Sherwin Williams Pure White SW 7005 Review

Feeling overwhelmed with all the white paint options in the market? There is always a need to find that perfect shade of white. But the alarming number of available ones can make you postpone the search. That is until you find Pure White.

Sherwin Williams Pure White SW 7005 is a bright white paint color with just a hint of color. What I love about this color is how it performs so excellently like every pure white but doesn’t look bland or stark.

However, is it right for you? That’s why we’re here. This guide explains everything about Pure White and why it may be the ideal white for your decor. Before we go further, let’s get a summary of when Pure White works in a house.

When to Choose Sherwin Williams Pure White

So, if you have many options for white paint colors before you and are torn between them, what do you do? The first step is identifying your white paint needs and the color scheme. Let me show you what I mean with a few pointers.

Not looking for a stark white?

Pure White is a bright white paint color and reflects a lot of white. But it is not stark like most white colors are because of its slightly yellow hue.

Want the perfect background for other colors?

And because it is white, it blends with almost every color. It is the perfect backdrop for wood tones, vibrant colors, soft pastels, and neutrals.

A fan of the classic white decor?

If you are a fan of all-white decor, you will not get it wrong with Pure White. Even if it is just in one room, the result is beautiful because of its unique shade.

Need some warmth?

One of the best parts of Pure White is that it exudes a subtle warmth missing from some color. That’s why it performs so well as a whole house or whole room color if you like that.

Searching for a versatile white?

It works as the perfect wall color but also is ideal for trim and wainscoting. You can also use it for the ceiling and exterior of your house, despite its color.

There’s so much you can do with Pure White, and that’s why it’s one of the most popular white paint colors in the market. But it doesn’t end here; I have more about this color to show you. Let’s get right to it, shall we?

What Color Is Pure White?

The name explains itself. But why did the brand use this specific name for this paint color? Your thought may be that it is not as stark as pure white usually is. If you have that thought, you’re not alone.

The paint color’s name comes from the term ‘pure white’. It was designed to meet the need of homeowners who want that pristine white that performs well. But there was also a need to keep it from looking too stark and without character.

In other words, it is a combination of both pristineness and a bit of color that doesn’t change its nature as a pure white paint color. So, the paint is pure white without sacrificing color.

Pure White SW 7005 is a bright white paint color with a subtle hint of warmth. This comes from its warm undertones, which we will discuss later, but it also means the color is not bland or crisp. It is a beautiful shade of white that performs well and adds character to any decor.

A Snapshot of Sherwin Williams Pure White Specifications

Now that you know the paint color, it is crucial to know the basic characteristics that make it unique. Every paint color has these characteristics, but they are never the same. What are they? Let’s find out!

	Sherwin Williams Pure White
RGB	237, 236, 230
LRV	84
Undertone	Yellow, Black
HEX Code	#EDECE6

 

The LRV of Sherwin Williams Pure White

You’re not alone if you’ve never heard of LRV. It’s a term that is popular in the paint and color world; it means the light reflectance value of color. It is the amount of light any color reflects or doesn’t reflect, and measures this value on a scale of 0 to 100, 0 being pure black and 100 being pure white.

No paint color is entirely black or white, so the scale for measuring this value in paint color is 2.5 to 94. With this in mind, you have a better idea of how bright or muted any paint color of choice is. This is where you consider lighting when choosing.

Pure White has an LRV of 84. While there are white paint colors with higher LRVs than this value, Pure White is one of the brightest options in the market. Whether or not you have a lot of light in a room, this paint color will not become too muted.

The Undertones of Sherwin Williams Pure White

Every color has undertones, regardless of what the manufacturer says. This is because of the infusion of red, green, and blue (RGB) in every color. Regardless of how minimal, colors have hues hiding under them, and these are undertones.

Pure White has slightly yellow undertones, so little that they are barely there. It also has a touch of black, although it only serves to soften, not darken. At face value, the paint color looks a little warm and not exactly pure white. But when put to the test, the hint of yellow peeks out and makes the color different.

This small hallway is painted in Pure White and the shiplap is done in Tricorn Black. Under the bright white artificial lighting, the paint color looks subtly warm without a hint of yellow.

But in this next picture, you will notice just a touch of yellow leaning toward peach. It is not excessive, and the wood around the color adds a bit of color to the pure white paint.

Does Pure White Look Yellow in a Room?

It’s only right to wonder whether or not Pure White appears yellow under any conditions. Since it has slightly yellow undertones, they may show through the color in some rooms.

However, you must remember that there is also a bit of black in it. This dark color tones down the brightness of the yellow to keep it from overwhelming the white paint color. In my experience, Pure White never actually looks yellow. It may lean toward that a little, but it’s never very obvious.

How Does Lighting Affect It?

That’s an important question because of how much lighting conditions can transform the appearance of any color. This is not peculiar to only light colors; black and dark brown can also look different under different lights.

Therefore, Pure White can appear differently with changing lights. This stairway is painted in Pure White and Iron Ore. Pure White looks a little pink in the areas with some shadows in them. This is as a result of the lighting conditions.

But in this next picture, it looks entirely different, almost yellow but not quite there, no worries!

The lighting in the rooms in the pictures above is different. This affects the color tremendously but not to the point where it looks extremely yellow. However, your home may have peculiar lighting conditions that may bring something new to the table.

How Does It Look in a Room?

Some call it a stark white when used with a lot of natural lighting. In such a room, Pure White may show nothing of the warmth it typically has. As a result, it may appear to be stark and bland, like a house in the building stage.

Colors like Pure White tend to give the impression of cleanness and space because of their bright color. These become even more pronounced if there is a lot of light in the room.

But at other times, Pure White exudes a subtle warmth that is the right balance; not too warm and not cool at all. This next picture explains what I mean:

Sherwin Williams Pure White: Warm or Cool?

Pure White is a subtly warm white paint color. When compared with brighter and crisper whites like Chantilly Lace, High Reflective White, and Ceiling Bright White, it looks slightly muted and warm.

However, when paired with other whites like Simply White, Alabaster, and White Dove, Pure White looks slightly crisp and cool. This is because these whites look a little more yellow than the central color.

Sherwin Williams Pure White Color Strip: Lighter or Darker Exploration

There’s a chance that Pure White is not the exact shade you want. It may be too bright or you worry that it may show a bit of yellow when it dries on the wall. So, I’ve carefully picked other white paint colors in the same collection, from light to dark, to give you room to choose.

• Sherwin Williams Westhighland White SW 7566
• Sherwin Williams Pure White SW 7004
• Sherwin Williams Alabaster SW 7008
• Sherwin Williams Egret White SW 7570

Sherwin Williams Pure White Complementary Colors

These colors refer to those that sit opposite each other on the color wheel. They can be red opposite green, blue opposite orange, and purple opposite yellow. When mixed, complementary colors cancel each other until there is no color left, only grayscale like black or white.

The best complementary color for a shade of white like Pure White is a pale purple color. Sherwin Williams Lite Lavender SW 6554 is closest to this shade in the brand’s collection. But Benjamin Moore’s Heaven 2118-70 and Behr’s Lavender Lace 660E-1 are closer to this shade of purple.

Sherwin Williams Pure White Coordinating Colors

When you create a suitable color scheme and get a harmonious flow of colors, they are called coordinating colors. There is usually a central color, in this case, Pure White, and every other color must coordinate well with this color.

Pure White can take on many colors, so I’ve picked a few to get you going. These choices will help you find other colors that coordinate well with this bright white.

• Sherwin Williams Thunder Gray SW 7645: This is a deeply saturated and dark paint color that brings coolness to complement the soft Pure White.
• Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black SW 6258: A popular and well-used black with neutral tones that pair well with any color scheme.
• Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray SW 7029: A warm gray that brings out the best in Pure White, making it look warmer than usual.

Sherwin Williams Pure White Color Palettes

Every home uses a particular color scheme, whether or not they are aware of it. Homeowners unconsciously veer toward colors they like and use that intuition to create a suitable color palette. However, there are more than palettes, and having some versatility in your home is beautiful.

Pure White is a pretty versatile color that works well with others. Therefore, I’ve created a few palettes to get you going on your creativity.

Monochromatic Color Palette

• Gray Clouds SW 7658: A soft and cool gray paint color with cyan undertones that keep the decor crisp and cool when paired with Pure White.
• Dovetail SW 7018: A warm and anchoring gray to bring every other color together in your space, especially when used with Pure White as a trim color.
• Gossamer Veil SW 9165: A cool mist-gray paint color that blends with everything, including wood tones, vibrant colors, and other neutrals like Pure White.

Contrasting Color Palette

• Lullaby SW 9136: A light blue with a hint of gray to add a difference to the decor when it has a Pure White backdrop.
• Demure SW 6295: A pale and demure rose pink shade with enough softness to make the decor better when paired with Pure White.
• Blustery Sky SW 9140: A deep shade of blue with enough richness to bring versatility and contrast to the bright shade of Pure White.

Coordinating Color Palette

• Perle Noir SW 9154: A rich and deep shade of purple that brings class and sophistication when you use Pure White as its trim color.
• March Wind SW 7668: A mid-tone gray with similar hues as Pure White and is a great neutral for the perfect decor.
• Accessible Beige SW 7036: A light shade of beige popular with decorators and homeowners because of its versatility.

Sherwin Williams Pure White vs Similar Colors

Pure White is unique, and no other paint color is exactly the same. However, some white paint colors come pretty close to it, and I want to compare them so you see if both can work together.

SW High Reflective White vs SW Pure White

High Reflective White is closer to a true white than Pure because of its higher LRV and blue undertone. As a result, it may appear stark in many settings.

BM Simply White vs SW Pure White

Benjamin Moore’s Simply White has an LRV of 90, higher than Pure White’s 84. Besides, it reveals more yellow undertones than Pure White.

SW Greek Villa vs SW Pure White

Greek Villa looks almost like Pure White; the similarity is uncanny. However, Greek Villa has a smidge more yellow and warmth in it. Pure White has a little black that makes it appear cooler.

BM Chantilly Lace vs SW Pure White

Chantilly Lace is brighter and consequently reflects more light than Pure White. It is also closer to a true white; it is better as a trim color for Pure White.

BM White Dove vs SW Pure White

White Dove does not appear as crisp as Pure White. It has a little more warmth because of the yellow in it, more than you will find in Pure White.

SW Shoji White vs SW Pure White

Shoji White is much warmer and more muted than Pure White. It has an LRV of 74, whereas Pure White has an LRV of 84.

SW Dover White vs SW Pure White

Dover White is a truly warm white with more color than Pure White. It is not as neutral as Pure White, so they can’t be used together.

What Trim Color Goes with SW Pure White?

Because of its bright and pure shade, Pure White can stand alone as a wall color, ceiling color, and trim color. Such white paint colors don’t work well with clearly warm whites like Dover White. But you can use Pure White as a trim color for other colors.

If you want something else, use Extra White for the trim because its blue undertone goes well with Pure White. Or use a bold color like black for the trim.

Benjamin Moore Paint Color Equivalent to SW Pure White

There is no equivalent Benjamin Moore paint color for SW Pure White. This paint color is truly unique, but you will find similar ones, like Simply White and White Dove.

Used apart, these Benjamin Moore white paint colors look just like SW Pure White. However, when you place them side by side, you will notice distinct differences. Nevertheless, you can interchange one for the other if you don’t plan to use them in the same room.

Where Can You Use Sherwin Williams Pure White?

This paint color is versatile, making it usable in any room as long as you have the right colors to match it. Let’s look at examples of places where you can use it.

Best Trim Color for SW Pure White Walls

As mentioned, you can use any color for the trim if the walls are done in SW Pure White because of its versatility. But ensure the color is not too warm because the black in Pure White can clash with warm undertones. If unsure, do the trim and walls in the same color: Pure White.

Best Ceiling Color for SW Pure White Walls

White is the ideal choice for the ceiling when the walls are done in SW Pure White. But you can choose a striking color or go dark for contrast. SW Ceiling Bright White or SW Tricorn Black are good places to start.

Sherwin Williams Pure White on Doors

Many of our interior doors are white, so Pure White is no stranger to doors. It looks great and pristine in this picture, especially because the wall is done in SW Agreeable Gray.

Best Trim Color for Sherwin Williams Pure White Exterior

As with interiors, white or black may be your best option for a trim color outside the house. Alternatively, use wood trims if you want something different.

Sherwin Williams Pure White on Kitchen Cabinets

If you want a kitchen makeover, start with changing the paint color on the cabinets. And if you pick white, ensure it’s a clean white like Pure White for a refreshing feeling.

Sherwin Williams Pure White on Window Frames

It is not strange to find white on the exterior of your house. But it looks striking when it stands out against a darker color or something unconventional as you’ll see in the next picture.

Sherwin Williams Pure White in Living Rooms

Paired with neutrals in this living room, Pure White looks bright and slightly warm. It is a great option for the entire living room if you want.

Sherwin Williams Pure White in Bedrooms

If you’re a fan of that all-white-everything decor, you’ll love Pure White as a paint color for your bedroom. Check out this next picture to see how it performs.

Sherwin Williams Pure White in Entryways

White may not be your first paint color choice for an entryway. But if you choose a white with a great balance of warm and cool like Pure White, you may love it.

Sherwin Williams Pure White on Exterior

Pure White is already established as ideal for the exterior. But this next picture is of the stairway toward the front porch and door. Does it look good? You decide for yourself.

Sherwin Williams Pure White in Bathrooms

You’ll agree that bathrooms look their best when we use white paint colors. That is not to say that other colors don’t do well in bathrooms, but white is so relaxing and calming. This room is done in Pure White, and it looks great.

Sherwin Williams Pure White on Exterior Brick

Much like painting the exterior walls of your house in Pure White, bricks can also enjoy this beautiful color. See this exterior painted in Pure White.

Sherwin Williams Pure White on Kitchen Walls

Apart from cabinets, the walls in your kitchen can also look great if painted in Sherwin Williams Pure White. Use another color for the cabinets and island, and see how beautifully serene the kitchen will look.

Conclusion

Sherwin Williams Pure White is a bright white paint color with a wink of yellow and black. It does not look yellow in a room but will appear slightly warm because of the infusion of a yellow base. It has an LRV of 84, which is high enough to reflect enough light in a dim room.

I’ve also created a guide for color palettes so you know which colors work well with Pure White. Stick to colors with the same tone to avoid having clashing colors in your decor. And with real-life examples, you already know this paint color is good for any room and the exterior of your house

Have you used Pure White? What colors did you pair with it? I’d love to see cool pictures and how your decor turned out. Also, I’m available to answer any questions you may have, so reach me in the comments section.