Read all about Sherwin Williams Creamy, plus see 25 real homes that use it!
If you’ve been following my posts in my paint color series, you know that I’m a big fan of neutrals. Especially off-whites. I’ve already done in-depth reviews of several, including Alabaster and Swiss Coffee.
Now it’s time to check out one of my favorites: Sherwin Williams Creamy (SW 7012). This rich and, well, creamy hue is an off-white that can be used in many different ways and in many different places.
But it’s off-white, which is a neutral color that can be used anywhere, right? Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Whites and off-whites aren’t colors that are as simple as they sound.
In fact, they’re downright complicated. It all comes down to a shade’s undertones. When it comes to whites, they can have a vast range of undertones, including yellow, red, pink, blue, gray, or green.
Although Creamy is a versatile shade, it definitely has undertones that will cause it to not work in every space, depending on the lighting and your preferences.
That said, Creamy is a lovely shade and one of Sherwin Williams’ most popular colors for a reason. Let’s take an in-depth look at SW Creamy to determine if it might be a good fit for your home!
FAQs about Creamy
Is Sherwin Williams Creamy cool or warm?
SW Creamy is a warm white that will look white next to darker shades, but it will look slightly yellow next to pure white.
Does Sherwin Williams Creamy look yellow?
Cool lighting situations tend to cool down Creamy, sometimes enough that you don’t notice any yellow. On the other hand, warm lighting tends to draw out the yellow, so it’s more noticeable.
Where can you use Creamy?
You can use Sherwin Williams Creamy nearly everywhere! Use it on trim, walls, bedrooms, cabinets, kitchen islands, vanities, furniture, bathrooms, window shutters, and even interior and exterior doors! 
Sherwin Williams Creamy Undertones
When it comes to creams and off-whites, most people are worried about them appearing yellow. The irony is that these colors ARE yellows that have been toned way down in varying amounts by adding neutrals such as gray, beige, and black.
Creamy has been toned down enough to be a light off-white with just a faint reading of yellow in certain lighting situations. However, no matter what lighting it’s in, Creamy isn’t a yellow as Dover White is!
If you are looking to change the paint colors in your home, I strongly suggest using large paint swatches/samples. Doing that will allow you to see how paint colors behave with your decor and lighting without committing to a color until you find the right one.
As far as sampling goes, I highly recommend these mess-free, re-usable, re-positionable peel and stick paint samples ⤵
Creamy in a North-Facing Room
North-facing rooms tend to be the coolest in terms of lighting. While you’ll get some filtered light in through the windows, a north-facing space will not get any direct sunlight.
If you opt for a cool paint, the room will undoubtedly look even colder—not exactly a cozy warm and fuzzy space. That’s why I usually recommend warm-hued paints for northern rooms….like Creamy!
Creamy will infuse the space with warmth. The yellow tones in creamy will be slightly canceled out by the cool light, making it an almost neutral.
Creamy in a South-Facing Room
On the other end of the spectrum, we have south-facing rooms. These spaces are always filled with plenty of natural light and tends to read warm rather than cool.
In a room that faces south, the warm yellow undertones of the paint really start to peek out. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing if that’s the look you are looking for, but it will not be a neutral creamy white in this situation.
Creamy in East and West Facing Rooms
The sun rises in the East, and sets in the West. As the light arcs over, east and west-facing rooms will change color throughout the day.
In the morning, east will be flooded with warm light, but will cool off as the day goes on. They tend to be more cooler-toned in the afternoons and evening, making it a good candidate for a warm color like Creamy!
West-facing rooms have the opposite: less light in the day and warm bursts of light in the afternoon and early evening. With a warm off-white like Creamy, the color will appear pale yellow in the afternoon!
If undertones make your head hurt, you’re not alone! Grab your free copy of 5 Biggest Paint Choice Mistakes Click here or enter your email below. I’ll send the tips right away!⤵️
Great Coordinating Colors for Creamy
Sherwin Williams Creamy sparkles when paired with a large selection of other colors. Go monochromatic or bravely contrast deep hues – the possibilities are nearly limitless. Consider adding this shade to your color scheme.
If you’re searching for great colors to coordinate with Creamy, consider some of these:
- Tricorn Black
- Intellectual Gray
- Worldly Gray
- Clary Sage
- Swanky Gray
- Sea Salt
- Warm Stone
- Anew Gray
- Storm Cloud
- Krypton
- Reynard
- Mindful Gray
- Studio Taupe
- Anchors Aweigh
- Quietude
- Repose Gray
- Pavestone
- Silver Strand
- Cityscape
LRV of Sherwin Williams Creamy (SW 7012)
Visually looking at paint colors will yield very subjective results. In order to confidently choose a color for your home, you need more information, right? I like to supplement subjective information with objective color information.
Light Reflectance Value (LRV) is a number ranging between 0 and 100. Each color has an assigned LRV number to indicate how much light a color reflects. Zero represents pure black because it doesn’t reflect ANY light, while 100 represents pure white because it reflects ALL the light.
The LRV of SW Creamy = 81
This value means that SW Creamy is firmly in the off-white range. It reflects a considerable amount of light, so it will look warm and bright against more saturated hues.
LRV…what? Don’t worry, I’ve got you! Grab a FREE copy of my new guide to avoid the paint color picking mistakes people make! Click here or enter your email below. I’ll send the tips right away!⤵️
Creamy Compared to Other Colors
In addition to looking at LRV values, another way to evaluate colors and their qualities is by comparing them side-by-side. Note: side-by-side comparisons are a reliable way to determine a color’s undertones.
Here’s how Sherwin Williams Creamy looks when compared to other very popular but different shades.
Sherwin Williams Creamy vs. Dover White
These two shades are very similar. Dover White’s LRV of 83 makes it slightly brighter than Creamy, but it has stronger yellow undertones that can tend to look “too yellow” sometimes.
Sherwin Williams Creamy vs. Swiss Coffee
Swiss Coffee has an LRV of 83.93, making it look distinctly lighter than Creamy. Additionally, Swiss Coffee has lower amounts of yellow saturation and reads more neutral.
Sherwin Williams Creamy vs. Accessible Beige
Here are two colors that are more different than they are similar. For starters, they differ significantly in LRV values. Accessible Beige’s LRV of 58 is much darker than Creamy’s 81. Also, Accessible Beige is a rich beige in contrast to Creamy’s off-white.
These two shades are more appropriate for using as coordinating colors rather than as similar colors.
More Colors to Consider
Not yet feeling ready to commit to Creamy? I gotcha! Check out these neutral shades to see if they might be a better fit.
- Chantilly Lace (Benjamin Moore) – a crisp white that brightens any space
- Snowbound (Sherwin Williams) – a somewhat cool, yet very livable, white
- Dover White (Sherwin Williams) – a warm, creamy off-white
- Super White (Benjamin Moore) – a bright, neutral shade of white
- Simply White (Benjamin Moore) – a creamy white with yellow undertones
- Pure White (Sherwin Williams) – warm white that can lean slightly greige
- Alabaster (Sherwin Williams) – a bright, popular off-white
- White Dove (Benjamin Moore) – a teensy, tiny bit greige
- Eider White (Sherwin Williams) – a mysterious, off-white or light gray with complicated (but beautiful) undertones
- Ballet White (Benjamin Moore) – a light, neutral off-white paint color
- Oyster White (Sherwin Williams) – a pretty light greige paint
Feeling lost? I gotcha, boo! Grab a FREE copy of my new guide to avoid the paint color picking mistakes people make! Click here or enter your email below. I’ll send the tips right away!⤵️
25 Real Life Homes Using Sherwin Williams Creamy
Alright, time to dig into the good part: all that eye candy! But first, a warning. Do NOT fall in love with one of these rooms, run out and buy 4 cans and start painting your space! Remember the cardinal rule of painting: sample before you swipe that paintbrush!!!
Living Rooms in SW Creamy
A quick note here: don’t forget to consider picking the right paint finish…it’s not only about getting the color right! We have an in-depth explanation of choosing sheens here.
1. Built-ins Painted Creamy White
One of my favorite ways to use Creamy is to pair it with beige and brown earthy colors. The warmth of both colors complements each other, and they work together to make each other shine in this space by Kelley Nan.
2. Creamy in a Living Room with Bright Areas, and Dark
Creamy was used in this stunning living space for both the wall color AND the trim (yes, you can do that!).
As you scroll through these pics, you can see how different the paint looks in the areas that have a lot of natural light versus those that do not.
3. SW Creamy Living Room Walls
I’m not a fan of stark white paint colors, so I gravitate towards off-white and creamy colors. They might not be as crisp, but I prefer their welcoming vibe.
Sherwin Williams Creamy Kitchens
For kitchens, eggshell or satin are popular finish choices for walls. For cabinets consider semi-gloss or high gloss for the most durable finish (and a gorgeous glow).
5. Cabinets, Walls, Trim and Ceiling in SW Creamy
When you have rich wood tones, it’s important to choose a warm shade that plays well with such warm tones. Creamy fits right in with wood to highlight both colors to their advantage (space via Houzz).
6. Kitchen with Warm Lighting
What color do you choose to complement yellow and warm wood tones in your decor? Creamy has just enough yellow so that it contrasts with yellow but doesn’t look cold against such a warm color. I love these Creamy white cabinets!
7. Kitchen Cabinets in Sherwin Williams Creamy
This hue is just warm enough to soften the coolness of the countertops in this space from 2 Cabinet Girls and bridge the gap between the counters and wood flooring.
8. Creamy Kitchen with Dark Wood Trim
Ah, stunning! Sherwin Williams Creamy works exceptionally well to soften large spaces and create a relaxing comfortable vibe in nearly any home style.
9. Creamy White Kitchen Cabinetry
The warm beige in the counters and backsplash along with the warm lighting pulls out the yellow in the cabinetry paint. Creamy pairs seamlessly, as if the colors were made for each other in this kitchen from Bella-Tucker.
Creamy Painted Bedrooms
In general for bedrooms, and low-traffic areas, flat paint is fine. If you like something with a bit of shine (and more ease of cleaning) opt for eggshell or satin.
10. SW Creamy Master Bedroom
Can you imagine this room from Plank and Pillow painted in stark white? You’d have to live in sunglasses! Bright light will wash out the yellow undertones in Creamy so that it reads as soft off-white and make it look light and bright without being blindingly so.
11 . Bedroom with Filtered Light
Creamy is nice and neutral. In low light, Creamy won’t flash pink, purple, or blue undertones. It just sits back and supports your decor. 😉
12. Bunks Painted in Sherwin Williams Creamy
The lighting is certainly pulling out the yellow undertones in Creamy, but no one would mistake this shade as yellow. Instead, it just projects warm, beckoning vibes in this lovely bedroom from Herlong Architects.
13. Bedroom with Wood Floors and SW Creamy Walls
This bedroom is lovely, thanks in no small part to Sherwin Williams Creamy on the walls. There’s just enough pigment in this off-white to make it contrast with the crisp white curtains and bedding.
14. Master Suite with Off-White Shiplap
The low lighting and brown and green decor in this space from Tobi Fairley tone down the yellow undertones in Creamy. It reads very soft and welcoming, but not overly warm or yellow.
Psst…Wanna see more shiplap ideas? We got more here!
15. Warm & Dreamy Bedroom
Sara Le uses Creamy in two bedrooms in her gorgeous home, including this restful, warm and inviting master bedroom.
Bathrooms in Sherwin Williams Creamy
Don’t forget the finish! For bathrooms the perfect sheen is either an eggshell or satin. Why? We’ll tell you in this post about paint sheen.
16. Bathroom with Low Natural Light
Sherwin Williams Creamy will look lovely in most home and decor styles. This bathroom manages to look both simple and chic.
17. Creamy with Wood Vanity
Check out how the color changes from one part of the picture to another. Yellow comes through where the paint reflects the warm wood tones. The walls are neutral on the other side of the mirror.
SW Creamy Laundry Rooms
18. Creamy in Laundry Room with Pastel Cabinets
A laundry room should be a place where you want to spend time. Pair Creamy with pastels and you have a winning combination.
19. Laundry Space Sherwin Williams Creamy
The cool light in this laundry room by Peyton Bryan tones down the warm yellow undertones so that the painted cabinets look perfectly neutral off-white.
Exteriors Featuring Creamy Paint
Exteriors are one of the places I think SW Creamy’s brilliance, depth and beauty really shines through. See what you think!
20. Siding Painted SW Creamy
Creamy works well for really home exteriors too! I love the way it looks when you pair it with warm earthy materials like bricks.
21. Creamy Brick
If you’re considering painting exterior bricks, put Creamy on your shortlist. It will brighten the facade but keep it feeling homey too.
22. Creamy Painted Exterior with Black Trm
Pair Sherwin Williams Creamy with black for a lovely classic color scheme that’s perfectly neutral and fits any house style.
23. Works Well with Wood
Doesn’t SW Creamy look gorgeous paired with wood elements on this exquisite modern farmhouse exterior from @offwhitefarmhouse? The warmth in the hue really works well to make exteriors come alive and look inviting, I think.
24. Pairs Well With Sage
You’ve seen this paint shade with black on the exterior. Here it is with a sage green shared by @knollwood_customs. Looks amazing, right?
Sherwin Williams Creamy in Other Spaces
25. Sherwin Williams Creamy Entryway
I love this entryway by Plank and Pillow! Creamy is just light enough to read as soft white, and the wood tones make the paint color feel balanced.
26. Inviting Office
Few other off-whites could pull off this delicate balance between cool black and warm brass. Creamy is able to strike that neutral place and allow both ends of the color spectrum to shine.
Sherwin Williams Creamy is a dreamy creamy off-white that both stands out and steps back in all the right ways. However, even with all its lovely qualities, this color will not work in every home.
And if this is a color you’re seriously considering, remember paint-sampling is better than ending up paint-sorry! I highly recommend these peel and stick samples because they are inexpensive, re-usable and re-positionable…
Pin this paint color for later! And if you use this paint shade, leave a comment on the pin! That helps others decide if they want to try this color, too!
Ready to show those boring, beige walls who’s the boss at home? Grab my free guide to help you sidestep the mistakes that almost everyone makes when it comes to picking paint! You’ll be on your way to perfect paint promptly…pinky swear.
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