Choosing the perfect paint color can convert your home’s atmosphere, and Sherwin Williams Eider White (SW 7014) has emerged as a top choice for homeowners seeking sophisticated neutrality.
This warm off-white paint offers the ideal balance between brightness and comfort, featuring subtle gray and purple undertones that add depth without overwhelming your space.
With an impressive Light Reflectance Value of 73, Eider White brightens rooms naturally while maintaining the cozy feel that makes a house truly feel like home.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll examine everything you need to know about this versatile color, from its key features and best applications to how it compares with similar shades, helping you determine if Eider White is the perfect choice for your next painting project.
What Is Eider White (SW 7014)?
Eider White is Sherwin Williams’ sophisticated warm off-white paint with gray-purple undertones and high light reflectance value.
Overview of the Color
Eider White (SW 7014) is a sophisticated warm off-white that features subtle gray and purple undertones, creating a complex yet calming color profile.
With a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 73, this paint reflects a substantial amount of light while maintaining depth and character that prevents it from appearing flat or stark.
The color has gained popularity among homeowners and designers for its soft, refined finish that brings warmth to any space without overwhelming existing décor.
Its versatile nature allows it to work beautifully in both traditional and contemporary settings, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a neutral that feels both fresh and timeless.
Official Recognition
Sherwin-Williams recognized Eider White’s exceptional appeal by featuring it as their August 2021 Color of the Month, highlighting its growing popularity in the design world.
Since then, it has continued to trend strongly in interior design circles, praised for its refined neutrality that bridges the gap between pure white and deeper neutral tones.
This official recognition speaks to the color’s ability to meet current design preferences for sophisticated, livable spaces that feel both modern and enduring.
Key Features of Eider White
Eider White offers gray-purple undertones and high light reflectance, providing warmth and brightness without being stark or overwhelming.
Undertones and Hue
Eider White stands out from typical white paints due to its complex gray base that reveals hints of purple or pink depending on the lighting conditions throughout the day.
This sophisticated color profile means it’s not a stark, clinical white that can feel cold or unwelcoming.
Instead, it adds subtle dimension and warmth to walls, creating depth that makes rooms feel more inviting and comfortable.
The undertones shift gently with changing light, appearing slightly cooler in morning light and warmer during golden hour, giving your space a dynamic quality that pure whites simply cannot achieve.
Light Reflectance Value (LRV)
With an LRV of 73, Eider White reflects a significant amount of light, making it highly effective at brightening spaces that don’t receive abundant natural light.
This substantial light reflection helps open up rooms and creates an airy feeling without being so bright that it becomes overwhelming or harsh.
The balanced LRV makes it particularly useful in hallways, north-facing rooms, or spaces with limited windows, where you want to maximize available light while maintaining a soft, comfortable atmosphere that feels naturally lit rather than artificially brightened.
Best Places to Use Eider White in the Home
Eider White works beautifully in bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, dining areas, and rental properties, offering versatile appeal throughout homes.
Bedrooms
Eider White creates an ideal bedroom environment with its soft, calming presence that promotes restful sleep and relaxation.
The warm undertones make bedrooms feel cozy rather than cold, establishing a perfect retreat atmosphere.
This color pairs beautifully with warm bedding in creams, soft grays, or muted pastels, while also complementing natural wood furniture and accents.
The subtle complexity prevents the space from feeling too sterile, while the high LRV ensures bedrooms feel bright and airy even during darker morning hours.
Living Rooms
In living spaces, Eider White excels at brightening darker architectural features like brick fireplaces, exposed beams, or built-in shelving without competing with these elements.
The versatile nature of this color allows it to work harmoniously with both light and dark furniture schemes, serving as a perfect backdrop for colorful artwork or neutral décor.
It provides enough warmth to make large living rooms feel intimate while reflecting sufficient light to keep smaller spaces feeling open and comfortable.
Kitchens and Dining Areas
Eider White complements white kitchen cabinets beautifully by adding subtle depth that prevents the all-white look from feeling flat or monotonous.
It works exceptionally well with warm wood tones in flooring, islands, or dining furniture, creating a cohesive flow between cooking and eating areas.
The color adds gentle contrast when used on walls with white subway tile backsplashes or light countertops, providing visual interest without overwhelming the space or clashing with existing finishes.
Rental and Investment Properties
For rental and investment properties, Eider White offers broad appeal that attracts diverse tenant preferences while remaining neutral enough to work with various decorating styles.
Its sophisticated warmth feels more upscale than basic white paint, potentially increasing property value and tenant satisfaction.
Using this color consistently throughout multiple properties creates a cohesive, professional appearance while remaining cost-effective due to its versatility and timeless appeal that won’t require frequent updates to stay current.
Comparing Eider White to Similar Colors
|
Paint Color |
LRV |
Undertones |
Warmth Level |
Best Use |
|
Eider White |
73 |
Gray with purple/pink hints |
Warm off-white |
Versatile – bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens |
|
Alabaster |
82 |
Cream undertones |
Warmer and creamier |
High-traffic areas needing brightness |
|
Repose Gray |
58 |
Gray-beige |
Cooler, more gray than white |
Accent walls, modern spaces |
|
Snowbound |
83 |
Strong pink undertones |
Cooler white |
Bathrooms, trim work |
Pros and Cons of Eider White
Pros
- Elegant, soft appearance that brings sophistication to any room while maintaining remarkable versatility across different design aesthetics
- Effectively brightens spaces without creating the cold, clinical feeling often associated with stark white paints, making rooms feel welcoming and comfortable
- Adaptability makes it ideal for various design styles, from traditional farmhouse to contemporary minimalist, allowing homeowners to change décor without repainting
Cons
- Subtle undertones shift noticeably depending on lighting conditions throughout the day, which may not suit homeowners who prefer consistent color appearance
- In rooms with abundant natural light or very bright artificial lighting, the color may appear too subtle or bland, lacking visual impact
- Complex undertones can sometimes clash with certain color schemes or furnishings, requiring careful consideration of existing décor elements before committing
Similar Colors to Consider
If Eider White doesn’t feel quite right for your space, several comparable options offer similar warmth and versatility with slight variations in undertones and brightness.
Sherwin-Williams Incredible White (SW 7028) provides a clean, crisp alternative with slightly cooler undertones while maintaining the sophisticated off-white appeal.
Behr Poetic Light offers a similar warm gray-white blend with subtle lavender hints that create a dreamy, soft atmosphere perfect for bedrooms and living spaces.
Glidden Silver Birch brings a slightly more gray-focused approach while retaining warmth, making it ideal for contemporary spaces that need neutral sophistication.
For those who love Eider White but need a brighter companion color, Sherwin-Williams Pure White works beautifully for trim, ceilings, or accent areas, providing crisp contrast that enhances Eider White’s subtle complexity without competing with its gentle character.
Conclusion
Sherwin Williams Eider White stands out as an exceptional paint choice for homeowners seeking a sophisticated, versatile neutral that works throughout the home.
Its unique combination of gray and purple undertones, paired with a high Light Reflectance Value of 73, creates spaces that feel both bright and welcoming without the coldness of stark white.
While the shifting undertones may require careful consideration in very bright spaces, the color’s adaptability across design styles makes it a smart investment for most homes.
Whether you’re painting a cozy bedroom, brightening a living room, or updating rental properties, Eider White offers the refined neutrality that creates timeless appeal.
Consider testing samples in your specific lighting conditions to ensure this beautiful color meets your vision perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What undertones does Sherwin Williams Eider White have?
Eider White features subtle gray undertones with hints of purple or pink that become more apparent in certain lighting conditions. These complex undertones prevent the color from appearing stark or clinical, adding warmth and depth to any space.
What is the LRV of Eider White and what does that mean?
Eider White has a Light Reflectance Value of 73, meaning it reflects a significant amount of light back into the room. This makes it excellent for brightening darker spaces while still maintaining enough depth to avoid looking flat or washed out.
Does Eider White work well in small rooms?
Yes, Eider White is excellent for small rooms because its high LRV helps reflect light and create an airy, open feeling. The warm undertones prevent the space from feeling cold or sterile, making small rooms feel cozy rather than cramped.
How does Eider White compare to other popular white paints?
Eider White is warmer than pure whites like Snowbound but cooler than creamy whites like Alabaster. It offers more complexity than basic whites while remaining neutral enough to work with various decorating styles and color schemes.
Can I use Eider White in kitchens and bathrooms?
Absolutely! Eider White works beautifully in kitchens and bathrooms, complementing white cabinets and fixtures while adding subtle depth. Its moisture-resistant finish and neutral appeal make it practical for high-humidity areas while maintaining sophisticated style.
