Looking for the perfect off-white paint color for your home? I compare Aesthetic White vs White Duck to help you make the best decision.
If you want a cozy neutral, a warm off-white might be your best bet.
Warm off-whites feel peaceful and sophisticated. They’re not too bright or stark like cool whites and match most decor styles.
Sounds like a win, right?! But with so many shades to choose from, it can get overwhelming. They range from nearly white to almost greige. Undertones also play a huge role in how they look.
So today I’m comparing two super popular shades of off-white paint – Aesthetic White vs White Duck, both by Sherwin Williams.
Let’s see how these two shades can transform your space!
Read my full review of Aesthetic White
Read my full review of White Duck
Aesthetic White vs White Duck
Aesthetic White and White Duck have a lot in common. But there are a few differences that stick out!
What is similar about Aesthetic White vs White Duck?
Both Aesthetic White and White Duck are warm off-white paint colors.
Their LRVs (Light Reflectance Values) are super close, just one number apart. This means they have similar color depth.
They’re both light and neutral, making them great choices for painting an entire house.
What is different about Aesthetic White vs White Duck?
Aesthetic White is slightly darker than White Duck, with an LRV of 73 compared to White Duck’s 74.
Aesthetic White has warm greige and subtle violet undertones. In contrast, White Duck has yellow and slight beige/gray undertones.
Personally, I’ve found that White Duck feels warmer overall. Aesthetic White, on the other hand, leans more towards a greige look.
| Aesthetic White | White Duck | |
| LRV | 73 | 74 |
| RGB | R: 227 G: 221 B: 211 | R: 229 G: 223 B: 210 |
| Undertones | off-white paint color with warm greige, subtle violet undertone | off-white paint color with yellow, slight beige / gray undertone |
Light Reflectance Value
ight Reflectance Value (LRV) measures how much light a color reflects. It’s on a scale from 0 to 100, with 0 being pure black and 100 being pure white.
Both Aesthetic White and White Duck are warm off-white paint colors. Colors with an LRV of 72-82 fall into the off-white category.
Aesthetic White (LRV 73) is slightly darker than White Duck (LRV 74).
Undertones
Aesthetic White has warm greige and a subtle violet undertone. Some people find that in north-facing rooms with little natural light, Aesthetic White can look a bit dingy.
White Duck has yellow and slight beige/gray undertones. These beige/gray undertones keep White Duck from appearing too yellow.
Both colors, especially White Duck, will lean a bit creamier in rooms with lots of natural light. Both will look a bit darker in rooms that don’t have much natural light.
Undertones
Aesthetic White has warm greige and a subtle violet undertone. Some people find that in north-facing rooms with little natural light, Aesthetic White can look a bit dingy.
White Duck has yellow and slight beige/gray undertones, which keep it from appearing too yellow.
Both colors, especially White Duck, will appear creamier in rooms with lots of natural light. They’ll look a bit darker in rooms without much natural light.
This is why I always recommend testing paint colors first!
Click here to get removable peel & stick paint samples to easily swatch with!
How do I decide between these two colors?
So, how do you choose between Aesthetic White and White Duck?
If you want a warmer or slightly lighter shade, go with White Duck.
For a slightly cooler or darker tone that leans more towards greige, go with Aesthetic White.
In my experience, if your room is north-facing and lacks natural light, White Duck might be the better choice. It feels warmer and won’t look dingy like Aesthetic White sometimes can.
Take your time, swatch them on your walls, and see which one speaks to you!
Sherwin Williams Aesthetic White Paint Color Palette
Want to use this paint color in your home? Instantly upgrade your home’s aesthetic with our exclusive paint color palette. Unlock the perfect trim color and six stunning accent colors, a combination of neutrals and bold hues for an instantly harmonious space!
Get your perfect paint color palette by clicking here!
Sherwin Williams White Duck Paint Color Palette
Want to use this paint color in your home? Instantly upgrade your home’s aesthetic with our exclusive paint color palette. Unlock the perfect trim color and six stunning accent colors, a combination of neutrals and bold hues for an instantly harmonious space!
Get your perfect paint color palette by clicking here!
Still not sure what paint color to choose?
My Paint Color Formula ebook walks you through the painless process of expertly testing paint swatches to ensure you have the perfect color for your home.
The best way to sample paint? Samplize!
Get peel-and-stick removable and reusable paint samples here!
Thanks for reading!
Meg Hemmelgarn is a freelance writer and home decor + DIY blogger who loves to talk about paint colors. She and her husband are currently renovating their third fixer upper. You can see their projects on her blog, Green With Decor.