BM Decorator's White vs SW Pure White: What’s the Difference?

Choosing the perfect crisp white paint color can be challenging. Two of the most popular options are Benjamin Moore’s Decorator’s White CC-20 and Sherwin Williams’ Pure White SW 7005. At first glance these two bright whites may seem identical. But upon closer inspection there are subtle differences between Decorator’s White and Pure White.

In this guide, we’ll do an in-depth comparison of Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White vs Sherwin Williams Pure White. We’ll analyze undertones, light reflectance, real-life photos, room pairings and more. Read on to determine which bright white paint color is right for your space.

Table of Contents

Overview of Key Differences

Before diving into the details, here is a quick overview of how Decorator’s White and Pure White differ:

Undertones – Decorator’s White is a true white, Pure White leans slightly cool
Light Reflectance – Decorator’s White LRV is 82.68, Pure White LRV is 84
Use – Both serve well as an all-over wall color
Rooms – Decorator’s White balances warmth, Pure White energizes
Availability – Both come in any finish

Now let’s explore Decorator’s White and Pure White more thoroughly.

Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White CC-20

With its clean bright white appearance, Decorator’s White CC-20 creates an airy, welcoming backdrop suitable for any space. This versatile neutral works in both modern and traditional homes.

Here are some key details about Decorator’s White:

LRV: 82.68
Undertones: True white
Finishes: Available in all sheens
Rooms: Throughout the home
Pairs Well With: All colors

Decorator’s White is an unbiased, true white without strong cool or warm undertones. Under different lighting it maintains its clean white look. This versatile neutral has timeless appeal.

The high 82.68 light reflectance value keeps Decorator’s White feeling open and airy rather than stark. It’s bright while still feeling soft and welcoming.

As a true white, Decorator’s White complements any color scheme beautifully. Popular pairings include:

Deep colors like navy blue and black
Warm wood tones like oak and walnut
Stainless steel and chrome
Vibrant accent colors like red, yellow and teal

Decorator’s White is suitable in every room of the home. It excels at creating a clean backdrop to unify and brighten any space. Some top rooms include:

Living Rooms
Bedrooms
Kitchens
Bathrooms
Hallways

Use Decorator’s White as your blank canvas upon which to build any color scheme. Its versatility allows all your other hues to shine.

Sherwin Williams Pure White SW 7005

With its crisp clean white appearance, Pure White SW 7005 creates an airy, welcoming backdrop suitable for varied spaces. This versatile neutral complements any style.

Here are some details about Pure White:

LRV: 84
Undertones: Slightly cool
Finishes: Any sheen
Rooms: Throughout the home
Pairs Well With: All colors

Pure White is a clean, bright white with just a hint of coolness. Under different lighting it maintains a consistent crisp white appearance. This versatile neutral has widespread appeal.

The ultra-high 84 light reflectance value gives Pure White exceptional brightness with less glare. It feels soft despite the intensity.

As a slightly cool white, Pure White complements both warm and cool color schemes beautifully. Popular pairings include:

Deep colors like navy blue and black
Warm wood tones like oak and mahogany
Stainless steel and chrome
Vibrant accent colors like red, yellow and emerald

Pure White excels anywhere you want a clean backdrop to open up and brighten the space. Some top rooms include:

Bathrooms
Kitchens
Hallways
Bedrooms
Living Rooms

Use Pure White’s luminous brightness as your blank slate to allow other colors to shine through.

Comparing Decorator’s White vs Pure White

Now that we’ve looked at Decorator’s White and Pure White individually, let’s directly compare them:

Light Reflectance

Both whites have high LRVs. Pure White is slightly brighter at 84 vs 82.68 for Decorator’s White.

Undertones

Decorator’s White is a true white while Pure White leans ever so slightly cool. The difference is very faint.

Use & Rooms

Both serve well as an all-over white wall color throughout the home.

Availability

Decorator’s White and Pure White come in any sheen from flat to high-gloss.

Style

Their versatile neutrality allows both to complement any style. Pure White trends a bit more contemporary.

Paint Color	Decorator’s White CC-20	Pure White SW 7005
LRV	82.68	84
Undertones	True white	Slightly cool
Use	All-over wall color	All-over wall color
Finish	Any sheen	Any sheen
Style	Transitional	Slightly contemporary

Real-Life Photos: Decorator’s White vs Pure White

Let’s look at real-life photos to compare Decorator’s White and Pure White:

Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White

Sherwin Williams Pure White

While they appear very similar, you can notice Decorator’s White is a tinge warmer, while Pure White has subtle coolness. The difference is minor and lighting plays a role.

Should I Choose Decorator’s White or Pure White?

So how do you choose between Decorator’s White and Pure White for your home? Here are some tips:

Consider Decorator’s White CC-20 if you want:

A true bright white without undertones
A warm and welcoming feel
Flexible neutrality across styles
Classic timeless versatility

Consider Pure White SW 7005 if you want:

A crisp bright white with subtle coolness
A clean, contemporary vibe
Energizing bright walls
Airy openness and breathability

Get color samples of both Decorator’s White and Pure White. Paint large test swatches to view throughout the day. This gives you a sense of how the undertones shift.

Also, hold decor items you plan to use near the swatches to envision how they’ll look together. Both are beautiful versatile white paint colors.

Ideal Room Pairings

Here are some rooms that are well-suited to Decorator’s White and Pure White paint colors:

Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White

Living Rooms
Bedrooms
Dining Rooms
Entryways
Hallways

Sherwin Williams Pure White

Bathrooms
Kitchens
Laundry Rooms
Hallways
Offices

Both work well throughout the home. But the above applications take advantage of their slight differences in undertone temperature.

Decorating Ideas and Color Pairings

On their own, Decorator’s White and Pure White make clean statements. Accent with other colors and materials:

Decorator’s White CC-20 Pairs Well With:

Warm woods like oak and walnut
Black accents and hardware
Vibrant accent colors like emerald green
Metallic finishes like bronze and gold

Pure White SW 7005 Pairs Well With:

Cool grays and blues
Stainless steel and chrome
Vibrant accent colors like fuchsia and turquoise
Glossy and lacquered finishes

Their shared brightness complements any scheme. Emphasize their subtle warm vs cool undertones with your accents.

Decorator’s White vs Pure White – Which is Better?

So which crisp white paint color is better for your space, Decorator’s White or Pure White?

Consider Decorator’s White CC-20 if you want:

A true bright white without undertones
A warm and welcoming feel
Flexible neutrality across styles
Classic timeless versatility

Consider Pure White SW 7005 if you want:

A crisp bright white with subtle coolness
A clean, contemporary vibe
Energizing bright walls
Airy openness and breathability

Both are fantastic all-over white paint colors. Decorator’s White is slightly warmer and more flexible. Pure White has a cooler contemporary appeal.

Get color swatches of each. Paint white test patches in your rooms. View them at different times, with your decor, and in different lighting to make the best decision. Either will beautifully and brightly suit your space!

Frequently Asked Questions

Still trying to decide between Decorator’s White and Pure White? Here are answers to some common questions:

What’s the main difference between Decorator’s White and Pure White?

The main subtle difference is Decorator’s White has no strong undertone, while Pure White leans ever so slightly cool. The contrast is minor though.

Which white would look best in a north facing room?

Pure White would add luminosity and brightness to a north facing space without looking too cold. Its 84 LRV brightens the cooler light.

Can you use Decorator’s White in a bathroom?

Yes, Decorator’s White would look beautiful in a bathroom. It would reflect light for an airy feel while also warming up the space subtly with its true white undertone.