Sherwin Williams Downy: Complete Color Review

If you're looking for a bright off-white that still feels soft and welcoming, Sherwin Williams Downy is worth a closer look.

A lot of people tell me they want their home to feel lighter and brighter. That usually leads straight to white paint. But not all whites are easy to live with.

This often leads to a discussion about the best white paint colors.

The problem with white is that it sometimes feel stark or cold. This is why I almost always suggest a soft white or a slightly off-white paint color.

Bright off-whites give you the best of both worlds. You get that light, airy look without your room feeling harsh or uncomfortable. They also work with so many styles, which makes decorating that much easier.

Sherwin Williams Downy is one of those cozy, bright off-whites that feels inviting right away. Let's take a closer look and see if it's a good fit for your space.

Downy, Sherwin Williams, SW 7002

Downy is a bright off-white with soft, warm undertones. I love how it makes a space feel light and fresh, but still cozy and comfortable at the same time.

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Downy

Color Family

Downy is in the white family.

Light Reflectance Value

81

LRV tells you how much light a color reflects. It's on a scale from 0 to 100. The higher the number, the brighter the color will feel on your walls.

With an LRV of 81, this makes Downy an off-white, although you can see it's right on the edge of the off-white / white divide.

In general, colors with an LRV between 72 and 82 are considered off-whites. Anything above that is a true white.

RGB Colors

R: 239 G: 232 B: 221

RGB shows how much red, green, and blue are mixed to create the color. It's pretty much the recipe behind the paint color.

Hex Code

#EFE8DD

Undertones

Downy is a warm off-white with a soft pink undertone and a slight touch of beige. That warmth is what keeps it from feeling cold or stark.

In south-facing rooms with lots of natural light, Downy looks brighter and warmer. You may notice that gentle pink warmth come through depending on the time of day.

In north-facing rooms that lack natural light, Downy can look a little deeper and more neutral. It still feels soft though.

Best Uses

Downy is neutral enough that you can truly use it almost anywhere. I've seen it work beautifully as a whole house color because it stays light without feeling cold.

Try using it for:

• Living rooms
• Bedrooms
• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Home exterior
• Interior doors
• Cabinets
• Furniture

Similar Colors

• Sherwin Williams Creamy
• Benjamin Moore Opal
• Behr White Truffle
• Sherwin Williams Marshmallow
• Benjamin Moore Winter Sky
• Behr Glamorous White
• Sherwin Williams Shell White

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Downy

Coordinating Colors

Downy is very easy to work with. Because it's so neutral, it plays nicely with almost any color scheme.

I like to pair Downy with grays, khakis, blues, and greens, but it plays well with most other colors.

Neutral-greens:

• Herbal Wash
• Worn Khaki
• Colonial Revival Green Stone
• Green Earth
• Green Sprout

Bright whites:

• Extra White
• Gypsum
• Ceiling Bright White
• Ice Cube
• High Reflective White

Deep blues:

• Naval
• Anchors Aweigh
• In the Navy
• After the Storm
• Sea Mariner

Trim Colors

You have two great options when it comes to trim with Downy.

If you like contrast, go with a bright white trim. These are my go to choices:

• Benjamin Moore Simply White
• Sherwin Williams Extra White
• Behr Ultra Pure White

Or, if you want more of a cohesive look, use Downy for both trim and walls! Just choose a different finish for tone on tone contrast.

So, choose Downy in eggshell finish for the walls and Downy in semi-gloss for the trim. That way you still get a little definition.

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Downy

FAQs

Here are some common questions I get about Downy.

What undertones does Sherwin Williams Downy have?

Sherwin Williams Downy has warm pink undertones with a touch of beige mixed in. That warmth is what keeps it from feeling stark or cold, even though it's very bright.

What's the difference: SW Downy vs Alabaster?

Alabaster is just a hair lighter, with an LRV of 82 compared to Downy's 81. In real life, that difference is tiny. You'll miss it unless they're side by side.

Downy leans more pink, while Alabaster leans more beige. Downy also feels a bit richer. Alabaster is softer and more muted.

Alabaster is more popular overall, but that doesn't mean it's automatically better for your home. I always suggest putting both on the wall so you can see which one feels right to you.

What's the difference: SW Downy vs Aesthetic White?

While both are off-whites, Downy (LRV 81) is noticeably lighter than Aesthetic White (LRV 73).

Downy leans warmer and slightly pink. Aesthetic White leans more greige. Lighting makes a big difference here, so seeing them in your own space really helps.

Is Sherwin Williams Downy a good kitchen choice?

Yes, Downy works beautifully in kitchens. Both on walls and cabinets. It keeps the space feeling light and clean while still feeling cozy and comfortable.

I like how flexible it is since it pairs well with bright whites, grays, tans, beiges, and other neutrals.

Give it a swatch in your kitchen, review it as the lighting in your kitchen changes throughout the day, and see what you think!

What color trim goes with Sherwin Williams Downy?

You have two solid options with Downy. You can use a bright white trim for contrast or use Downy on both the walls and trim for a softer look.

If you go with a bright white, try Simply White, Extra White, or Behr Ultra Pure White.

If you use Downy for both the walls and trim, choose a different finish for tone on tone contrast So, choose Downy in eggshell finish for the walls and Downy in semi-gloss for the trim.

Does Sherwin Williams Downy read pink?

Downy does have a pink undertone, but it doesn't read as pink on the wall. You might notice a hint of warmth in bright, south-facing rooms. But it stays firmly in the off-white category.

Thanks for reading!