Sherwin Williams ORIGAMI WHITE 7636: Paint Color Review
A SUBTLE OFF-WHITE WITH SOME TRICKS UP ITS SLEEVES
With trends leaning away from white-on-white palettes, I’m getting many more requests for off-white paint colors. And while I haven’t done a ton of work with this bad boy, he has the potential to be a GREAT shade for your walls, cabinets, trims, or even exterior!
BEFORE WE GET STARTED…
To show you RELATEABLE & REAL homes, I ONLY use photos from my Online Color Consulting clients. Some Pinterest images have been over-edited or aren’t even the color they’re said to be – this won’t happen here. I also don’t take photos from other Designer’s sites.
IS ORIGAMI WHITE A WARM OR COOL PAINT COLOR?
While Sherwin Williams states that Origami White is a ‘delicate white with cool violet undertones’ – it’s not. It’s not white, and its undertones aren’t cold. Origami White is a warm, off-white paint color.
Is Origami a warm gray paint color? Nope. While it has gray, it’s not cool enough to be a shade of gray. Compare it to a gray with a similar LRV, and you’ll see how it almost has a taupeish warmth tucked inside of it.
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WHAT’S ORIGAMI WHITE’S LRV?
LRV is one of the most important details about a paint color; I’m so glad you asked! Origami White has an LRV of 76, which means it’s an off-white paint color. The white range starts closer to 81/82, which means that Origami White isn’t even TRYING to be white.
Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint-lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.
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WHAT UNDERTONES DOES ORIGAMI WHITE HAVE?
Origami White is a tricky one. With a reasonably low chroma, Origami White has little to no noticeable undertones – no strong violet, pink, green, blue, orange, or yellow – wahoo! But this doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Origami White is sneaky. I’ve seen it grab a vague violet-pink, but I’ve never seen it grab green or blue; if it does, it’s environmental, so be careful what you partner it with!
The best way to describe Origami White is to say it’s THE most subtle taupe-creamy blend.
Because of this and its passive warmth, Origami White offers a smooth take on warm neutral. Not creamy-yellow, not cold gray, yet not committed to the violet or pink of taupe.
Look at the above photo and get a good feel for Origami White. It’s hard to, right?
NOW, consider how different your PERCEPTION of Origami White might be with some white next to it…
The best way to get a read on a color ninja-like Origami White is to compare it to other colors. These colors don’t need to be SUPER similar; they just need a comparable LRV, for example…
- Origami White vs Sherwin Williams White Heron: White Heron and its interesting cream-taupe blend shows how much grayer/taupe and NOT creamy Origami White is in comparison. Not to say Origami White can’t pick up a wink, but it’s far less inclined than other shades.
- Sherwin Williams Pure White vs. Origami White: Even though Pure White is a soft white (not a bright one), it shows how much depth Origami White is and how subtle its warmth is. A comparison like this shows the off-white LRV of Origami White and the type of contrast you might like to see between the wall and the trim.
- Sherwin Williams Eider White vs. Origami White. Ooof, whoever said that Origami White has cool violet undertones should compare it with Eider White. Even then, Eider White has a WARM gray-violet hue to it, showing how subtle, warm, and muted Origami White is in comparison.
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WHAT WHITE TRIM COLOR GOES WITH ORIGAMI WHITE?
Being a super gentle, neutral, off-white paint color, it’s pretty fussy about its white partners. Origami White prefers muted whites without too much cream and whites that AREN’T cold. This includes…
- Sherwin Williams Pure White
- Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
- Sherwin Williams High Reflective White
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IS ORIGAMI WHITE A GOOD EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR?
With its high LRV, Origami White is hit-and-miss. If you want to SEE some color/depth on your home, it won’t give you much. You’ll want to partner it with a super white trim to get as much contrast as possible. The more contrast you have between your siding and your white trim, the more you’ll see the depth/color of Origami White. On the other hand, if you’re going for a subtle, muted look, you might paint your trim and siding the same color, giving a more simple, monotone look.
Long story short, YES, Origami White can be a great exterior color, as it works with a wide range of asphalt roofs, stone, and brick.
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IS ORIGAMI WHITE A GOOD OFF-WHITE COLOR FOR KITCHEN CABINETS?
Origami White could be a gorgeous off-white for cabinets if you want a SUPER muted look. However, I personally lean into either white cabinets or colors with just a BIT more depth to them, like Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray and Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray.
Here’s Origami White on painted kitchen cabinets with Iron Ore on the island…
This next kitchen is a great blend of cabinet colors, with Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace on the main cabinets and Agreeable Gray on the island, board and batten, and painted trim…
Why?
If you have white trim nearby, the white of your trim could have your Origami White cabinets looking a bit dingy in comparison, as they don’t really COMMIT to any kind of real depth/color.
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WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO ORIGAMI WHITE?
- Sherwin Williams Aesthetic White vs. Origami White: Aesthetic White is a touch darker and more beige compared to Origami White
- Sherwin Williams Origami White vs. Snowbound: You’re really comparing apples to oranges. Snowbound is a soft WHITE with gray-violet-pink undertones, whereas Origami White is off-white, so it has more depth and a warmer foundation.
- Benjamin Moore Classic Gray vs. Origami White: These two colors are very comparable. Classic Gray is slightly lighter than Origami White, but both are off-white. Classic Gray also pops a bit more undertone compared to Origami White.
Sherwin Williams Aesthetic White on the bedroom walls
WHICH PAINT COLORS GO WITH ORIGAMI WHITE?
Origami White is a super muted, warm, off-white paint color with a few great color palette partners…
- light and medium tones of green-gray (with blue undertones), such as Sherwin Williams Comfort Gray
- light-medium and darker shades of greige with slightly more noticeable green undertones, like Sherwin Williams Jogging Path
- some muted light taupe and greige paint colors
- it doesn’t LOVE beige or cream paint colors
READ MORE
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The 6 Best Off-White Paint Colors
The Best Off-White & Light Depth Paint Colors for CABINETS
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NEED HELP?
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Chat soon,
I used SW Origami white on my exterior and I LOVE it! I live in FL and my house faces East, but there are not big trees in my yard. I have a neutral light stone mixed in, a light wood door, and my trim and garage is SW Agreeable gray. It’s a very soft, tonal look and not like the the white and dark charcoal I see EVERYWHERE. However, to me, it still reads as a “white” house and I love that.
It was a great choice for us!
Do you mind sharing what carpet you went with? Brand and color?
Great review of Origami White. I have years of painting experience and I find your reviews to be spot-on. I think I always come to the same conclusion as your reviews, but I still play around a bit and test it out. In the children’s bathroom upstairs, I used Origami White for the walls and Pure White on the trim. We bought sheet vinyl for the floor because I am scared of children slipping/ accidents with ceramic tile. We chose Tarkett’s octagonal pattern in a marble-look greige color. I have not decided on the shower curtain and the vanity. We will be painting the white vanity because it has yellowed over the years. Either I will go with a greige shower curtain and repaint the cabinet white or vice versa. The greige color I am considering is SW Dorian Grey.
Well, thank YOU, I love reading this! So, I find Dorian Gray to be a BIT too unpredictable for the slightly more committed (but still super subtle) look of Origami White. I mean, it’s hard for me to say without seeing the space and its finishes, but you might need a slightly cleaner gray with less chance of green (which means a wink more violet).
I really love your breakdowns of colors, your insight and photos are so helpful! Do you think Origami White would pair well with a more saturated and darker interior trim? Specifically thinking Rosemary from SW.
Ooo, now that could be interesting – yes, I do! Keep in mind that without white trim to contrast/bounce off of, it will look even more like white, but not a bright/clean one.
I love your knowledge of colour! Would origami white pair with Silvermist? My sister has already painted the silvermist LOL. Her kitchen has white cabinets and black, white with flecks of gold countertop.
Oooo, I like the sounds of this color combo!
Hi, Kylie! Your page is soo helpful and insightful. We’re close to selecting paint colors and I’ve really liked origami since the early part of the build. I’m planning to use it in a wetbar adjacent to the dining room. In dining room I’m looking to do urbane bronze (either walls and trim or color drench) and wetbar would be pure white walls, origami white cabinets, and black mist countertop. Does this work or should I go a whole other direction?
Hi! What do you think or using origami white on walls, trim, and ceiling in different finishes?
Oh, absolutely!
Hi Kylie,
Your articles are so very helpful! Thank you for sharing all of your knowledge! I’m painting our exterior, and want a farmhouse white look without it being too stark. The front of the house is west facing (in sunny SoCal) with a big reg brick patio (lots of orange leaning bricks mixed in). I tried BM White Dove first and it looked almost fluorescent yellow to me! I now have a large sample of BM Seapearl painted, and it still looks so very creamy (but maybe because the house is currently a very cool white.) Do you think SW Origami White is worth a try and would look cleaner, without looking too taupe. I’m going with SW Iron Ore trim.
I’d say you’re on the right track with Sea Pearl and Origami White. With exteriors, even a well-intentioned neutral can lean that bit creamier, especially in the afternoon western sunshine! Check out SW Heron Plume, too. These slighlty lower LRVs are much safer than the 80s.
I am thinking of doing the same, with my new build. How did yours turn out and how do you like?
Hi I painted my interior walls origami white, but I’m not sure what color to paint the interior doors. My front door interior ks iron ore. I was thinking something outside of white..
Do you think origami white would be a good whole home color in a home with mostly west (and a few east) facing windows and white oak looking floor with a slight pink/orange undertone? I was in between that, city loft, aesthetic, and pearly white (has to be SW brand.) I want a nice light bright neutral color with not too much yellow or grey. I have to decide in a few days, and I’m stressed!
Did you go with Origami White? I’m looking at this color as well since my pinkish hardwood floors are making Heron Plume look too pinky peach, but I love HP otherwise.
Hi Kylie, I’m going through my first home renovation and finding your articles so so helpful! I painted my walls with Origami White, but found I don’t love the contrast between the walls and my existing trim (which I color matched at SW and they said it was close to Greek Villa). Have you ever used Origami White on the trim as well? I’m wondering if doing Origami White (potentially 25% lighter) in a different sheen would work?
Thanks for all your tips!
Hey Robyn! Yup, I imagine that Origami White and Greek Villa might not be super happy together! I might check out SW Pure White, White Snow or yes, even try Origami White lightened with a satin sheen!
Loved reading these comments. I would love advice on a barndo open concept room facing the west. I have settled on origami white on the whole house interior but struggling with cabinet colors. I’ll have medium hickory floors and plan stained wood island, open shelving and trim to hood vent.
New construction question. My cabinets will be origami white. I can’t decide if I want to color drench everywhere (walls, trim, cabinets) in origami or if I need contrast somewhere. Floors are light/white oak. Will have stained beams in vaulted ceiling. Other consideration is pure white walls & ceiling w/ Origami trim/cabinets. Doors will be Shitake (I think lol).
Hi Kylie, love your posts! I just got my kitchen cabinets painted origami white, with web gray for the island. My walls are SW morning fog. The color turned out looking stark white and showing a blue undertone in evening light…maybe from the walls? Any recommendation on wall color so the kitchen will look more cohesive?
What wall color did you use on the picture above with origami white cabinets and iron ore island?
Thank you so much for your HELP!