Sherwin Williams Eider White SW 7014

Sherwin Williams Eider White is a complex color that can trick you if you aren’t careful. When chosen correctly, you’re rewarded with an inviting warmth that can bring a calming atmosphere to any space. Eider White is a subtle gray that is soothing without being too boring or unimaginative. In spaces with an abundance of natural light, you can see Eider White giving off an alluringly elegant look to your house. In dark rooms, this light gray can appear flat and dull so lighting is really important when selecting Eider White. If you want something subtle yet chic and you have a room with an abundance of light, this timeless color is without a doubt the nice choice!

All About Sherwin Williams Eider White SW 7014

Sherwin Williams Eider White is a soft and lovely white-ish light gray paint color that can be a TEN (it’s got some undertone subtleties to be aware of). While Sherwin Williams boldly proclaims that Eider White is, “so versatile you can use it in any room,” I’d argue that rather than a white paint color with gray undertones, Eider White is a gray paint color that has purple undertones. More on that later! 

While not a mega-popular gray or off-white paint color, Eider White can be a perfect color in the right situation. In some dark spaces, it can be a miss. Let’s dive into this Eider White review and figure out the scenarios in which it looks the best.

How Light or How Dark is Sherwin Williams Eider White?

Getting a sense of the lightness or darkness of a color is essential before we incorporate it into our homes. Eider White is an off-white, warm-toned gray paint color that reflects just enough light to give it its signature softness. 

What is the LRV?

The Light Reflectance Value or LRV of Sherwin Williams Eider White is 73.

We use a tool called “Light Reflectance Value or LRV to determine how light or dark a paint color is (100 being the whitest white and 0 being the darkest black). “Light” refers to Light Reflective Value, meaning the amount of light reflected. The more reflective the color, the brighter it will appear. This light gray has an LRV of 73. With an LRV of 73 it becomes more clear that Eider White really isn’t white at all. We can compare it to another popular light gray paint color, Benjamin Moore Classic Gray, which has an LRV of about 74, and Eider White is pretty close at 73.

Is Eider White a Warm or Cool Color?

Eider White is warm although it can appear cooler in some lighting situations. More important than the color temperature though, is the undertones of a paint color but we’ll get there. How do we know Eider White is warm?  Well, we look at the undertones. Warm colors will typically have undertones that are yellow, red, or brown to them. And since we’ve just opened that can of worms… let’s talk about undertones.

What are the Undertones of Eider White?

Undertones. Undertones. Undertones. The most important thing when selecting a paint color. Reading undertones is how you avoid a pink living room when you wanted white. It’s also how you avoid a violet bedroom when you were hoping for light gray. That’s exactly the predicament that Eider White poses in some lighting situations. Eider White has purple undertones that can read lightly purple or even pink. In the best light, Eider White is a gorgeously soft and subtle light gray. You won’t know if those hues are going to be obvious until you SAMPLE the color. 

This is where I tell you, you must sample your paint colors! You need to stick a swatch of your desired color in the space you’re thinking about painting and check in on it at varying times throughout the day (morning, afternoon, and evening) to get a true, accurate idea of what the color is going to look like in your space. If you buying paint pot samples, consider using large posterboard for samples to give yourself the most accurate idea of the color. 

I like SAMPLIZE for this. Samplize offers convenient peel-and-stick paint samples that are affordable, easier, and better for the environment than traditional paint pots. They are mess-free, display colors just like a wall, are reusable so you can try them out all over the room, and arrive on your doorstep in just a few days.

Sherwin Williams Eider White in Real Spaces

Okay – all those details about Eider White but what does it look like for real? It’s super important to see colors in real spaces. Can it work for kitchen cabinets? How does the color look in a space with a lot of windows? What about an Eider White living room? That information is valuable! Let’s dive in and see what this subtle light gray looks like in real spaces!

You can see here that Eider White is a very viable option for creating a light and bright living space. Natural lighting allows Eider White to be at its best.

See what I mean when I say when Eider White is good… it’s so good? In this warm and inviting space it reads more off-white than gray.

Paired with clean white trim and accents Eider White reads much more gray here. It’s still light and fresh but with a hint of gray.

Eider White on a grander scale with lots of bright white trim and warm wood floors is a great combo. You can just barely see the slightest hint of the violet undertones here but it’s not offensive, it adds just the right amount of warmth.

I love the warmth of this space. The medium gray cabinetry is warm and brings out the warmth in the Eider White walls. You do get a hint of the pink undertones.

We get a peek of Eider White on kitchen cabinets here on the upper cabinets. The light gray paint complements the light warm wood beautifully. The whole area feels so open and inviting.

I love how calm and bright this entryway is. Eider White is on the upper portion of the walls. The bright white contrast on the bottom half of the walls really allows the gray to shine.

One thing I think is pretty clear from seeing Eider White in all these different circumstances is that Eider White can look really different in different spaces. Here it looks like a really creamy off-white with a slight gray undertone.

In this living room Eider White is much more gray with more evident violet undertones.

You might be considering Eider White as an exterior paint color and wondering if it’s a good choice… for me, the answer is yes. I think you have to be careful when selecting a white paint color for exteriors because full sun can wash out colors quickly. I’m impressed with how Eider White fares.

What Colors Go with Sherwin Williams Eider White?

SW Eider White is a fabulous warm white that works with a variety of other paint colors.

Here are some great trim options:

1. Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace – Chantilly Lace is one of my favorite paint colors of all time. It’s excellent on its own as a luxe white but it’s also a go-to white trim color.
2. Sherwin Williams Extra White – Extra White is a really, very white trim option that is really clean making it a great contrasting trim color for Eider White.
3. Eider White in a semi-gloss sheen – Don’t underestimate the use of the same color in different sheens. If you want just a slight contrast, you can use Eider White flat or satin sheen on the walls and then a semi-gloss sheen on the trim. 
4. Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige – If you want to add a little drama to your room, adding a darker trim like a greige or a taupe to your space is fun. Accessible Beige is a nice beige/greige, contrasting paint color that looks great for trim.

Here’s a list of additional paint colors that coordinate well with SW Eider White – this is not an extensive list but it’s a great place to start.

I include Eider White in my favorite Sherwin Williams Coastal Paint Colors so if you are looking for a soothing color palette, that’s a great place to start.

1. SW Repose Gray
2. SW Dorian Gray
3. SW Stardew
4. SW Naval
5. SW Sea Salt
6. SW Tricorn Black
7. SW Pewter Green
8. SW Iron Ore
9. SW Pure White
10. BM Simply White
11. BM Water’s Edge
12. BM Stonington Gray
13. BM Hale Navy
14. BM Edgecomb Gray
15. BM Wrought Iron
16. BM Balboa Mist

Where to Use Sherwin Williams Eider White?

We’ve talked all about SW Eider White but where in your home should you use it? It’s actually a great neutral paint color so you can use it anywhere you’d like. I would even consider it a nice “all over” paint color as long as you have awareness of directional lighting. Here are some ideas for spaces in your home where Sherwin Williams Eider White could work nicely.

• Accent walls
• Bedrooms
• Living Room
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Entryway
• Hallways

What are Some Alternative Gray Colors to Eider White? 

For me, the best way to get a good understanding of the color depth and undertones is by comparing colors side-by-side. Let’s check out how Eider White measures up to some similar colors.

Sherwin Williams Eider White vs Sherwin Williams Snowbound

Sherwin Williams Snowbound is a similar color to Eider White. It’s actually on the same paint card, just a couple of shades lighter. Like Eider White, it’s in Sherwin Willams’s Top 50 Paint Colors Collection. Snowbound has an LRV of 83 which is quite a bit lighter than Eider White’s 73 value. Snowbound is closer to white than gray while Eider White feels a little closer to gray. Both colors are warm and cozy. If you want a touch or two lighter than what Eider White offers then Snowbound is a great alternative.

Sherwin Williams Eider White vs Sherwin Williams Crushed Ice

Let’s compare SW Eider White with another Sherwin Williams gray paint color, Crushed Ice. Next to Eider White, Crushed Ice is a touch lighter and a touch pinker. Those pink/violet undertones are a bit more obvious when held up to Crushed Ice. As for LRV, Crushed Ice is at 66 which is a bit darker than Eider White’s 73. If a little deeper and darker is what you’re looking for than Crushed Ice is a great option.

Sherwin Williams Eider White vs Benjamin Moore Classic Gray

Lastly, let’s take a look at Eider White and Benjamin Moore Classic Gray. Two warm grays with virtually the same LRV. Classic Gray is really similar to Eider White is depth but you can see a slight green undertone in Classic Gray while Eider White is more pink/violet. Overall, both colors are calming and warm and really lovely options.

Wrapping Up Sherwin Williams Eider White

To be clear, Eider White has earned its spot on the Top 50 list. It’s calming, versatile, and just a darn good color. It makes a beautiful and soft backdrop for a variety of spaces. Its undertones can allow the color to pull more violet or pink than you might like so it’s important to sample the color. I highly recommend trying Samplize. These peel-and-stick paint samples are easy to use and are a convenient way to try a paint color out in our home before making a full commitment!