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.

• • 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

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ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2021, UPDATED FOR FRESH, NEW CONTENT IN LATE 2025