SW Egret White vs Pale Oak: What’s the Difference?

When searching for the perfect light neutral paint color, two popular options are Sherwin Williams Egret White and Benjamin Moore Pale Oak. At first glance they may appear similar, but differences emerge upon closer inspection.

In this article, we’ll analyze Egret White and Pale Oak in depth. We’ll compare undertones, light reflectance, real photos, and ideal room pairings. Read on to determine whether the coolness of Egret White or the warmth of Pale Oak makes the best neutral paint for your home.

Key Differences Between Egret White and Pale Oak

Before diving into the nuances, here are the main differences between Egret White and Pale Oak:

Undertones – Egret White is a cool white, Pale Oak is a warm beige
Light Reflectance – Egret White has an LRV of 70, Pale Oak has an LRV of 68.64
Use – Egret White for clean modern spaces, Pale Oak for cozy traditional rooms
Rooms – Egret White ideal for contemporary homes, Pale Oak perfect for cottage style

Now let’s explore Egret White and Pale Oak more closely and see how they compare.

Sherwin Williams Egret White SW 7570

With its clean white appearance, Egret White SW 7570 creates a gorgeous neutral backdrop. This versatile white has broad appeal.

Here are some key details about Sherwin Williams Egret White:

LRV: 70
Undertones: Slightly cool white
Finish: Available in all paint sheens
Rooms: Whole home use, modern spaces
Pairings: Grays, blues, blacks

Egret White is a white with the slightest hint of coolness to its tone. In most lighting, it appears as a true bright white. But at certain angles, its subtle cool undertone comes through in comparison to warmer whites.

With an 70 light reflectance value, Egret White offers outstanding brightness. The faint coolness cleanses walls of any cream or yellow cast.

Egret White works well as a whole home white with a clean, consistent feel. It also pairs elegantly with colors in both the warm and cool color palettes:

Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray
Sherwin Williams Repose Gray
Sherwin Williams Pure White
Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black

Use Egret White to make rooms feel fresh and contemporary. Its cool brightness excels in these spaces:

Modern kitchens
Bathrooms
Contemporary living rooms
Modern bedrooms

Benjamin Moore Pale Oak OC-20

With its light brown appearance, Pale Oak OC-20 creates a gorgeous natural-looking neutral. This versatile beige has broad appeal.

Here are some key details about Benjamin Moore Pale Oak:

LRV: 68.64
Undertones: Yellow-brown
Finish: Available in several sheens
Rooms: Living spaces, traditional homes
Pairings: Browns, greens, blues

Pale Oak is described as a “golden oak-inspired” color. It has distinct warm yellow-brown undertones reminiscent of natural oak wood. This gives Pale Oak a very inviting and cozy appearance.

Despite the oak-inspired base color, Pale Oak reads as quite light and airy. With a 68.64 light reflectance value, this soft neutral helps rooms feel cheerful and bright.

The warm oak undertones pair wonderfully with organic textures and natural materials like wood furniture and woven accents. Pale Oak helps spaces feel grounded and welcoming. Use it alongside color palettes with other natural tones like:

Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray
Benjamin Moore Simply White
Benjamin Moore Essex Green
Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter

This versatile beige looks gorgeous across many styles from modern farmhouse to craftsman bungalows. It excels in these spaces:

Living rooms
Bedrooms
Dining rooms
Kitchens
Offices

Comparing Egret White vs. Pale Oak

Now that we’ve examined their unique traits, let’s directly compare Egret White and Pale Oak:

Light Reflectance

With an LRV of 70, Egret White reflects much more light than the warmer Pale Oak at 68.64 LRV. Egret White will make spaces feel brighter.

Undertones

This is a key distinction. Egret White has faint cool undertones, while Pale Oak has strong warm yellow-brown undertones.

The coolness of Egret White gives it a clean, airy effect. Pale Oak’s oak-like warmth feels cozy and inviting.

Use

Egret White works well for modern spaces seeking a bright neutral backdrop. Pale Oak’s warmth is perfectly suited for traditional cozy environments.

Paint Finish

Both Egret White and Pale Oak come in several sheens like eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss. They allow for beautiful finishes.

Egret White vs. Pale Oak Comparison Chart

Here is an overview of how Egret White and Pale Oak compare:

Paint Color	Egret White SW 7570	Pale Oak OC-20
LRV	70	68.64
Undertones	Slightly cool white	Yellow-brown beige
Use	Modern, contemporary	Traditional, cozy
Sheen	Multiple finishes	Multiple finishes
Style	Crisp, airy	Warm, welcoming

Real Photos: Egret White vs Pale Oak

To better visualize the differences, here are real photos of Egret White and Pale Oak:

Egret White

Pale Oak

As shown, Egret White is crisper and brighter, while Pale Oak is much warmer and more natural looking. Lighting impacts their appearance.

Should I Choose Egret White or Pale Oak?

So how do you decide between Egret White vs Pale Oak for your home? Here are some helpful tips:

Consider Egret White if you want:

A crisp white with subtle cool undertones
Plenty of light reflectance
A clean, airy backdrop
A modern style neutral

Consider Pale Oak if you want:

A warm beige with oak undertones
A cozy and inviting feel
A traditional cottage style neutral
Softer, more natural look

As with any close paint decision, get samples and test Egret White and Pale Oak on your walls before deciding.

Both of these neutral paint colors create beautiful backdrops.

Ideal Room Pairings

Here are rooms well-suited to showcasing Egret White and Pale Oak:

Egret White SW 7570

Modern kitchens
Contemporary bathrooms
Modern dining rooms
Living rooms
Bedrooms

Pale Oak OC-20

Traditional living rooms
Dining rooms
Bedrooms
Offices
Entryways

Egret White fits best in clean contemporary spaces, while cozy Pale Oak works in traditional cottages or farmhouses. But both can add beautiful light to any room.

Decorating Ideas and Color Pairings

Egret White and Pale Oak create airy, welcoming backdrops. Pair them with these colors:

Egret White Color Pairings

Sherwin Williams Sea Salt (blue)
Sherwin Williams Peppercorn (black)
Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray (gray)
Chrome finishes

Pale Oak Color Pairings

Benjamin Moore Hale Navy (blue)
Benjamin Moore Simply White (white)
Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter (gray)
Benjamin Moore Essex Green (olive green)

Egret White vs Pale Oak: Which is Best for Your Home?

So which neutral paint color works best in your home – Egret White or Pale Oak? Consider the following:

Choose Egret White if you want:

A brighter white with a subtle cool cast
A clean, fresh modern backdrop
Crisp and airy contemporary style

Choose Pale Oak if you want:

A warmer beige with oak undertones
A cozy welcoming traditional feel
Softer, more natural earthy look
Inviting cottage style

While Egret White offers cooling brightness, Pale Oak provides cozy oak-inspired warmth. Test them in your lighting before deciding! Either one provides a beautiful neutral foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still trying to choose between Egret White vs Pale Oak? Here are helpful answers:

Does Egret White have yellow undertones?

No, Egret White does not have yellow undertones. It is a clean white with just the subtlest hint of gray coolness. The overall effect is a bright, crisp white.