Sherwin Williams Pure White SW7005 Paint Review With Pictures
As homeowners, we all know finding the perfect white paint can feel a bit daunting. There are countless shades of white and undertones to consider, and the last thing we want is to end up with a sterile and uninviting room because we chose the wrong one. Enter Sherwin-Williams Pure White SW7005! Pure White by Sherwin-Williams is a beautiful, neutral white that is a great choice for anyone who wants white walls, trim and/or ceilings. It's bright and crisp but doesn't feel cold or stark. Keep reading to see if Sherwin Williams Pure White SW7005 Paint is the best white paint for your walls!
In this post I'm sharing all the details of Sherwin-Williams Pure White – from its LRV, undertones, and how it compares to other popular white paint colors, to help you determine if it's the right shade for your home.
How I Became a Big Fan of Pure White
If you've been around here a while, you know I am a BIG fan of painting interior walls white. We started transitioning to walls when we were still in our old house because I realized somewhere along the way that our colorful artwork and decor stood out more with white walls as the backdrop.
So when we moved into our new house and decided to have all the painting done before moving in, it was pretty easy to decide we wanted all-white walls, at least to start with. Choosing paint colors can be overwhelming before you move into a home, so though I figured we might eventually paint a room or two a different color, white seemed the best way to start in every single room.
But then the big question became, “what white wall color should we use?” Our choice was made a bit challenging by the fact that we wanted to work with the existing trim color (Divine White by Sherwin-Williams). Divine White is really not white at all (it's more beige). So we wanted to choose a white color for our walls that would highlight the trim as a contrasting color.
Interior trim colors that aren't white are all the rage right now and I wanted to try it because 1) I think it's pretty and 2) it would save us a ton of money if we could avoid repainting all of our trim and doors.
So we sampled a few different whites against our trim and narrowed our choices down to Sherwin-Williams Alabaster and Sherwin-Williams Pure White. Pure White came out the winner and we have absolutely loved it. Read on to learn more about this pretty darn near-perfect white wall color!
Is Pure White the Perfect White Paint Color?
Pure White is Sherwin-Williams' most popular white color for a reason. If you've read my review of Sherwin-Williams Alabaster Color you may be surprised that I didn't choose it for our current home. Frankly, I was surprised! I told my husband repeatedly that I felt like Alabaster would be the best choice. But then we sampled Alabaster and Pure White against our trim color and Alabaster looked too yellow. It was then that I realized what is so perfect about Pure White. It is a bit cooler than Alabaster and is a crisp white that still manages to feel inviting and soft.
Pure White by Sherwin-Williams really doesn't have any obvious undertones (more on that later). But it is still creamy and soft enough to feel inviting and not stark or cold. It's still considered to be a warm white, but I don't detect any obvious yellow undertones, which I can see in Alabaster at times.
You can see the samples of Alabaster (top) and Pure White (below) from a couple of different areas we tested them in our home in the photos below. Though they aren't drastically different, you can see how Alabaster is a bit more warm/yellow than SW Pure White, which just reads as neutral. You can also see how both whites look a bit different depending on the facing light.
What Are SW Pure White's Undertones?
If you have never heard the term undertones before, I talk about it in this detailed post about how to choose paint colors for your home. The short version is that undertones are the parts of the color you don't really “see.”
If you have ever wondered “is Sherwin Williams pure white warm or cool?” you are essentially wondering out its undertones.
The undertones of Pure White are almost non-existent, though the formula does include a bit of yellow as well as a touch of black. The yellow gives Pure White a very slight warmth that keeps it from feeling clinical. Make no mistake, Pure White is a far cry from stark white (stark white walls would be awful, in my opinion). And the gray undertones balance it and keep it from looking too yellowish. I think the touch of black/gray undertones is what really sets Pure White apart from Sherwin Williams Alabaster.
But what does that mean when you look at Pure White on walls for example? What your eye sees is a bright, timeless white that is far richer and more interesting than basic builder's white or even compared to Sherwin Williams Extra White.
Pure White's Light Reflectance Value
One thing that people often fail to think about when it comings to choosing paint colors is a color's light reflectance value (LRV). Pure White's LRV is 84–the brightest, purest white has an LRV of 100. In other words, the LRV of Pure White is fairly high. That means that it will reflect back a lot of light into the room. That makes it a great choice for any room that you want to feel bright and airy.
How Does Pure White Interior Paint Look in Actual Rooms?
Below you can see how Pure White looks in our bonus room, which is a north-facing room. A North-facing room is where you will see Pure White look the closest to a true white because of how the natural light hits it.
Our guest room is also a north-facing room. But notice how it looks a bit different depending on what time of day the photos are taken and the angle from which they are taken. Kind of crazy, right?! That's why it's so important to follow my tips for choosing paint colors for your home before making any decisions!
In South-facing rooms, there tends to be a consistently bright light throughout the day. Pure White is most likely going to show its warmth in a south-facing room. That is certainly true of my home office, which is south facing. But I still find that Pure White doesn't read as too warm in my office.
Our kitchen is an interior room that gets indirect light from the south. The fact that it gets little natural light makes the high light-reflective value of Pure White (more on that in a moment) really important in this space, especially against the dark cabinets that I painted myself with this super easy DIY cabinet painting method.
How Does SW Pure White compare to Other Popular White Paint Colors?
Wondering how Sherwin-Williams Pure White compares to some of the other most popular white wall and trim colors out there? I've got you covered!
SW Alabaster vs. Alabaster vs. Extra White
Note: I took the photos below on the brightest white surface I could find to give you the most accurate color representation. But remember, the colors you see will vary depending on the screen settings of the device you are viewing this post on. That's yet another reason that it's so, so important to test paint colors in your own home before choosing one!
You'll see what I mean about Pure White being more neutral than SW Alabaster and less stark than SW Extra White. When you look at Pure White next to the bright white printer paper I photographed these paint chips on, you can see that it's far less stark than “true white.”
SW Pure White vs. Snowbound vs. Greek Villa
Greek Villa is definitely warmer than Pure White. Snowbound, on the other hand, is a tad more gray and slightly less bright than Pure White.
SW Pure White vs. High Reflective White
This is where you can more easily see what I mean about Pure White still being a pleasant, soft-white than a “true” white. When you compare it to High Reflective White, you can see that Pure white is much softer. High Reflective White has more of a blue undertone, which makes it a cooler hue and can make it look a bit too stark for use in homes (in my opinion).
SW Pure White vs. Benjamin Moore White Dove
Benjamin Moore White Dove is very similar to Pure White, but it is ever so slightly warmer. I would say Benjamin Moore White Dove sits right in between Alabaster and Pure White in terms of its warmth.
SW Pure White vs. Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee
Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee has more of a yellow undertone than Sherwin-Williams Pure White. Swiss Coffee is even a bit warmer than SW Alabaster. Pure White also has a slightly higher LRV of 84 compared to Swiss Coffee's 81.90. You can read my full review of Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee (spoiler alert, it's my least favorite of the most popular white wall paint colors).
SW Pure White vs. Benjamin Moore's White Dove
As I mentioned farther up in this post, Sherwin-Williams Pure White has very subtle warm undertones that keeps it from feeling clinical. You can pair it with warm wood tones and rich fabrics for a cozy, inviting space, but it also works beautifully with cool colors and materials. In comparison, Benjamin Moore's White Dove has cool gray undertones that can often come across as cold and gray in poorly lit rooms and can make it much more difficult to combine with warm colors and tones.
Should You Use Sherwin Williams Pure White In Your Home?
If you are looking for a neutral white paint color, I would definitely consider Pure White! With its high LRV it will make a room feel bright and airy, which a lot of people (myself included) are looking for. It's a versatile color that is a great choice for everything from a living room to a bathroom. It's truly a neutral white with no obvious undertones and the touch of black in the formula keeps it from feeling cold or stark. I have zero regrets about choosing it for our walls!
Pure White is a great choice for living rooms, family rooms, bedrooms bathrooms, walls, trim, ceilings and even cabinetry. It's truly one of the most versatile white paint colors out there. SW Pure White doesn't have any obvious undertones, so it looks beautiful is nearly all lighting conditions. Pure White is my go-to white wall color and the one I most often recommend to people who ask me for my advice.
If you are considering a white wall color, my best advice is to grab samples of several whites including Pure White! Pure White will look different in every home, so make sure to follow my recommendations in this post about how to choose paint colors for testing samples on at least TWO different walls in the same room because it will look different depending on how the light hits them.
It's always a good idea to use large swatches like Samplize Peel & Stick Paint Samples where you intend to use the color. I've written a full review of Samplize Peel & Stick Paint Samples that you can check out! You can even cut them in half to try on different walls. Just never, ever, ever pick a paint sample based on the paint swatch or photos on the internet alone. It's a recipe for disaster.
Pure White will also look a bit different depending on the paint sheen that you choose (check out my tips for choosing the perfect paint sheen). For example, Pure White in semi-gloss used on trim will look a bit brighter than an eggshell used on walls. If you are curious, all of our Pure White walls are an eggshell finish.
More Paint color Posts
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hello,
Thank you so much for your post! We have a new construction and having a difficult time choosing wall and cabinet colors. Our countertop will be Quartzite Taj mahal as well as the island with a dark cabinet, SW Uban Bronze. We are planning on painting the walls SW Alabaster and the cabinets SW Pure White, or do you think we should paint them the other way around. After reading your post, I’m really considering painting the walls SW Pure White.
Hi Carolina! Congrats on your new build. I personally prefer Pure White on walls, but I would recommend that you sample both colors on your walls and cabinets before deciding since so much depends on the lighting of your particular home and room!
Hi! Thanks so much for your article! It’s so helpful, especially with the photos. I have a southwest facing ensuite with bathroom window, and I’m considering painting it when we update it. Do you have any thoughts on whether Pure White might be too bright? I think the adjoining MBR is going to be a pale taupe with pink undertones–and I’m not sure if I need to consider those undertones when choosing a color for the ensuite.
Hi Colleen! It’s really impossible to say because how bright it looks will depend a lot on how much light is in the space. Sorry!
Thank you so much for this post! When we bought our house it was all SW Alabaster and it felt far too warm with almost all of our windows facing east or west. I’ve been debating for far too long about repainting with a different white and a recent renovation proved to be the perfect opportunity. I’m going with SW Pure White all over and now only debating updating the ceilings/trim from SW High Reflective White. Do you think it’s worth the effort to paint the ceilings after doing the walls?
Hi Rachel! I haven’t used High Reflective White so I really don’t know–I’m sorry. But I will say that if you like that color well enough, I would probably opt to skip the added expense of having the ceilings and trim repainted :)
Your post was so informative, thank you! I am painting the exterior of my home in peppercorn. I am trying to decide between Sherwin-Williams Pure White or Benjamin Moore Oxford White for my trim. Do you have a suggestion that has it? Seems you have a lot of knowledge about white paint.
Thank you!
Hi Corrine! I’ve never used Oxford White–sorry. I absolutely love Sherwin Williams Pure White for interior rooms, but I don’t know that I would use it on the exterior as it will probably read “too white” in the bright, outdoor light. I would recommend Sherwin Williams Alabaster or something similar. You can read my post on it (and see how it looked on the exterior of our prior home) here: https://designertrapped.com/sherwin-williams-alabaster-color-review-with-pictures/ I hope that helps!
I have an open concept kitchen/dining/Iiving room. The room has low natural light and I am struggling to find a wall color that will go with SW Alabaster trim. I also was thinking about using Alabaster as my kitchen cabinet color. The trim throughout the house is already Alabaster. What can I use for wall color to go with Alabaster trim and cabinets?
Hi Eva. Sherwin Williams Pure White might be a good option for you!
love your post. Very thorough and in-depth review. I have decided to choose Pure white as the main paint color for the entire house, Crushed Ice as the accent in living room/ Dining room/stairs, and Dove Tail for Mud room and Media room. Thanks Tasha!
My pleasure, Cathy! I hope you love your new paint colors!
Hello! We are thinking of using PW on our garage walls and workout room. Do you think PW is a good choice for these areas? They will receive morning sun (east facing). Also, what sheen would you recommend for these high traffic areas? Thank you so much! Your article has been very informative!!
Hi Kelly! We painted our garage Pure White in a satin finish so that it’s easy to wipe if needed. I hope that helps!
Hello I found your post on Pure White very helpful and informative. Wondered if I could ask question, if one were to use Pure White on their walls should they also use Pure White on trim ceiling and interior doors in a different sheen or should they use an entirely different white color perhaps like Extra White?
Some people paint their trim, ceiling and doors all the same color. I prefer contrasting trim. It all comes down to personal preference. I do have a post about trim color ideas here if you are interested: https://designertrapped.com/interior-trim-color-ideas-that-arent-white/
Thanks for your article. We chose Pure White based on your recommendations. It is gorgeous with Sherwin Williams Natural Linen!
Oh I’m so happy to hear that Marty! Thanks for sharing :)
This was helpful…decided to go with Pure White in our powder room remodel. I have all variations of SW white throughout the house. Thought we would give this a try.
I hope you like how the Pure White paint looks in your powder room :)
This was incredibly helpful! I have a darker trim with yellow undertones I cannot stand. Switching the walls to something cooler but not cold like Pure White looks like it’d really help!! Thank you for putting this together ❤️
So glad you found it helpful, Jennifer :)
Thanks for a great post on pure white. I recently decided on PW for my kitchen cabinets. I have cafe matte white appliances, a white oak island, quartz countertops, brass accents, and a European-style cobalt blue range I’m now trying to decide on a warm (but not yellowish) color for my North facing
walls that will allow the cabinets to stand out but will not be high contrast. (SW shoji white?, SW Eider white, BM Swiss Coffee?) So I guess I am asking for recommendations of colors that “play well with Pure White” Help! I’m driving myself crazy!
Thanks!Karen
Hi Karen. Alabaster might be a good option for you. You can find all of my paint review posts here: https://designertrapped.com/interior-design/paint-color-reviews/
How does SW Pure White compare to BM’s Simply White? I’m trying to decide between these two for our kitchen cabinets. The walls are currently BM’s Cumulus Cloud which won’t be repainted.
I haven’t compared those two colors–sorry!
We just had a bathroom redone and the contractor had me pick from SW paints, and because I couldn’t choose I said, just paint everything Pure White. And they did. And I love it! We are now planning to do our whole upstairs in Pure White, as everything is in a horrible denim blue now. My only qualm is deciding if we should do Pure White trim and doors in a different sheen (semi gloss?) or go for the darker trim look. Any suggestions on what would be a nice trim color with pure white? O
Hi Shannon! Most of all walls are painted Pure White by Sherwin Williams and our trim is Divine White by Sherwin-Williams. I love the contrast of the darker trim, but it’s definitely a personal choice. You may want to check out my post on interior trim ideas here: https://designertrapped.com/interior-trim-color-ideas-that-arent-white/ Have a great weekend!
Just did our new interior doors in SW Pure White trim in semi-gloss, done with roller. The case and base will be the same. Doors look great…love the color. The Pure White was a close match to my new kitchen cabinets also. All the interior walls will be SW flat White Duck.
Good luck!
Hi Tasha! I attended the Beautiful Home Beautiful Life Summit. Wonderful! Thanks for the comparisons and explaining the importance of looking at the undertones. We had our kitchen cabinets painted in SW Pure White and trying to decide what color to paint the walls. We would like an off white that would be enough of a contrast to the cabinets but that still feels bright and airy. We get very little light in our kitchen with only a little breakfast nook with a west facing bay window. The cabinets are on the northern wall. Do you think Divine White would work?
Hi Lori! Thanks for participating in this year’s summit! I love Divine White on our trim and ceilings, but I think it would be a bit darker than what you are hoping for on your walls. You may want to look into SW Alabaster or Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee. They would both provide some contrast, but would still be bright and airy. I hope that helps!
So helpful!! We move into our new house in late May and the first thing we are doing is painting all of the things! We have huge ceiling heights, so I want something bright and airy. We are going to paint the ceilings the same color (probably Pure White). Next will be deciding on trim color. There are way too many options for this extremely indecisive person!
I’m glad you found it helpful, Hilary! I have a post on interior trim colors here if you are interested :) https://designertrapped.com/interior-trim-color-ideas-that-arent-white/
Thank you for this! I have painted 2 previous homes in Sherwin Williams Alabaster, and I’ve loved it! However, in my new home, the kitchen cabinets are a cool white that makes Alabaster look crazy yellow next to them. Also, the kitchen and living room have south facing windows, which just adds to the yellow tone in Alabaster. Fortunately, I tested out a few areas before going all in with Alabaster, but after I decided to NOT use it, I’ve had the hardest time figuring out what to use. What’s on the walls now is a grey-tone, and I hate it! I have been leaning towards Pure White, but two different Sherwin Williams employees have discouraged me from using it, saying I’ll “hate it.” See your photos of your gorgeous home with this color gives me the confidence to do what I was wanting to do with my home!
Oh I’m so glad you found this helpful Rebecca! We absolutely love Pure White on our walls. Best of luck!
Can I use Pure White on the ceilings and walls or is it better to use a special ceiling paint? Do I need a primer with this over a prepped drywall ceiling?
And finally what gloss would you recommend in a kitchen?
Thanks much!
-DonM
Hi Don! You do not need to use a special ceiling paint. If your drywall ceiling is already primed, you should be able to have Sherwin Williams Pure White mixed in whatever formula you prefer. As far as the paint sheen for your kitchen, it’s really a personal choice. I have a post on choosing a paint sheen you might find helpful here: https://designertrapped.com/paint-sheen-guide-chart/
Thank you for this post! I’m definitely going to go with Pure White for our interior walls! Did you use this color on your ceilings too? What color would you recommend for our floor trim? It’s currently white (not sure on the exact color). Thank you!
Hi Shaunta! Glad you found it helpful. We used a creamy beige on our ceilings and trim (Divine White by Sherwin-Williams), which is a bit of an unconventional choice but we love it!
I’m so glad you wrote this! I found this article because I was searching for pictures of houses with divine white trim. It was too overwhelming to consider painting all the trim, doors, and shutters. Then I thought maybe the contrast would be nice with white walls which is what I really wanted. And I found you! Your home looks beautiful and has given me the confidence to try it myself! Thank you!
Oh yay! My pleasure. We have been very happy with our decision!