You’re staring at a wall of white paint chips. They all look the same. Then, suddenly, they don't. One looks like a hospital gown, another looks like a dying banana, and one just looks... gray? Choosing a "white" paint is honestly one of the most frustrating parts of home renovation. If you’ve stumbled across Sherwin-Williams Egret White (SW 7570), you might think you’ve found the perfect middle ground. It’s not a stark, blinding white, but it’s not quite a beige either. It’s a bit of a shapeshifter.
It's a "greige." Sorta.
Actually, calling it greige feels like a bit of a cop-out. Egret White is a sophisticated off-white that sits in that narrow, hazy space between warm and cool. It’s a color that professional designers like Emily Henderson or the folks at Studio McGee often lean on when they want a room to feel "bright" without feeling "cold." But here’s the kicker: if you don’t understand the science behind its Light Reflectance Value (LRV) and its sneaky undertones, Egret White can end up looking like a muddy mess on your walls.
What Exactly Is Egret White?
Let’s get technical for a second, but I’ll keep it simple. Egret White has an LRV of 70. On a scale where 0 is pitch black and 100 is pure white, 70 is firmly in the "off-white" category. It’s not going to reflect as much light as something like High Reflective White (LRV 93), but it’s also not a dark, heavy color.
It’s got weight.
💡 You might also like: Where to Sell Exercise Equipment Without Getting Ripped Off
When you put it on a wall, it has enough pigment to actually contrast against white trim. That’s why people love it. It creates a "layered" look. If you paint your walls Egret White and your baseboards a crisp, clean white like Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel in Gallery White, the walls will pop. They’ll look soft and intentional.
The Undertone Trap
The biggest mistake people make with this color is ignoring the undertones. Egret White is part of the "Warm Neutral" family at Sherwin-Williams. It has a stone-gray base with a tiny, almost imperceptible drop of violet-pink.
Why does that matter?
Because in certain lights—especially that weird, blueish North-facing light—those pinkish undertones can come out to play. If you have a lot of green outside your window (like a big lawn or trees), that green light can bounce off the Egret White and make it look slightly mauve. It’s a color that reacts violently to its surroundings. You’ve got to swatch it. Don't skip the swatch.
Egret White vs. The Competition
Usually, when someone is looking at Egret White, they are also looking at Agreeable Gray or Alabaster. It’s the classic homeowner’s dilemma.
🔗 Read more: Massachusetts Custom License Plate: What You Actually Need to Know Before You Apply
Agreeable Gray (SW 7029) is significantly darker. It’s a true greige. If you want your room to feel "painted," you go with Agreeable Gray. If you want your room to feel "bright and airy," you go with Egret White. They aren't really interchangeable. Egret is much closer to a "white" than Agreeable Gray will ever be.
Then there’s Alabaster (SW 6241). This was Sherwin-Williams’ Color of the Year back in 2016, and it’s still everywhere. Alabaster is warmer. It has yellow undertones. If your house has a lot of warm wood floors—think honey oak or cherry—Alabaster is going to look creamy. In that same room, Egret White might look a bit "stony" or even slightly muddy.
It’s all about the floor.
I’ve seen Egret White look absolutely stunning next to light white oak floors. The cool-toned wood pulls out the gray in the paint, making the whole room feel like a high-end coastal resort. But put it next to a red brick fireplace? Suddenly, those violet undertones start screaming. It’s a delicate balance.
Lighting: The Make or Break Factor
Lighting is everything. Seriously.
- North-Facing Rooms: These rooms get cool, bluish light. This is the danger zone for Egret White. The cool light can suck the warmth out of the paint, leaving you with a wall that looks like wet cement or a very pale lilac. If you like a moody, cool vibe, go for it. If you want warmth, look elsewhere.
- South-Facing Rooms: This is where Egret White truly shines. The intense, warm sunlight washes over the gray and brings out the soft, creamy side of the color. It stays looking like a true off-white all day long.
- East/West Light: This is the "transitional" light. In the morning, an East-facing room will look bright and crisp. By the afternoon, as the sun moves, Egret White will settle into its gray-beige roots. It’s a dynamic color. It changes throughout the day.
You should also think about your light bulbs. If you use "Daylight" LED bulbs (5000K), Egret White is going to look very gray. If you use "Soft White" bulbs (2700K), it’s going to look much warmer and more beige. Most designers suggest a "Warm White" bulb around 3000K to 3500K to keep the color looking balanced.
Real World Application: Where Does It Work?
You shouldn't just slap this on every wall and hope for the best. Some spaces are better suited for it than others.
Kitchen Cabinets
Using Egret White on cabinets is a pro move. It’s a great alternative to the "all-white kitchen" trend that’s starting to feel a bit dated. When you use an off-white like Egret on cabinetry, it feels more like furniture. It has a "lived-in" elegance. Pair it with unlacquered brass hardware and a marble backsplash. The gray in the marble will talk to the gray in the paint. It's a match made in heaven.
🔗 Read more: Maternity slacks for work: Why finding the right pair is actually so hard
Exterior Siding
Because it has an LRV of 70, it’s a killer choice for an exterior. Outside, colors always look lighter than they do inside because of the sheer volume of natural light. A "Pure White" on a house can be blinding—it can literally hurt your eyes to look at it in the sun. Egret White outside looks like a clean, crisp white without the glare. It’s popular for "Modern Farmhouse" styles where you want that white look but need it to feel grounded.
The Whole-House Neutral
If you have an open-concept floor plan, Egret White is a safe bet. It’s neutral enough to flow from a kitchen into a living room without feeling jarring. It acts as a gallery backdrop. If you have colorful art or vibrant rugs, Egret White just sits back and lets the decor do the talking. It doesn't compete.
Why Most People Get It Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Egret White is just a "lighter version" of whatever greige is popular this week. It isn't. It’s a specific color with a specific personality.
A lot of people think they can just color-match it at a different paint store. Don't do that. Every paint brand (Benjamin Moore, Behr, Sherwin-Williams) uses different base whites and different chemical pigments. If you take the Sherwin-Williams code for Egret White to a big-box store and ask them to mix it in a different brand’s base, the undertones will shift. That tiny bit of violet might turn into a lot of pink. Or the gray might turn into a dingy green. If you want Egret White, buy Sherwin-Williams paint. It’s the only way to ensure the formula is actually what the designers intended.
Actionable Steps for Your Project
If you're leaning toward this color, don't just buy a gallon and start rolling. Follow this workflow to avoid a $500 mistake:
- Order a Peel-and-Stick Sample: Use a service like Samplize. They use real paint, not printed paper. Stick it on the wall and leave it there for 48 hours.
- Check the Corners: Place your sample in a corner where two walls meet. This is where shadows live. If Egret White is going to look "dirty," it’ll happen in the corners first.
- Test Against Your Trim: Hold the sample up against your existing baseboards and door frames. If your trim is a creamy, yellow-toned white, Egret White might make your trim look "old" or "unwashed." You want your trim to be brighter than your walls.
- Consider the Sheen: For walls, use a "Flat" or "Matte" finish to hide imperfections and keep the color looking soft. For trim, go with "Semi-Gloss" to create that necessary contrast.
- Look at the Floor: If you have gray-toned LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) or cool-toned tile, Egret White will feel very cohesive. If you have orange-toned 1990s oak, you might find that the paint and the floor are "fighting" each other.
Egret White isn't a "one size fits all" color. It’s a tool. When used in a room with the right light and the right flooring, it’s arguably one of the most beautiful, expensive-looking neutrals on the market. It feels intentional. It feels architectural. Just make sure your room's lighting is on the same page as the paint.