I may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Please click my Disclosure Policy to learn more
Sherwin Williams Alabaster SW 7008 is one of the most popular and versatile off-white paint colors. It can easily be incorporated into any style.
When it comes to paint colors, neutrals are king, top of the class, and run the game. Can you see where I’m going with this?
For today’s post, I want to focus on one particular neutral paint color- the Kelly Clarkson of paint colors.
Alabaster SW 7008 Sherwin Williams
Why is Sherwin Williams Alabaster the Kelly Clarkson of paint colors?
Well, first off, it was chosen as Sherwin Williams Color of the Year in 2016, which is saying a lot, in my opinion. And it’s still going strong to this day!
Here’s how Jackie Jordan, Sherwin-Williams director of color marketing, describes it:
A hue symbolic of new beginnings, Alabaster (SW 7008), is Sherwin-Williams 2016 Color of the Year. At a time of interconnected commotion and overstimulation, Alabaster offers a sense of personal solace and revival to weary minds. It is the true neutral to set the tone for 2016.
Alabaster represents a straightforward and necessary shift to mindfulness, well-being and an atmosphere that is pure and simple.
Also, this neutral off-white paint color is the perfect backdrop to highlight any decor style. It lets the decor stand out as the star of the show and allows you to easily switch up said decor if you are looking for a change.
Is Sherwin Williams Alabaster yellow?
SW Alabaster is not yellow. Its neutral base gives it its creamy, almost off-white color. The neutral base grounds the color, preventing it from going too warm or looking like a full yellow.
Is Sherwin Williams Alabaster white?
Alabaster isn’t quite white. It is categorized by Sherwin Williams in its white color section. However, Alabaster is not a true white. As I mentioned before, the neutral base of the color gives it a bit of warmth, lending it more towards an almost off-white color.
So, what color is Sherwin Williams Alabaster?
Alabaster is a soft, almost off-white paint color. It’s definitely not white because of the neutral beige undertones, though it is close. The neutral beige undertones give this paint color a creaminess but not too creamy. It’s just the right amount of creamy to make it not white but also not yellow.
Let’s say Sherwin Williams Alabaster is a soft, warm, almost off-white neutral.
Let me fill you in on the stats of SW Alabaster.
- Alabaster SW 7003 has an LRV of 82. That’s pretty high up there on the scale, so this paint color is reflecting a ton of light.
- Yellow hue family
SW Alabaster is featured in the following Color Collections:
- Senior Living Cool Foundations,
- Pottery Barn – Spring/Summer 2019,
- Pottery Barn Kids – Spring/Summer 2019,
- PBteen – Spring/Summer 2019,
- Nurturer, Timeless White
- 2016 Pura Vida
Don’t forget to pick up these amazing painting tools! They will only make your life easier!
What are SW Alabaster’s undertones?
Sherwin Williams Alabaster is said to have subtle yellow and gray undertones.
Undertones are a very interesting topic when it comes to paint colors because they are subjective. This means that a color like Alabaster can show a yellow tone on the wall in my home, but in your home, it can show no “undertone” at all.
Why is this? Lighting, fixed elements, decor, and even what is outside your windows are all factors that affect the way a paint color will look.
The best way to see what “undertone” or color that may show up is by sampling the colors. This will allow you to see firsthand how the color will react in your home.
Want to paint like a true professional?
Check out this must-have painting tool used by our painting crew
BUY THIS PAINTING TOOL
Alabaster and lighting
Light plays an important role in the way a color looks and can change the appearance of virtually any color. For this reason, it’s a good idea to be familiar with the lighting situation of the room you are choosing the right paint color for.
- North-facing rooms – Light in North-facing rooms is cooler and somewhat bluish. Lighter colors appear more muted, while bolder colors will show up or appear better.
Since Alabaster is a lighter color, it may tend to appear a smidge muted or drab in a north-facing room. However, this is very slight.
- South-facing rooms– In South-facing rooms, there tends to be a consistently bright light throughout the day. Warm and cool tones work with south-facing light; this light intensifies colors, so darker colors will seem brighter, while softer colors will almost look like they are glowing.
We can say Alabaster is “living its best life” in a South-facing room. The warmth of Sherwin Williams Alabaster has come out without looking too yellow.
- East-facing rooms– East-facing rooms have the brightest light in the mornings, with a yellow-orange tone. If an east-facing room will be used mostly in the evenings, going with a warm palette will help balance the lack of natural light.
Since Alabaster does, in fact, have a slight warmth to it, it will work well in East-facing rooms.
- West-facing rooms- Early evening is when West-facing rooms have the best light. Warmer tones might seem overwhelming because of the red-orange the light gives off. However, if the main use for the room is in the mornings, the colors won’t appear as intense.
In a West-facing room, Alabaster may tend to show off the most warmth.
Where can you use Alabaster SW 7008?
Because Alabaster has the perfect combination of warm and cool neutral undertones, you can use this perfect paint color virtually anywhere.
Use Alabaster on shiplap.
There is no denying the farmhouse style is in, and shiplap practically defines that style. But sometimes, stark white shiplap can be a bit too much for some people.
Enter Alabaster Sherwin Williams.
Why is this the perfect color solution? It has warmth. It’s still close to white, just without the starkness or glaring whiteness.
Alabaster is actually what Joanna Gaines has in her kitchen. So that pretty much explains it all right there. She can do no wrong in my eyes.
Are you thinking about adding shiplap to your home? DIY shiplap is an inexpensive alternative to the real thing. Check out these helpful shiplap painting tips.
Use Sherwin Williams Alabaster on walls
Alabaster is the perfect neutral, almost off-white paint color for walls. It’s an excellent choice for those looking for a white, just not too white.
As we now know, Sherwin Williams Alabaster has a neutral base with a hint of warmth. This bit of warmth makes it perfect for walls without being too warm or yellow-looking while still providing an off-white appearance.
The subtlety of Alabaster makes it an excellent wall color option, especially in nurseries and bedrooms. It is said to promote rest and relaxation, and that’s certainly what bedrooms are for.
I personally used SW Alabaster in my guestroom. I had wallpaper I had wanted to use as an accent wall, and I knew Alabaster would be the perfect choice to make the wallpaper stand out.
Alabaster also provides the perfect backdrop for bringing color to other places, such as furniture, artwork, and decor. It allows you to play around and experiment with color elsewhere.
Use IT on trim, molding, ceilings, and cabinets
Trim, molding, and ceilings do not always have to be pure white.
Using a warmer white, like Alabaster Sherwin Williams, is ideal for those with decor and main wall colors that are on the warmer side. The creaminess of this color makes it work flawlessly with the warm tones.
Additionally, it’s an amazing color to go with lighter wood.
Use it on Cabinets, too.
Alabaster SW 7008 is ideal for kitchen cabinets. It provides a beautiful contrast against the wall color of your choice without being overly stark and white. It is one of the best white paint colors for cabinets, kitchens, and bathrooms.
Speaking of cabinets, Alabaster is a wonderful paint color for honey oak cabinets, as well as a fantastic paint color for dark wood cabinets.
Is Alabaster a Good Paint Color for the Exterior?
Remember from earlier when I mentioned that Alabaster has an LRV of 82? Well, using Alabaster on the exterior perfectly demonstrates how light-reflective this color really is.
Even though Alabaster does have a slight warmth, it’s not as apparent on the exterior of a home because of how light it is.
An exterior in Sherwin Williams Alabaster will look light, bright, and beautiful!
Need a color to pair it with on the exterior? Try Sherwin Williams Iron Ore. It’s an amazing dark charcoal gray that will give your exterior drama and contrast. Alabaster and Iron Ore on the exterior are a match made in heaven.
If you are looking for an exterior paint color with more warmth, look into Shoji White SW 7042. It has an LRV of 74, which is less light-reflective than Alabaster and has more of a beige undertone.
LOOKING FOR MORE EXTERIOR PAINT COLORS? CHECK THESE OUT:
Alabaster SW 7008 compared to Evening Shadow 7662
Pairing Alabaster with a neutral color in the opposite hue color family, like a cool-tone color like Evening Shadow SW 7662, SW Lazy Gray, or SW Passive, will make SW Alabaster appear crisper and brighter.
Alabaster SW 7008 compared to Ethereal Mood SW 7639
When compared to a darker color, such as Ethereal Mood, with a lower LRV, Alabaster tends to look brighter and not dingy at all.
Sherwin Williams Alabaster vs. Benjamin Moore White Dove
When comparing Sherwin Williams Alabaster to Benjamin Moore White Dove, there are a few slight differences between the two colors.
- White Dove is a bit more white than Alabaster.
- Both paint colors are very light and have a high LRV, White Dove being a tiny bit higher at 85.38.
- BM White Dove has a hint of gray in its undertone, which grounds the color from going too warm. Though both colors have the perfect balance of warm and cool undertones,
SW Alabaster and BM White Dove are two colors that we recommend to clients all the time. They are no-fail paint colors that are truly timeless, just with a few slight differences.
SW Alabaster 7008 vs Greek Villa SW 7551
- Just like Alabaster, Greek Villa SW 7551 has greige undertones to it.
- Greek Villa is a hair warmer than Alabaster.
- Greek Villa is a tad lighter, with an LRV of 84, which is higher than Alabaster’s LRV of 82.
- SW Greek Villa is my home office paint color.
SW Alabaster 7008 vs SW Pure White 7005
- SW Pure White has an LRV of 84, which is lighter than Alabaster, which again has an LRV of 82.
- Alabaster is warmer and creamier than Pure White. Pure White is not creamy; however, it is still a soft white.
- Pure white only has a very small amount of yellow in it, giving it the tiniest amount of warmth.
- Both are great white paint colors for trim.
Out of the two colors, Sherwin Williams Pure White is more on the white side.
Sherwin Williams Alabaster 7008 vs Benjamin Moore Alabaster OC-129
Yup, Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore both have a color named Alabaster. However, these colors are not identical. Sure, they are both very light, but there are a few differences.
- Benjamin Moore Alabaster has a higher LRV of 87.04, which is pretty dang light.
- Benjamin Moore Alabaster has more of a pink undertone, while Sherwin Williams Alabaster has that neutral greige undertone.
- The major difference between these two colors is the undertone. SW Alabaster has a hint of warmth, and Alabaster BM has a hint of cool.
Check out how some of the most popular Sherwin Williams off-white colors compare to Alabaster.
Urbane Bronze SW 7048, Kilim Beige, Gray Area SW 7052, Worldly Gray SW, and Accessible Beige pair beautifully with Alabaster. You also can’t go wrong using it with a black paint color or a warm gray color like SW Dorian Gray.
Don’t start painting until you have the right tools!
SHOP MUST HAVE PAINTING TOOLS
Color Recap
- Sherwin William Alabaster is neither white nor yellow. It’s more of a softer, creamier, almost off-white.
- Alabaster is very light reflective. Remember LRV of 82
- It comes from the yellow hue family.
- There is a possibility yellow tones can be seen.
- SW Alabaster looks amazing in just about any application.
CHECK OUT SOME OF THESE AWESOME PAINT COLORS:
Final thoughts on Sherwin Williams Alabaster SW 7008
Alabaster is one of my favorite white colors. Its slight warmth makes it easy to work with and pair with other colors. That is one of the main reasons we suggest this color to our clients. The versatility of this color is just so appealing, and it’s no wonder it’s so popular.
Remember, when it comes to paint colors, it’s always a good idea to paint large swatches where you intend to use the color. Lighting will change in the room, so pay attention and be observant. You want to make sure you will love the color in every lighting situation.
DON’T FORGET TO SAMPLE YOUR PAINT COLORS
Quickly, let’s talk about testing paint colors.
Instead of physically going to your nearest paint store to grab your samples, you need to try Samplize Peel & Stick paint samples.
Why should you try Samplize?
- Super affordable
- Mess-free
- Non-damaging
- Made with real manufacturer paint
- Displays color just like a wall
- Environmental friendly
- Reusable
These peel & stick paint samples are super affordable and allow you to test a paint color in all different areas of a room without the mess of a traditional paint sample!
You know how I feel about testing paint colors, it’s a must!
Don’t create more work for yourself. Order Samplize now and have them shipped directly to you. No-fuss, no mess! Check them out for yourself, you won’t be disappointed.
How do you paint like a pro? By using the right tools and supplies! Check out the Ultimate Painting Tools List for everything you need to paint a room.
SUBSCRIBE TO MY EMAIL LIST AND GET A FREE COPY OF MY INTERIOR PAINTING CHECKLIST
NEED SOME PAINTING TOOLS?
Follow these helpful painting tips and avoid these mistakes to get the job done right!
Check out some other popular paint colors:
I’m Cate. As a seasoned paint color consultant and former proprietor of the highly regarded painting company WOW 1 Day Painting in Bergen County, my journey in the world of design and home improvement has been a colorful one, quite literally. Nestled in the scenic landscapes of Northern New Jersey, I’ve cultivated a passion for transforming spaces through the power of paint, furniture restoration, and thoughtful home decor.
Janice
Thursday 6th of January 2022
I have used Alabaster in my house with West exposure and it is slightly too yellow. I am looking for a similar wall color, only a little brighter and a little less yellow. BM White Dove looks close but I would rather use a SW color. Any suggestions?
Lisa Deguzman
Tuesday 10th of August 2021
Have you done a write up on Magnolia Home Paints by Kilz? I would love to read your analysis of True White for kitchen cabinetry. I am planning on painting my unfinished maple kitchen cabinets before the Fall.
Lana Morris
Saturday 26th of June 2021
My trim is alabaster, ceiling is divine white, and my current wall color is kilim beige. I would like to keep my trim and ceiling color but go lighter on the walls. What would you suggest?
Dee
Friday 14th of May 2021
Hello all!
Painting the exterior of our South Florida home in Repose Gray. Which white trim would look better… Pure White or Extra White?
Thank you!
Raju
Wednesday 21st of April 2021
Hi! Do you think it would be okay to paint kitchen cabinets alabaster if trim is SW creamy. I’m nervous about doing sw creamy on my kitchen cabinets due to the new counters (marble type) and picking out subway tile. Not sure if creamy may not look right? But I also can’t repaint all trim in my house to alabaster. Really appreciate any thoughts.