The 5 Best White Paint Colors: Sherwin Williams
Warm, Cool, Bright, & Badass – All the Whites You Need…
When choosing the best white for your walls, trims, cabinets, or exterior, it’s hard to know where to start. Once you figure that out, you have to FIND that magical color!
Well, lucky for you, this previous blog post will teach you where to start regarding the 5 Types of White, while this one narrows it down to the BEST OF THE BUNCH.
Heck, you don’t even have to read that other blog post. If you’re feeling brave, order each of these samples and see which one(s) your interior finishes relate to. If that doesn’t work, Benjamin Moore also has amazing options (including one of my favorite shades of white).
Sherwin Williams has some wicked whites, so your chances of finding the perfect one for you and your home are pretty good—especially when you have me in your back pocket (by the way, I pinch).
As you’ve probably discovered, whites can be a real bugger. Not only do you have to think about which undertones are hiding in them, but they’re also susceptible to picking up reflections from the environment, such as:
- Green grass or landscaping outside the window
- Warm-toned woods (flooring/cabinets/ceiling)
- Feature walls
- Strong colored furniture or drapes
- Light bulb temperatures or the color of glass on light fixtures/shades
So, what is a girl (or guy) to DO? Check these out…
1. SHERWIN WILLIAMS PURE WHITE 7005
Pure White is one of my favorite go-to whites, but it’s not a STARK CLEAN white; it has a warm softness. I won’t say there’s enough warmth to make it overtly creamy or yellow, but it takes away that crips cool edge that some other whites have.
Looking at the tiny sample, Pure White can look a bit flat and even a touch dull. On a large scale, Pure White will act quite similar to a legit shade of white, just not as crisp/clean/icy as some others.
Pure White tends to look like a bright white without the starkness or sharpness of popular cooler and brighter whites.
FUN FACTS ABOUT PURE WHITE (FUN…IF YOU’RE A COLOR NERD)
- Pure White is beautiful for cabinets if you are going for a ‘white’ kitchen. However, if you’re looking for a white with a noticeable soft, almost creamy warmth, you may want to check out Alabaster, which is coming up shortly, or one of these warm white paint colors)
- If you’re using Pure White on your walls, I suggest painting the trims/ceilings/walls all the same color but in different sheens
- In a north-facing room, this color will lose its warmth. In a south-facing room, it will warm up, as its roots suggest and as the sun dictates.
- Pure White is a fabulous trim, door, and ceiling color and can be used with warm or cool wall colors.
- With an LRV of 84, Pure White is a SOFT white, not a stark or clean one (the more tint there is, the lower the LRV number goes – read more here)
FULL COLOR REVIEW of Sherwin Williams Pure White
2. SHERWIN WILLIAMS EXTRA WHITE SW 7006
Extra White is said to be Sherwin Williams’ whitest white, as it’s a bit cooler-looking in the fan deck (I might beg to differ; there’s a different one that wins in my books). However, in cabinet and trim paint, it often picks up a subtle warmth, which actually makes it a bit more appealing, if you ask me. However, this does make it finicky if you planned on doing your WALLS and trims/cabinets the same color, as there could be a slight shift in color between these surfaces.
On the small scale, especially in the fan deck, Extra White looks like it has a blue undertone. But you just wait, get that quart or gallon of paint – paint up a sample and see how you feel – it might not be as cool as you think!
Here’s Extra White on the fireplace surround and ceiling…
Here’s a great shot of Extra White with beige walls (Sherwin Williams Natural Linen)…
PROS & CONS OF EXTRA WHITE
- Extra White is great for cabinets if you want a slightly crisp, modern, contemporary look for your cabinets, doors, trims, and ceilings.
- In a north-facing room, Extra White could look a touch too cold for the average home or homeowner (on walls—it’s still great for trims and cabinets).
- In a south-facing room, the warm southern light will add some warmth to your walls and whatnot.
- Extra White has a slightly higher LRV than Pure White – 86 (LRV blog post)
FULL COLOR REVIEW of Sherwin Williams Extra White
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3. SHERWIN WILLIAMS ALABASTER SW 7008
Alabaster is stunning, especially if you want a softer, warmer approach to white (which is SUPER popular these days)…
Remember the previously mentioned Pure White and how it generally ‘looks like a bright white’? Welllll, Alabaster doesn’t do this. Or, I guess it’s open to perception, but I can’t help but look at Alabaster and see its pretty warmth. Sure, it looks white, but it definitely looks like a soft, warm white.
Alabaster has a lovely creamy backdrop. Those who love white but are nervous about cream usually find it a bit too strong and shift to Pure White or my favorite Benjamin Moore white. But for those who crave a gentle warmth, Alabaster can be the perfect choice for walls, trims, and cabinets.
And while I rarely recommend mixing and matching whites, Alabaster looks beautiful with Extra White trim and doors…
Alabaster is also beautiful on exterior trim if you want a softer, creamier look than traditional white.
Read more: FULL COLOR REVIEW of Sherwin Williams Alabaster
PROS & CONS OF ALABASTER
- Alabaster is one of the best warm whites, as long as you’re cool with a bit more noticeable warmth than average.
- In a south-facing room, the warmth will absolutely rise up. Sample carefully to make sure it doesn’t go too warm for you.
- If you have a north-facing room (or eastern afternoon/western morning) and want white walls, Alabaster can be a great choice. Its warmth adds a touch of balance.
- Alabaster has an LRV of 82, so it has the most tint/depth of the bunch, but it’s still soft and subtle.
All images on my blog are REAL HOMES from my Online Color Consulting clients, readers, and friends. Thank you for sending your photos; you make my colorful world go round!
4. SHERWIN WILLIAMS WHITE SNOW
While I used to have mad love for High Reflective White, it’s so friggin’ hard to get that I had to put it aside. In its place is a newer shade of white from Sherwin Williams – White Snow.
- White Snow is one of Sherwin’s brighter shades of white with its LRV of 90. Sure, it ain’t 94 (High Reflective White, but good luck getting that), but as far as brighter whites go, it suits the average home.
- White Snow is similar to the popular Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace – it’s just a wink warmer.
- If you really want to mix and match whites (I wouldn’t), this is one to play with, as long as the trim/cabinet color is a softer/darker white and the walls are a softer/darker white.
- White Snow could look a bit cool in northern light as it doesn’t have as much warmth as some of the more obvious warm shades like Alabaster and Benjamin Moore’s Simply White.
Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of White Snow
My FULL Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams White Snow
5. SHERWIN WILLIAMS SNOWBOUND 7004
I’m next-level obsessed with this color. I mean, I love Ryan Reynolds and wine…and Starbucks and Cornuts, but Snowbound takes up a huge corner of my heart (snuggled right next to Ryan).
However, it’s at the bottom of the list because it’s not a no-brainer. I mean, not that any color is, but Snowbound is fussy, more so than the other whites.
But when it works – it’s pure magic.
It’s MUCH easier to find dark colors that suit Snowbound than light colors.
And I didn’t used to love it; in fact, it scared me a little because it’s unpredictable. However, as with so many colors…
It’s about the right color in the right space.
So, let’s hit some pros and cons right off the hop rather than me explaining everything and then repeating it…
My FULL Paint Color Review of Snowbound
PROS & CONS OF SNOWBOUND
- Snowbound is a great way to get passive warmth. If you have southern or afternoon western sun, it WILL be warmer and can easily grab a touch of pink and yellow (depending on the amount of light/surrounding finishes/etc.).
- These pink and yellow undertones sound scary and can be, but it’s about what’s surrounding Snowbound.
- Snowbound does best when it’s on every surface—cabinets, trims, ceilings, and walls. It is next-level stunning when used this way (as shown below).
- If you do Snowbound trim and cabinets, you will have a heck of a time coordinating wall colors with them—it’s fussy, which is why it’s often an ‘all or nothing’ choice.
- This could be your perfect shade if you want a more unique approach to white and aren’t afraid of slightly pink or creamy hues.
The lovely Bahama’s home of my friend, LeMel Jewlery owner, Jen.
Are there exceptions? Hellllls yeah, there are ALWAYS exceptions; I’m just trying to keep things meat n’ potatoes around here to get you started.
- If you have northern light, Snowbound won’t look cold, but it’s not overly warm—it’ll just have an interesting softness.
- Snowbound is lovely as an exterior trim color, but in alllll that natural light, I would worry about it on siding and stucco. I’d wonder if the pink would pop up too much.
By the way, did you know that Sherwin Williams has a whole different line of whites? Learn all about them HERE…
SHERWIN WILLIAMS DESIGNER EDITION WHITE PAINT COLORS
NEED HELP?
Check out my E-design and Online Color Consulting
Chat soon,
READ MORE
The 3 Whites I Would Never Paint My Trim or Cabinets
The 8 Best Benjamin Moore White Paint Colors
How to Choose the Best White for Your Kitchen Cabinets
ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2019, UPDATED IN 2024
Great and informative post as always!
Might you also comment on which whites are your favorites for exteriors as a general rule of thumb and why?
Hmmmm, good idea!
After hurricane Irma, we are replacing our roof- and painting our house. I would like to paint the house exterior white, but I am having trouble making the choice of which one- we usually use Sherwin Williams paint-I plan on painting the trim the same color.
Thank you
Hi Pat, depends on your exposure. If the front of your home is south facing, you could keep things clean with something like High Reflective White – simple and bright. If the front of your home is north, I might do a slightly softer white, say Pure White…
I hope everything is slowly, but surely getting put back together for you.
~Kylie
We have a small home in GA with the home facing East that gets a lot of sun in the morning and not much the rest of the day. Would you lean to Pure White or Allabaster? Or, a totally different color?
Hi Rob! Well, White Dove will give you the most ‘white’ look, with a bit of softness whereas Alabaster has just a wink more body to it. I MIGHt lean toward Alabaster if I were spending a lot of time in the room in the afternoon. 🙂
What about Shoji White?
Hi Donna! Shoji White is beautiful, but closer to the off-white collection. I find I don’t refer to it often, although it is a lovely neutral white/of-white!
I loved it on my exterior of my previous home with urbane bronze trim 🙂
Hi Anyela,
We are about to paint our exterior Alabaster and would Love to see a pic of your previous home if you have it. I’m wanting a gray trim (Currently looking into mindful gray) but its a lighter color and I’m very curious to what a darker gray looks like with alabaster. We have a black roof. Thank you.
Hi! Have you thought about a darker version of Mindful Gray, ie: SW Dovetail? Grays will have undertones and this will have a similar one to Mindful Gray. There’s also the darker again, Gauntlet Gray. ALL are warm grays with a soft purple undertone that can occasionally pick up a wink of green ;).
I just discovered your site, and I love it! In your opinion, which color white trim looks best with Accessible Beige, and which white trim looks best with Worldly Gray? Thank you!
Hi Shawn! Both can look nice with SW Alabaster or the more clean look of SW Pure White!
Hi Kylie!
I”m confused on which white to do on my ceilings. I have a large 2 story entry (North Facing)that shares the same ceiling as the back, 2 story family room (South Facing). I painted the walls SW Portico. I get tons of natural light, due to lots of windows and skylights. For my trim/doors, I’m having SW color match my white wood blinds. Should I use that same color for the ceilings too? Right now I have builder’s white on the ceiling. I’m not sure (because I have 2 stories and because of all the natural light I get) if I should go with a softer white on the ceilings or just use the color match from the blinds. I’m a conservative, traditional girl when it comes to decorating.
Thanks so much girlie 🙂
Christy
Hi Christy, i would TOTALLY match the ceiling to the trims/doors/blinds, this way you don’t have to worry about matching up whites and their various undertones!
HI, this is so so helpful! I ended up with SW Egret White on the painted wood floors of my old farmhouse. It’s skewing a bit pinky/purple. Do you have a suggestion of a slightly off white that would complement the walls, without clashing with the floors? SW or Benjamin Moore…
This is hands down the best breakdown of white paint colors I’ve come across. Thank you again!
Well thank you Evan! And yes, I can see how Egret might do that. The problem is that Egret is an off-white, so what we’re doing is mixing and matching undertone in colours that are similar depth, which is tricky as undertones tend to bounce off each other and can make each other stronger. You might be better off going closer to the light range, maybe something like On the Rocks or maybe BM Collingwood. I hope that helps! The thing you have going for you is that light reflects differently off of horizontal surfaces compared to vertical, so the floor will generally look lighter than it normally would.
Thank you for your help!
Hi Kylie,
I am doing a new build and am at the point ( and pressure) of selecting paint colors. My builder is using PPG Porter Classic PP6019 which has no added color) for the ceiling. For the trim, after reading your blog, am thinking of SW Pure White. My question revolves around which white color for cabinets , and for the adjoining dining nook, great room. I am using a stained greyish brown for one side of the kitchen and island, and then white cabinets for the main wall with custom chimmey style hood – shaker cabinets. My counters will be Cambria Brittanica which as I am sure you know leans to the gray side. The room faces north and there is lanai which blocks the direct sun. We are in Florida and going for a beachy modern rustic design. My builder uses SW paints. Do you have any recommendations for the cabinets and walls. I so appreciate your insight. Thanks!
Hi Ruth! I do refer personal questions like yours to my E-design, but I will say that I’m usually inclined to have trims/ceilings/cabinets the same colour when using white, this way you don’t need to worry about competing undertones, or one white looking more yellow/dingy than another!
Thanks for the information. What would be the correct sheen for Gray Owl that will be put on the interior wall of a rear north facing home? Also, which white and sheen should we use for the trim and ceilings?
Hi Junior! I would lean toward eggshell finish. For trim, I’m a satin or semi-gloss fan and almost ALWAYS flat on ceilings!
Why flat for ceilings ?
Well often, ceilings aren’t finished quite as nicely as walls. So, the shinier the paint is the more flaws you will see. If you have texture, sheen will enhance it and make it look busier. If you have a beautiful flat ceiling, any paint finish beyond flat needs to be applied PERFECTLY otherwise with natural light, you will likely see flashing and it can look slightly garish!
Hi Kylie,
Your videos have help me so much. I have decided to paint my house with SW Canvas Tan. Now I’m looking for a white paint for the trim. I’m looking for a softer white that isn’t so bright. Do you have any suggestions?
Hi Melissa! Sounds like you might like SW Alabaster or BM White Dove. The others whites are likely a bit too ‘clean and crisp’ for what you’re looking for 😉
Thank you for your blog! Are you against painting north facing rooms white? Are they always dingy?
Hi Maureen! I’m not against it at all, but it is about picking the right white – in particular a WARM white tends to work the best!
~Kylie
Is Origami white a warm white?
Hi Kylie,
I am trying to figure out the best SW white for cabinets to look best with our new white KitchenAid appliances. It seems that even a small amount of contrast just makes the appliances stick out like a sore thumb. I am leaning toward High Reflective White. What do you think?
Thank you.
Hi Bob, yes High Reflective White can work if you are looking for a white without those flashy yellow/cream or even blue tones!
Thank you for this, Kylie. In a more broad sense, is it preferable to try to match the cabinets to the white appliances as closely as possible? I’m concerned that this will be a lot of white, even with a contrasting counter and backsplash. Actually, I’m finding that working with these white appliances more challenging that I would have imagined! We were just tired of stainless.
I realize this thread is older but sure people still read it! I’m a Sherwin Williams color consultant. High Reflective White is a “base” for Sherwin. It has a lot more viscosity than Extra White and the deep bases and does not cover well used on its own, it really needs tint added.
I’m often challenged with matching white paint color to manufactured white cabinetry, porcelain fixtures & tile etc. The only way to get a really good match is to have the white you need custom matched at the store. Tough to do with appliances unless you have some touch up paint or can match their color to a tile or something portable. Chances are the formula will be in high reflective or extra white base with a whole bunch of white tint and maybe a drop or two of something else. Hope this helps!
I am debating between repose gray and agreeable gray for my whole house painting, foyer and living room north facing and all the bedroom, kitchen and family room source facing with good lightning.
Will SW Pure white would go with either of the colors for ceiling, trims, doors, baseboard?
Thanks.
Hi Sofia, yes Pure White will work great. If I had to bank on one or the other, I would lean toward Agreeable Gray 🙂
Hi. Thanks for your reply. We decided to go with Agreeable grey for 1st floor , foyer, upstairs hall and my master bedroom.
Now after looking at another option for white, I am more confused between Pure White and Extra White. This will go on all ceilings, doors and trims as well as fireplace mantle. I am not looking for stark stark white but don’t want to go dull/creamy,yellow side as well. Any recommendation?
I have Agreeable Grey with Extra White and I LOVE it. It reminds me of a crisp white shirt and a pair of khaki pants…. I can dress it up or down depending on the seasons. It’s just classic.
Perfect, thank you for letting me know! Notes likes this definitely help other readers!
Hi Kylie!
Does Alabaster work with warm and cool paint colors? I’m looking for a white for ceilings & trim. I have SW 9163 Tin Lizzie in the the LR & DR (north facing rooms), and SW7548 Portico at 125% in the entry & family room, and SW7640 Fawn Brindle (south facing rooms). I have tons of light & high ceilings. I’m worried that SW Pure White might look too stark on the ceilings – I have to pay someone, so I really can’t go back once it’s done, My taste is classic/traditional…with a little Pottery Barn/Ballard Designs mixed in. I’m sooo scared I’m going to make the wrong decision 🙁
Thanks a Bunch!
Also, what do you think of SW Snowbound for my situation (see previous reply for more info)?
Thanks Again 🙂
Hey there..
Very helpful site and your videos are awesome.
Was looking to update my trims and ceilings and MAYBE the doors. I read that you always recommend to have one same color for all these three.
Which SW white would go the best with Colonnade Gray and Minute Mauve?
My husband is leaning towards High Reflective white and I feel that it will be TOO bright and TOO white, especially if we do decide to do doors. The sales person at SW suggested to choose between Pure White and Extra White.
Between my husband, the sales person and you, I think that your recommendation will be my best bet to go with 🙂 🙂
Hi Tahmina, thank you! I do like High Reflective as it is darned white, but that’s the problem, it’s DARRRRNED white! I would lean more toward Pure White which will LOOK white, without quite the starkness…
Thank you!! We went with Pure white.
Hi Kylie,
Thinking of using Alabaster white for kitchen cabinets, dark espresso island, medium/dark wood floors. Can I still use Alabaster for trim and doors? Im looking for a soft white with no pink undertones. Is there another white you would recommend.
Thanks
Alabaster is a lovely warm white! You’ll notice that you’ll get a nice subtle shift from wall to cabinet to trim, just via the change in paint sheen! I’m also a BM White Dove fan…
I have enjoyed all the information on selecting whites. With a naturally lit vaulted room running south to north, and a cedar ceiling, it’s tough to decide what white to pick. I’m looking at SW Shoji, Egret or Duck white because I like the bit of grey in it as it tones down the warms from the ceiling. I’ve been looking at the LRV as a guide, but I do want it to be a very bright space. There is some white trim and I was going to go with Pure White on those areas to get some contrast.
Hi! Those whites are great ones to look at – particularly Duck White! And yes, Pure White is one of my fave go-to’s for flexibility, absolutely!
I’m doing a new build and love alabaster. Problem is my backsplash in my kitchen is already chosen and it is white! I’m worried alabaster would look too yellow with it. Can i do pure white cabinets and trim with alabaster walls throughout?
Oooo Jamie, that makes me SUPER nervous as white tiles are ‘usually’ considerably more white than Alabaster and can serve to highlight the warmth of it. And yes, you could do Pure White Cabinets and trim with Alabaster walls, but I don’t know if I love the feel of it, it would depend on the countertop/flooring/other products.
I just had my kitchen cabinets painted and the woman was extremely persistent that we go with SW Extra White. I HATE it. I wish I would’ve read this post before I went with her suggestion. This was very informative. Do you think extra white can be toned down with wood accents? Or with a color on the walls?
Oh Jenny, I’m sorry to hear that. Extra White is definitely a more strong, fresh, slightly cool white. And yes, get some wood tones in there and it will ABSOLUTELY help. And while painting the walls a warm colour might SEEM like the solution (naturally), they would fight with the cool tone of the cabinets. You might want a slightly cool, but not necessarily COLD colour to find a bit of a balance. If you’d like some suggestions, I do have an affordable AND fun E-Design service. This way I can take a look at photos of your home and help you problem solve it. I’ll give you 3 paint colours to choose from and will walk you through it (with no pressure ;). My goal is to help you find your happy place!
If that interests you, it sounds like you would be in the $45 Single room package, if the kitchen isn’t an in Open Layout. if it’s Open Layout, then it’s $85. Anyway, here’s the link if you’re curious! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Wow this is awesome. I learned so much!! We our building a house here in AZ. All the trim, doors, ceilings are SW Pure White. We really wanted white walls, but our builder gave us limited paint colors to pick between. The only light color is SW Egret White. Do you think this would be a mistake? I lean towards cool colors, and I can’t tell if Egret is cool or warm. It’s an open concept and our great room is open to the 2nd story. It faces north east. Are we making a mistake?
Hi Kaela, Egret isn’t one I refer too much, simply because it’s unpredictable. It can be slightly warm or just slightly cool depending on the exposure/furnishings/trim colour/etc…off the top of my head, it’s not one of my faves…and it’s definitely an off-white, not a white, if that helps 🙂
Hi Kylie,
I’m in search for a white to paint my kitchen cabinets. Based on reading your excellent article, please advise whether Alabaster would be my best choice and would go best with the following colors throughout the kitchen (and house): Pure White SW7005 (used throughout the kitchen on trim, doors and wainscoting), Accessible Beige SW7036 and Tony Taupe SW7038 (both on walls). My floors are natural (“blond”) red oak.
Ooo! If it were me, I wouldn’t mix my whites too much. I would be MUCH more inclined to keep going with the Pure White, so that you aren’t mixing things up too much. I mean, Alabaster and Pure White are compatible, but I worry that the Pure White will make the Alabaster look a touch dingy in comparison…
Hello!
I need some help. I love the “new” farmhouse style look. My exterior will be alabaster and I want my interior to be all white. Cabinets, trim, doors, walls. I have three options with my builder without doing upgrades. Shoji white, west highland white, and incredible white. What would you choose? Also what is the general rule of thumb when doing all white, in the kitchen…cupboards should match the counter tops or subway tile?? ????????♀️
Thanks.
Hi Cordie, thank you for the note1 You’ll find that there’s quite a different between those whites. The thing is, there’s a LOT more to consider when picking the right white, like any extreme exposures in main rooms, flooring, countertop, fireplace stone, etc…I’d hate to just guess as that’s ALL it would be. I do refer questions like yours to my E-design which is affordable and fun! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/product-category/interior-paint-palettes/ And really, if the countertop and subway tile are well-coordinated, the white paint colour should match BOTH! 🙂
~Kylie
Thank you for this wonderful guide. I am doing a white cabinate kitchen, with a small amount of grey top, with SW Big Chill on the walls. My ceiling is SW Pure White. White trim could go with the Pure White, Extra White, or High Reflective when holding them next to it. Considering a grey painted island (SW Cityscape) with white top, Corion or granite , with some greys in it. Facing north has me worried. There is a large bay window. Will Pure White work ok? Or look to dingy? For the cabinets along the wall, upper and lower? Appliances are stainless. Floor is Nutmeg stained oak. Suggestions? Thank you!
Oooo, that’s a lot of info in one comment! Generally with questions like this I do refer to my E-design, so I can actually see the space! If it were me, I might keep my whites consistent, so that I don’t have a cool white here, a warm white there, a dingy white there. I’m a big consistency fan with whites. I hope that helps!