Sherwin Williams Aesthetic White vs Alabaster: let’s compare

Looking for the perfect off-white paint color for your home? Let’s compare Aesthetic White vs Alabaster to see if one might be perfect for your space!

Off-whites are a solid choice if you want a warm, neutral paint color that’s not as stark as pure white.

They bring a cozy feel to a room and are a breeze to decorate with since they go well with pretty much any style.

Off-whites can vary from nearly white to almost greige, so it’s important to consider undertones and Light Reflective Value (LRV) before deciding.

Today, let’s compare two really popular off-white paints: Aesthetic White and Alabaster.

We’ll see what makes each of them special.

Read my full review of Aesthetic White

Read my full review of Alabaster

Aesthetic White vs Alabaster

Both Aesthetic White and Alabaster may seem similar at first, but their appearance on the wall tells a different story.

Aesthetic White leans so close to greige that it’s almost dark, while Alabaster is so light that it’s nearly white.

What is similar about Aesthetic White vs Alabaster?

Both Aesthetic White and Alabaster are warm, off-white paint colors that bring brightness to a room and suit many homes. They’re solid choices for a whole house paint color.

They share warm undertones, including beige.

What is different about Aesthetic White vs Alabaster?

With an LRV of 73, Aesthetic White is darker than Alabaster, which has an LRV of 82.

Even though both are considered off-whites, Alabaster leans closer to a true white, and Aesthetic White leans more toward greige.

	Aesthetic White	Alabaster
LRV	73	82
RBG	R:227 G:221 B:211	R:237 G:234 B:224
Undertones	warm greige, leans more beige than gray	warm beige

Light Reflectance Value

Light Reflective Value is the measurement of how much light a color bounces around. This is on a scale of 0 to 100 with 0 being pure black and 100 being pure white.

Generally, anything with an LRV from 72-82 is considered off-white, with anything higher than 82 being true white.

This means both Aesthetic White and Alabaster are off-whites, although Alabaster is near the true white category, and Aesthetic White is a very dark off-white.

With an LRV of 82, Alabaster is lighter, brighter, and whiter than Aesthetic White, which is creamier and darker.

Undertones

While both Aesthetic White and Alabaster have some warm beige undertones, they come across differently.

Aesthetic White has warm greige undertones, blending gray and beige. On the other hand, Alabaster Alabaster has solely warm beige undertones.

In south-facing rooms with lots of natural light, warm undertones are more apparent. Both Alabaster and Aesthetic White will appear creamier and warmer.

In north-facing rooms that lack natural light, colors appear cooler. Alabaster will look like a neutral white. Some people complain that Aesthetic White can look a bit dirty or dull in low-light rooms.

How do I decide between these two colors?

If you want an off-white that is light and bright, Alabaster is a great choice. For more of a creamy off-white, almost greige, Aesthetic White is a great choice.

If your room is north-facing, you may want to avoid Aesthetic White, as it’s been known to look dirty or dingy in these spaces. You may want to go with Alabaster in these spaces.

Thanks for reading!

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