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Last Updated on August 11, 2026 by Cate
Sherwin-Williams Shoji White SW 7042 is a warm off-white paint color with soft greige undertones that creates a cozy, inviting feel without looking overly yellow. Its subtle blend of beige and gray makes it incredibly versatile, allowing it to adapt to a variety of lighting conditions and décor styles. Shoji White is a favorite for walls, exteriors, cabinets, and whole-house color palettes, pairing beautifully with natural wood, black accents, and crisp white trim for a timeless, elegant look.
STATS
- LRV:74
- HUE FAMILY: Yellow, leaning slightly towards Yellow Red
- Color Collections: 2022 Method, Living Well – Inspire, Top 50 Colors, Warm White, Finest Whites
Shoji White has an LRV of 74. Ok, but what does LRV stand for? Light Reflectance Value.
Here’s a quick overview of what that means.
LRV, or Light Reflectance Value, is a scale used by design professionals to measure the amount of light that is reflected from and/or absorbed by a surface. The scale range is 0 to 100, with 0 being absolute black and 100 being pure white.
A great article to read to learn more about LRV is Light Reflectance Value: What Do Those Numbers Mean?
With an LRV of 74, Shoji White isn’t the most reflective white color you will find, but at 74 it will still reflect a decent amount.
Shoji White is from the yellow hue family. This is a very beneficial piece of knowledge to have because it allows you to understand the paint color a bit more. For example, it can give you insight into what color it may shift to or show in certain qualities of light.
DID YOU KNOW?
A shoji is a door, window or room divider used in traditional Japanese architecture, consisting of translucent (or transparent) sheets on a lattice frame. Where light transmission is not needed, the similar but opaque fusuma is used[1] (oshiire/closet doors, for instance[2]). Shoji usually slide, but may occasionally be hung or hinged, especially in more rustic styles.
wikipedia
WHAT COLOR IS SHOJI WHITE?
Shoji White is characterized by the white paint color category on the Sherwin-Williams website. It is a somewhat white paint color.
It’s not a bright clean white, nor is it really an off-white. There is a bit more colorfulness to it to be a true white. It is more along the lines of a very light neutral, think a mix of gray and beige but not quite a true greige.
Consider it to have a beigey-greige white feel to it. Yes, that is the technical term.
But remember how the color will look for you in your home depends on the lighting, wood, and surrounding colors. This is why I always push grabbing a sample.
If you are looking for a bright white or even an off-white, Shoji White may not be the color for you. However, if you are looking for a white with a little more depth, it may be exactly what you have been looking for.
DOES SHOJI WHITE LOOK YELLOW?
Not really. So for the most part, Shoji White will not look or show yellow tones on the walls. BUT depending on the lighting and elements in your home, there is a slight chance.
In my experience, I haven’t seen Shoji look yellow on the walls.
IS SHOJI WHITE A WARM PAINT COLOR?
Yes, Shoji White is a warm paint color. It can sometimes be challenging to determine whether a paint color is warm or cool. Some colors you can tell right away, and some, well, you are left guessing.
When you find yourself wondering what the tone of a paint color is, I have a tip that can sometimes help figure it out.
All you need to do is compare the paint color to another.
This lets you see the warmth or coolness better. Visuals always help, so here’s an example.
Shoji White compared to Sherwin Williams Reflection. As you can see, when these 2 colors are placed side by side, it’s easier to pick out which is warmer and which is cooler.
INTERESTED IN MORE WARM PAINT COLORS? CHECK THESE OUT!
- Sherwin Williams Kilim Beige
- SW Natural Choice
- SW Greek Villa
- BM Swiss Coffee
- Warm Mushroom Paint Colors
- BM Soft Chamois
WHAT UNDERTONES DOES SHOJI WHITE HAVE?
Sherwin Williams Shoji White has undertones of gray and beige. As it’s a warm paint color the warmth comes from the beige, ultimately its yellow hue family. But, since it has a bit of gray to it, it never really looks too warm or yellow.
Shoji, like many other paint colors, can show different colors depending on the lighting and elements in the space. It has the potential to sometimes show a peachy/taupe color, or it’s even been seen to show some green.
It’s a good thing to keep in mind that undertones and the colors you see a paint color present are strictly reliant on what’s going on around them. For example, lighting, decor color, and fixed elements.
Undertones are subjective and not the same for everyone. This is something that really isn’t conveyed enough, and it’s why I push sampling paint colors so much, almost to the point of annoyance.
If you are wondering what undertones may appear while using Shoji White, you need to grab a paint sample and test it in your home. It’s the best way to get a precise representation of how the paint color will look.
Doing the painting yourself? Grab this essential painting tool to help you along the way.
LIGHTING AND CARDINAL DIRECTIONS
Lighting is one of, if not the most, important factors when it comes to what a paint color will look like
It largely impacts how you will perceive a paint color. For this reason, it’s a great idea to be knowledgeable about the lighting conditions and the cardinal direction of the room you are choosing the right paint color for.
The table shows the four cardinal directions: north, south, east, and west, with a brief description of how the light looks from each direction.
NORTH-FACING ROOMS – Light in North-facing rooms comes off cooler and somewhat bluish. Lighter colors will appear more muted, while bolder colors will show up or appear more solid.
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 a bit brighter while softer colors will appear to look like they are gleaming.
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 mainly in the evenings, going with a warm palette will help balance the lack of natural light.
WEST-FACING ROOMS – Early evening is when West-facing rooms have the most favorable 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 strong as they would in the evening.
Since Shoji White is a warm paint color, you can expect to see more of the warmth in south-facing rooms as well as the mornings of east-facing rooms and the evenings of west-facing rooms.
As for north-facing rooms, Shoji White is a great option. It has the warmth that holds up well to the cooler north light.
It’s always important to consider lighting when choosing a paint color. You cannot forget about the other elements that influence how a paint color may look.
This includes fixed features like cabinetry, flooring, tiles, etc., as well as the decor colors you choose for your home.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO SAMPLE?
I’m an advocate for testing and sampling paint colors. I wholeheartedly believe it’s a surefire way to see how a paint color will look in a room. I feel as though many people brush over this step in the painting process, and I think it’s wildly insane.
LEARN HOW TO TEST YOUR PAINT SAMPLE THE RIGHT WAY.
GRAB A SAMPLING PAINT COLORS WORKSHEET TO LEARN HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR SAMPLES
Remember to swatch your paint colors. Pick up your Samplize Peel & Stick paint samples today!
IS SHERWIN WILLIAMS SHOJI WHITE A GOOD TRIM COLOR?
I say yes, it’s a good trim color. Of course, whether you decide to use Shoji White as a trim paint color depends on what wall color you have and so on.
People tend to favor white paint colors for the trim, so I think Shoji White is a great option if you are looking for something that is not a clean bright white but rather a more saturated, almost white paint color.
Overall, it will work as a trim paint color.
WHAT TRIM COLOR WORKS WITH SHOJI WHITE?
White paint colors are tricky to pair with one another. If done incorrectly, they can look dirty or just plain off.
I find that Greek Villa is one of the best trim colors to work with Shoji White walls. It’s not a bright white. It has a bit of warmth to it that complements the warmth within Shoji beautifully.
I’d also like to add that it’s an amazing paint color to use with dark wood trim.
READ MORE: THE BEST WHITE PAINT COLORS FOR TRIM
WHAT FINISH/SHEEN SHOULD BE USED?
Paint finishes have different jobs. They are all meant to serve various purposes. But they can also change the way a paint color looks.
To simplify the finishes and their purpose, I created a paint finish cheat sheet. This can help you when you need to find a finish that will perform the best for your needs.
Here is a good example of how one paint color like Shoji White can look different when used in different sheens.
Let’s say you decided to paint your trim with a semi-gloss finish. You can then use a flat finish on the walls.
By varying the finish or sheen, you can slightly alter how the color looks.
A higher sheen, like gloss, will reflect more light, making it appear lighter, and a lower sheen, like flat, will do the opposite.
WHERE TO USE SHOJI WHITE?
WALLS
Of course, Sherwin Williams Shoji White will work on the walls. The soft light neutral will create an elegant backdrop to whatever decor you decide to use.
If you use Shoji White on the walls, you can keep things neutral, or you can go a bit bold and add a pop of color as an accent.
As you can see in the gorgeous photo, Shoji is paired with colorful tile on the stair risers and a bold accent wall color.
FURNITURE
Painting older, outdated furniture is not only environmentally friendly but is also a fantastic way to save money on an essentially customized piece.
The very talented Kayla @paintedbykaylapayne on Instagram used Shoji White on a gorgeous old dresser. The color is soft and sophisticated and pairs perfectly with the gold accents.
BEDROOM WALLS
IS IT A GOOD EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR?
Yes! Shoji White is a fantastic exterior paint color. As I mentioned earlier, choosing the right white paint color can be a challenge, and that is no different for the exterior.
Colors on the exterior of the home will appear lighter and brighter in the sunlight. Some may also look a bit washed out.
Parker Painting out of North San Diego used Shoji White on the exterior, and you can see here how the sun really brightens up paint colors.
Here, Shoji White is used as a trim color to complement Worldly Gray on the body.
A color like Shoji White is a fantastic option for those who want a white paint color. The warmth and color allow it to hold up to the sun without looking glaringly stark.
In my opinion, I think it’s a great color to capture the classic farmhouse look; pair it with black accents and wood details to complete the look.
EXPLORE MORE EXTERIOR PAINT COLORS:
- The Best SW Exterior Colors
- Benjamin Moore Exterior Paint Colors
- Inviting Exterior Paint Colors
- The Best Blue Exterior Paint Colors
- Paint Colors that go with Brick
- Hale Navy Benjamin Moore
- SW Sea Salt
WHAT’S THE BENJAMIN MOORE EQUIVALENT TO SHERWIN WILLIAMS SHOJI WHITE?
Is there a Benjamin Moore equivalent to Shoji White? This is one of the questions about paint colors I get often.
The answer is no, not really. There are colors that are very similar to one another, but I have come across any exact dupes.
I understand why people ask about equivalents. Sometimes we don’t have access to certain brands and if you fall in love with a paint color from that brand you want to find somewhere else.
I have found a color that is similar.
BM WHITE DOWN OC-131.
SHOJI WHITE COORDINATING COLORS
There’s no denying that finding paint colors that coordinate well together is tough. Some colors are just easier to work with than others.
Luckily, Shoji White is pretty darn versatile, so it works with tons of colors, including the eight I listed below.
- Svelte Sage – SAMPLE IT
- Worldly Gray – SAMPLE IT
- Cavern Clay – SAMPLE IT
- Urbane Bronze – SAMPLE IT
- Greek Villa – SAMPLE IT
- Tricorn Black – SAMPLE IT
- Pure White – SAMPLE IT
- Intellectual Gray – SAMPLE IT
BEFORE YOU PAINT
My Must-Have Painting Supplies
You don’t need expensive contractor equipment for a beautiful paint job — but a few quality tools can absolutely help. These are the products I recommend over and over again.
SHOJI WHITE VS ALABASTER
- Alabaster has an LRV of 82, higher than Shoji’s LRV of 74
- Alabaster is the lighter paint color of the two.
- Both are categorized as white paint colors on the SW website.
- Both are on the Sherwin Williams top 50 paint colors list
- Shoji White has more depth and color to it.
- Both are warm paint colors and are from the yellow hue family.
Overall, I think both of these paint colors are fantastic. Alabaster is lighter and has an incredibly soft warmth to it. It does have the potential to pull a possible yellow in certain lighting.
Shoji White is a bit darker and has color to it. It is also a very soft and warm color. Certain lighting can cause it to show a flash of green or a possible slight peachy beige.
One is not better than the other. They are definitely different colors, but both are equally gorgeous.
READ MORE: ALABASTER FULL REVIEW
SHOJI WHITE VS BM SWISS COFFEE
- Swiss Coffee has an LRV of 83.93, higher than SW’s 74
- Both colors fall under the white paint color category.
- Swiss Coffee is the lighter paint color.
- SW has more color and depth
- Both are warm paint colors
When it comes down to it, both of these paint colors are great. They really aren’t too similar, though.
Shoji white is darker and has a beige-griege look while Swiss Coffee is lighter and has a creamy white look.
READ MORE: BENJAMIN SWISS COFFEE FULL PAINT COLOR REVIEW
Remember to swatch your paint colors. Pick up your Samplize Peel & Stick paint samples today!
FINAL THOUGHTS
You have made it to the end! And I have a few thoughts on this paint color.
I guess to sum it up and not take too much more of your time, I really like Sherwin Williams Shoji White. It truly is a great color.
I think if you go into it thinking you are getting a traditional white paint color, you may be disappointed. However, if you know that it’s not quite a white but more so a very light neutral beigey-greige, you will love it!
This is a splendid paint color; it’s versatile and works with all decor styles. I think if you want a light paint color but not quite white, Shoji White is a great color to grab a sample of.
Are you looking for a way to keep track of all the paint colors in your home? Have you ever had to touch up some paint in your home and forgotten what the paint color was? It’s like you are playing the guessing game, what color, paint, finish, and brand? It’s completely frustrating! I have the perfect solution to keep your paint colors all in one place. My simple paint color tracker can keep you and your paint colors organized!
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