Sherwin Williams Natural Linen Paint Color Review
So you’re on the hunt for the perfect neutral paint color that feels warm, cozy, and sophisticated - one that won’t go rogue and surprise you with strange undertones at 3 p.m. when the sun shifts.
Enter: Sherwin Williams Natural Linen (SW 9109)!
This unassuming neutral has been gaining traction for a good reason: it offers a versatile, soft, and natural hue that brings a touch of cozy elegance to any room. Today, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about Sherwin Williams Natural Linen, so you can confidently decide if it’s the right fit for your home. No guessing, no repainting, just pure paint happiness.
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In This Article
What Color Is Natural Linen Sherwin Williams?
Sherwin Williams Natural Linen is a modern beige paint color that shines in spaces where you want a soft, natural backdrop. Some favorite areas to use it in include living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, entryways, and hallways. Because of its warmth, Natural Linen Sherwin Williams paint fits beautifully with modern farmhouse, coastal, transitional, and traditional styles.
What are the undertones of Sherwin Williams Natural Linen?
One of the biggest concerns with neutrals is their undertones. Neutrals can lean warm, cool, yellow, pink, or even green, which can quickly turn an "easy neutral" into a "what-was-I-thinking" moment!
Sherwin Williams Natural Linen is known for its warm, earthy undertones with a subtle hint of greige. There’s no overwhelming yellow or pink here; just a soft, barely-there warmth that’s more sand than sunshine.
Natural Linen’s undertones tend to stay true, meaning they don’t morph dramatically depending on the lighting. That’s not to say they don’t shift a little (all colors do), but you can expect a cozy, grounded feel rather than surprises.
What is the LRV of Natural Linen?
For those of you scratching your head wondering what LRV even is, it stands for Light Reflectance Value, a number from 0-100 that indicates how much light a color reflects. A higher LRV means a color will reflect more light, while a lower LRV means it will absorb more.
Sherwin Williams Natural Linen has an LRV of 66, placing it in the mid-to-light range. This means it’s not too dark but isn’t super light, either. It’s an excellent choice if you want something that will brighten a room without washing it out.
How does Natural Linen Sherwin Williams look in different lighting situations?
- North-Facing Rooms: North-facing rooms have cooler, slightly bluish natural light, which can sometimes make neutrals look a bit drab. But with Natural Linen, you’re in luck! Its warm undertones counteract the coolness, creating a balanced look.
- South-Facing Rooms: South-facing rooms get a ton of light and can make some colors look overly warm or yellow. However, Natural Linen’s subtle undertones hold up beautifully, giving a room that soft, welcoming glow without looking too yellow.
- East and West-Facing Rooms: East and west-facing rooms experience shifting light throughout the day. In the morning, an east-facing room will look slightly warmer, while a west-facing room will bring out Natural Linen’s greige undertones in the afternoon.
Lighting can make or break your experience with a paint color, so it’s worth taking the time to test Sherwin Williams Natural Linen at different times of the day.
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SW Natural Linen VS Other Neutral Paint Colors
Let’s dive into a side-by-side showdown, where we’ll see how Sherwin Williams Natural Linen stacks up against other popular neutrals, helping you find the perfect color to make your space feel warm, stylish, and completely you!
Natural Linen vs Accessible Beige
SW Natural Linen and SW Accessible Beige are both warm neutrals, but Accessible Beige leans a bit darker and richer, with greige undertones that add cozy sophistication - perfect for grounding larger rooms or creating a cozy retreat. Both bring a warm touch, but Natural Linen whispers, while Accessible Beige makes a quiet statement!
Natural Linen vs Shoji White
Sherwin Williams Shoji White is lighter than Natural Linen with softer undertones, giving it a clean, modern edge that works beautifully in bright, minimalist spaces. Although Shoji is light and airy, Natural Linen's warmth creates a cozy, sandy feel, perfect for relaxed, inviting spaces.
Natural Linen vs Alabaster
SW Alabaster leans cooler than SW Natural Linen, with soft, creamy undertones that glow in any lighting. Natural Linen is perfect for adding warmth to bedrooms or living rooms with plenty of natural light, while Alabaster’s airy brightness works wonders for creating fresh, open vibes in kitchens and bathrooms.
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Where Is SW Natural Linen Paint Color Used Best?
Curious how Sherwin Williams Natural Linen transforms in real spaces? Let’s explore some inspiring interiors and exteriors where this versatile neutral shines, showing off its warm, cozy charm in everything from sunlit living rooms to modern cabinetry.
Sherwin Williams Natural Linen exterior
Sherwin Williams Natural Linen on painted brick gives this house a warm, inviting look that’s both sophisticated and timeless. The soft beige tone adds a cozy, welcoming feel while complementing the brick’s texture beautifully, making the home feel grounded yet refreshingly updated.
Living room Natural Linen Sherwin Williams
In this space, Sherwin Williams Natural Linen brings a soft warmth to the walls and shiplap fireplace, creating a cozy, inviting atmosphere that feels both relaxed and elegant. The color's gentle beige undertones perfectly highlight the shiplap's texture, making the fireplace a focal point without overpowering the room.
In this elevated, light-filled living room, Sherwin Williams Natural Linen creates a soft, glow that complements the space’s airy feel. The warm, beige undertones gently balance the abundant natural light, giving the room a cozy yet expansive vibe that feels inviting and stylish.
Sherwin Williams Natural Linen cabinets
On these kitchen cabinets, Sherwin Williams Natural Linen adds a warm, earthy charm that feels modern yet timeless. The soft beige hue pairs beautifully with metallic hardware and natural accents, creating a cozy, inviting kitchen space.
Sherwin Williams Natural Linen on laundry room cabinets brings a warm, calming vibe that makes even laundry feel a little more luxurious. The soft beige tone pairs beautifully with a warm wood countertop, creating a fresh, airy space that’s both practical and inviting.
SW Natural Linen on these builtin cabinets trimmed with shiplap behind the shelves feels effortlessly modern and cozy. The gentle beige tone highlights the cabinetry’s details while blending seamlessly with surrounding decor, creating a balanced, calming look.
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Sherwin Williams Natural Linen Color Palette Ideas
Now that you’ve fallen for SW Natural Linen, let’s talk about colors that look amazing with it. The right coordinating colors will bring out its warmth and enhance the entire palette of your home. Here are some color combos to consider:
- Sherwin Williams Pure White (SW 7005): This clean white trim color enhances Natural Linen’s warmth without clashing.
- Sherwin Williams Sea Salt (SW 6204): This soft, muted green adds a bit of contrast and pairs beautifully in a coastal or serene bedroom.
- Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze (SW 7048): For something bolder, Urbane Bronze adds depth and contrast, especially for accent walls or cabinetry.
- Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige (SW 7036): This light beige is a close cousin to Natural Linen and works wonderfully in spaces where you want a slight contrast without breaking from the warmth.
Palette Ideas Takeaway: Pair with whites, soft greens, or darker neutrals for a cohesive, sophisticated look.
Final Thoughts on Sherwin Williams Natural Linen
Sherwin Williams Natural Linen is an MVP for any space that needs a warm, sophisticated, and inviting neutral. Its earthy undertones, moderate LRV, and versatility make it a contender for nearly any room, and its adaptability to different lighting means fewer surprises once it’s on the walls. With a few coordinated colors, you can create a seamless, warm, and cohesive feel throughout your home.
Ready to give Natural Linen a try? Grab a Natural Linen sample, test it in different rooms, and see how it looks in your light. You’re just one paint color away from a home that feels inviting, cozy, and uniquely yours - no repaint regrets required!
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!
