Sherwin Williams Natural Choice: Your Guide To This Neutral Paint Color


Choosing the right neutral paint color can feel like trying to pick your favorite ice cream flavor while blindfolded. You’re standing there, overwhelmed with options, paralyzed by the fear of choosing wrong.

But fear not! Today, we’re diving into one of Sherwin Williams’ most beloved neutrals: Natural Choice SW 7011. This gem of a color could just be the answer to your paint-picking woes.

Let’s break it down so you can confidently decide if this versatile hue is right for your home.

Sherwin Williams Natural Choice paint color reviewPin

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What Color Is Sherwin Williams Natural Choice?

Natural Choice by Sherwin Williams is a soft, creamy off-white that feels warm and welcoming without leaning too yellow or beige. It sits comfortably in the neutral family but has just enough character to keep it from looking flat or boring.

Its neutral base makes it adaptable to both classic and modern aesthetics, so you’re not locked into a single design direction. Whether you’re aiming for a modern minimalist look, a cozy farmhouse vibe, or something in between, this color doesn’t steal the show but plays a supporting role beautifully.

Sherwin Williams Natural Choice undertones

One of the most common questions about any neutral paint is: What are the undertones?

SW Natural Choice has subtle beige and gray undertones, giving it a creamy vibe. However, it’s not overly yellow or peachy, which makes it more versatile than some other whites. In certain lights, you might catch a hint of greige (that magical mix of gray and beige), but it’s not cool enough to feel sterile. These soft undertones allow it to adapt beautifully to its surroundings.

What Is the LRV of Natural Choice Sherwin Williams?

The Light Reflectance Value (LRV) is a fancy term for how much light a paint color reflects. Natural Choice has an LRV of 73, which means it’s a fairly light color. It’s bright enough to make a room feel open and airy, but not so stark that it feels blinding. This makes it a great option for spaces where you want a soft, light, and cozy atmosphere.

How Does It Look in Different Lighting Situations?

Lighting can make or break a paint color, so let’s talk about how Natural Choice paint color behaves in various conditions:

  • Natural Light: In rooms with ample natural light, Natural Choice shows off its creamy warmth without looking yellow. It’s soft, inviting, and beautifully understated.
  • Artificial Light: Under warm artificial light (like incandescent bulbs), it leans into its warmer undertones, creating a cozy and intimate feel. Cooler LED lighting can bring out a touch more of its neutral side.
  • North-Facing Rooms: In cooler, gray light, the color may lean slightly more gray but will still maintain its warmth.
  • South-Facing Rooms: In bright, warm light, Natural Choice SW radiates a soft glow that feels fresh and cheerful.

Real life: a friend with Natural Choice as the primary color throughout reports that it mysteriously pulls a faint green regardless of the lighting or direction the room faces. This is a big reason why I always recommend you start by testing Sherwin Williams Natural Choice in your space, considering the unique lighting and surrounding elements in your own home.

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SW Natural Choice Vs Other Neutral Colors

Choosing the perfect neutral paint color can feel like speed dating - so many options, and they all seem almost right! Let's compare Natural Choice to three of its closest rivals: Alabaster, Shoji White, and Natural Linen. Whether you're craving soft and creamy, a touch of modern greige, or something cozier and richer, this showdown will help you find your perfect match!

Natural Choice vs Alabaster

Sherwin Williams Natural Choice 7011 is slightly darker than Sherwin Williams Alabaster 7008, making Alabaster the brighter option for spaces that need more light. Natural Choice leans greige and more subdued, while SW Alabaster has softer yellow undertones that add versatility and a touch of warmth. Natural Choice shines on exteriors or as an interior wall color, while Alabaster’s brightness makes it perfect for creating light, airy interiors.

Natural Choice vs Shoji White

Sherwin-Williams Natural Choice is almost identical in brightness to SW Shoji White, but their undertones set them apart - Natural Choice leans more into the gray side of greige, while Shoji White has more beige undertones with a subtle green tint. Natural Choice feels softer and earthier, while Shoji White adds a more contemporary, neutral sophistication.

Natural Choice vs Natural Linen

SW Natural Choice is lighter and creamier compared to the deeper, richer feel of Sherwin Williams Natural Linen, which brings more depth to a room. While Natural Choice has soft greige undertones for a clean, subtle warmth, Natural Linen leans into taupe with a hint of rosy undertones that add a cozy, earthy charm. Choose Natural Choice for a light, airy vibe in open spaces or exteriors, and go with Natural Linen when you want a warmer, grounded feel in intimate interiors or accents like trim and cabinetry.

Natural Choice SW Paint Color in Real Spaces: A Closer Look

If you’ve ever wondered how Sherwin Williams Natural Choice transforms a space, you’re in for a treat! Let’s dive into some inspiring images that showcase just how versatile Natural Choice can be.

Sherwin Williams Natural Choice exterior

When applied to exterior brick siding, SW Natural Choice creates a clean and welcoming appearance, enhancing the home's curb appeal. Pair it with darker trim like these black windows for contrast, or keep it monochromatic for a classic, understated look.

Sherwin Williams Natural Choice interior walls

SW Natural Choice is an excellent choice for walls, especially if you want a light and airy backdrop that’s not too stark. Let’s take a stroll through some gorgeous rooms and explore all the creative ways people are making this dreamy shade shine.

Natural Choice entry

Sherwin Williams Natural Choice brings a soft, creamy elegance to this entryway, making the walls feel light and welcoming without overpowering the farmhouse charm. On the tongue-and-groove ceiling, it creates a seamless, cozy vibe that draws the eye upward while adding subtle texture. Together, they set the stage for a warm, inviting first impression!

SW Natural Choice neutral paint colorPin
Photo Source: Home Bunch

SW Natural Choice hallway

Natural Choice turns this hall into a warm and inviting passageway, making it feel open yet cozy all at once. The creamy tone adds just enough softness to complement the natural light, creating an airy, welcoming vibe that works perfectly to keep the space fresh.

Natural Choice SW living room

Natural Choice Sherwin Williams wraps this living room in a soft, dreamy hug, covering the walls, shiplap, ceiling, and cabinets with a cohesive glow. It creates a beautifully neutral canvas that highlights the room’s textures - like the shiplap detail and brick fireplace - while keeping the space feeling fresh and inviting.

Natural Choice SW interior paint colorPin
Photo Source: jacobsfarmstead

In this living room featured on Nesting With Grace, the neutral tone of Natural Choice is paired with wood accents, black metals and layered natural textures, making it the perfect backdrop for a space that’s both stylish and livable.

Natural Choice on walls and SW Pure White on ceiling and trim lets the light bounce around beautifully, making the space by Jen Memmel feel bright but never harsh.

Natural Choice sunroom

Sherwin Williams Natural Choice brings elegance to this traditional style sunroom’s painted hardwood walls, creating the perfect backdrop for all that gorgeous natural light. Its neutral tone contrasts beautifully with the deep bronze doors and window frames, making them pop while adding depth and sophistication to the space.

Natural Choice bathroom

Sherwin Williams Natural Choice wraps up our paint journey in this charming bathroom with a creamy softness that makes even the smallest space feel serene and welcoming. On the walls, it perfectly balances the light and shadows, creating a soothing backdrop that lets the decorative details shine.

SW Natural Choice bathroomPin
Photo Source: Salvaged Inspirations

What Are Some Sherwin Williams Natural Choice Coordinating Colors?

Pairing Natural Choice with the right colors can elevate your home’s palette. Here are a few stunning options:

Home Color Palette Idea:

This palette creates a soothing, cohesive flow throughout your home with just the right amount of contrast.

Why Choose Sherwin Williams Natural Choice?

If you’ve ever been stuck in paint paralysis, endlessly flipping through swatches and second-guessing yourself, Natural Choice might just be the color that ends the madness. Its warmth, adaptability, and timeless appeal make it a go-to choice for both beginners and seasoned decorators. Whether you’re painting a single room or your entire home, this neutral superstar can bring your vision to life without the fear of choosing wrong.

So take a deep breath, grab a sample of SW Natural Choice, and start painting with confidence. You’ve got this!

And remember, it’s not just about the paint color - it’s about creating a home that feels like you.

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P.S. There's no better way to create a cohesive feel than with color, but in order to avoid mistakes and get an updated look you've got to understand color like a designer.

Inside my online course, Color Made Clear, I will teach you exactly what you need to know about selecting colors for your home in everything from paint colors, to flooring and carpet, to fabrics so you can make confident color decisions and get the exact look and feel you're going for. - Even if there are finishes in your home you can't change, I'll show you how to use color to distract from them for an updated look!