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
Click on the above image to see my E-DESIGN packages!
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
Hi Kylie! You insights have been so helpful! We are wanting to paint our living area(farmhouse-one big room with kitchen, living, sitting and dining). Currently, it is Hathaway Gold by BM. We have a cathedral ceiling with stained wood. Although we have enjoyed the color, we are ready for a change and thought about painting the room Alabaster by SW. What are your thoughts? Also, the room faces the east. Thank You!
Hi Sian! You’ll find that Alabaster will neutralize a bit more in that eastern light, whereas it would have warmed up to it’s normal warm off-white self in a south facing space…overall it will be a soft, subdued whiteish looking colour…
Hi Kylie! Your blog has been so helpful! We are thinking of painting our living room walls Alabaster by SW, Currently, The walls are painted in Hathaway Gold by BM. The ceilings are stained wood, and they are cathedral. It is actually one big open room(think farmhouse-living, dining, kitchen (kitchen cabinets are green and Uba Tuba countertops) and a sitting area in one). Our floors are stined in English Chesnut and the room faces the east. We do have a fireplace and several pops of color in the room.
Well, I think that sounds lovely! You will find that Alabaster gets grayed out, compared to how it might be in a south facing room, but it is a lovely warm white – absolutely!
Hi Kylie,
I never knew choosing a white could be so overwhelming! Your site is SO incredibly helpful and has helped me narrow our choices down to 2 but I’m still a bit stuck. We are wanting to paint our kitchen cabinets and walls white with a charcoal (almost black) accent wall in the shared dining space. I’m debating between Pure White and High Reflective White. I want the color to really pop against the dark wall so I’m leaning towards HIgh Reflective White but wanted to know if you think it would be too white since our kitchen is pretty large and well lit with overhead and natural light. Which one would you recommend?
Hi Amanda! I usually refer personal questions to my e-design, but without seeing the space, I can still say I’d probably lean toward Pure White. It will still be dynamic and high contrast, without being quite as stark…
Hi Kylie!
Love your blog! I need you precious advice about a “white” selection. We are planning to paint our entire main floor in SW Repose Gray. The kitchen opens to the living room, so we decided to pain it all over. Do you think SW Extra white would look good for our cabinets? or any other SW white color? I need to stay in the SW family. I’m trying to stay as modern & contemporary as possible into my transitional overall look kitchen, if that makes any sens. Our countertop is a “whitish/greyge” color and our backsplash is a calypso Interlocking tile in the shade of “whitish-very light grey” and our floor are dark grey.
Hi Lisseth! When it comes to personal questions, I do like to refer to my E-design, so I can spend some time with the products you’ve picked and ‘want’ list. Extra White is lovely, it is a coool white and will fresh and crisp for sure!
This information is super helpful!!
What are your thoughts on Alabaster as an exterior color? I really wanted to go with BM white dove but my painter uses SW so hoping Alabaster might give the same look?
I’m choosing pure white for my interior walls and thinking of doing a light gray (maybe repose gray) on the interior doors… does that sound like a good idea to you?
Hi Amanda! For an exterior, I would find Alabaster and White Dove similar enough. Try adding 4 ounces (per gallon) of white to Alabaster and it can clean it up a stitch. As for the interior, there are a lot of other things at play, like exposure, flooring, countertops, etc… so I’d totally be guessing. if you want me to take a good look at things I do have an affordable E-design service! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Hi Amanda,
Did you go with Alabaster for your exterior? If you don’t mind please share a pic. =) Thanks.
I want to paint my south facing living room an off white by either BM or SW. I have a greige couch which I would like to appear more grey than beige and a grey and ivory rug. I want the room to look clean and somewhat warm without looking yellow and would like something that would pair nicely with the grey and greige colors of furniture. I have been staring at swatches for weeks to no avail, so any help would be much appreciated 🙂
Hi Susie! When it comes to personal questions like yours I do need to refer to my E-design. I try to give as much info for free on my blog, but if that doesn’t work, it might be time for a closer look! There are many types of grays and greiges, so I could suggest some off-whites, but if they have the wrong undertone for the type of gray you have (purple/green/blue/greige/warm) then you’re in big trouble! If you’d like to check out my packages they are affordable and fun! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
Hello, I am looking to paint my bathroom Sherwin Williams anew grey, and I was wondering your thoughts on using Sherwin Williams oxford white for my ceiling and cabinets? I have dark walnut trim throughout. Will this white work with anew grey as well as Sherwin Williams agreeable grey (which I am painting the rest of the house) too? If not, which white would you suggest? Thank you so much ????
Hi Rachel, thank you for your question! I do try to give as much complimentary advice as I can on my blog and if that doesn’t work, sometimes you need me to have a closer look! This way I can see your countertop, flooring, exposure, etc… otherwise i’m TOTALLY just guessing! If that interests you, it’s affordable and fun! ~Kylie https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
I am painting my LR/DR a creamy white.. The room is North facing, with 16′ wood panel ceiling. The woodwork
is very dark. The walls are currently are a gold/brown. I am considering SW CREAMY 7012. I haven’t seen you
suggestion this color, & yet I am told it is very popular. I appreciate your opinion. My thanks!!
Hi Bonnie, actually I’m a HUUUGE fan of Creamy, I have it in the upper and lower floors of my own home – south and north facing! If you go into Kylie’s New Home, you’ll see some shots of it 🙂 Absolutely my fave creamy colour. Some find it a touch too light to be a ‘cream’. Others find it a wink too yellow or NOT yellow enough, so for you, it will just depend on the type of creamy look you’re going for!
Why doesn’t anyone seem to mention east and west facing rooms? We have an open kitchen living room combo with high ceilings with three big windows and a window door facing east and one window in the kitchen facing west so we get lots of light. Our cabinets are pure white and though the rest of our walls are Mindful Gray but I eventually want to repaint them white or at least a lighter gray or griege. So should I contrast the pure white with another white? In the evening, the cabinets with our lighting take on a yellowish hue at least in pictures. And I’ve read that the sun’s rays in the afternoon at their warmest are actually cool so I don’t want my walls to be too cool and crisp in the afternoon or two warm under artificial light.
Thank for your input!
Hi Traci, I actually have a blog post about each of those exposures!
East: https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/the-best-paint-colours-for-east-facing-rooms/
West: https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/the-best-paint-colours-for-west-facing-rooms/
Hope that helps!
~Kylie
Hi There,
Help me please, I love your white posting and I really struggling as I have this 80’s interior trim throughout my whole house that would be too difficult to paint as they go with custom Pella window colors. The trim color is close to SW 6038 – Truly Taupe — I want to try to down play the trim as is it looks 80’s mauve gray and make it look more gray. Is there a white paint you could recommend. My house is south facing so it gets a tone of light. Right now I was thinking Delicate White from Pittsburgh Paints? Any help would be most appreciated.
Hi Shaunna! Oooo, that Truly Taupe could be a tricky one! NowI do try to give as much helpful info on my blog, and if that doesn’t work, you might like to check out my E-design it is affordable and fun – this way I can look at photos of your space and spend some time with it! There’s more to consider, such as exposure, amount of natural light, furnishings, etc…and I don’t like to just guess! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
Hi Kylie,
Delete the comment about you saying that white is whiter than you at a hip-hop dance party. That’s racist and offensive.
Thank you Misha – I had no idea! I thought I was referring to my lack of any kind of dance skills…my bad!
~Kylie
Your hip hop comment was neither racist or offensive. SMH.
Because of your intolerance to humor and this need to control everyone’s conversations, I wasn’t privy to her funny comment. Thanks a lot, Misha.
You don’t have the right to NOT be offended. We don’t have morality police in the USA, however, Iran just hired 2,000 more to their payroll in June. You should apply… wait, you’re a woman? Nevermind.
BTW, your demanding tone is rude and offensive, delete your comment.
My cabinets are from the factory and the color of them is Sherwin Williams Pure White. I really love Benjamin Moores White Dove because it’s not a stark of a white. Would it be odd to paint the ceilings, trim, and walls White Dove with the SW Pure White Cabinets?
Thanks,
Chrissie
Welllll, if it were me – I might stick with Pure White…I mean maybe, if the trim isn’t too close to the cabinets????
This is a great write up! I am needing to paint all of the ceilings, doors, and trim in my 1928 bungalow. I am thinking Pure White is the way to go. Thanks so much!
You are most welcome, thank you so much for letting me know!
~Kylie
Hi Kylie!
Love your posts and humor, reading for a while now, over and over and over again. My Renesaince men of many traits is also a painter and learning with me!
BUT I am in limbo-remodeling home and bought my be-loved be-veled subway. They are pretty darn white against alabaster cabinet sample I have. At SW store I was told today be-loved are the closest to extra white, but they were too busy too help me with other options. Kitchen is open but has North facing window!do you think I could get away with pure white?or simple white? Don’t have BM Store around, road trip needed, and I am truly amateur but it will drive me crazy if things would clash…yellow cabinets agains the backspash?or to stark? ouch!this is so hard! Could you please make a suggestion???I would be so grateful!Considering even ditching my white backsplash…
Oh Basia, that is a tough one! I am also sensitive to mixing and matching whites and off-whites. If it were ME, it would bug me as the pretty darned white could quite well make the Alabaster cabinets look just a bit dingy in comparison. I bet Pure White would be closer and I’d be less nervous for sure as at least it is more white. And in the end, if you can’t get a match that you feel confident with, I’m sad to say I wouldn’t do it 🙁
I hope that helps and thank you for hanging on my site!
~Kylie
Thank you so much!!!!
Hi Kylie!
What SW white would you recommend for kitchen cabinets with gray veined quartz counter tops and dark brown bamboo flooring? Thanks!!!
Hi Barbara! There are so many types of gray (blue/purple/green/warm/greige) that for me to guess would be just that – a guess! So, when it comes to personal questions there are SOOO many other things to consider – exposure, style of cabinet, warmth of the bamboo/etc…. The only way for me to give GOOD advice is via my E-Design, which is affordable and fun, especially just for 1 room! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Hi Kylie!
What are your thoughts on Behr’s Swiss Cream (NOT to be confused with the popular Swiss Coffee)?
LOVE you site! You are incredibly helpful!
Sharon
Hi Sharon! I actually try to keep most of my focus on BM and SW colours, as there are SO many other brands at some point my brain would max out, so, unfortunately, I’m not that helpful when it comes to Behr colours!
That makes sense! Brain OVERLOAD!!
Thanks for your response!
Thanks for your description of extra white. Our builder only offers shoji, simple, & alabaster as the builder grade paint with extra white to normally only be a trim color. We are asking them to do everything in extra white. We are building a modern/industrial townhome getting most of its light from the west. We got to see shoji & simple in the models and they just ended up looking dingy in the corners and darker areas of the home.
Hi Kylie,
Thank you for doing the homework for the 4 best SW white paints, however most of your comments are negative towards rooms facing North. My place faces North. I have a light whitish beige wood floor and a dark gray couch I want to keep it white…which SW white paint and sheen would be best? Thank you. Helen
Hi Helen! Well, north facing light is tricky and when it comes to white, it’s just not the easiest to put in there! North facing light is one of the more challenging exposures for paint colours – even though I now live in a north facing lovely home myself!
My husband and I are building a house and after reading your blog I think we have decided to paint the whole house Alabaster white. Would you recommend doing the trim the same or another white color? And do you have a favorite brown color for the front door?
Thank you!
Hi Lauren, with Alabaster you can definitely do it the same OR ask them to add 4 ounces of white to each gallon. This cleans it up a stitch and also improves the coverage, as you will find that SW whites don’t cover well…at all. for this reason you might want to do a primer coat first and save a 3rd or possibly 4th coat of paint – primer is cheaper! As for the front door, I actually have my E-design service for that and have the perfect package for you here! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/product-category/exterior-paint-palettes/ This way I can look at your siding/roof/stone/etc… otherwise it’s a wild guess!
~Kylie