Sherwin Williams Snowbound is an extremely popular white paint colour. This shade is a beautiful soft white that brightens a space without looking too sharp.
Choosing white paint might sound simple, but it’s notoriously tricky, since countless subtle differences can make a surprisingly big impact.
Rather than picking a brand-new white for every project, I’m a big fan of keeping a few reliable favourites that suit almost any space.
I recently published a detailed colour review of Benjamin Moore’s Simply White, one of my go-to whites. It’s a clean white that has worked beautifully for my trim, walls and kitchen cabinets!
In this post I’m sharing another designer favourite white with you: Sherwin Williams Snowbound (SW 7004). It’s a neutral white that looks crisp and clean, yet also feels soft and creamy.
With qualities this versatile, it’s no surprise that SW Snowbound is so often picked for walls, trim, ceilings and even exteriors.
Ready to learn more about this beautiful white? Let’s dive in!
Pro Tip
Whenever you choose a new paint colour, you should test the real paint colour in your own home first!
The easiest, quickest way to do that is with Samplize! I use them exclusively for paint samples now. There’s no mess and no leftover pots of paint. Plus, these peel-and-stick rectangles are made from real paint, so they’re easy to move around the room and simple to keep for future reference!
Order Real Paint Samples
What Colour Is Sherwin Williams Snowbound?
Here are some quick facts to know about this fantastic shade:
- A neutral off-white with a slightly cool tone and subtle grey undertones
- A light white with an LRV of 83
- A favourite for walls, ceilings, trim and exteriors
- A soft white that’s neither too bright nor too creamy
The Undertones of Snowbound
Snowbound is a versatile white with very mild grey undertones. It won’t look grey on your walls, though. Those grey undertones give this very light white a soft, slightly muted quality so it never looks overly cold.
You may be surprised to learn that Sherwin Williams Snowbound also has subtle taupe (pinkish-purple) undertones. They aren’t strong enough to make a wall look pink. Instead, they add a touch of warmth and soften this bright white so it’s never cold or sharp.
One of the most striking things about white paints is how much surrounding colours and light can change them. This is especially true of Snowbound: in cool northern light, its soft, muted side comes through more clearly.
In warm southern light, it’s more likely to read as a clean white, perhaps with a tiny hint of taupe in west-facing evening light.
What you won’t notice is a yellow undertone. It may pick up some yellow next to yellow décor, but on its own it doesn’t have creamy yellow undertones.
The LRV of SW Snowbound
Light reflectance value (LRV) measures how much light a paint colour reflects rather than absorbs. A higher LRV means more light is reflected. Put simply, LRV 100 is pure white and LRV 0 is pure black.
Snowbound has a Light Reflectance Value of 83.
Because it reflects so much light, it’s safe to call it bright without being blindingly white. It sits right on the line between white and off-white, so in dim natural light it may look more muted and off-white. In good natural light, Snowbound reads as white.
Colours That Coordinate with Sherwin Williams Snowbound
SW Snowbound is a little fussier than some other whites, so I’d steer clear of pairing it with anything too warm, such as true beiges. Sherwin Williams suggests partnering it with grey-tinged shades such as:
- Colonnade Gray
- Autumn Orchard
I love pairing it with some of my own favourites, including:
- Repose Gray
- Mindful Gray
- Silver Strand
- Aqua-Sphere
- Copen Blue
- Argos
- Naval
- Sea Salt
The Best Trim Colours to Pair with Snowbound
If you choose Snowbound for your walls, you’ll need to decide on a trim colour.
One option is to paint your trim in Snowbound too. If you love the shade but worry about its undertones, this is a great way to tone them down.
You can add contrast between trim and walls even when the shades match by using different paint finishes. I suggest semi-gloss on the trim to make it look a little brighter, and eggshell on the interior walls to make the wall colour appear slightly deeper.
The other approach for trim with SW Snowbound walls is to choose a brighter white.
Good choices include Sherwin Williams High Reflective White and Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace. (Chantilly Lace is my go-to ceiling colour, so it’s a great pick for a crisp white!) You could also choose Simply White by Benjamin Moore, which is a slightly brighter shade.
Snowbound Compared with Other Whites
Whites are some of the trickiest colours to pair with other whites. Each has an undertone, and some combine well while others clash. Let’s see how these popular off-whites compare.
Snowbound vs. Alabaster
Alabaster has warm, beige undertones, whereas Snowbound has much cooler ones. Alabaster pairs well with creams, beiges and greige shades, while Snowbound suits greys, greige and other cool off-whites. Ultimately, both firmly belong in the off-white family.
Snowbound vs. Simply White
Simply White is a very creamy off-white that can look yellowish next to a true white, so I wouldn’t pair it with Snowbound.
Snowbound vs. Extra White
SW Extra White has a blue-white hue, and next to Snowbound you would definitely notice that cool undertone, so I wouldn’t combine the two. If you want a truer white to pair with Snowbound, I’d choose Sherwin Williams Pure White instead.
Where Can You Use Sherwin Williams Snowbound?
Snowbound by Sherwin Williams is one of the most versatile and timeless whites around. You can use it with confidence almost anywhere! Try it for:
- Wall moulding
- Trim
- Ceilings
- Interior walls
- Exteriors
Is Sherwin Williams Snowbound a good colour for cabinets?
To be honest, it isn’t my first choice, as its undertones can be tricky and it often doesn’t look great with many countertops and backsplashes.
That said, if you have dark countertops without much peach, pink or greige in them, Snowbound can look lovely.
Home Styles That Suit Snowbound
There really isn’t a home style that doesn’t suit Snowbound. It’s a fairly neutral shade that works with almost any look, including:
- Farmhouse
- Traditional
- Transitional
- And many more
Rooms Painted in Sherwin Williams Snowbound
I’ve gathered a few examples of SW Snowbound (SW 7004) to show how it looks in different rooms and lighting. Notice how different décor colours and settings change the way Snowbound appears.
A Kitchen Painted in Snowbound
Sarah at Room For Tuesday used SW Snowbound on the walls and trim of this kitchen makeover. It’s the perfect shade even in an all-white kitchen, because its softness brings the different whites together into one cohesive design.
Living Room in Sherwin Williams Snowbound
Jennifer at City Farmhouse refreshed her living room in her new home by painting the walls Sherwin Williams Snowbound. This soft white has an almost off-white quality, so it looks light without glaring in natural light. Beautiful!
Bedroom in SW Snowbound
Bedrooms are our place to unwind, so I lean towards calming colours for them (see my top bedroom paint picks here!). Snowbound is an excellent choice for bedrooms because it’s light yet soft. It encourages relaxation and calm without turning the room into a cave.
I love this photo from The Spoiled Home because it shows Snowbound’s range and potential. Notice the greyer look in the shadows and the blush of pink on the walls, reflected from the accent pillows and décor.
Bathroom Painted SW Snowbound
One look at this bathroom from Maison de Pax and you can see that Snowbound suits nearly any space. It looks timeless alongside navy blue, offering lovely contrast with such a bold colour without feeling stark or harsh.
What’s more, this bathroom gets little natural light, yet you’d never guess it, thanks to how bright and spacious Snowbound makes it feel!
Snowbound Sherwin Williams Exterior
Very light whites can be overwhelming on home exteriors, as sunlight can make them look blindingly white. Snowbound, however, is perfect outside, like this home from Grace in My Space. It reads as a bright white without ever looking glaring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sherwin Williams Snowbound Warm or Cool?
Snowbound leans warm, but only slightly. Its very subtle taupe undertones add some warmth, while its mild grey undertones soften it and give it a muted look.
Does Sherwin Williams Snowbound look yellow?
Not at all. Although it’s a white with a hint of warmth, this colour doesn’t have the yellow undertones found in creamier whites.
How do I choose a white paint color?
Choosing a white paint colour is genuinely challenging! Check out my article on how to choose a white paint colour for tips and tricks that make the job easier.
Can you see why I adore this gorgeous white? Sherwin Williams Snowbound may not be the most versatile white out there, but it’s perfect for anyone looking for a neutral white that isn’t too bright.
More Paint Colors
If you’re looking for reliable go-to shades for your home, here are a few of my favourites:
Tools to Help You Paint a Room Yourself
Here are some handy tools for painting a room yourself. I suggest starting with my tips for painting a room in 5 easy steps. I do nearly all of my own painting, and these tools make the job easier and give professional-looking results!
- Paint Brush – These brushes cost a little more than basic ones, but they’re worth every penny! I’ve used them for over a decade, and if you rinse them thoroughly after each use, they’ll last for years.
- Painter’s Tape – an ESSENTIAL for masking edges. You’ll want to tape off every edge if your hand isn’t steady.
- Drop Cloths – a must-have for protecting flooring and furniture from drips.
- Paint Cup – Sure, you could use any old cup, but I swear by this one. The magnetic piece holds your brush neatly in place when you take a break. It also fits my hand perfectly and stops it from cramping.
- Roller Tray – I’ve found the only paint tray I’ll ever use again. The magnetic section is great for holding the roller in place. The liners feel like a luxury, but I won’t paint without them because they make cleanup a breeze!
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