When searching for the perfect white paint color, it’s easy to get stuck comparing two similar versatile shades from Sherwin Williams. Popular choices Greek Villa SW 7551 and Pure White SW 7005 appear very alike at first glance. But what really differentiates these two beautiful, crisp whites?
In this guide, we’ll analyze Greek Villa vs Pure White in-depth to help you determine the ideal white paint for your home. We’ll look at undertones, light reflectance, real-life photos, room pairings and more.
Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Key Differences Between Greek Villa and Pure White
Before getting into the nitty gritty, here is an overview of the main differences between Sherwin Williams’ Greek Villa and Pure White:
- Undertones – Greek Villa is a warm white, Pure White is clean white
- Light Reflectance – Both have an LRV of 84
- Use – Greek Villa suits traditional styles, Pure White fits modern decor
- Rooms – Greek Villa excels in living rooms, Pure White shines in kitchens
- Availability – Both come in all sheens
Now let’s explore Greek Villa and Pure White more thoroughly.
Sherwin Williams Greek Villa SW 7551
With its subtle warm white appearance, Sherwin Williams Greek Villa SW 7551 creates an understated backdrop well-suited for traditional styles. This versatile neutral works across varied spaces.
Here are some details about Greek Villa:
- LRV: 84
- Undertones: Warm white
- Finish: Available in all sheens
- Rooms: Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, offices
- Pairs Well With: Wood tones, blacks, jewel tones
Greek Villa is a soft, inviting white with the faintest hint of beige. In all lighting it maintains its warm white appearance.
The 84 light reflectance value provides brightness without being clinical. Greek Villa gives an open, breathable feel.
This adaptable neutral complements both cool and warm accents nicely. Popular Greek Villa color pairings include:
- Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black
- Black accent pieces
- Rich wood finishes
- Brass hardware accents
While suitable anywhere at home, Greek Villa truly excels in these warm, welcoming spaces:
- Living Rooms
- Bedrooms
- Dining Rooms
- Offices
- Libraries
Greek Villa’s subtle warmth helps create a relaxing, traditional feel perfect as an all-over home color. Use it to allow bold colors to stand out.
Sherwin Williams Pure White SW 7005
With its clean, crisp white appearance, Sherwin Williams Pure White SW 7005 creates an understated backdrop well-suited for modern styles. This versatile neutral works across contemporary spaces.
Here are some details about Pure White:
- LRV: 84
- Undertones: Clean white
- Finish: Available in all sheens
- Rooms: Bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, offices
- Pairs Well With: Bold colors, black and white, wood tones
Pure White is a straight cool white without any undertones. In all lighting it maintains its clean, neutral white appearance.
The 84 light reflectance value provides brightness without being clinical. Pure White gives an open, breathable feel.
This adaptable neutral complements a wide variety of colors from bold to muted. Popular Pure White color pairings include:
- Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black
- Black accent pieces
- Rich wood stains
- Chrome hardware accents
While suitable anywhere at home, Pure White truly excels in these crisp, modern spaces:
- Bathrooms
- Kitchens
- Living Rooms
- Offices
- Hallways
Pure White’s versatility helps create a relaxing yet fresh backdrop, perfect for making colors pop in contemporary styles.
Comparing Greek Villa vs Pure White
Now that we’ve examined Greek Villa and Pure White independently, let’s directly compare them:
Light Reflectance
Greek Villa and Pure White have the same LRV of 84, so they will appear equally bright.
Undertones
Here’s where the main difference lies. Greek Villa is a warm white, while Pure White has no undertones.
Use & Rooms
Greek Villa’s subtle warmth excels in living rooms and bedrooms. Pure White’s clean hue is perfect for modern kitchens.
Availability
Both Greek Villa and Pure White come in any sheen from matte to high gloss.
Greek Villa vs Pure White Comparison Chart
| Paint Color | Greek Villa SW 7551 | Pure White SW 7005 |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 84 | 84 |
| Undertones | Warm white | Clean white |
| Use | Traditional styles | Modern styles |
| Rooms | Living rooms, bedrooms | Kitchens, bathrooms |
| Finishes | All sheens | All sheens |
Real-Life Photos: Greek Villa vs Pure White
Let’s look at real-life photos to better visualize the subtle differences between Greek Villa and Pure White:
Sherwin Williams Greek Villa
Sherwin Williams Pure White
While they can overlap, Greek Villa generally has a hint of warmth while Pure White maintains a crisper, cooler appearance. But lighting affects their look.
Should I Choose Greek Villa or Pure White?
So how do you decide between Sherwin Williams’ Greek Villa or Pure White for your home? Here are a few tips:
Choose Greek Villa SW 7551 if you want:
- A warm, inviting white
- A versatile color suitable for traditional styles
- A cozy feel for bedrooms and living rooms
- To allow colors to pop subtly
Choose Pure White SW 7005 if you want:
- A clean, crisp bright white
- A versatile color for modern, contemporary spaces
- An airy feel for kitchens and bathrooms
- To make colors pop and stand out
Get samples of both Greek Villa and Pure White. Paint large sections on your walls viewing at different times of day. This gives you the best sense of the undertones in your environment.
You can also pair them with decor you already have to visualize the look. Both offer beautiful, bright white tones that suit varied styles.
Ideal Room Pairings
Here are some rooms that are especially well-suited to Greek Villa and Pure White paint colors:
Sherwin Williams Greek Villa
- Living Rooms
- Bedrooms
- Dining Rooms
- Offices
Sherwin Williams Pure White
- Bathrooms
- Kitchens
- Living Rooms
- Offices
- Hallways
While both whites work well throughout the home, the above applications make optimal use of their unique strengths.
Decorating Ideas and Color Pairings
On their own, Greek Villa and Pure White create peaceful backdrops. Complement them with other colors and materials for gorgeous spaces:
Greek Villa SW 7551 Pairings
- Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black
- Black accent pieces
- Rich wood finishes
- Brass hardware accents
Pure White SW 7005 Pairings
- Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black
- Black accent pieces
- Rich wood stains
- Chrome hardware accents
Greek Villa vs Pure White – Which is Better?
So which white paint color is better for your home – Greek Villa or Pure White?
Consider Greek Villa SW 7551 if you want:
- A warm, inviting white
- A versatile color suitable for traditional styles
- A cozy feel for bedrooms and living rooms
- To allow colors to pop subtly
Consider Pure White SW 7005 if you want:
- A clean, crisp bright white
- A versatile color for modern, contemporary spaces
- An airy feel for kitchens and bathrooms
- To make colors pop and stand out
While Greek Villa offers warm subtlety, Pure White provides modern crispness.
Get samples before deciding. Either beautiful Sherwin Williams white you choose will suit your home perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main differences between Greek Villa and Pure White?
The main differences are their undertones. Greek Villa is a warm white, while Pure White has no undertones and is a clean, bright white.
What colors go well with Greek Villa?
Greek Villa looks beautiful paired with deeper blues, sage greens, black accents, and wood tones for subtle contrast. Avoid pairing it with cool grays.
Can you use Pure White in a kitchen?
Yes, Pure White’s clean and bright hue would work wonderfully in a kitchen paired with stainless steel appliances and chrome accents for a modern feel.
Is Greek Villa suitable for northern exposure?
Yes, with an LRV of 84 Greek Villa should reflect enough light in a north facing room. Its warm undertone prevents gloominess.
Does Pure White come in satin finish?
Yes, Pure White is extremely versatile and comes in any sheen from flat matte to satin to high gloss semi-gloss.
