BM White Dove Vs SW Alabaster: What's the Difference?

With so many gorgeous whites and off-whites on the market, it can be difficult to pick the perfect one for your home. Two of the most popular are Benjamin Moore’s White Dove OC-17 and Sherwin-Williams’ Alabaster SW 7008. But what really sets these beautiful, neutral paint colors apart?

In this guide, we’ll analyze White Dove and Alabaster in depth, comparing undertones, finishes, light reflectance, real photos, and ideal room uses. Read on to determine if White Dove or Alabaster is the best soft white for your interior design.

Key Differences Between White Dove and Alabaster

Before diving into details, here is an overview of the main differences between White Dove and Alabaster:

Undertones – White Dove has subtle warm pink, Alabaster has cool yellow-gray
Light Reflectance – White Dove has an LRV of 83.16, Alabaster has an LRV of 82
Look – White Dove is softer and warmer, Alabaster is crisper and cooler
Use – White Dove suits traditional spaces, Alabaster better for modern rooms
Rooms – White Dove recommended for bedrooms, Alabaster ideal for kitchens

Now let’s explore White Dove and Alabaster paint colors more closely.

Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17

A beloved classic, White Dove OC-17 is the quintessential warm white. This versatile neutral provides a clean, welcoming backdrop.

Here are some key facts about White Dove:

LRV: 83.16
Undertones: Subtle pink beige
Sheen: Available in all sheens
Rooms: Whole home, especially bedrooms and living rooms
Pairings: Grays, blues, greens, yellows

White Dove lives up to its name with a crisp white appearance coupled with the softest warm beige-pink undertone. In certain lighting, the pinkish tint emerges lending a gentle radiance.

With an 83.16 light reflectance value, White Dove supplies sufficient brightness for most spaces without feeling stark. The barely perceptible warmth prevents a sterile feel.

This versatile favorite complements both cool and warm palettes equally. Especially popular combinations include:

Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
Benjamin Moore Coastal Fog
Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
Benjamin Moore Chili Pepper Red

Use White Dove to infuse spaces with quiet warmth and refinement. This elegant neutral backdrop works across styles from modern to farmhouse. It’s recommended for:

Bedrooms
Living rooms
Dining rooms
Offices
Entryways

Sherwin-Williams Alabaster SW 7008

With its clean, bright white appearance, Alabaster SW 7008 immediately brightens up any space. This versatile neutral provides an airy backdrop.

Here are some key details about Sherwin-Williams’ Alabaster paint color:

LRV: 82
Undertones: Subtle cool green-gray
Sheen: Flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss
Rooms: Whole home, especially kitchens and baths
Pairings: Grays, blues, greens

Alabaster is a gorgeous crisp white with the faintest whisper of green-gray. In certain lighting, it can read as an extremely subtle cool tone. Overall it remains very close to a true white.

With an 82 light reflectance value, Alabaster maximizes brightness. This makes it ideal for any space needing ample illumination. The barely perceptible coolness prevents it from feeling sterile.

Alabaster’s clean, fresh color immediately awakens rooms with its renewed look. This versatile neutral coordinates beautifully with both cool and warm accents. Especially popular combinations include:

Sherwin-Williams Agreeable Gray
Sherwin-Williams Oceanside
Sherwin-Williams Naval
Sherwin-Williams Peppercorn

Use Alabaster to create serene, airy spaces with an open, minimalist feel. This relaxed backdrop helps rooms feel uncluttered and tranquil. It works in any area but really excels in these:

Kitchens
Bathrooms
Ceilings
Trim/moldings
Small spaces

Comparing White Dove and Alabaster

Now that we’ve looked at White Dove and Alabaster individually, let’s directly compare the two paint colors:

Light Reflectance

With LRVs of 83.16 and 82 respectively, Alabaster reflects a bit more light than White Dove. However, both offer sufficient brightness for most spaces.

Undertones

Here is where the main difference lies. White Dove has the subtlest hint of warm beige-pink. Alabaster has faint cool green-gray undertones.

White Dove’s barely perceptible pinkness gives it a soft, welcoming look. Alabaster’s coolness provides a brighter, crisper appearance.

Uses

Thanks to its slightly higher reflectance and crispness, Alabaster works well throughout homes for a cohesive brightness.

White Dove’s subtle warmth makes it ideal for living areas where a welcoming vibe is preferred. Its tone remains flexible across spaces though.

Aesthetic

White Dove’s faint pinkness gives it an elegant, transitional look perfect for traditional decors.

Alabaster’s barely-there coolness lends a brighter, more contemporary vibe suited to modern spaces.

White Dove vs Alabaster Comparison Chart

Here is an overview of some key differences between White Dove and Alabaster:

Paint Color	White Dove OC-17	Alabaster SW 7008
LRV	83.16	82
Undertones	Pink beige	Green-gray
Use	Bedrooms, living rooms	Kitchens, baths, trim
Aesthetic	Traditional, transitional	Modern, contemporary
Sheen	All sheens	All sheens

Real Room Photos – White Dove vs Alabaster

To better visualize the variations between White Dove and Alabaster, let’s look at real room photos showcasing the paint colors:

White Dove

A beloved classic, White Dove OC-17 is the quintessential warm white. This versatile neutral provides a clean, welcoming backdrop.

Here are some key facts about White Dove:

LRV: 83.16
Undertones: Subtle pink beige
Sheen: Available in all sheens
Rooms: Whole home, especially bedrooms and living rooms
Pairings: Grays, blues, greens, yellows

White Dove lives up to its name with a crisp white appearance coupled with the softest warm beige-pink undertone. In certain lighting, the pinkish tint emerges lending a gentle radiance.

With an 83.16 light reflectance value, White Dove supplies sufficient brightness for most spaces without feeling stark. The barely perceptible warmth prevents a sterile feel.

This versatile favorite complements both cool and warm palettes equally. Especially popular combinations include:

Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
Benjamin Moore Coastal Fog
Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
Benjamin Moore Chili Pepper Red

Use White Dove to infuse spaces with quiet warmth and refinement. This elegant neutral backdrop works across styles from modern to farmhouse. It’s recommended for:

Bedrooms
Living rooms
Dining rooms
Offices
Entryways

Alabaster

With its clean, bright white appearance, Alabaster SW 7008 immediately brightens up any space. This versatile neutral provides an airy backdrop.

Here are some key details about Sherwin-Williams’ Alabaster paint color:

LRV: 82
Undertones: Subtle cool green-gray
Sheen: Flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss
Rooms: Whole home, especially kitchens and baths
Pairings: Grays, blues, greens

Alabaster is a gorgeous crisp white with the faintest whisper of green-gray. In certain lighting, it can read as an extremely subtle cool tone. Overall it remains very close to a true white.

With an 82 light reflectance value, Alabaster maximizes brightness. This makes it ideal for any space needing ample illumination. The barely perceptible coolness prevents it from feeling sterile.

Sherwin-Williams Agreeable Gray
Sherwin-Williams Oceanside
Sherwin-Williams Naval
Sherwin-Williams Peppercorn

Use Alabaster to create serene, airy spaces with an open, minimalist feel. This relaxed backdrop helps rooms feel uncluttered and tranquil. It works in any area but really excels in these:

Kitchens
Bathrooms
Ceilings
Trim/moldings
Small spaces

In the photos, White Dove comes across as softer and warmer, while Alabaster appears crisper and brighter. But lighting affects their look – they can seem quite similar in some conditions.

Should I Choose White Dove or Alabaster?

So how do you decide between White Dove vs Alabaster for your home? Here are a few tips:

Choose White Dove if you want:

A white with subtle warm pink undertones
A welcoming backdrop for bedrooms and living areas
A soft, flexible neutral across styles
Understated elegance and warmth

Choose Alabaster if you want:

A clean, bright white with barely cool undertones
Crisp, airy feel for kitchens and baths
A versatile foundational color
A modern, minimalist look

It’s best to get samples of both paint colors. Paint large sections on your walls and view at different times of day. This will give you the clearest sense of which hue you prefer in your unique lighting environment.

While quite different, both White Dove and Alabaster are beautiful classics. Choose the one best aligned with your goals and style vision.

Ideal Room Combinations

Here are some rooms that are particularly well-suited to White Dove and Alabaster:

White Dove OC-17

Bedrooms
Living rooms
Dining rooms
Offices
Hallways

Alabaster SW 7008

Kitchens
Bathrooms
Ceilings
Doors/trim
Small spaces

With their soft hues and sufficient light reflectance, White Dove and Alabaster work well throughout homes. But the above applications tend to perfectly complement each shade’s individual strengths.