Sherwin Williams Pure White (SW 7005) is a favorite choice for many homeowners looking to brighten their spaces. 

This true white paint has gentle warm undertones that make rooms feel cozy rather than cold. 

With its high light reflection value of 84, it bounces light around rooms, making even small spaces feel bigger and more open. 

Designers love Pure White because it works well in all kinds of homes – from modern apartments to traditional houses. 

You can use it on walls, trim, cabinets, or ceilings with beautiful results every time. 

It looks different but always good in sunny rooms or shady spots, making it a safe pick for any room in your home. 

No wonder so many people choose this versatile white for their whole house!

SW Pure White (SW 7005): LRV, Undertones, and Color Profile

Sherwin Williams Pure White is a popular choice that sits perfectly between stark whites and creamy off-whites. 

This versatile shade brings clean brightness to any space without feeling cold or harsh.

Light Reflectance Value (LRV): 84

With an LRV of 84, Pure White reflects most of the light that hits it. This high number means the paint will make rooms feel brighter and more spacious. 

The strong light reflection helps small spaces appear larger and brings natural brightness to darker areas of your home.

Undertones: Subtle Yellow and Gray

Pure White has gentle yellow undertones that add just a hint of warmth. Unlike other warm whites, these yellow hints stay very soft and barely noticeable. 

The paint also shows slight gray undertones that keep it from looking too creamy or heavy.

 These mixed undertones create a balanced white that works well with many different lighting conditions.

Warm vs Cool: Why It’s Considered a Soft White

This paint falls into the soft white category because it’s not completely neutral. 

The subtle yellow undertones make it warmer than true whites like High Reflective White, but it stays much cooler than creamy whites like Greek Villa. 

This balance makes Pure White feel comfortable and inviting in most rooms without being too bold or overwhelming.

How Lighting Affects Pure White in Different Rooms

Lighting can completely change how Pure White looks on your walls. Understanding these changes helps you make the best choice for each room in your home.

North-Facing Rooms: Can It Look Too Cold?

North-facing rooms get less direct sunlight, which can make Pure White appear cooler and sometimes dull. 

In these spaces, the paint might lose some of its gentle warmth and look flat or gray. 

If your room faces north, consider testing the color first to see if you like how it looks with limited natural light.

South-Facing Rooms: Enhancing Warmth

South-facing rooms bring out the best in Pure White. The abundant natural light helps show the paint’s subtle yellow undertones, making it feel warm and inviting. 

These rooms make Pure White glow beautifully throughout the day, creating bright and cheerful spaces.

East and West Exposure: Shifting Tones Throughout the Day

East-facing rooms get morning light that makes Pure White look crisp and fresh. West-facing rooms receive warm afternoon sun that brings out more yellow hints. 

You’ll notice the color changes as the day progresses, shifting from cool to warm tones.

Artificial Lighting: LED vs Incandescent Impact

Cool LED bulbs (5000K) can make Pure White look blue or cold. Warm LED bulbs (3500-4000K) help maintain the paint’s intended gentle warmth. 

Incandescent bulbs add yellow tones that enhance the color’s cozy feeling.

Best Use Cases: Where Pure White Works (and Where It Doesn’t)

Pure White works wonderfully in many areas of your home, but knowing where to use it makes all the difference. Here’s where this versatile color shines brightest.

Walls: Clean but Not Stark

Pure White creates fresh, clean walls without feeling too harsh or cold. 

It works great in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways where you want brightness without the sterile look of true white. 

The subtle warmth keeps rooms feeling comfortable and welcoming for daily living.

Trim and Moldings: Seamless Pairing

This color looks beautiful on trim when paired with slightly darker wall colors. It creates clean lines without too much contrast. 

Pure White trim works especially well with light gray or beige walls, giving your home a polished, put-together appearance.

Cabinets: A Balanced White for Kitchens

Pure White makes excellent kitchen cabinets because it’s not too warm or too cool.

However, be careful with cream or beige countertops – they might look yellow next to this white. It pairs better with white, gray, or darker countertop materials.

Ceilings and Doors: Monochrome or Contrast?

Pure White ceilings help reflect light and make rooms feel taller. On doors, it creates a clean look that works with most wall colors. You can use it throughout for a seamless flow or as contrast with darker walls.

Exterior Use: When to Be Cautious

Pure White can work on exteriors but test it first. Surrounding elements like brick buildings or green trees can change how it looks on your house.

Pure White vs Other Popular Whites: A Designer’s Comparison

Choosing the right white paint can feel overwhelming with so many options. Here’s how Pure White compares to other popular whites to help you make the best choice.

Pure White vs Alabaster

Alabaster (SW 7008) is much warmer and creamier than Pure White. 

While Pure White has subtle yellow hints, Alabaster shows stronger yellow undertones that make it feel cozy and soft. 

Pure White appears cleaner and brighter, while Alabaster feels more like vanilla cream.

Choose Alabaster for traditional or farmhouse styles, and Pure White for cleaner, more modern looks.

Pure White vs Extra White

Extra White is a true, stark white with no undertones. Pure White feels much softer and warmer compared to Extra White’s bright, clinical appearance. 

Extra White reflects more light but can feel cold in living spaces. Pure White offers warmth while still being bright, making it better for homes where people spend lots of time.

Pure White vs White Dove

White Dove (Benjamin Moore) is softer and grayer than Pure White. 

Pure White appears cleaner and less muted, while White Dove has more gray undertones that make it feel gentle and calm.

Both work well in most rooms, but Pure White gives you more brightness.

Pure White vs Chantilly Lace

Chantilly Lace (Benjamin Moore) is a bright, clean white similar to Pure White but slightly cooler. 

Pure White has more warmth, while Chantilly Lace stays more neutral. Both are excellent choices for modern homes.

Pure White vs Snowbound

Snowbound (SW 7004) is slightly brighter and cleaner than Pure White. Pure White shows more subtle warmth, while Snowbound appears more neutral and crisp.

Conclusion

Sherwin Williams Pure White offers the perfect balance for homeowners who want a clean, bright white without the harshness of stark whites. 

With its LRV of 84 and subtle yellow undertones, this versatile color works beautifully in most rooms and lighting conditions. 

Whether you’re painting walls, trim, or cabinets, Pure White creates fresh, welcoming spaces that feel both modern and timeless.

While it may look cooler in north-facing rooms and needs careful consideration with warm-toned materials, Pure White remains one of the most reliable white paint choices available. 

Its ability to work with various decor styles and color schemes makes it an excellent investment for any home improvement project.

Daniel Hartman

Daniel Hartman is a paint color specialist with several years of experience helping homeowners choose the right shades for their spaces. He focuses on paint color reviews that explain undertones, finishes, textures, and color coordination in clear, practical ways, making complex decisions simple and approachable. Outside of writing, Daniel enjoys traveling, visiting art and design exhibits, and studying how different environments use color to transform interiors.