The 5 Best White Paint Colors: Sherwin Williams

ByKylieMawdsley

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.

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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).

White kitchen cabinets with white bevelled subway tile backsplash, navy blue le creuset accents. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint color consulting and blogger

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

2 storey entryway or foyer, white walls, Sherwin Williams Pure White, black front door, wood stairs, sliding barn door. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint colour, virtual diy decorating ideas

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.

Best white paint colour. Walls or cabinets.White kitchen, gray painted island. Cambria quartz countertop black, dark wood flooring, pendant lights, modern. Kylie M Interiors Edesign. Pure White Sherwin Williams cabinets

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.

Black and white patterned tile floor, small vanity, Sherwin Williams Pure White walls, trims, Sashay Sand toilet room in bathroom.

 

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

Sherwin Williams Pure White cabinets, Austere Gray paint color on walls with Antique White in entryway, dark wood floor, white quartz countertop

Pure White kitchen cabinets, white bevelled subway tile backsplash, white quartz, counter stools and floating shelves with home decor. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint color advice blog

 

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.

Sherwin Williams Gray Shingle, Extra White trim.

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…

Sherwin Williams Snowbound in great room, vaulted ceiling, grid accent wall fireplace, pink-toned white wash wood floor, Extra White trim and ceiling (1)

Here’s a great shot of Extra White with beige walls (Sherwin Williams Natural Linen)…

Sherwin Williams Natural Linen beige paint color on walls, Extra White trim and wainscoting, oak and metal spindle railing, light maple floor, 2000s home (1)

 

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

The best white paint colors for your room. Benjamin or Sherwin. Edesign, online paint colour services. Diy home decorating ideas blogger.market

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)…

Sherwin Williams Alabaster coffered warm white painted ceiling, white built in cabinets in sides of fireplace, white mantel

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.

Open concept entryway, stairs, Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige, Alabaster trim and doors, wood stairs, white risers, dark wood floor

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…

Sherwin Williams Alabaster and Extra white paint color on trims and walls, dark wood floor, hallway with doors. Kylie M Online Paint consulting client photo

Alabaster is also beautiful on exterior trim if you want a softer, creamier look than traditional white.

Kylie M Interiors EDESIGN, exterior front door painted Sherwin Williams Iron Ore, trim Alabaster, siding Mink. With brick

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

Sherwin Williams White Snow peel and stick paint sample

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. 

Gauntlet Gray accent wall in dining room with wood floor, Snowbound painted kitchen cabinets.

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.

Bedroom interior door painted Benjamin Moore Woodlawn Blue (blue-gray), walls and trims Sherwin Williams Snowbound, warm white paint color. Beach home decor, LeMel Jewelry

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.

Island painted Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray, cabinets are Sherwin Williams Snowbound, vaulted ceiling with white painted shiplap and beams, white quartz

The lovely Bahama’s home of my friend, LeMel Jewlery owner, Jen.

Beach house with vaulted ceiling in shiplap with beams, walls and trims Sherwin Williams Snowbound, wood oak floor. Beach home of LeMel Jewelry owner

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 

The best white and gray paint colors for kitchen cabinets or bathroom vanity. Edesign, Kylie M Interiors Online colour consulting. Home Decorating and diy ideas blogger

Chat soon,

Kylie M Interiors Edecor and Edesign

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

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284 Comments

  1. Thank you, Kylie – you have helped so much. Much appreciated.

    Thank you for your prompt reply. You’re awesome! : – )

    Reply

  2. Hi there. What is a nice white to paint kitchen cabinets with. I painted my walls alabaster already. I like a nice clean white kitchen. Doing white subway tile and white quartz countertops with the gray streaking in it. Which white from sherwin Williams will go the best with the quartz

    Reply

    1. Hi Amy, without seeing your home/quartz it’s just a guess, but you could check out SW PUre White. I wouldn’t go too stark white with Alabaster walls as Alabaster could make the cabinets look too icy…

      Reply

  3. You’re great! and very patient! I’ve read from beginning to end. I hope I have a quick question for you. We “plan” on painting our walls Alabaster, and kitchen cabinets/doors/trim Pure White. It sounds like the 2 whites compliment one another? However, would you suggest Alabaster or Pure White for ceilings in this scenario? Thank you in advance!

    Reply

  4. Hi! Your blog is great. Thank you! I’m hoping you can help me pick a good paint color for my new office. There is one ice block window that faces east, so there is some natural light, but it’s quite dark still during the day. My hope is to not use the overhead fluorescent lights, and instead bring in a bunch of lamps.The carpet is medium to dark brown and has some sheen to it. The ceiling is your tip typical off white drop ceiling panels with speckles. I would like to pick something that feels really fresh, and was considering some version of white or neutral, but I’m really struggling since I won’t have a chance to swatch anything. Can you help? I don’t want it to feel drab on one extreme or clinical on the other. I appreciate your suggestions!

    Reply

    1. Hi Katie! Due to the number of emails I get every day, I have to pick ‘n choose which questions to answer, focusing first on the ones that have mass appeal! I do try to give as much complimentary info as I can on my blog and if that doesn’t help, it might be time for a closer look with my E-design. Otherwise, I’m just guessing as to what all is really happening in the room! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
      I hope to hear from you!

      ~Kylie

      Reply

  5. Excellent write up! Quick question…..We are painting our bathroom white and all the hardware is oil rubbed bronze. The vanity is an espresso color. What would be a nice white for that. It faces east so I don’t think any issues there, correct?

    Thanks so much!

    Eric

    Reply

    1. Hi Erica, it TOTALLY depends on your countertop, flooring and tile. I mean I can throw BM Simply White or White Dove at you, but without knowing the rest, they are only guesses! The most SAFE bet would be SW High Reflective White – it’s pretty darned white!

      Reply

  6. Hi Kylie,
    I’m painting my sun room (11’ high) SW naval walls on top of 4’ 1/2 foot high wainscoting, with BM White Dove semi gloss trim , what color white paint should i use for the
    Wainscoting? I appreciate your time & talent.
    Thank you

    Reply

  7. Hi Kylie! Wow, all of your info is super impressive.. So helpful!! 🙂 Wondering your opinion on choosing a white ceiling paint when the walls are also white. I’m not sure about how ‘matchy’ to be? We have a very open concept, modern style house with lots of windows.. trying to keep it fresh and airy, without be too stark. Kitchen cabinets are BM Simply White, and we chose Simply White for the walls as well (to avoid mixing whites too much). Our painter wants us to choose a SW paint for the ceiling.. is SW Pure White a good choice for ceilings? And do you usually suggest doing the interior doors and trim the same as the ceiling colour?

    Reply

    1. Hi Jenny, I’m most inclined to keep my whites consistent, so that I’m not mixing undertones. If I were to switch up, I might keep it more simple and bright with SW High Reflective White…or I’d just ask SW to colour match Simply White – just make sure they you check the colour match before it goes up!

      Reply

  8. Hi Kylie,

    Great article! I’m having to “redo” and paint my 10 foot ceilings in the kitchen and living room as my electrician put his foot through the ceiling while installing recessed lighting. My sheetrock guy (that just redid the ceilings a few months ago due to remodel) has a special blend of white ceiling color specifically for his company from SW. However, it is not a bright white. My floors are dark and I was thinking a brighter white would look better. What white do you suggest that goes with everything? Thanks!

    Reply

  9. Hi Kylie,

    Thank you for your recommendation of pure white trim and ceiling with Duck White walls for our farmhouse. My mom likes it so much she’s doing it too! Now I’m choosing an exterior white. The trouble I’m running into is that, because the house will sit along on the top of a rise on the farm, it will be visible from every direction. Do you think Pure White is the most versatile white in all lighting for a traditional farmhouse (black shutters, red door, dark charcoal roof, tin porches)? I’m a little nervous to go high reflective white…. The house is surrounded by green (fields & trees) and will reflect green April-October. I’m stuck doing only SW colors, BM is not an option–sadly.
    Thanks!
    If you have an opinion on the black for the shutters I’d love that too!

    Sarah

    Reply

    1. Hi Amanda, when it comes to personal questions, I do refer to my E-design as I can get dozens of questions in a single day! I try to give as much helpful free info as I can on my blog and if that doesn’t help, it might be time for a closer look, otherwise, I’m totally just guessing as to what your room REALLY looks like. If you’re interested, the link is here, I’d love to help! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
      I also have a blog post re: Can I Paint My North Facing Room White, which you might find helpful! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/ask-kylie-can-i-paint-my-north-facing-room-white-or-off-white/

      Reply

  11. iI so enjoy your blog. You answer directly and comprehensively, not everyone does that and it’s very appreciated! So of course now I have a question 🙂 I’m painting my whole 1970s house white. One room flows into the next and so I want to keep it consistent. The trims Will be the same white, different sheen. I want a clean white with the most minute iota of warmth. I’ve read your blog and all the comments and I’m still a bit lost. Any thoughts are appreciated. Because it’s the whole room , The exposures are different. The walls and everything is white now and appear very dingy. So I want nothing with a gray undertone or green undertone. Clean is best. But again, slightly warm. Thank you so much!

    Reply

    1. Hi Randy, when it comes to personal questions, I do refer to my E-design! I try to give as much helpful free info as I can on my blog and if that doesn’t help, it might be time for a closer look, otherwise, I’m totally just guessing as to what your room REALLY looks like. If you’re interested, the link is here, I’d love to help! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/ HOWEVER…check out SW Pure White 😉
      ~Kylie

      Reply

  12. I am getting ready to paint ALL of my ceilings, doors and trim! Its going to be a huge job. I bought high reflective white over a year ago and tried it and snowbound on a back door to our garage. I’m gradually switching over all rooms to the cooler side as we’ve had 20 years of warm tones and are ready for a change. I just did a Google search on HRWhite and found your blog entry. You’ve described HRWhite just as I would. After living with what now looks like dingy ceilings doors and trim, I’m looking forward to really white! Thanks for your post.

    Reply

    2. Linda,
      have you painted yet? We are about to get brand new kitchen cabinets and I am frozen with fear about the color….AND that’s after hiring a local color consultant. She told me I could go either way: Sherwin Williams Pure White or Extra White. I’m stuck. I have to tell the painters by Monday.

      Reply

  13. I’m about to paint an east facing room white. I want the trim and ceiling to be very white and the walls to be a tone slightly different. I see a lot of advice on North/south facing rooms but not much on East facing rooms. My painter will use Sherwin-Williams paint so do you have any suggestions?

    Reply

  14. What’s a good white/off white that will corner up to agreeable grey but has bright white basboards. It’s for a stairway, so not he best lit area? Shoji White looked dingy..

    Reply

  15. Hi Kylie,

    I am going remodeling my house and going with white cabinets in the kitchen. The dining room and living room are all kind of connected. Do you think I should paint the walls the same white as the cabinets? If so, which white would you go with? The rooms are fairly small and somewhat dark. Also, I want to go with a mostly white countertop and backsplash maybe with some grey.

    Reply

  16. Hi Kylie! I was just wondering why Alabaster would likely go flat in a north facing room? If you are looking for a soft white with depth for a north facing room (kitchen cabinets) do you have to go with something with a lower LRV to prevent that flat look (something like Shoji White?) . I hate the yellow that comes out when you go too creamy and just wondering if there’s a happy medium for north facing rooms that give depth without the yellow. Thanks!

    Reply

  17. Kylie I
    I know this is a older comment board
    But was wondering does snowbound have a pink undertone.’
    I have made samples but don’t see pink
    Yet read where others say it has pink
    Your thoughts
    Thank you struggling with white
    Nancy

    Reply

    1. Hi Nancy, I find that it can pick up a wink of purple, but a softer, warmer purple. A southern exposure might enhance this and warm it up a bit too 😉

      Reply

  18. Hi Kylie, just out of curiosity, if I were wanting to paint my whole house interior one white and one trim color – regardless of direction of light – what would that color combo be? Not too warm or cold with the right amount of “crispness.” Is this possible? Alabaster or creamy? Dove white?

    Reply

    1. Hi Jill, I would recommend using Alabaster and letting the change in paint sheen do the shifting. You could look at SW Pure White, but I’m definitely not a fan of mixing whites and would stick with Alabaster myself. Or at the most, have them add 4 ounces of white to the gallon, just to freshen it up a stitch.

      Reply

  20. Just came across your website while looking at ‘white’ paints for a new build. The cabinet company uses SW Alabaster and Bright White. Is there a wall, trim, and ceiling SW color in the white family that you think is a great combo with either of those for kitchen and great room? Thanks for the color education!

    Reply

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