Sherwin Williams Navajo White SW 6126 Paint Review

So, you want to use Sherwin Williams Navajo White but are unsure if it’s the right choice. We’ve all been there where we pick several paint colors and become stuck between options. But if you are sure of your specific needs, you may have an easier time deciding.

Navajo White is a white paint color different from the whites you know. You may already know that, but I want to show you more about this color and guide you on choosing well. So, without further ado, let’s get right to it.

When to Choose Sherwin Williams Navajo White

Searching for that perfect white paint color is excellent, but one of the most crucial jobs to do is knowing when to use it. Knowing when to choose Navajo White is important if you have several similar options before you.

Keeping the decor muted?

You may not know what type of decor style you want to use but already know you want to keep the color scheme muted. If that is the case, Navajo White is one of the best neutrals to use. It’s not so bright to change the color scheme but adds some brightness to it.

Don’t mind some yellow in your white?

Navajo White is a warm white with an obvious yellow in it. While this may not be the style of everyone, you may prefer it because of its creaminess. Under bright light, it will look amazing.

Not sure of the decor style yet?

This paint color fits different interior decor styles, including farmhouse, traditional, modern, and transitional.

These are only a few places where Navajo White may be the ideal option. Of course, you are more familiar with your decor needs, so you know where it will fit the most.

And if this answers your question, you’re good to go. However, there’s so much more to reveal about this color, and I can’t wait to show you all of it.

What Color Is Navajo White?

Navajo may be a term you are familiar with, but why is a white paint color named after it? Navajo can mean two things: someone who belongs to the North American people of New Mexico, Utah, or Arizona, or the Athabaskan language of the Navajo.

One thing is clear from the meanings above: Navajo is a beautiful name for people who love nature. So, it’s not strange that the paint color with this particular shade should have that name.

Sherwin Williams Navajo White SW 6126 is a creamy white paint color with warm undertones. The color is reminiscent of the American Southwest and is big and powerful. It brings a warm glow to any room.

A Snapshot of the Specifications of Sherwin Wiliams Navajo White

A chart will go a long way in describing this paint color. I’ve created one that shows the specific characteristics of Navajo White, especially the LRV and undertone.

	Sherwin Williams Navajo White
RGB	233, 220, 198
LRV	72
Undertone	Yellow
HEX Code	#E9DCC6

The LRV of Sherwin Williams Navajo White

LRV means the light reflectance value of color and refers to how much light it reflects on a scale of 0 to 100. The closer a color is to pure black, the lower the LRV becomes. And the closer it is to pure white, the higher the LRV is.

In other words, pure black has an LRV of 0 and pure white has an LRV of 100. But paint colors don’t have pure blacks or whites, so the scale is slightly different. For paint colors, the scale is 2.5 to 94, and this explains how bright or muted paint colors are.

Sherwin Williams Navajo White has an LRV of 72. As whites go, it is more of an off-white color than an actual white. But it is still bright enough to perform well in different rooms, especially if there’s a good amount of light.

The Undertones of Sherwin Williams Navajo White

This part may be the most important because it may make or mar the paint color in the decor. Undertones refer to the underlying hues in any color, depending on the base color and how much red, green, or blue (RGB) you find in it.

Navajo White has yellow undertones, which means the white color looks creamy or buttery in many cases. It also means the color is usually warm because yellow is a warm color.  The color can appear just creamy without a hint of yellow.

But in other settings, it may show a bit of its undertones and change the feel of the room.

How Much Yellow Does SW Navajo White Show?

We’ve established that SW Navajo White has yellow in it. And since it is a white paint color, it is only right to assume it shows a bit of yellow in many settings. However, how much yellow does it show, and can you work with it?

If you don’t mind seeing yellow in your white paint color, Navajo White may be an excellent choice. However, the amount of yellow it shows depends on where you use it. If there is an abundance of light in the room, Navajo White usually looks creamy instead of butter-yellow.

In different lighting, it may show more yellow than you may like. In the picture below, it looks warm and creamy but not excessively yellow.

But in this next one, it looks more like a light tan or beige paint color than white with yellow undertones.

And here, it shows its undertones because of the bright white trim but doesn’t overdo it. In simple terms, Navajo White does not show too much yellow but may look beige or light tan if the setting is right.

How Does Navajo White Feel in a Room?

This paint color brings warmth and coziness to a room, and it is what you want if relaxation is a priority. You can unwind and feel the vibe wrap around you once in this room. And that is why I like using it in bedrooms and bathrooms. You can also use it in any room you prefer.

Sherwin Williams Navajo White: Warm or Cool?

Navajo White is a warm color because of its yellow undertones. It instantly turns a room into a creamy haven, especially if the lighting is right. It also works better when used with brighter whites with warm undertones. Cool colors will clash with it and make it look a little green.

But I would like to point out that direct sunlight may make Navajo White appear too warm. Warm light works with every color tone, but considerably warm colors like Navajo White may look overwhelmingly cozy if the light is too much. Such lighting works better with cool or relatively warm colors.

Therefore, consider using Navajo White in a room with bright light but not excessively warm light. You want the paint color to look warm and creamy or slightly yellow but not too saturated.

Sherwin Williams Navajo White Color Strip: Lighter to Darker Exploration

If you find that Navajo White is too dark and saturated or too light for your style, I’ve got a solution for you. This section lists a selection of other colors similar to this one, from light to dark, for easy reference.

• Sherwin Williams Shell White SW 8917
• Sherwin Williams Crisp Linen SW 6378
• Sherwin Williams Eggwhite SW 6364
• Sherwin Williams Casa Blanca SW 7571
• Sherwin Williams Navajo White SW 6126
• Sherwin Williams Lotus Pod SW 7572

Sherwin Williams Navajo White Complementary Colors

These are colors that are directly opposite each other on the color wheel. When mixed, they cancel each other to create a grayscale color like black or white. Examples include purple and yellow and blue and orange.

An off-white like Navajo White is not your regular white, so it may be a little challenging to find the exact complementary color. Fortunately, I’ve picked it, and it’s a beautifully light shade of cyan blue.

And the best paint color from Sherwin Williams to match the color is Atmospheric SW 6505. It is not an exact shade but is close enough. Another color is Benjamin Moore’s Jet Stream 814.

Sherwin Williams Navajo White Coordinating Colors

These are colors that pair well with Navajo White because they have similarities. They can be any color or shade, but these similarities make them flow seamlessly in any decor. The result is a style and decor that please the eyes.

• Sherwin Williams Rita’s Rouge SW 9003: This is a dusty rose color with enough depth to make Navajo White brighter.
• Sherwin Williams Row House Tan SW 7689: A medium tan paint color with yellow undertones that match those of Navajo White.
• Sherwin Williams Creamy SW 7012: A warm and bright white that works well on the trim if Navajo White is on the wall.

Sherwin Williams Navajo White Color Palettes

This section is to show you colors that work well with Navajo White when used in any decor. I’ll be showing you three color palettes, but note that coordinating colors can include all other colors, as long as they blend well with the central hue.

Monochromatic Color Palette

• Casa Blanca SW 7571: A white shade that is slightly lighter than Navajo White but comes from the same white color family.
• Eggwhite SW 6364: Another white paint color close to Navajo White and can act as an alternative if you want something lighter.
• Crisp Linen SW 6378: This color is pretty light and closer to a bright white than Navajo White.

Contrasting Color Palette

• Creamy SW 7012: This creamy white is beautiful and works well as a trim color for Navajo White because of its yellow undertones.
• Rita’s Rouge SW 9003: A beautiful and saturated shade of rose that brings something different to the decor, especially when used in bits.
• Row House Tan SW 7689: A medium tan color that can work as the main color with Navajo White as the trim color.

Coordinating Color Palette

• Ice Cube SW 6252: An off-white paint color with a gray undertone that brings crispness to the decor but is bright enough for a ceiling color.
• Smoky Blue SW 7604: A deep shade of blue with a gray undertone, and the blue looks surprisingly buttery and soft.
• Alabaster SW 7008: A popular white paint color with yellow undertones that work well with Navajo White.

Sherwin Williams Navajo White vs Similar Colors

Navajo White has similarities with a few other paint colors, and I want to place them side by side to see how they compare. Come along with me.

BM Linen White vs SW Navajo White

These colors are considerably different. Whereas Navajo White has yellow undertones, Linen White has slightly orange undertones. Besides, Linen White is brighter than Navajo White.

BM Swiss Coffee vs SW Navajo White

Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee has a complex undertone of green, brown, and yellow. It is also brighter than Navajo White with an LRV of 84.

BM Gentle Cream vs SW Navajo White

Gentle Cream has a slightly lower LRV of 71 and looks slightly heavier than Navajo White. This is because of its orange and yellow undertones.

BM Navajo White vs SW Navajo White

Benjamin Moore’s Navajo White is much brighter than Sherwin Williams Navajo White, with an LRV of 78.26. But both colors have the same yellow undertone.

BM Indian White vs SW Navajo White

These two colors are pretty comparable, but Indian White, also called Warm Beige, reflects more light with an LRV of 74.

Benjamin Moore Paint Color Equivalent to SW Navajo White

You may have no luck if you are trying to find equivalent paint colors. Each color is unique, although some can be uncannily similar.

That said, Benjamin Moore’s Navajo White is pretty close to Sherwin Williams’ Navajo White. But Benjamin Moore’s version is noticeably lighter and brighter. You can also compare SW Navajo White to Benjamin Moore’s Gentle Cream because of their similar undertones.

Where Can You Use Sherwin Williams Navajo White?

This paint color loves brightness and neutral colors. So, using it on exterior walls or interiors with a good amount of light works well. Let’s see some real-life examples.

Sherwin Williams Navajo White in a Living Room

Turn your living room into a welcoming and warm space with Navajo White on the walls. You can pair it with other neutrals, but ensure they complement each other. Here, it is paired with SW Tricorn Black and relatively light wood tones.

Sherwin Williams Navajo White on Exterior Walls

Because of its warmth and color, Navajo White is an excellent white paint choice for exterior walls. It won’t look washed out but will appear creamy and bright.

Sherwin Williams Navajo White on Kitchen Cabinets

If you use a dark paint color on your kitchen walls, Navajo White can be the cabinet color. The cabinets will change the look and feel of the kitchen, especially if you have good lighting there.

Sherwin Williams Navajo White on Kitchen Walls

A bright white trim complements these Navajo White walls but makes them look the color of butter. The result is amazing, despite the low light in the room.

Sherwin Williams Navajo White in a Dining Area

You can almost feel the warmth coming through the screen from this room. The white trim and ceiling bring out the best in the paint color.

Sherwin Williams Navajo White in a Bedroom

Here, Navajo White leans toward green, which is because its yellow base is closer to green than other colors. In the cold light, the slight green hue peeks through.

Sherwin Williams Navajo White in a Bathroom

Bright whites usually work well in bathrooms because these rooms don’t have an abundance of natural light. While there are exceptions, many bathrooms rely on artificial light to brighten the place. But how does this affect colors like Navajo White? Check out the next picture.

Conclusion

Sherwin Williams Navajo White is a warm off-white paint color with yellow undertones. It is not the most popular but is commonly used by people who love creamy whites. It has a relatively high LRV of 72, which means it reflects a good amount of light.

Use Navajo White in your bathroom, bedroom, living room, kitchen, on cabinets, trim, and outside the house. However, it works best if the lighting is bright; muted or low light may deepen its shade. And pair it with brighter whites with warm undertones for the best results.