Looking for a gorgeous white paint? Check out Sherwin Williams Pure White, plus see 20+ real-life homes that use it!
Ready for another paint color showcase in our in-depth paint color series? Sherwin Williams Pure White (# SW 7005) is up to bat today.
This color is a clean, fresh, crisp white paint without any yellow undertones. While a post entirely devoted to one (white) paint color may sound a trifle dull, it’s anything but that!
Keep reading to learn all about Pure White so we can give you everything you need to help you to decide whether or not SW Pure White is the perfect paint color choice for your next home project.
First, check out this video peek at some spaces that use Pure White!
Sherwin Williams Pure White Undertones
Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty about Pure White, shall we?
First of all, many people hear “white” and think “white is white”. Oh boy, if only it were that black and…white (pun intended).
White paint colors are surprisingly complex. In fact, there may be as many different shades of white as several other colors…combined.
The complexity and variety in white paints all come down to undertones. Like all neutrals, white paints look (very) differently based on their undertones.
I’m not gonna lie – choosing the PERFECT paint color isn’t as easy as seeing what you like online and simply adding it to your space. There’s an entire science behind it! 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!⤵️
What Are Undertones?
For a fun exercise in learning all about undertones, scroll up a bit and take a look at the photo above. See how it looks creamy and yellow-ish?
Now, look at the paint swatch below. It’s much more cool-toned here. Yes, it’s the same swatch. It’s just the background and lighting have changed slightly to make the shade feel totally different.
Paint colors are made by blending multiple colors together to yield different colors and shades. The color you see first is the dominant color (also called the mass tone or overtone).
The undertone, however, is the less dominant color that peeks through. The closer the undertone is to the dominant color, the more true that color appears to be.
For example, a beige with more red in it will appear to have a pink undertone but if it has a little more green in it, it will read with a green undertone.
The best way to be sure of any shade is…drumroll…to sample it! (Did you see that coming?) My recommendation for samples is using these re-usable, re-positionable, peel and stick samples that won’t damage your walls, and you can easily move around your room to see what the paint looks like on each wall ⤵
Undertones in Pure White
SW Pure White has very little colorant in it which is why it looks so fresh and bright. It has a little bit of black to soften it so it doesn’t look stark white. And it has just a wee bit of yellow in it to make this white a warm one.
And I’m talkin’ just a tad of each of these colors. In fact, it’s juuuust enough colorant to remove that crisp, glaring quality that white can have.
But the real beauty of Pure White is that it has no undertones – no blue or green or yellow peeking through.
If undertones make your head ache, you’re not alone! Grab your no-cost copy of “5 Biggest Paint Choice Mistakes” Click here or enter your email below. I’ll send the tips right away!⤵️
How does Pure White Look in Different Light?
South-facing light tends to be slightly warm, which will highlight the warmth in SW Pure White.
East and West-facing light tend to be warmer light when the sun shines in that direction, as opposed to all day like in southern exposure.
North-facing light, on the other hand, tends to be a cooler light that sometimes even reads a bit blue. In Northern rooms Pure White will look a little crisper – if you want a soft, warm white, you’ll need to consider using a softer white with even more warmth.
In other words, Pure White looks bright with soft edges. It’s a classic color that can work really well for a lot of people.
It will read warm, but won’t look super warm. If you want a warmer white consider other possibilities such as Sherwin Williams Alabaster.
LRV of Sherwin Williams Pure White
Now that you have gotten a basic idea about Pure White, it’s time to give a numerical value to the name “Pure White”.
Light Reflectance Value (LRV) = 84
LRV is a number rating from 0-100 with 0 being pure black, and 100 being pure white.
Lighter paint shades appear brighter because they reflect more light from them. Darker shades are the reverse, and their lower LRV value indicates that.
Below see Pure White (84) side by side with pure white (100):
LRV…what? Don’t worry, I’ve got you! This no-cost guide will help you avoid the paint color picking mistakes most people make! Click here or enter your email below. I’ll send the tips right away!⤵️
SW Pure White Compared to Other White Paints
In order to really understand Sherwin Williams Pure White’s undertones (or lack thereof) and overall color profiles, let’s compare Pure White to other popular white paint colors.
Pure White vs Extra White
Sherwin Williams Extra White is slightly lighter than Pure White, with an LRV of 86 compared to Pure White’s LRV of 84.
Pure White works well with cabinets, trim, walls, and ceilings, and it can work well with cool or warm colors.
Extra White reads cooler and sharper than Pure White does. In fact, it certain lights (like Northern light), it can look too cool – even icy – compared to Pure White. Extra White will give a crisp, modern look to any room.
Pure White vs Snowbound
Snowbound is considered to be a timeless white. It’s a nice mix of warm and cool white that reads just a tiny bit gray. Because of its nice balance, it’s a popular color for cabinetry and trim.
Snowbound has an LRV of 82, making it just a tad darker than Pure White, and its gray undertones will make it read slightly cooler. As a result, Pure White will look brighter, crisper, and warmer than Snowbound.
Pure White vs Simply White
Benjamin Moore’s Simply White has enough warmth without looking too creamy or yellow. You’ll notice the color’s warmth comes out the most with indoor lighting.
At an LRV of 91.7, Simply White is white. It’s bright, very light white that doesn’t look stark yet it is brighter than Pure White.
Sherwin Williams Pure White vs Benjamin Moore Pure White
Just to make it EXTRA confusing for all of us trying to pick white paint. BOTH of the major paint players decided to name paint shades, “Pure White.”
NEITHER of them are actually pure white in the strictest sense of the word, of course. That would make way too much sense. Instead, each of these has its own special hues. Here they are side by side.
You can probably tell from those swatches that Ben Moore’s version of “Pure White” leans way cool, while Sherwin Williams decided their Pure White would lean warmer. Both are VERY light and bright shades though, for sure.
The Ben Moore version comes in at an LRV of 80.88, so it’s a slightly darker shade, overall, as compared to the Sherwin Williams version.
Are you already feeling a little lost? Let me help you get back on track. Grab a free copy of my guide to help you avoid the same paint color picking mistakes most people always make!
More Paint Colors to Consider:
Before we dig into Sherwin Williams Pure White, I want you to know there are so many other incredible shades out there!
Each of these posts breaks down everything you need to know about the shade, plus gives several examples of how it looks in real homes!
Real Life Homes Using Sherwin Williams Pure White
It’s one thing to talk about overtones, undertones, and different types of lighting. However, in order to really evaluate color and see all its qualities, you have to see it in action.
So I’m bringing you examples of what Pure White looks like in different rooms of the house with various types of lighting and decor.
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.
Stunning Living Rooms That Showcase SW Pure White
The living room is the main hangout of the house, where people spend time talking and relaxing. A living room needs to have a good, solid color upon which to showcase the rest of the room’s decor.
Check out these examples of living rooms that use Pure White.
1. Bright Soft White | Kylie M. Interiors
This living room does a terrific job of highlighting Pure White’s soft brightness. A fresh, light white that looks wonderful with any decor, even cooler tones.
2. Goes Great With Warmer Tones | City Farmhouse
This living room showcases warmer tones, and Pure White does a bang-up job of taking a backseat while creating a soft backdrop for the room’s colors.
3. Crisp Family Room | Halfway Holistic
This room has bright, natural north-facing light that makes the room look crisp but not icy. Bright but still soft. The effect is stunning.
4. @halzhome
As we have seen in the images above, Pure White goes well with both warmer and cooler tones. This image shows how the two can come together. The wood tones, dark accents, and blue accents come together in pure harmony thanks to SW Pure White.
5. @the_lovenest
Look at the softness in this image! I love how the different textures of the fabrics and greenery play on the paint’s soft (almost off-white) side.
6. @thegarwoodnest
The versatility of Pure White shows clearly between this living room and the one above. Where the image above shows off the color’s ability to be soft, the lighting in this room highlights its bright and fresh qualities.
7. @lifeondeyo
Pure White functions well in a room with low lighting. Because it has that smidge of black in it, Pure White won’t look cold, stark or glaring in a situation like this one.
Amazing Bedrooms that Feature SW Pure White
Moving on to bedrooms. The bedroom is the last place in the house you would want to look stark, harsh, or icy…am I right? Take a gander at how Pure White makes these bedrooms look light but comfortable.
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.
8. Opposites Attract | Emily Henderson
I think this bedroom is a truly beautiful example of black and white together. Light and dark. Opposites certainly attract in a big way, and the wood bench and gray throw rug pull it all together.
9. Cozy and Bright | City Farmhouse
There are plenty of dark, cool pieces in this room. However, there are also some splashes of warmth through the golds and yellows that balance it all out.
And Pure White’s nice, balanced white allows all the other colors to play nice with each other.
10. @robinson_designstudio
Pretty much the perfect example of a comfortable but bright bedroom, Sherwin Williams Pure White is the glue that binds the beautiful wood floors and gray accent wall together.
Enviable Kitchens Highlighting Sherwin Williams Pure White
As the heart of the home, you want a kitchen to be comfortable. Decorating with a sterile or stark color just won’t work. That’s why Pure White is perfect for these kitchens (and their cabinets).
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).
11. Beautiful Homes of Instagram | Home Bunch
The natural lighting in this space is limited, so choosing a light color is crucial to making the space feel large and relaxed rather than cold and uncomfortable.
12. All the Paint Colors in Our Home | The House of Silver Lining
Large, naturally bright spaces have the opposite problem. It can be hard to choose a color for them that makes them feel airy and inviting rather than expansive and cold. Pure White is a knight in shining armor for this task and performs its duties brilliantly.
13. A White That Pops | Paper Moon Painting via Houzz
Want a white that really pops without being blindingly bright? Pure White is your go-to. I love the way it looks in this kitchen against the navy cabinetry.
14. @greenhouseproperties
Oh my goodness, this is amazing. Look how clean this white looks in mixed light. There’s plenty of natural light as well as artificial light. Plus, it makes the wood really pop.
15. @homeonetwoacres
I just love how Pure White makes a space like this one look glamorous and warm at the same time.
16. @spikedteaandpeonies
A good clean white kitchen looks amazing in any style from farmhouse to modern to formal. Pick your style and find a white (Pure White, perhaps) that fits the space.
17. @kylieminteriors
Love the coastal look? Pure White will give you that crisp, fresh look like this example without being over the top.
Examples of Pure White for the Exterior
It can be difficult to find a great exterior white paint. That balance between bright but not too bright, soft yet not too creamy, or yellow is a challenging one that not every white paint can tackle. Find out how Pure White measures up as an exterior color.
18. Top Three White Paint Colors | White Lane Decor
The perfect white for a white exterior without being too bright. Check out the contrast between the glaring white fence and the house paint color.
19. @gallagherboyfarm
So picturesque! Few other white paint colors can make the house feel like part of the snow – without feeling cold too.
20. @triplecfarmhouse
If you prefer white bricks to natural bricks, give Pure White a chance. Looks how clean and classic this house looks.
SW Pure White For Small Spaces
Bathrooms and other small spaces need a color that will make even the smallest of spaces feel twice as big. Check out how Pure White looks in these examples.
21. @gregoryfarmhouse
Pure White serves as the perfect soft backdrop to let the other elements of this bathroom have their time in the spotlight.
22. @building_in _lousiana
Remember how I mentioned that every once in a while Pure White can appear just a tad off-white? Here’s a great example. The warm wood tones and artificial lighting bring out that slight off-white tendency.
What did you think? I hope these charming examples show you how versatile and incredible Sherwin Williams Pure White is.
If you’re looking for a clean-looking white, I just don’t think you can go wrong with this color – but ALWAYS buy samples of your top choices and paint samples to check them out before you commit! And this is the best type of sample to try, in my opinion…a mess, removable, re-positionable, peel and stick variety…
Pin this post for later! And if you decide to use this color, leave a comment (or better yet, a photo) on the pin! That helps others know whether they want to try it, too!
Ready to show those boring, bland walls who’s the boss at home? This no-cost guide will help you sidestep mistakes that almost everyone makes when it comes to picking paint! You’ll be on your way to perfect paint promptly…pinky swear.
Margi Mowad says
Would you paint the trim pure white to? Or extra white for trim.
flat or eggshell for walls and satin or semi for trim?