Choosing the right color for your kitchen and the rest of your home is an important step in the process of updating or remodeling your home. Sherwin Williams Eider White has been generating quite a buzz in recent years, so we thought we’d dive deeper into what makes this color stand out and why it’s causing such a stir. If you’re into light neutral colors, you’ll definitely want to stick around. Eider White is a very soft light gray with warm undertones but what makes Eider White unique compared to other light grays on the market?
In this blog post we’re going to talk about everything Eider White and by the end you’ll have a better understanding of why this paint color has become a topic of discussion among homeowners and interior designers alike.
What We Think About Sherwin Williams Eider White
Sherwin Williams has a bunch of whites and grays in their paint color database, and many of them have been a part of a conversation in one way or another of how good or bad it is. However, among all these popular colors, Sherwin Williams Eider White in particular seems to stand out as one of the most polarizing colors that Sherwin Williams has. On the one hand , there are those who absolutely love and swear by Eider White, while on the other hand, there are those who dislike it and find it difficult to work with.
So what do we think about Sherwin Williams Eider White and why is it so controversial? An honest paint color review.
Well, Eider White is a very, very soft gray and has a slight pinkish/purple undertone. It is a very versatile paint color and can be used in a ton of different spaces. Depending on the lighting in your kitchen, it can and will look white, especially if it’s paired with darker colors because it’s that light of a gray. Overall we’re big fans of Sherwin Williams Eider White and think it’s a color definitely worth considering for your kitchen.
It's More Than White But Less Than Gray
What’s great about Sherwin Williams Eider White is that it has a nice balance between white and gray. It’s got just the right amount of color to add some depth, standing out as more than just plain white paint. Yet, it’s still light enough to maintain the versatility of a white paint. This allows you to still get creative and pair it with various décor styles and kitchen layouts. It’s a really solid choice for those looking for something that’s beyond pure white but not a darker gray like repose gray.
It 's Looks Great With Extra White Trim
Sherwin Williams Eider White is one of those special colors that falls into a kind of sweet spot in the neutral color range. It goes really well with a variety of colors, but we absolutely love pairing Eider White walls with Extra White for the trim and cabinets. The mix of the brightness of Extra White and the subtle grayness of Eider White is a winning combo. In the right lighting, your white trim and cabinets will really pop.
Its Very Neutral
Who doesn’t love nice neutral colors? We’ve heard chatter about interior design trends moving away from neutrals lately, but we’re not sensing a complete overhaul. Sherwin Williams Eider White is a safe bet because it’s one of those colors that can be used in nearly any interior scheme and still look fabulous. No matter if your kitchen décor style is traditional, modern, or lands somewhere in between.
Its neutrality is also great for resale value because it appeals to a wider range of potential buyers. So if you’re planning on selling your home in the near future, Eider White walls could be a solid option for your kitchen.
What We Don't Like About Sherwin Williams Eider White
Sherwin Williams Eider white isn’t everyone’s cup of tea and we’ve heard lots of different opinions on it . While there are many people who love it, there are also those who don’t really see the great potential that it has. So what are some of the common criticisms we’ve heard about Eider White?
The Pink/Purple Undertones Can Be Tricky
One of the most common complaints about Sherwin Williams Eider White is its tendency to look pink. Depending on your lighting and décor, the beige/pink/purple undertones can be super noticeable and for those looking for a pure gray paint color, those undertones can be a big turn off.
We’ve noticed that warmer lighting and large oak hardwood floors with reddish/orange tones tend to highlight those undertones more. So, if your kitchen has warm lighting, spacious hardwood floors, or a combination of both, it’s a good idea to try a sample before committing to Eider White.
Not Great For a Busy Area in Flat Paint
Flat paint is notorious for being tough to clean, and some colors, like Eider White, are pros at attracting dirt like a magnet. Sherwin Williams Eider White, especially in high-traffic spots like kitchens, can easily show dirt and grime.
So, if you’re dead set on using Eider White in your kitchen, think about using sheens that are at least Matte in a high quality paint brand. A Satin or Semi-Gloss finish would be best for easier upkeep, but if you’re not a fan of shiny paint, Matte or Satin/Eg-shel in a quality paint would be just fine because kids, pets, and daily use can all quickly dirty up Eider White.
Coordinating Colors
Snowbound
SW 7006 Snowbound is a very, very popular white and is among the most popular whites that Sherwin Williams has to offer. It has a slight gray undertone and that makes it an ideal match for Sherwin Williams Eider White. Snowbound is a super versatile paint color that can be used in any room of the house but it looks especially good when paired with Eider White as a trim and kitchen cabinet paint color.
Morris Room Gray
Morris Room Gray is a nice warm gray with beige undertones. It pairs really well with Eider White because it adds a bit of contrast without being too overpowering. Morris Room Gray works really well in kitchens with warmer lighting or those that have warmer wood tones. It’s a great option as an accent wall or as a color inspiration for décor pieces.
Morris Room Gray doesn’t really get much attention from the paint world but it’s a great color and can be used in many different spaces. It works really well with Eider White because both colors complement each other and create a beautiful, balanced space.
Aqua-Sphere
Aqua-Sphere is a really nice greenish-blue that pairs well with Eider White. It’s a great paint color to use as an accent if you’re looking to add some color to your kitchen. Most people wouldn’t think to pair a greenish-blue and gray but the combination of these two colors actually works really well.
So, Aqua-Sphere plays a pretty specific role as a coordinating paint color with Eider White, and it’s a great option if you’re looking to sort-of break up all of the gray in your kitchen. It also works well as an alternate paint color for those of us that love two toned kitchens. It’s definitely worth considering when you want to add some pops of color to your kitchen design.
Other Eider White Color Palettes
Blue Bayou
Velvet Vista
Weathered Wood
Eider White In Action
Kitchen Walls
Sherwin Williams Eider White is one of those colors where either you love it or you hate it. Some people are turned off by the pinkish undertones, while others appreciate the warmth it adds to a space. But one thing is for sure, Eider White looks great on kitchen walls.
In this kitchen, you can see how Eider White gives just enough color to the kitchen walls without being too light. It pairs beautifully with the white cabinets and wood flooring adding a touch of warmth to the space.
If you’re into countertop decorations, Eider White walls make a great backdrop choice. It offers just the right contrast to make your décor pop without being too overwhelming. While hints of pink undertones may still be there, they aren’t too distracting, letting guests focus on your beautiful décor instead of a dominating wall paint color when they come over.
Sherwin Williams Eider white also looks great against black kitchen appliances, there’s something about the contrast that makes it really appealing. Even if your kitchen appliances are stainless steel, Eider White will still give you an elegant and chic finish to your walls. So don’t be afraid to try it out, you might just love how it looks.
Kitchen Cabinets
Sherwin Williams Eider White isn’t used very often as a kitchen cabinet paint color but don’t let that scare you away from considering it because it can actually look really nice. It gives that classic, timeless feel to the kitchen that lots of neutral gray paint colors can do. It falls almost in the same lane as a repose gray in terms of how versatile and complementary that it is and, to give you even more motivation to use Eider White on kitchen cabinets, it looks great when paired with other neutral colors like bright white or darker grays.
In the kitchen below, you can see how Eider White cabinets look against the wood flooring and tan subway tile backsplash. Eider White is probably at its best when paired with a subway tile backsplash but with the right wall color and lighting it can be a nice change from the often usual white kitchen cabinet look that we see a lot.
Also, one of the things that we really like about Eider White is that it never gets too dark. You know how sometimes when you paint your walls a color, they can look way darker at different times of the day depending on the light that comes in? That doesn’t happen with Eider White. It stays light, which makes it easy to decorate around because lighting plays such a big role in how paint colors look.
It’s more likely to show its undertones in low lighting situations but for us it’s really not a big deal because it looks really good during the brighter parts of the day.
Eider White Undertones
Sherwin Williams Eider White can show multiple undertones depending on the lighting that it has. That fact is one of the main reasons why we recommend getting paint samples and painting them on your walls because undertones can look different depending on what kind of lighting you have in your space.
Here are some things to consider when trying to determine the undertones of Eider White:
1.) Natural Light vs Artificial Light:
As mentioned before, natural light can bring out the pinkish beige undertones at different times of the day, while artificial lighting gives you more control over the color’s appearance since it’s something you can adjust.
If your kitchen was designed with natural light as a feature, just keep in mind that you might notice more undertones when it’s filled with natural light compared to when your regular kitchen lights are on.
2.) Surrounding Colors:
The colors used in your kitchen or on other walls can also play a role in how Eider White appears. For example, if your floor or backsplash have warm tones, it may bring out the beige, pink undertone or gray undertones in Eider White.
Overall, we suggest playing around with different lighting and décor elements to see how Eider White looks in your kitchen space before making a final decision.
Small paint swatches or a paint strip just aren’t big enough to really get a good idea of how a paint color would look in your kitchen, so it’s always best to test paint samples on your walls to get a better idea of how the color will look in your specific lighting and space.
Samplize is a great resource to use for peel & stick options of Sherwin Williams paint colors.
Eider White VS. Snowbound
Eider White
Eider White and Snowbound are both really nice paint colors, and when we get the chance to see them in real life settings it’s easy to see why they are so solid of colors
Snowbound, is actually one of the most commonly used white paint colors from Sherwin Williams and it’s used pretty much everywhere, from cabinets to doors and trim to walls and ceilings. It’s a super versatile white that works in any space. Eider White, on the other hand, is a little less common but still packs a punch as one of Sherwin Williams better colors.
Eider White is most often used as a wall color paired with a bright white for cabinets/trim color. Eider White is warmer with its pinkish beige undertones and it really looks best as a wall paint color
Snowbound
Snowbound is a super popular choice – a soft off white paint color that goes well with just about anything. We consider snowbound to be a great choice if you like white paint colors. It’s super versatile with slight gray undertones.
It’s a warmer white, so it has a bit of warmth to it and what makes it stand out is that it’s not as affected by changes in light conditions like many other colors. So if the lighting in your kitchen isn’t great, you won’t have to deal with annoying undertones that make you dislike it.
Snowbound also has a higher LRV (Light Reflective Value) of 83 which means that Snowbound reflects light very well and that makes it appear brighter and lighter. So if you’re looking for a bright white with limited undertones to use in your kitchen space, Snowbound may be a good choice for you.
Which color is better?
Eider White vs Snowbound, is really a matter of where you want to use the paint color. If you’re looking for a white paint that will work well on walls, and has a really nice contrast with white cabinets and trim, then Eider White may be your best option. However, if you want a white paint color that is brighter and more versatile, then Snowbound may be the better choice for you.
We can’t deny that Snowbound is a way more popular of a color than Eider white but that doesn’t mean Eider White isn’t a great option. Both colors have their own unique qualities and it all comes down to the specific needs of the space where you want to use them. BUT with that being said. If versatility is important to you then snowbound is probably going to be the better paint color for you.
FAQ
Is Eider white gray or beige?
It’s both. Eider White is a very soft gray that has beige undertones.
Does Eider white look pink?
In some lighting situations, Yes. Eider White has beige undertones that might give it a slightly pinkish hue under warmer lighting conditions.
Is Eider white darker than Snowbound?
Yes, but only slightly darker. The main difference between Eider White and Snowbound is that Eider White is more gray than Snowbound but they are both light colors.
Final Thoughts
Sherwin Williams Eider White is one of those colors that isn’t used as often, but that doesn’t take away from how awesome it is. It has a great blend of gray and beige making it a warm and versatile option for any kitchen space.
When paired with the right lighting and décor elements, Eider White can create a beautiful, cozy setting in your kitchen. Be sure to test out sample paint colors before making a final decision and consider how different lighting and surrounding colors can affect the undertones of Eider White.
In the end, it really boils down to what you like and what works best for your space. Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with this color! So go ahead, buy paint samples and give Eider White a chance and see if it’s the perfect fit for your kitchen.
