Photo Credit: Plank & Pillow

Pure White is the perfect blend of warmth and neutrality. It has a soft yellow undertone that warms the room without looking creamy or leaning too yellow. Plus, with an LRV of 84, it is still bright enough to read as white in most lighting.

The balance of the freshness of the color yet the ever so subtle warmth of the undertone makes Pure White versatile when painting anything from walls to trim to even cabinetry (love Pure White kitchen cabinets). I’ve used it in so many various projects from modern farmhouses, coastal style homes and even a contemporary city loft, and Pure White has never let me down.

To keep a space warm and add dimension, I love pairing Pure White with other warm colors like Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige or Sherwin Williams Shoji White. For a bold statement, Sherwin Williams Iron Ore is a beautiful and often dramatic choice.

Shades of blue such as Sherwin Williams Tempe Star, with notes of green to the undertones, are other great painting with Pure White.

Things to Keep in Mind It may seem a bit muted if you are looking for an intense ultra bright white. For those situations, Sherwin Williams High Reflective White might be a good choice. But if what you’re after is a white with just the right amount of warmth, Pure White is your color.

Walls: If you like the look of all white walls (I adore this look in the right space) Pure White creates an ideal backdrop that highlights furniture and art beautifully.

Trim and Ceilings: Yes please!!

Photo Credit: Hey There, Home

Cabinetry: Pure White is a clean, classic look for kitchens and bathrooms without going all-out sterile.

Photo Credit: Home Bunch

Exteriors: Extremely stable in natural light, Pure White reads as soft white that doesn’t look chalky
even with natural light.

Photo Credit: House of the Hood

I suggest using Pure White on the trim and ceilings if you use Pure White on your walls or cabinets.

The reason is that mixing different undertones, especially with shades of white, can get very messy. Most shades of white don’t play well with others. Therefore, I suggest letting the change of the paint sheen on different surfaces be what distinguishes your trim from the walls.  

Samplize is my favorite place to get affordable peel and stick samples of most paint colors, so you can try in your home no commitment needed.

You can your paint sample color of Pure White here!

· Extremely versatile: Works well for walls, trim, ceilings, cabinetry, and exteriors — making it my go to “whole house” color.

· Pairs beautifully with most colors: Complements warm and cool palettes, including wood tones, brass accents, and black.

· Bright but not harsh: With an LRV of 84, it reflects plenty of light while still feeling warm and soft.

· Not a typical bright white: If you want a super clean, pure white, Sherwin Williams High Reflective White is a better option.

· The undertones can show: When paired with very cool grays or stark whites, the slight warmth may appear more visible.

· Contrast issues: If you use a bright white for trim, cabinets or even your ceiling, Pure White walls can look slightly muted in comparison. 

The white I consistently recommend for my clients is Pure White. Neither too cold nor too warm, Pure White can work for nearly any design style when paired with the right colors.

Pure White adds soft warmth to a room, so it is great whether you are painting trim, cabinets, or painting the whole house.