Sherwin Williams Alabaster: A warm white paint color & SO MUCH MORE!
If you’ve been looking for a soft, warm white paint color, you’ve come to the right place…
What type of paint color is Sherwin Williams Alabaster? Is it warm or cool?
Alabaster is a soft, WARM white with MORE undertone than some of the more simple, cleaner whites (ie: SW High Reflective White). This warmth comes across as soft and creamy vs abrasive and yellow, meaning it’s not even close to the 3 whites that 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 light or afternoon western light, the warmth of Alabaster will be slightly increased.
North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?
My client’s beautiful reception area at Eddins Counselling
What’s the LRV of Alabaster?
Alabaster has an LRV of 82. So, it’s in the WHITE range, but 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.
What are the undertones of Alabaster? Will it look yellow?
THIS is where you have to be careful. A lot of people turn to Alabaster expecting a slightly warm white, but I find it’s a BIT more than that, without going too far. It 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 or super white trim? I would partner it with Alabaster on the cabinets.
SW Alabaster with SW Antique White on the walls
This warmth can be a great choice if you have a north-facing room, but will ONLY get warmer looking if you have intense southern or afternoon western light, so you have to sample it carefully in your space before you start slappin’ paint on the walls.
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!
What’s the best way to sample Alabaster?
Like with every paint color, I highly recommend using SAMPLIZE.
However, whereas I usually put white paper around my off-white and darker samples, when it comes to white paint samples, I only compare them to ‘paper white’ for a quick second. Paper-white will ENHANCE and over-expose the look of Alabaster, bringing out its warm undertones – the same undertones that can settle back on a larger scale, when NOT compared to a cleaner white. Judge Alabaster on its own merits, not how it compares to a clean or cool white.
LEARN ALL ABOUT SAMPLIZE HERE
Alabaster cabinets and trim, Sherwin Williams Casa Blanca walls JR PHOTOGRAPHY
If I’m painting my cabinets Alabaster, should I do my trim and walls the same?
If you’re painting your trim and cabinets then ABSOLUTELY – keep them the same. Otherwise, you risk one white highlighting the undertones of the other, causing one to look dirtier/warmer/cooler in comparison.
SW Alabaster on the trim and cabinets with Benjamin Moore Gray Owl walls
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.
SHOULD I Paint My Wood Cabinets White? A QUESTIONNAIRE
The 4 Best White Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams
Is Alabaster a good white for the exterior of my home?
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?
What Benjamin Moore paint colors are the same as or similar to Alabaster?
You won’t find an exact match for ANY color between brands – you WILL see shifts in undertones, temperature and depths. However, there are some with similar intentions, but different approaches…
- Benjamin Moore Cloud White
- Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee
And if you’re thinking of color matching between brands (ie. getting BM to make an SW paint color), you might want to read THIS first.
Why isn’t Alabaster as popular?
Oh, it’s popular, there are just some whites that are giving it 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 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,
Comments 13
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’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.
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!
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