabaster walls?