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Antique White by Sherwin Williams (SW-6119) is a classic, creamy color that works well with a traditional color palette. It adds warmth without being too bright and pairs with a wide variety of color palettes.
What Color is Antique White?
Antique White is a beautiful wall color that is creamy with a neutral base. It’s definitely not a pure white, and has distinct yellow-orange undertone which adds warmth to the appearance.
Instead of calling it a warm white, I prefer calling it a warm cream or warm off-white. This color is versatile in many different rooms as a wall color, but can be tricky on trim or cabinets.
In this kitchen photo, look over the window trim and you’ll get a good sense of how this paint color looks compared to a cleaner white.
What is The LRV of SW Antique White?
Light Reflectance Value (LRV) is an indicator of the amount of light that is reflected by a color when it is illuminated by a light source. A higher value (closer to 100) means that a color will reflect more light back at you and a lower value (closer to 0) means that a color will appear darker, or absorb more light.
Sherwin Williams Antique White has an LRV of 72 which means it’s got a good dose of depth to it but is still considered in the light family. It’s not quite as deep as some of the outdated off-whites you see in older homes, but has enough saturation to make you tread lightly when using this paint color.
Is it a Warm or Cool Color?
Antique White is definitely a warm paint color with its undertones of yellow-orange. Teetering between beige and yellow with its undertones, it’s important to stay in the warm color family when selecting complimentary colors.
What Are The Undertones of Antique White?
As I’ve alluded to, there are pretty obvious undertones with this paint color. With this cream color there is much yellow shown in the undertones with tiny hints of orange. However, while some creams can lean heavier on the orange side of the spectrum, Antique White does not.
Is Antique White a Beige Color?
It is close, but I wouldn’t say Antique White is a true beige. It’s more of an off-white with slight beige undertones present.
Can I Use Antique White on Kitchen Cabinets?
I highly recommend thinking twice before using Antique White on kitchen cabinets. While it can be done, it’s super tricky and can lead to annoyance down the road when trying to find pairing colors. Antique White is really best as a wall color, so I’d skip using this on cabinets or trim.
Is Antique White a Good Exterior Color?
It’s not the most popular choice, but it doesn’t look bad as an exterior paint color. If you don’t mind yellow undertones and want something creamy and mellow, Antique White could be a great choice for your exterior.
How Does Light Affect Antique White?
If you have north-facing rooms, using Antique White is a great way to offset some of that cool natural light—it works well for east-facing rooms too. In a south-facing rooms or ones that get afternoon western sunshine, Antique White really brings out its warmth, without appearing too bright or fluorescent.
How Can I Tone Down the Yellow of Antique White?
This is a tricky one. If you don’t want to repaint and select a different color and you’re stuck with Antique White cabinets, there are a few things you could do.
First, rethink your trim color. Avoid cool, bright whites or cool colors as those can look stark and opt for smoother, warm leaning whites, creams, or beiges. Even if you can’t repaint your walls or cabinets, revamping the trim and surrounding colors might help reduce the glare of Antique White’s undertones.
My best advice would be to embrace the yellow undertones and instead of trying to hide them, lean into their appearance and do the best you can with what you have. I know it seems counterintuitive, but if yellow is what you’ve got then it’s what you’ve got! Be thoughtful with what surrounding colors and decor you bring into the space and make the most of it.
Trim Colors for Antique White Walls
Normally I’d say a crisp, clean white trim like Sherwin-Williams Pure White is a safe bet but not for Antique White. With this creamy color, bright white is not the best option. They can make your home look sterile. You want a color that resides on the warm spectrum like Antique White does.
Sherwin Williams Creamy or Sherwin Williams Alabaster are both the perfect choice for trim colors on Antique White Walls.
What Color Goes with Antique White Cabinets?
Same rule of thumb applies here as with trim. While it’s not ideal to paint cabinets antique white, if you’ve already got them then we need to make the most of it. Don’t opt for SW Pure White, which is my usual go-to safe trim color, but instead lean softer and into the warm color family.
A beige or cream with similar undertones would work best.
SW Antique White vs. SW Creamy
Antique White SW and Creamy are both popular choices for those seeking a warm, inviting feel. Antique White has a deeper, yellowish-orange undertone that gives it a rich, creamy look, making it perfect for spaces that benefit from some warmth.
On the other hand, SW Creamy is lighter and has a softer yellow undertone, providing a brighter feel without being overpowering. It gives a more modern look than the traditional look of Antique White.
SW Antique White vs. BM Navajo White
While quite similar in color and depth, Antique White leans into yellowish-orange undertones, providing a rich creaminess that adds depth to any space. In contrast, BM Navajo White has a more pronounced golden undertone, giving it a slightly brighter and more buttery appearance.
SW Antique White vs. SW Casa Blanca
Casa Blanca steps towards a slightly more beige direction, with softer golden undertones that offer a hint of elegance. While Antique White provides a more pronounced warmth, Casa Blanca is excellent for those seeking a neutral with a touch of sophistication and a less creamy look.
SW Antique White vs. BM Windham Cream
Windham Cream by Benjamin Moore is significantly richer and more vibrant, with a distinct yellow undertone that gives it a more luminous, almost golden appearance. If you’re aiming for a subdued and classic warmth, Antique White is the way to go, whereas Windham Cream is better suited for those looking for a bolder, brighter statement in their space.
Final Thoughts
Antique White is a timeless choice with a warm, welcoming feel, thanks to its subtle yellow undertones. This color thrives in spaces with natural light and lots of windows, particularly in rooms facing west in the afternoon or where it can bask in the glow of ample sunlight.
You probably wouldn’t want to use this in your whole house, but a few select rooms like the master bedroom, living room, or small home office can look really soothing.
The creamy appearance makes it an excellent option for anyone looking to add a touch of classic elegance to their home!
