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Alpaca by Sherwin Williams (SW 7022) is a greige neutral paint color that is a bit warmer than a traditional gray color, leaning toward more of a taupe paint color with strong undertones.
Alpaca can be a confusing color- you may be wondering whether it’s a gray, beige, or greige paint color. This color is a bit of a chameleon so it can be hard to tell!
Alpaca is a bit warmer than a traditional gray, leaning toward more of a taupe color with strong undertones. While it’s not amongst the most popular colors from Sherwin Williams, it can be a really pretty choice for walls and cabinetry in the right space.
What Are The Undertones of SW Alpaca?
Alpaca has some strong warm undertones shining through. Depending on the circumstances you can see brown, taupe, and even violet undertones. Again the chameleon nature of this color can come out depending on the lighting environment.
In a south-facing room you will see the warmth shine through, and it can tend to look more taupe than gray. In a north-facing room you will see more cool gray undertones, but you can still feel the warmth.
Light can play a huge role in how neutral paint colors actually end up looking in a space. Hidden undertones can sneak through depending on what’s outside your windows, the amount of natural light, as well as the artificial light in your room.
What’s The LRV?
SW Alpaca has an LRV of 57 making it a light paint color.
If I’m using this paint color on my walls, what white trim color will look best?
Sherwin Williams Pure White is a good choice for a bright white that works well with warmer colors like Alpaca. For a warmer, soft look for trim SW Alabaster would also work.
Is SW Alpaca a Good Exterior Paint Color?
Alpaca is not a very popular choice for exterior design because it’s a bit risky. Although it might look like a nice warm beige at first, it can show unexpected purple and pink undertones in different lights.
This can make your house look different than you might want. Using Alpaca outside can be a gamble because it might not turn out the way you expect, especially next to other colors or in natural light.
What Colors Pair Well with Alpaca?
Alpaca goes well with a few specific colors that help bring out its best qualities. Pairing it with crisp whites like Pure White can make the space feel bright and clean.
Colors with a similar taupe/violet undertone will pair well. One should color is Moonlit Orchid, which adds a nice contrast.
Where Can I Use Alpaca?
Many interior spaces will look beautiful with Alpaca. Most often you will see it be the main color in a room like a dining room, living room, bedrooms, bathrooms, on an accent wall or on kitchen cabinets.
Real Room Examples
Here are some examples of Alpaca in different spaces so you can get an idea of how it looks. Most neutral paint colors can be used in a wide array of spaces.
Bathroom
This first image is a great example of Alpaca done right. You can see that with all the brown in this bathroom, Alpaca worked well this space.
It adds the perfect amount of warmth to the space, and the white trim adds a crispness needed to brighten the space.
The taupe (and slightly purple/violet) undertone is quite apparent in this space but with the right colors it looks just lovely.
Nursery
Since there’s enough light the paint color is brightened up. You see less brown and taupe and more of a warmer gray, neutral color. It was the perfect choice for this nursery!
This goes to show the decor and lighting plays a huge role in the result of this color in your spaces.
Living Room
Pop goes the violet undertones in this space. With the darker decor and violet chairs and accents you can see more of the violet undertones shine through. It plays out more taupe than gray in this space.
Alpaca vs. Agreeable Gray
These two paint colors are very similar, however you can see when placed next to each other, that Agreeable Gray is more of a greige and Alpaca has more brown and taupe in it.
Agreeable gray has an LRV of 60, which means it’s a brighter color than Alpaca, but they are quite similar in terms of depth of color.
Don’t Forget…
Don’t forget – no matter what you’ve read or photos you’ve seen online, it’s really important to sample paint colors in your home before committing!
Samplize provides real paint samples that are easy to move around your home, and cheaper than buying a gazillion paint pots! It’s the only way I buy paint samples.
Final Thoughts
Sherwin Williams Alpaca sure is a tricky color to work with. So many factors are in play when it comes to using this paint color. Whether it is lighting or decor, you can end up with a completely different looking paint color. The best way to ensure it’s right for you is to use Samplize sheets first.
So play it safe, do you homework and sample this color in your spaces, to ensure you are happy with the choice you make.
I have SW Alpaca painted on my kitchen cabinets with SW Alabaster walls. It is a West facing room but also gets East light all day. At different angles it reads a bit too purple and other angles it’s perfect. I currently have four glass front cabinets with SW Studio Mauve on the bread board back wall. I think this might be contributing to the Violet undertones. Do you think painting the bead board background SW Billiard Green would help combat all the purple? Any other decor suggestions to help neutralize the Violet undertones?
This post is so helpful. I have an office/library/waiting area that it all Alpaca. I need the space lightened up and a designer suggested Silver Fox to use, but I feel like that is so close. I was thinking Agreeable Gray would be better because it is lighter than Alpaca, but after your post I’m convinced it won’t be light enough. Any recommendations for something a couple of shades lighter than Alpaca?
If you like the color but it’s not light enough, try getting it lightened by 50% at the paint store.
I’m thinking of painting a masterbedroom and bathroom in Alpaca. My floors will be Lifeproof vinyl planking from Home Depot in the Alexandria Oak color. My bathroom cabinets will be by Kitchenmaid in the Lagoon color. I am going for a beachy feel with blues and tan/beige colors. My bedroom set is an antique white by Ashley. I’m curious of your thoughts to using Alpaca for the wall color. There will not be a windows in the bathroom and 2 windows in bedroom but with room darkening curtains.
We have honey oak molding throughout and Alpaca looks AMAZING with it.
We have the 90’s honey oak EVERYTHING.
Our kitchen cabinets, base boards, stairwell railings…
I am working on a plan to redecorate and want to embrace the honey oak. Would this color work? I read your other article about the colors that work best for Honey Oak. I am loving the Salamander for our dining room to add that sexy pop of color. I want to complement the rest of the home but keep it a little more calmer.
Thoughts?
In theory – yes….but I wouldn’t use it as a whole house wall color unless you’re fine with that slightly pinkish/taupe undertone which may pop up in certain rooms.