Picking a white paint color should be easy - but it's not.
Having a home that makes you feel good is important, and choosing paint color plays a huge role in that. But there are so many different shades of white, you want to be sure you're choosing the right one.
That's why I'm on a mission to help you choose the right white paint for your home. Today let's dive into Dover White Sherwin-Williams, a soft, warm white paint that's perfect for full walls in any room.
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What Color is Dover White Sherwin Williams?
Sherwin Williams Dover White paint is a soft, creamy neutral with enough colorant to keep it from being a true white.
(Be careful not to confuse Sherwin Williams Dover White with another popular white paint, White Dove by Benjamin Moore. Their names are similar and they are both white paints, but they are not the same color. People often call Sherwin Williams Dover White Dove White Sherwin Williams by accident.)
Is SW Dover White paint warm or cool?
Dover White is warm and sunny, with a cheerful vibe that brightens up a room.
What are Sherwin Williams Dover White undertones?
Dover White Sherwin Williams has a golden yellow undertone which lends itself particularly well to country or modern farmhouse decor and a warm whole house color palette.
In north facing rooms, Dover White's creaminess will be more prominent. In south facing rooms or rooms with a lot of natural light, its sunniness (and yellow undertones) will be emphasized. Even in small rooms like bathrooms with low or no natural light and where white paint can look drab, Dover White will brighten it up.
(Check out this easy trick to help you immediately figure out paint undertone and avoid unnecessary undertone surprises.)
Does Dover White look yellow?
Ain't gonna lie. Yes.
Not an "in your face" yellow, but you'll likely see that strong hint of yellow coming through. Whether that's desirable or not depends on what your goals are for the room and what other colors and room style elements like furniture, flooring, and metals are present.
If you’re not sure what your room style is, put down your paint brush and head over to How to Find Your Decorating Style. Knowing your style before you choose paint is vital and will save you a ton of stress (not to mention money!)
If you want to neutralize the yellow tendency, pair SW Dover White with lots of cool black or dark accents and dark wood stains.
What is the Dover White LRV?
Understanding LRV is important. LRV means Light Reflective Value (on a scale of 1-100) and it impacts how you see the colors, both outside and indoors under natural and artificial light. The higher the LRV, the more likely the paint is to reflect light and pick up the colors around them.
Whites are in the highest LRV range of 70-96 (with an LRV of 96, High Reflective White is Sherwin-Williams' brightest white), so whites reflect rather than absorb the most light. - In contrast, Tricorn Black SW 6258 has an LRV of just under 3.
SW Dover White's LRV is 83, meaning it's not a glaring white and is easy enough on the eyes to use for walls.
The light reflection issue is one reason I always recommend Samplize peel and stick paint samples so you can easily test SW Dover White - or any other paint color - on the wall in your own unique lighting conditions and avoid costly paint mistakes.
The Best Way To Test Paint Colors On Your Walls
No need to buy paint samples and paint big squares of each color on your walls! Samplize offers peel and stick paint samples from all major paint brands delivered to your door so you can put them up on the wall with no mess.
Dover White Sherwin-Williams Vs Other White Paint
Dover White vs Alabaster
Sherwin Williams Alabaster 7008 has a slight beige undertone and unlike SW Dover White, will not look yellow. In fact Alabaster's calm neutrality makes it much more likely to behave itself with a wider variety of styles, colors, and finishes than Sherwin Williams Dover White. If you prefer a more adaptable white that won't look yellow, Alabaster wins the vote.
Dover White trim with Alabaster walls can work but they aren't paired together normally. Be sure to test first.
PinDover White vs Pure White
Like Alabaster, Pure White SW 7005 is a soft neutral white. It lacks the warm coziness of Dover White and is more likely to be used on trim and cabinets while Dover is happiest on walls. Although Pure White isn't crisp enough as white trim to provide a strong contrast, Dover White walls with Pure White trim can still look lovely together.
PinDover White vs Creamy
Creamy by Sherwin Williams could easily be mistaken for Sherwin Williams Dover White when viewing them side by side, but there are subtle differences. Creamy's yellow undertone is more reserved and its room ambiance leans softer and well, creamier, than Dover White. Creamy is extremely popular on vintage furniture.
PinSherwin-Williams Dover White Room Examples
Let's take a look at some real life examples to help you visualize Dover White in a number of different settings.
Sherwin Williams Dover White Exterior
On the exterior Dover White can look stunning as a trim or primary color especially when it's paired with dark accent colors and wood. SW Dover White is most commonly used on modern farmhouse style home exteriors.
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PinDover White Walls
Both these rooms used a crisp white to contrast with Dover White walls. The neutral color palette here is cozy and inviting.
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PinDover White Cabinets
Notice how different lighting and room conditions affect color. Sherwin Williams Dover White leans into its warm yellow side in this kitchen by Kylie M. Interiors, while it looks much cooler and whiter with this blue island (SW6226 Languid Blue) in a kitchen featured by Home Bunch.
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PinDover White Trim
That chameleon quality in Dover White's "now you see it, now you don't" golden undertone is illustrated vividly in these photos below.
Both these gorgeous stairway trims look super white thanks to lots of natural light in the space. Lantern Lane Designs also carried Dover White from the stair rails into the board and batten hallway.
Layla from The Lettered Cottage describes Sherwin Williams Dover White as her "spirit color" and used it throughout their 1925 cottage home renovation. It's shown here on the steps, rails, and moulding.
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PinIn contrast, Dover's pale gold unmistakably peeks through on shiplap in this cozy, appealing farmhouse style bedroom. Same color, different lighting conditions.
(Love shiplap? Check out these inspiring modern shiplap fireplace ideas!)
Dover White Complementary Colors
If you've settled on Dover White walls, it's a safe bet to go ahead and put it on the trim also (in semi-gloss), especially if other whites are in the room (like a kitchen or bathroom). Too many white shades can end up clashing and look like an "oops" instead of a well-thought out paint color palette.
If you're concerned about too much warmth with SW Dover White trim and walls, you can't go wrong with High Reflective White SW 7757 for the trim. You'll get a nice contrast plus High Reflective White will rein in that warmth and provide balance.
A Dover White color palette pairs well with a lovely autumn shade like Dakota Wheat SW 9023 or a bold statement blue like Waterloo SW 9141.
PinFrequently Asked Questions - Dover White Paint
Is White Dove the same color as Dover White?
White Dove Benjamin Moore and Dover White Sherwin Williams are not the same color. White Dove is a cool white with gray blue undertones while Dover White is warmer and leans creamy yellow.
What is Sherwin Williams equivalent to White Dove?
Sherwin Williams equivalent to White Dove by Benjamin Moore is Alabaster SW or Snowbound SW.
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