When it comes to choosing the perfect white paint, Sherwin Williams Pure White (SW 7005) stands out as a top contender. Whether you’re updating your home’s interior walls, painting your kitchen cabinets, or looking for a whole-house white for your new build, this bright white is a great option that complements any design style.
With so many popular white paint colors available, finding the right one can feel overwhelming. This post will guide you through everything you need to know about Sherwin-Williams Pure White, from its undertones to how it compares with other popular colors. I’ve also included suggestions for pairing SW Pure White with other great colors, helping you create a cohesive color palette you’ll love.
What Makes Sherwin-Williams Pure White So Popular?
Sherwin-Williams Pure White is a neutral, versatile, soft white that works in almost any space. It’s bright and crisp without being too stark or cold, making it a great choice for interior walls, a trim color, ceilings, and even kitchen cabinets.
With a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 84, SW Pure White reflects a significant amount of light, helping to make any space feel airy and open. Despite its brightness, it has subtle undertones that give it just enough warmth to avoid the sterile, clinical feel that some whites can have.
The Undertones of Pure White
Sherwin Williams Pure White has soft gray undertones, which is what makes this white paint color so adaptable. It also contains a tiny amount of yellow, which adds a hint of warmth. The gray undertones help to balance out the warmth, keeping Pure White from ever looking too yellow. This combination of subtle undertones results in a paint color that reads as a clean white in most lighting conditions, making it a reliable choice for anyone wanting a neutral-looking soft white.
Comparing Sherwin-Williams Pure White with Other Popular White Paints
Choosing the right white paint color often means comparing several options to see which one works the best in your home. Below, I’ll share how SW Pure White stacks up against other popular whites from both Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore.
1. Sherwin Williams Alabaster (SW 7008)
SW Alabaster is another popular white paint color known for its warm, creamy undertones. Compared to SW Pure White, Alabaster is a distinctly warmer white, with a noticeable yellow-beige undertone. While Alabaster can be great for creating a cozy, inviting space, it can sometimes appear too yellow in certain lighting. If you’re after a cleaner, more modern look. Sherwin-Williams Pure White may be a better option than Alabaster for a bright, neutral backdrop. Check out my full paint color review of SW Alabaster for more details.
2. Sherwin Williams High Reflective White (SW 7757)
SW High Reflective White is the brightest white in Sherwin-Williams’ lineup, with an LRV of 93. It’s a cleaner, brighter white than SW Pure White, making it a solid choice for contemporary spaces that require a crisp, true white. However, its brightness can sometimes feel too stark or sterile. On the other hand, SW Pure White offers a slightly softer appearance with a hint of warmth that’s more forgiving in varied lighting conditions.
3. Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC-17)
BM White Dove is a close competitor to Sherwin-Williams Pure White, with similar versatility and a soft, warm undertone. Pure White tends to look a bit more crisp than White Dove. Whereas, White Dove is slightly creamier, making it a great option for spaces where you’d like a little more warmth. However, BM White Dove isn’t quite as yellow-beige as SW Alabaster, so it can be that perfect goldilocks option sitting right in between the two Sherwin-Williams whites. Check out my full paint color review of Benjamin Moore White Dove for more details.
4. Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace (OC-65)
BM Chantilly Lace is a bright white known for its neutral, clean look. With a higher LRV than SW Pure White, Chantilly Lace gives the appearance of a crisp, true white. Chantilly Lace is a great choice for rooms that don’t get a ton of natural light, but it could come across a bit cold and stark in a north-facing room (with cooler light streaming in). In spaces where a touch of warmth or softness is needed, SW Pure White may be a better option.
5. Sherwin Williams Extra White (SW 7006)
SW Extra White is slightly cooler and brighter than SW Pure White, with an LRV of 86. Extra White has subtle cool undertones that can sometimes make a room feel a bit cold and sterile, especially in spaces with less natural light. Pure White, on the other hand, has a touch of warmth, which helps it to feel more inviting and less clinical, making it a more versatile choice for a wide range of rooms and lighting conditions.
For more white paint color options, check out my post on the Best White Paint Colors for your Interior.
Where to Use Sherwin-Williams Pure White in Your Home
Sherwin Williams Pure White is a very versatile color, which is one of the reasons it’s so popular. It can be used in any room and in a variety of applications, from walls to trim and cabinetry.
Pure White as a Whole-House Color
SW Pure White is an excellent choice for walls in any room, particularly in spaces where you want to create a bright, neutral backdrop. It works well in living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. Its ability to reflect light can make small rooms feel larger and more open, which is especially beneficial in spaces with limited natural light. With its gray undertones and hint of warmth, Pure White works in a wide range of lighting conditions, staying neutral and white.
Pure White for Trim and Ceilings
Sherwin Williams Pure White is one of my top picks for trim and ceiling paint colors. It provides a clean white look on trim, and is flexible enough to work with both cool and warm colors. You can also paint both your walls and trim SW Pure White, varying the finish (e.g., using satin or semi-gloss on trim and flat or eggshell on walls) to create a refined, monochromatic look.
Pure White on Kitchen Cabinets and Built-Ins
SW Pure White is a fantastic white color for kitchen cabinets, bath vanities, and built-in shelving. Its neutral tones pair well with a variety of countertop materials, including Carrara marble. Pure White looks great with natural stone, neutral backsplashes and all kinds of hardware finishes. Some warm whites can appear more yellow looking on cabinets, but Pure White rarely does with its subtle hint of warmth. Whether your style is modern, farmhouse, or traditional, Sherwin-Williams Pure White can serve as a timeless choice for cabinetry and shelving.
To prevent an all-white kitchen from feeling sterile, add layers of warm tones and texture. Here’s a post with more ideas about how to warm up an all-white kitchen or bathroom.
Pure White for Exteriors
SW Pure White is one of the best white paint color for exteriors. It’s a good choice for anyone wanting to enhance their curb appeal with a crisp, clean white. For west-facing homes, Pure White can work wonders, whereas other warm whites may appear too creamy or yellow. However, for heavily shaded exteriors, the gray tones in Pure White could start to look slightly muddy or dingy. Pure White is also one of my top picks for an exterior white trim color, due to its versatility and clean white look.
Recommended Paint Colors to Pair with Sherwin Williams Pure White
To create a cohesive color palette in your home, choose complementary colors that enhance the beauty of SW Pure White. Here are some recommended pairings:
1. Soft Grays
Pairing SW Pure White with soft whites like Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray (SW 7015) or Benjamin Moore Gray Owl (OC-52) creates a serene and sophisticated look. These grays have enough warmth to blend seamlessly with the subtle undertones of SW Pure White, making them ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms.
2. Warm Neutrals
Warm neutrals like Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige (SW 7036) or Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray (HC-173) complement SW Pure White beautifully. These shades add a touch of warmth without overpowering the brightness of Pure White, making them perfect for spaces where you want a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
3. Bold Accent Colors
For those who love a pop of color, SW Pure White serves as the perfect blank canvas for bold accents. Pair it with deep navy blues like Sherwin-Williams Naval (SW 6244) or Benjamin Moore Hale Navy (HC-154). These bold shades stand out against the crispness of SW Pure White, adding drama and personality to your space.
4. Blue-Grays
With its gray tones, SW Pure White is a fantastic white to pair with blue-gray paint colors. If you’re drawn to using blue-grays and even cool grays with subtle blue tones, Pure White can effortlessly bring out the best in these shades. Whether you’re looking to pair white cabinets with a blue-gray island in the kitchen, or use Pure White as a trim color with your blue-gray walls, it’s a match made in Heaven.
Here’s a list of my favorite paint colors to pair with Sherwin-Williams. You can use these hues to create the perfect color palette for your home. Click on the affiliate links below to get a convenient peel-and-stick paint sample sheet to test the color in your home.
- SW Accessible Beige – soft, muted beige with gray tones
- BM Hale Navy – a deep navy blue with gray tones and a hint of green
- SW Repose Gray – light warm gray
- SW Sea Salt – light gray-green with a hint of blue
- BM Gibraltar Cliffs – lovely blue-gray
- BM Kendall Charcoal – perfectly balanced dark gray with a hint of warmth
- SW Iron Ore – dark, neutral almost black
- SW Dried Thyme – gorgeous earthy green
- SW Pavestone – warm, stone gray
Is SW Pure White the Right White Paint Color for Your Home?
SW Pure White is a reliable white and flexible enough to work in a variety of different lighting conditions, but it’s essential to test how it looks in your specific space. Seeing a sample of a paint color in the room you’re planning to paint is the best, and really the only way to be sure you’re choosing the perfect paint color for your home. For example, in a north-facing room, SW Pure White may appear cooler than you’d like, where a west-facing room will bring out its subtle warmth. Artificial lighting can also play a role in how a color looks in a space.
Samplize offers peel and stick paint samples of all of the colors listed in this post. I recommend purchasing samples of several different white paint colors, and evaluating them at various times of the day in the room you’ll be painting. The color that looks best in all lighting conditions is the perfect white color for your home.
Final Thoughts
Sherwin-Williams Pure White (SW 7005) is a versatile, neutral white that works well in any space. Its subtle gray undertones, hint of warmth, and high LRV make it an excellent choice for walls, trim color, ceilings, and kitchen cabinets. Whether you’re aiming for a modern, minimalist white look, or a warm, inviting neutral for your home, SW Pure White can be that perfect blank canvas. Pair it with the complementary colors provided in this post, and a variety of textures, and you’ll be on your way to a cohesive and stylish home. SW Pure White is truly a fantastic choice for anyone looking to enhance their home with a clean white that remains timeless and elegant.
