If you’ve ever explored the world of white paint, you can most likely attest to how complex it is. With so many options, it can often be difficult to know where to start and how to narrow down your choices.
A good place to start is Sherwin-Williams, which offers a whole range of the best white paints used and loved by homeowners and interior designers alike. In addition, the recently launched Designer color collection brings out the best brilliant white tones.
The Designer Color Collection includes six different color palettes that encompass designers’ favorite Sherwin-Wiliams shades, from neutrals to bolder colors to suit all decorating styles. However, the Pure & Pristine palette features only the best bright whites and is a safe bet for your room color ideas.
If you’re looking for a brilliant white, a color that will give your home a light, airy and timeless look wherever you place it, read on to discover the best whites from Sherwin-Williams.
Although white is one of the most neutral and understated colors, subtle differences in undertone can positively or negatively impact a room, so it’s important to know exactly what shades are available and how they work to create the right blank canvas throughout the home—from the living room to the bedroom.
To help you choose between the white tones of the Pure & Pristine palette, Sue Wadden, Color Marketing Manager at Sherwin-Williams, shares her favorite colors and expert advice on decorating with these colors.
Snow belt SW 9263
(Image credit: Sherwin-Williams)
Snowbelt SW 9623 starts with a classic white tone and offers a cool green tone that creates a light, airy and fresh look.
“This bright white with a slight green undertone is a great colour for an entrance area as it adds just the right amount of subtle cool to the room,” explains Sue.
The color specialist adds that this white color “harmonizes well with neutral wood tones and leaves a clean and inviting first impression with guests.”
Or if you have a south-facing room that gets plenty of warm sunlight during the day, these slightly cooler whites can provide balance and ensure there are no yellow tones in the room.
White Snow SW 9541
(Image credit: Sherwin-Williams)
Secondly, White Snow SW 9541 is a bright white with a high light reflection value and very subtle warm undertones so that it does not appear too garish.
“Thanks to its high reflectance value, this clean, bright white reflects light throughout the room, making a gathering space such as a living room appear more spacious and inviting,” says Sue.
If you’re looking for a white color to add a warmer touch to a room, you’ll probably want to go for something with richer, warm undertones, like Alabaster SW 7008. However, if you prefer a light and airy look, White Snow is a great option.
Chevy SW 9503
(Image credit: Sherwin-Williams)
Similarly, Cheviot SW 9503 is a warm and inviting white colour with a subtle yellow undertone, giving it a soft and cosy look. As seen here in this kitchen, Sue recommends that this shade works particularly well in the centre of the house as it doesn’t look too harsh and clinical.
“This inviting, bright white with a hint of warm undertone is the ideal colour for the kitchen as it works well with many kitchen worktops, splashback options and wood tones found in many different kitchen design styles,” adds Sue.
Snow covered SW 7004
(Image credit: Sherwin-Williams)
Snowbound SW 7004 is an endlessly popular white color that keeps popping up in interior designers’ projects. One of the brand’s best-selling colors, Snowbound has a subtle gray undertone that gives it a slightly cool finish that gives rooms that coveted light and airy look.
“With its slight grey undertone, this shade is a versatile white that combines well with other greys to create a calming atmosphere in quiet spaces such as a bedroom,” explains Sue.
Additionally, Snowbound also works well in bathrooms if you want to create a timeless, simple color scheme that is perfectly balanced.
West Highland White SW 7566
(Image credit: Sherwin-Williams)
And finally, Westhighland White SW 7566 is another bright white paint to keep an eye on. Although this particular shade is light, it has gentle yellow undertones that give it a creamy appearance, but not so much that it looks like a true cream color.
“This shade has just the right amount of creaminess to add a subtle warmth to any room, making it an excellent choice for a dining room to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere,” shares Sue.
This white color is also the perfect background color that we often look for. While neutral colors can sometimes create too much warmth and tend more towards the beige category and some whites can be too garish, Westhighland White is somewhere in between.
Hopefully these expert tips have given you some useful pointers on the differences between these similar bright white colors. If you’re looking for more white paint options, check out the full Designer Color Collection, which includes many more popular shades to incorporate into your home decor ideas.
Once you’ve found a shade that suits your room, remember to get samples to see how the color looks different throughout the day. Whether your room faces north, south, east, or west, among other things, will affect how the color looks throughout the day.
We’ve also explained how to choose the best white paint according to experts to give you more helpful tips.
