Sherwin Williams Crushed Ice 7647: Paint Color Review
Looking for a versatile warm gray paint color?
If there’s one light gray paint color that’s highly underrated and underused, it has to be Sherwin Williams Crushed Ice. Why should it be one of the most popular shades of gray on the market? Let’s find out…
WHAT TYPE OF COLOR IS CRUSHED ICE?
Crushed Ice is a warm paint color. But just because it’s warm doesn’t mean it’s remotely beige or cream; it’s actually a warm gray paint color. And just like every other gray, it has undertones (which we’ll get into shortly).
Like death, taxes, and cellulite – undertones are darn hard to avoid.
However, Crushed Ice isn’t traditionally warm by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, I’m more inclined to call it ‘warmy stormy’ (super technical).
What’s a ‘warmy stormy’ gray?
Most popular warm gray paint colors are obviously warm, and most cool ones are obviously cool. However, while Crushed Ice has warmth in it, it sure as heck ain’t obvious about it.
This means that in a room with cool northern light, Crushed Ice can lean into its cool base and cool undertones a bit more. However, in a room with southern sun or afternoon western light, you’ll see it soften up – maybe not looking WARM, but definitely leaning this way.
North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?
99.5% of the photos in my blog are from my Online Color Consulting clients, readers, talented photographers, & friends— because real homes deserve to be celebrated (dirty laundry & all!) While not magazine-perfect, they’re packed with timeless home update ideas & proven, popular paint color choices to help you create a home you’ll love.
WHAT’S THE LRV OF CRUSHED ICE?
Crushed Ice has an LRV of 66, so it’s smack dab in the middle of the ‘light’ range, making it a great option for a range of spaces. In fact, the 60-70 range is pretty normal for the average home/room.
While pairing warm and cool finishes together can be challenging, as many warm colors clash with cooler and lighter shades, we managed to incorporate Crushed Ice quite nicely in this next home…
Before (above), the red paint color overwhelmed the beautiful stone fireplace. After (below), Crushed Ice works well with the limestone fireplace and drastically brightens the space…
However, with its slightly higher LRV, Crushed Ice washes out on well-lit walls. That said, you need to add more depth to any color so that it doesn’t wash out. If you have a basement or dark room, it can look a bit dingy, simply because it’s a warm gray, not a fresh or clean one.
Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.
WHAT ARE CRUSHED ICE’S UNDERTONES?
While Crushed Ice isn’t crushin’ hard on its undertones, they’re there. Some people choose Crushed Ice, thinking it’s one of the most neutral gray paint colors, but it’s not. Crushed Ice has a soft green undertone, but with the right interior lighting or exposure, it can easily flash slightly green-blue or even a tiny wink purple (not as common).
One thing I love about Crushed Ice is that often, it looks pretty neutral – not committing to one undertone or another.
These flexible undertones make it a great choice for a space that doesn’t need committed undertones, but tricky with finishes that DEMAND a visible purple, blue, or green.
Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Crushed Ice (on your front door, tomorrow!)
WHAT’S THE BEST WHITE TRIM OR CABINET COLOR WITH SW CRUSHED ICE?
Crushed Ice is pretty darn fussy about its white paint color partners and won’t favor those with too much warmth. Instead, I’d explore…
- Sherwin Williams Pure White
- Sherwin Williams White Snow
- Benjamin Moore White OC-151
The 4 Best White Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams
WHERE DOES CRUSHED ICE LOOK ITS BEST?
Not all colors are cut out for the same job, and Crushed Ice certainly has its limitations.
CRUSHED ICE AS AN EXTERIOR COLOR
Generally speaking, no, it’s not a popular exterior color as it’s less likely to suit the average stone, brick, or roof color.
DOES CRUSHED ICE GO WITH CREAM CABINETS & TRIMS?
That’s a hard no – in fact, it’s so hard, I’m getting a little excited. Crushed Ice will be downright fugly with cream cabinets and trims.
HOW ABOUT WOOD FINISHES?
Crushed Ice can be really pretty with a range of wood finishes, especially if separated by white trim (in the case of wood flooring). In particular, I like it with softer, lighter woods with a yellow hue.
5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color
WHAT PAINT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO CRUSHED ICE?
Sampling and comparing similar paint colors is one of the MOST IMPORTANT parts of your color journey – you might find something you love even more!
CRUSHED ICE VS. FIRST STAR
These two colors are fun to compare, as First Star helps show off the warmer backdrop of Crushed Ice.
*Also, Sherwin Williams site says First Star is a white – it’s not white. Compare it to SW High Reflective White to see the shift.
This is because First Star is a more standard-looking cool gray paint color that favors a bit more blue over green. As for depth, First Star’s LRV of 69 is lighter than Crushed Ice’s 66 – about 25% lighter.
Sherwin Williams First Star Paint Color Review
CRUSHED ICE VS SHERWIN WILLIAMS GOSSAMER VEIL
This comparison is cool, as while First Star shows the warmth of Crushed Ice, Gossamer Veil shows how gray it can be!
Gossamer Veil headboard wall with Benjamin Moore White Dove shiplap wall
This is because Gossamer Veil is warmer than First Star. While Gossamer Veil is also a warm gray, it leans more to greige with a very (very) vague green undertone.
Gossamer Veil is also darker than Crushed Ice, with an LRV of 62.
Sherwin Williams Gossamer Veil Paint Color Review
WHAT ARE SIMILAR ALTERNATIVES IN BENJAMIN MOORE?
If you love the look of Crushed Ice but need it in Benjamin Moore paint, there are colors with ‘similar intentions’, but nothing exactly the same. In fact, more so than some colors, there isn’t anything even ‘really’ close.
Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
However, you should still check out Benjamin Moore Gray Owl and Moonshine to see if you like their different approach.
WHAT COLORS GO WITH CRUSHED ICE IN A PALETTE?
While it depends on what you need these colors for – accent wall, cabinets, kitchen island, or inside your front door – these will get you started.
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- Some muted, warm off-whites, so long as they’re lighter than Crushed Ice, otherwise they can fight a bit
- slightly darker, light-medium to medium-depth grays with blue-green undertones can be gorgeous accents
- Some slightly more colorful blue-green-gray blends
- It won’t always love colors that are darker AND warmer than it – if colors are warmer, they will ideally be lighter than Crushed Ice
READ MORE
The Best WHOLE HOME Taupe & Greige Paint Colors
Paint Color Review: Sherwin Williams Big Chill
Paint Color Review: Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray
Get the best paint color advice
Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!
ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2021, UPDATED FOR FRESH, NEW CONTENT IN LATE 2025
I stumbled on Crushed ice will looking through lighter warm grays. I’m thinking of doing wall in Crushed ice and trim and cabinets in Pure white. I also considered trim and cabinets in Highly reflective white but not sure it would look too stark.
Hi Chris, it’s all about what suits your countertop/backsplash! I love BOTH whites, but Pure White is a softer approach which ‘more commonly’ suits the average countertop. That being said, if you have a countertop that has a more legit white, cool look or is black, High Reflective White could be lovely! Of the 2, I do prefer HRW with Crushed Ice.
Thank you for your review of Crushed Ice. I love your entry wood floors. Can you share what they are?
Oh, Phyllis, I’m sorry, I’m not sure – they were there when we moved in!
Thank you for your thoughts on crushed ice! The tone of this color is absolutely perfect with the stone tile I picked out for our fireplace and we have chosen SW Pure White For all of our trim and kitchen cabinets. I just wish crushed ice was the tiniest bit darker to add more contrast… Is there A color that’s the same tone as crushed ice but just ever so slightly darker? I really do not want to color as dark as repose gray as I want the vibe to be light but I want enough contrast to not wash out my white cabinets.
YES! Just ask the paint store to darken it by 25% for you! Even 50% can be nice and isn’t as shocking as it SOUNDS – this should do the trick without having to entertain a new colour with different undertones (as they allll shift).
Thank you!! Definitely going try this out!
Can this be used in a dark bedroom. Looking to lighten the gray walls. Maybe add a contrast dark blue wall behind the bed. Any suggestions or would it be too cool for a bedroom
I am leaning towards using crushed ice for my kitchen cabinets. We have sherwin williams gauntlet grey on the walls and just installed lennon granite counters which has grey, white, brown, and black in it. I want to go light for the cabinets but want a hint of grey tint and the crushed ice seems to have that. I also looked at modern grey but it seems a little to brown. What do you think about crushed ice as a cabinet color? Do you have any recommendations for similar colors I should consider?
Hi Kylie,
How is evergreen fog with crushed ice. Does it pair?
Looking to paint the dining room with evergreen fog as accent color
Confused between Crushed ice and Alabster for side walls
Thanks
Hi Bee, i would lean WAY more into Alabaster with Evergreen Fog over Crushed Ice 🙂
Hi Kylie,
just moved in to our new home. My kitchen is stumping me, I am trying to tie together the previous owners granite and kitchen cabinets. To me they paired a cool color granite (my guess Allen & Roth Peppered Ash) with oak cabinet, nickel hardware, stainless appliances and white subway tile (white grout). The cabinets are honey oak cabinets with similar wood flooring. I took your suggestion and replaced hardware black , I ordered a black stainless gas range. For the moment the cabinets are staying, still tossing around replacing or painting cabinets. I would love to replace granite, but it’s staying as well. I plan on painting the bottom/back of cabinet that is viewable in dining room and the kitchen/dining area. Would Crushed Ice or Big Chill marry well with the oak cabinets/flooring and then maybe pull a medium gray color from granite and use that and paint back of island. My OCD needs this to come together.
Hi Kylie,
1. Classic center hall colonial. We are looking at either “on the rocks” or “gray owl” for our kitchen – South-South-East facing which has cloe white backsplash (8 shades of grayish white subway tiles), silestone suede calacatta gold quartz countertops, and bright white cabinets. will use with either Pure White or High Reflective white trim.
2. Our adjoining dining room which is facing north-north-west has neutral furniture – https://tommybahamafurniture.com/rockpoint-rectangular-dining-table – so we are looking at moving from the current revere pewter to crushed ice.
3. The foyer also adjoins to the dining room and is in between the dining room and living room with large 48″ opening for both dining room and living room. All 3 rooms are facing north-north-west and foyer doesn’t get much light (dining room and living room do have good windows). We will paint living room and dining room same color (thinking crushed ice). Foyer is in middle and offers an opportunity for some drama. We are thinking “classic gray” or “on the rocks” for the foyer (already have classic gray in the stairwell which is part of the foyer.
Q1. My wife likes “on the rocks” for the kitchen, but I am worried about how it will play with crushed ice in the dining room. Would you go gray owl or on the rocks in the kitchen?
Q2. My wife is torn between classic gray and on the rocks in the foyer. Worried “on the rocks” won’t show much difference from crushed ice or won’t play well with crushed ice. Any recommendations on the foyer?
Would crushed ice work on kitchen cabinets with Mindful Gray walls?
Nope, I wouldn’t do it 🙂
Nice to see a glowing review of a color I’ve long loved. I’ve used this widely in two different houses, and it always works! Love me some crushed ice.
Hey there,
You are my go to for colors. Huge thank you!
Building a cabin on a mountain in Oklahoma (sunny and tons of trees). Leaning toward Dorian Gray on board and batten and shakers. Maybe a little Gauntlet Gray somewhere and maybe Elder White, depending on window pane color (would you do white or clay color windows frames?). Beams espresso-ish (no orange)
Looking at entire interior Crushed Ice with Pure white trim/kitchen cabinets (clear stained white oak high ceiling).
Thoughts on interior and exterior? Also, if I have white quartz counters and pure white or white oak cabinets, and recommendations for a pretty island color? Floors will be Cali Seaboard Oak (good light oak color LVP).
Appreciation and respect- thanks! Dawn
Hi Kylie- Can you tell me what is the best black color to use with Crushed Ice?
Hi Kylie,
Thanks for the review of Crushed Ice. We selected KCD cabinets that are ‘Sand’, which I have determined to be close to Anew Gray or Amazing Gray. Struggling with wall color as it will be used throughout the open concept downstairs. Thinking Crushed Ice, Drift of Mist, or Gossamer Veil. Should I avoid any of those or would you recommend another? I don’t mind green undertones and would prefer to avoid purple. Thanks much!
Hey I’m trying to decide between crushed ice and agreeable gray for my walls. Wondering that color to do my trim? My cabinets are iron ore. Ty
PERSONALLY, I would do AGreeable Gray with Pure White trim, as long as it suits the rest of the room 🙂
Kylie, this is the only color that I regretted painting in my house. It looks beautiful on the the color chip, but once it is up it lacks the warmth and felt lifeless in my home. It doesn’t have the warmth like sw agreeable gray has. Some rooms looked baby blue and purple. I painted over my sw crushed walls in sw agreeable gray and it felt warmer and a bit cozier.
Hi .. My client wants to pair a darker paint with Crushed Ice on accent wall going all the way up one side of the hallway. Personally I think she should do Crushed Ice through the whole house. What color would you pair with Crushed Ice — Software seems nice. Love to get your thoughts. I think the hallway is pretty dark so you cannot do too dark of a color. Her cabinets nearby are like an Iron Ore color. Thanks!
Great information! I’m considering crushed ice for some rooms while using fleur de sel for others, and behrs weathered white in the main areas. Will these colors clash at all?
I am trying to pair SW uncertain gray (cabinet color) with a neutral coordinating wall color. I love Drift of Mist, but am unsure of whether it pairs well. I am also looking at crushed ice and city loft.
For trim, I am thinking SW pure white.
We are building a new home. I wanted a cool grey color for cabinets almost a grey white no beige undertones. What color would you suggest? Thought about crushed ice but what wall color goes great with it. Trim is all white! Please help very confused
Can you recommend some wood flooring colors for coordinating crushed ice?
Is shoji white one of those muted off whites that can work with crushed ice? I have a kitchen with shoji white and slate tile cabinets and trying to figure out a wall color that works with both
Oooo, I would be careful as Shoji White is pretty muddy and Crushed Ice is a cooler-tone. As a partner in an adjoining room, maybe, but not on the walls.