Sherwin Williams Shoji White: The Quick and Dirty on LRV, Undertones and a Little More

Can’t decide whether you want cream or greige? Not sure which paint colour will best suit your home and personal tastes? Well, maybe there’s a paint colour that can do it ALL and then some…Sherwin Williams Shoji White.

I love to show RELATEABLE & REAL homes, so ONLY use photos from my Online Colour Consulting clients. This means I don’t always have the quality pics I need (hence the ‘QUICK Review’), but DEFINITELY have some SUPER helpful info to help you on your way!

What type of colour is Shoji White? Is it warm or cool? Beige or Greige?

Shoji White is a beautiful blend of cream and greige, making it a WARM paint colour. So, while you’ll benefit from the soft warmth of it, it’s toned down by a greige-beige base. In a south-facing room or in western afternoon sun, it will lean more into its warm foundation. In a north or east-facing room, it will become more muted, with a more subtle warmth.

What is the LRV of Shoji White?

Shoji White has an LRV of 74. This number means that Shoji White is an off-white, but not by much and it does sit on the edge of the light range. If you’re not familiar with LRV, you’ll benefit from reading this.

Does Shoji White have any undertones?

You bet your booty it does! While it’s PASSIVE, Shoji White has a wee subtle green undertone tucked inside of it.

Which white paint colours work with Shoji White (for trim)?

I like the simple clean look of SW High Reflective White – not warm, not cold, just white. I also love the slightly softer approach of SW Pure White.

Why isn’t Shoji White as popular?

If you ask me (which you did), it’s all in the undertone. Whereas you can get a more neutral approach with Benjamin Moore Ballet White or Sherwin Williams White Duck, Shoji has that wink of green that makes some people nervous. This undertone also makes it not as suitable for coordinating with other finishes that DON’T have the same green undertone.

However, that doesn’t mean Shoji White won’t work for YOU and your room but might make you think more about whether it really IS the right fit. And if it is…SEND PHOTOS!

What’s the best way to sample Shoji White?

Like with every paint colour, I highly recommend using SAMPLIZE to save money, time and energy. When sampling paint colours, make sure you place white paper around your samples so that your perception isn’t skewed by your existing wall colour.

Not sure if Shoji White is right for you? Want a bit more gray, more beige, less undertone? I’ve got more!

BENJAMIN MOORE BALLET WHITE

OFF-WHITES

BENJAMIN MOORE EDGECOMB GRAY

Not sure which paint colour is best for your room and its finishes?

Check out my Online Colour Consulting, I’d love to help!

Tara Hall
October 29, 2020 at 1:00 pm

I bought a gallon of Gossamer Veil, but seriously considered Shoji White- the builder put Alabaster on all walls and ceiling- too much for me. Foyer is 50% fawn brindle, half bath in Krypton, using Urbane Bronze or Porpoise as accent somewhere, but want our open space with 12 – 8’ windows facing East/North to be one color- just not Alabaster. I painted GV on a small section- earthy- but what will happen if I go 50% GV? Do I keep the same hues? Trim is Snowbound. I just don’t know how cutting such a light color will impact it.

Kathy Compitello
March 16, 2021 at 1:02 pm

Hi! Love your blog! Super helpful. I wonder if you can answer this for me – are the HGTV SW paint colors from Lowes the same as the colors you’d get at SW? I have a sample of HGTV SW Shoji White and a sample of Shoji White from SW. The one from SW is definitely darker and warmer. I can understand how the paint itself could be different, but if they are using SW color names then they should match. Very frustrating!

1. Post
  Author
  
  KylieMawdsley
  March 16, 2021 at 1:38 pm
  
  Hi Kathy – TELL me about it!~ Yes it’s the same Shoji White, it’s just the printing that makes it look different. 😉
  
Ann
May 6, 2021 at 10:23 am

Would you use Shoji white as a whole house paint colour? If you use it in an East facing kitchen what colour cabinets would pair well with it?

1. Ann
  May 6, 2021 at 10:31 am
  
  Forgot to add: How would you compare Shoji White to SW White Duck? They look very similar online. Thank You.
  
  1. Post
    Author
    
    KylieMawdsley
    May 6, 2021 at 5:02 pm
    
    Hi Ann – they are SO similar, really, Shoji just has a whisper of a green undertone hiding in it, whereas White Duck doesn’t.
    
2. Post
  Author
  
  KylieMawdsley
  May 12, 2021 at 7:59 am
  
  Hi Ann! You can, but I usually lean towards White Duck, which doesn’t tend to grab the same minor green undertone. 🙂