Sherwin Williams Pure White SW 7005: The Ultimate Paint Review

Choosing the perfect white paint color might seem simple at first glance, but anyone who’s stared at a wall of white paint swatches knows it can quickly become overwhelming. With undertones ranging from warm to cool and finishes from flat to high gloss, finding that ideal white that works in your specific space requires careful consideration. That’s why today we’re diving deep into one of the most versatile and popular white paints on the market: Sherwin Williams Pure White SW 7005.

After using this color in multiple rooms of our own home and recommending it to countless readers over the years, we’ve gathered all our knowledge and experience to create this comprehensive review. Whether you’re considering Pure White for your walls, trim, cabinets, or exterior, this guide will help you determine if it’s the right choice for your space.

What Makes Sherwin Williams Pure White Special?

Pure White (SW 7005) has earned its place on Sherwin Williams’ “Top 50 Colors” list for good reason. This versatile off-white strikes an impressive balance that few other whites manage to achieve. It’s neither too stark nor too creamy, making it an exceptional choice for modern and traditional homes alike.

What sets Pure White apart is its remarkable adaptability. While many whites can appear drastically different depending on lighting conditions, Pure White maintains a relatively consistent appearance throughout the day. It creates what designers often call a “living canvas” – a backdrop that feels fresh and clean without being clinical or sterile.

Understanding Pure White’s Undertones

No white paint is truly “pure” – they all contain subtle undertones that become more apparent in different lighting conditions. Understanding these undertones is crucial to anticipating how the color will perform in your space.

Pure White contains very subtle warm undertones – primarily a touch of yellow with the slightest hint of gray that helps neutralize it. This warmth keeps the color from feeling stark or cold, but it’s so minimal that Pure White still reads as a true white in most settings. The gray undertone helps moderate the warmth, preventing it from appearing too yellow or cream-colored.

In north-facing rooms with cooler light, Pure White’s warm undertones help balance the cool light, preventing the space from feeling too cold or sterile. In south-facing rooms with warm, golden light, Pure White still performs admirably, though its warm undertones may become slightly more pronounced.

Light Reflectance Value (LRV)

The Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of a paint color measures how much light it reflects versus absorbs. The scale ranges from 0 (absolute black, absorbing all light) to 100 (pure white, reflecting all light). Pure White has an LRV of approximately 84, which positions it as a bright white but not the brightest white in the Sherwin Williams collection.

This moderate-high LRV makes Pure White bright enough to create an airy, spacious feeling without producing the harsh, blinding effect that extremely high-LRV whites can create. It reflects plenty of light to brighten spaces but maintains enough depth to create definition and interest on architectural elements.

Best Applications for Pure White

Walls

Pure White creates beautiful, versatile walls that complement virtually any décor style. We’ve used it in our living room, which receives abundant natural light from south-facing windows, and it maintains its sophisticated appearance throughout the day. The color creates a clean backdrop that allows artwork, furniture, and decorative elements to shine.

In rooms with limited natural light, Pure White walls can still work beautifully, though you might notice its subtle warm undertones more prominently. If you’re looking for a white that will brighten a dark room without feeling cold, Pure White is an excellent candidate.

Trim and Moldings

Where Pure White truly excels is on trim and moldings. We’ve found it creates the perfect level of contrast against both white and colored walls. Unlike brighter whites that can look startlingly new or stark against wall colors, Pure White offers a sophisticated finish that defines architectural elements without creating harsh transitions.

For trim, we recommend using Pure White in a semi-gloss or satin finish. The slight sheen enhances durability (essential for high-touch areas) while creating subtle dimension against matte or eggshell walls.

Cabinets

Kitchen and bathroom cabinets painted in Pure White create a timeless, clean aesthetic that works with virtually any countertop material, backsplash, or hardware finish. The subtle warmth in Pure White prevents the cabinets from appearing too sterile or institutional – a common pitfall with brighter whites.

When we renovated our kitchen, we chose Pure White for the upper cabinets paired with a contrasting color for the lowers. The result was bright and airy but with enough depth to avoid feeling one-dimensional. For cabinets, we recommend using Pure White in a satin finish, which balances cleanability with a sophisticated low-sheen appearance.

Ceilings

Pure White makes an excellent ceiling color, especially when paired with Pure White trim. This creates a cohesive, seamless look that makes spaces feel larger and more unified. We typically use a flat finish on ceilings to minimize the appearance of imperfections and reduce glare.

Exteriors

For exterior applications, Pure White can create a classic, timeless façade. It works particularly well for farmhouse-style homes, craftsman exteriors, and modern builds. The subtle warmth prevents it from appearing too stark in natural light, while still providing that crisp white house aesthetic many homeowners desire.

When using Pure White for exteriors, consider your climate and surrounding landscape. In very bright, sunny locations, Pure White may appear slightly warmer, while in northern climates with less direct sunlight, it will generally read as a true white.

How Pure White Compares to Other Popular Whites

Understanding how Pure White compares to other popular white paints can help you determine if it’s the right choice for your project. Here’s how it stacks up against some frequently used alternatives:

Tips for Using Pure White Successfully

Based on our experience with Pure White throughout our home, here are some practical tips for using this versatile color successfully:

• Always test before committing: Paint a large sample board (at least 12″x12″) and move it around different areas of your room at various times of day. Pure White can look different depending on your lighting conditions.
• Consider your lighting: In rooms with warm-tinted LED or incandescent lighting, Pure White may appear warmer. With cool LED or fluorescent lighting, it may read more neutral.
• Think about adjacent colors: Pure White works beautifully with almost any other color, but it particularly shines alongside muted, earthy tones and soft pastels.
• Choose the right finish: For walls, we recommend eggshell or matte; for trim and doors, satin or semi-gloss; for cabinets, satin; and for ceilings, flat.
• Consider your climate: In very sunny, southern climates, Pure White may read slightly warmer on exteriors.

Our Experience with Pure White

We’ve used Pure White extensively throughout our home, and it’s become our go-to white for good reason. In our sun-filled living room, it creates a bright, airy atmosphere without feeling stark or cold. The walls serve as a perfect backdrop for our colorful artwork and furnishings, allowing them to be the focal point while providing a clean, sophisticated foundation.

In our kitchen, Pure White cabinets paired beautifully with marble-look quartz countertops and brass hardware. The subtle warmth of Pure White complemented the veining in the countertops without competing with it.

Perhaps most tellingly, Pure White has stood the test of time in our home. Unlike some whites that can start to feel dated or too stark after a few years, Pure White maintains its balanced, sophisticated appearance year after year.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sherwin Williams Pure White

Is Pure White a good trim color?

Yes, Pure White is an excellent trim color. Its subtle warm undertones create a sophisticated look that isn’t too stark against wall colors. It provides definition without harsh contrast, making it ideal for moldings, door frames, and window casings.

Does Pure White look yellow in certain lights?

Pure White has very subtle warm undertones that might become slightly more noticeable in warm lighting or south-facing rooms with lots of natural light. However, it generally reads as a true white rather than yellow in most lighting conditions.

Is Pure White good for north-facing rooms?

Yes, Pure White works well in north-facing rooms because its subtle warmth helps counterbalance the cooler light that north-facing rooms typically receive. This prevents the space from feeling too cold or sterile.

What’s the best Sherwin Williams white for cabinets?

Pure White is among the best options for cabinets as it provides a clean, timeless look without appearing too stark or institutional. It works with virtually any countertop material and hardware finish while maintaining a fresh appearance.

Can I use Pure White on exteriors?

Absolutely! Pure White creates a classic, timeless exterior that works particularly well for farmhouse, craftsman, and modern architectural styles. Its subtle warmth prevents it from appearing too stark in natural light.

Final Thoughts on Sherwin Williams Pure White

After years of using Pure White throughout our home and recommending it to readers, we can confidently say it deserves its reputation as one of the most versatile and reliable white paints available. It strikes that elusive balance between warm and bright, creating spaces that feel fresh and clean without being cold or sterile.

While no paint color is perfect for every situation, Pure White comes remarkably close for a white paint. Its adaptability across different lighting conditions, architectural styles, and applications makes it a standout choice whether you’re painting walls, trim, cabinets, or exteriors.

If you’re looking for a white that will stand the test of time both in style and practical performance, Sherwin Williams Pure White SW 7005 deserves a spot at the top of your consideration list.

Author

Shinta

 

Shinta is a biotechnologist turned writer. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University. Shinta realised her love for content while working as an editor for a scientific journal.

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