Our Review of Creamy by Sherwin Williams

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White is one of those exterior paint colors that is tried and true, and when it comes to off-white, Creamy by Sherwin Williams is one of our favorites. The hue’s soft, warm tones make it an inviting and alluring choice for exteriors. Below, we take a deep dive into Creamy’s details, including LRV, color pairings, and our recommended applications. Read on to find out why we love Creamy as an exterior paint color.

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A rendering of a home with copper rain chains

Sherwin Williams’ Creamy: The specs

Creamy by Sherwin Williams is a beautiful, warm, off-white color with subtle hints of yellow and beige. The color’s yellow undertones do come through, especially depending on lighting and color pairings, but its neutral base keeps the color grounded in the cream category. 

With an LRV of 81, Creamy leans toward the light and bright end of the spectrum. (Curious about LRV? Learn more here, including why LRV is so important to keep in mind when choosing the perfect paint color for your home.)

WE ALWAYS RECOMMEND SAMPLING AND TESTING PAINT COLORS BEFORE COMMITTING. FACTORS SUCH AS NATURAL LIGHTING, UNDERTONES, AND YOUR PROPERTY’S FIXED ELEMENTS WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON HOW A COLOR WILL APPEAR ON YOUR EXTERIOR. OUR FRIENDS AT SAMPLIZE OFFER EXTRA-LARGE 9 X 14.75 INCH PEEL-AND-STICK PAINT SAMPLES OF THE COLORS WE LOVE FOR EXTERIORS. ORDER YOUR ‘REAL PAINT, NO MESS’ SAMPLES FROM SAMPLIZE HERE.
A brick home rendered in Creamy by Sherwin Williams

Recommended applications for Creamy 

Creamy’s timeless charm adds a touch of sophistication to any façade, creating a welcoming and classic look. Whether you’re aiming for a traditional, coastal, or even a modern exterior design, this off-white shade’s adaptability shines through. We recommend it for a variety of textures, including the brick shown in the design above.

We often combine Creamy by Sherwin Williams with copper and wood accents (especially if we want to lean into warmth). Depending on the palette, we also tend to implement black or white trim to enhance the off-white hue.

A ranch-style home rendered in Creamy by Sherwin Williams

Creamy color pairings

Because Creamy is so versatile, the color lends itself to a range of paint pairings, from other neutral hues to greens and blues. In the rendering above, our designers complemented the Creamy shake siding with White Dove by Benjamin Moore trim and a front door rendered in Mohegan Sage by Benjamin Moore. With the cultured stone skirting and column bases, the design exudes an inviting neutral palette with some earthy touches.

Below, our designers paired Creamy with deep tones, including black trim and wood paneling. We covered the upper portion of the home with Westcott Navy by Benjamin Moore siding for added contrast.

traditional house with off-white brick and navy siding
A stucco house rendered in Creamy by Sherwin Williams

Pros and cons of Creamy by Sherwin Williams

PROS:

  • Creamy by Sherwin Williams is a truly versatile shade that translates well on any texture or design style
  • With plenty of warmth, its ideal if you want a welcoming aesthetic
  • It pairs wonderfully with a variety of other colors, so you can customize your palette 

CONS:

  • Can sometimes read too bright depending on lighting
  • With its neutral base, it’s not necessarily as warm as other creamy off-white paint colors

Creamy alternatives

Although Creamy is a breathtaking paint color, we know it’s not ideal for everyone. Here are some alternatives to explore.

small modern house with white siding and copper gutters

DOVER WHITE BY SHERWIN WILLIAMS

Our designers adore Sherwin Williams’ Dover White. Like Creamy, this hue is a creamy and light shade of off-white. Dover White has an LRV of 83, so it’s just ever-so-slightly brighter. 

off-white house with dusty blue shutters

CLOUD WHITE BY BENJAMIN MOORE

While Benjamin Moore’s Cloud White is still considered an off-white tone, its LRV of 87.35 brings it closer to a pure white than Creamy. Still, it has similar yellow undertones that give it a cream-colored appearance.

off-white brick house with black trim

WHITE DOVE BY BENJAMIN MOORE

If you’re after an off-white shade that’s a little less warm, Benjamin Moore’s White Dove is a contender. Its LRV is close to Creamy’s at 85.38, but it doesn’t have yellow undertones and is instead more neutral.

A brick home rendered in Sherwin Williams' Creamy

The bottom line on Creamy 

Creamy by Sherwin Williams is a breathtaking and versatile shade of white that brings a warm and welcoming ambiance to exteriors. It’s neutral and light, but its yellow undertones bring a depth to the shade that makes it compelling on any style of home. The off-white pairs well with a variety of accents and companion paint colors and offers an aesthetic that’s both timeless and classic.

Whether you’re looking for that just-right exterior paint color or you want to focus on an entire overhaul, our designers are here to help. Get started today!

Author

brick&batten Contributor

Mackenzie has been writing for brick&batten for three years, and most of her exterior design knowledge comes from renovating her own home. She purchased a log home that was stuck in the '90s and the previous owners were unable to keep up with exterior maintenance. From reimagining the landscaping and hardscaping to revamping the porch and logs, Mackenzie and her family approached the entire project DIY-style. In her free time, Mackenzie enjoys cooking and spending time with her family of six on their farm, which includes cows, chickens, rabbits, dogs, and cats. She has been writing for 12 years and has explored a variety of materials from food writing to lifestyle pieces and, of course, virtual exterior design.