Sherwin Williams Ethereal White: A Complete Color Review

Looking for the perfect off-white paint color for your home? Let’s talk about Sherwin Williams Ethereal White and if it might be right for your home!

Off-whites can be tricky, but these pretty shades can provide a nice, neutral backdrop.

Undertones can range from cool to warm, blue to pink, gray to yellow, sometimes even within the same paint color!

That's why diving into the details of a paint color before committing is so important.

Off-whites are gorgeous though. They're versatile enough to go with many different decor styles, finishes, and other paint colors. They feel peaceful and calm, yet can lend themselves to modern or traditional depending on your style.

Let's talk about one pretty off-white: Ethereal White by Sherwin Williams. This is a great color if you want something neutral but light and delicate.

Ethereal White, Sherwin Williams, 6182

Ethereal White is a cool off-white that feels airy and peaceful.

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Ethereal White

Color Family

Ethereal White is in the white family.

Light Reflectance Value

76

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.

With an LRV of 76, Ethereal White is definitely a bright shade, but it’s not a true, crisp white.

Paints in the 72–82 range usually fall into the “off-white” category, and Ethereal White sits right there.

True whites typically have an LRV above 82.

RGB Colors

R: 227 G: 226 B: 217

RGB describes the amount of each color - red, green, and blue - present in a color.

This is on a scale of 0 to 255 for each color. This is basically the color mix to make the color!

Hex Code

#E3E2D9

Undertones

Ethereal White is a cool white with a subtle gray undertone, giving it an airy feel. It also has a very slight pale yellow undertone.

In south-facing rooms with plenty of natural light, Ethereal White comes across brighter, warmer, and closer to a clean white.

In north-facing rooms or spaces with little natural light, Ethereal White shifts cooler and can even read as gray.

Best uses

Ethereal White is neutral enough to work as a whole house paint color.

Just remember, it shifts depending on the light. In south-facing rooms, Ethereal White looks brighter and more white, while in north-facing spaces, it leans more gray.

Some of my favorite spots for Ethereal White are:

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

Similar Colors

• Sherwin Williams Spare White
• Benjamin Moore Sheep's Wool
• Behr White Pepper
• Sherwin Williams Moderne White
• Benjamin Moore Silver Satin
• Behr Irish Mist
• Sherwin Williams Reserved White

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Ethereal White

Coordinating Colors

Ethereal White pairs well with cool shades, including whites, grays, blues, greens, blacks, and violets.

Deep blues / grays:

• Charcoal Blue
• Mineral Gray
• Naval
• Sea Mariner
• Sea Serpent

Cool whites:

• Pure White
• Snowbound
• White Sand
• Natural White
• White Sail

Mid to dark grays:

• Tin Lizzie
• Summit Gray
• Gray Shingle
• Pewter Cast
• Bedrock

Trim Colors

You have two great options for trim to pair with Ethereal White: use a bright white trim or just use Ethereal White itself.

For more contrast, go with a crisp white trim.

Bright white trim colors:

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

For a softer look, try going with Ethereal White for both the walls and the trim.

Choose a different finish for each to create a bit of contrast. You could choose Ethereal White in eggshell finish for the walls and Ethereal White in semi-gloss for the trim.

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Ethereal White

FAQS

Here are some frequently asked questions about Ethereal White.

What undertones does Ethereal White have?

Ethereal White has subtle gray undertones along with a very slight pale yellow undertone.

Is Ethereal White beige or gray?

Ethereal White is a cool off-white. It falls in the white color family, but based on its LRV is considered an off-white.

Ethereal White can appear gray in darker lighting situations, such as north-facing rooms. Give it a swatch in your home and see what you think!

Is SW Ethereal White warm or cool?

SW Ethereal White is a cool off-white paint color.

What's the difference: SW Ethereal White vs Spare White?

Ethereal White and Spare White are similar cool off-whites, but no two paint colors are exactly the same.

Ethereal White is ever so slightly darker with a gray undertone and is more saturated. Spare White is a touch lighter, has a green undertone, and is more muted.

Always swatch colors in your space before making a decision—especially when two colors are this close!

What's the difference: SW Ethereal White vs Behr Ethereal White?

Same name, but two different paint colors! SW Ethereal White is a cool off-white, and Behr Ethereal White is a pale, pastel blue.

What's a good trim color for SW Ethereal White?

You have two great options for trim to pair with Ethereal White: use a bright white trim or just use Ethereal White itself.

For more contrast, go with a crisp white trim. I love BM Simply White, SW Extra White, and Behr Ultra Pure White.

For a softer look, use Ethereal White for both the walls and trim. Choose a different finish for each to create a bit of contrast. You could choose Ethereal White in eggshell finish for the walls and Ethereal White in semi-gloss for the trim.

Thanks for reading!