Sherwin Williams Creamy vs Dover White: Let's Compare!

Looking for the perfect soft white paint color for your home? Today, I'm comparing Sherwin Williams Creamy vs Dover White to see which one might be just right for your space.

Soft whites are endlessly popular. They’re cozy, warm, and neutral – a winning combination! If you want a backdrop that’s not too stark, warm whites are the way to go.

One thing I love about warm whites is how versatile they are. They go with almost any decor style or finish, making them an easy choice for your walls.

But here’s the thing – warm whites can vary a lot. Some are really warm, while others are less so. That’s why it’s important to look at the details before deciding!

So today, I'm comparing two super popular shades of soft white paint – Creamy and Dover White by Sherwin Williams.

Let's talk about the differences between these two popular shades.

Read my full review of Creamy

Read my full review of Dover White

Creamy vs Dover White

Creamy and Dover White are both popular soft white paint colors.

They have similar light reflectance values (LRVs) and undertones, but there are a few key differences you should know about.

What is similar about Creamy vs Dover White?

Creamy and Dover White are both soft white paint colors. They are peaceful and warm.

Their LRVs are close, with Creamy at 81 and Dover White at 83, giving them similar color depths.

They both have warm yellow undertones, but Dover White's are a bit stronger.

Their warm undertones add a cozy, welcoming vibe that works in any room. This makes both Creamy and Dover White great whole house paint colors.

What is different about Creamy vs Dover White?

Overall, Creamy is more neutral, while Dover White is more saturated.

Dover White leans more towards yellow, whereas Creamy is more of a creamy white.

Creamy is slightly darker, with an LRV of 81, compared to Dover White's LRV of 83.

This means technically, Creamy is an off-white and Dover White is a white, although they're both very close to the dividing line.

	Creamy	Dover White
LRV	81	83
RGB	R: 239 G: 232 B: 219	R: 240 G: 234 B: 220
Undertones	off-white / cream color with slightly warm yellow undertones	white color with strong warm golden yellow undertones

Light Reflectance Value

Light 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.

Dover White has an LRV of 83, making it slightly lighter.

Creamy, on the other hand, has an LRV of 81, so it’s a bit darker.

Understanding LRV helps you choose the right paint. It affects how bright and open a room feels.

So, if you want a room to feel lighter, Dover White is a great choice. For a slightly cozier feel, go with Creamy.

Undertones

Creamy has slight warm yellow undertones, while Dover White has stronger golden yellow undertones.

When you see them side by side, Creamy looks like a creamy white, and Dover White appears a bit more yellow.

In rooms with lots of natural light, especially south-facing ones, both colors will look warmer and more yellow.

In north-facing rooms with less natural light, they’ll appear cooler and more white.

From my experience, warm whites can sometimes look a bit green under LED lighting, which has a bluish tint. So, if you have LED lights, it’s crucial to test the paint in your home first.

You can easily do this with removable peel & stick paint samples.

How do I decide between these two colors?

Choosing between Creamy and Dover White can be tricky since they’re both soft whites.

Creamy is more of a creamy white, while Dover White leans more yellow. Overall, Creamy is a bit more neutral.

So if you’re after a more neutral white look, Creamy is your best bet.

But if you want a warmer, slightly more yellow tone, Dover White is the way to go.

Thanks for reading!