Dover White, a Popular Sherwin Williams White Paint

Dover White is a popular, creamy white paint color by Sherwin Williams.

In years past, it was the go-to paint color for walls and trim. While it has fallen out of favor by many for a trim color, it is still a great paint color for walls.

Because it is such a popular white paint color, it has been featured in the following Sherwin Williams’ collections: Acute Care Warm Foundations, ABC’s and 123’s, Precious Baby, Teen Space, Living Well – Balance, Top 50 Colors, and Warm Whites.

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Sherwin Williams Dover White Color Details

Sherwin Williams Dover White (SW6385) paint color has been around for years.

It is a white paint color, but not a true white. Dover White has soft creamy tones in it.

Dover White is a timeless, classic paint color that works well in traditional, farmhouse or transitional style homes.

Dover White Undertones

Dover White is a warm white paint color. It is not yellow but it definitely has yellow tones in it. These yellow tones place it firmly in the warm white category.

Dover White also has some gray undertones in it. This hint of gray keeps Dover White from looking too sunny, and helps tone the color down a bit.

Dover White LRV

Dover White has an LRV (Light Reflectance Value) of 83.

This puts it in the light category of paint colors.

As for what this LRV means, an 83 indicates that Dover White is very light, will reflect a lot of white, and is just a shade off of a true white.

Coordinating Colors for Dover White

Dover White goes great with medium to dark blue paint colors, green paint colors, red paint colors, and some other more saturated yellows, browns, or grays.

For example, Sherwin Williams pairs Dover White with Waterloo, which is a dark highly saturated bluish green paint color. It also pairs it with Dakota Wheat, which is a golden paint color.

Dover White is also a good paint color for pairing with red brick.

For trim colors, Dover White needs a very clean bright white to make it stand out.

My two top choices are Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace or Sherwin Williams High Reflective White.

If you pair Dover White with a softer white trim, it just won’t stand out very much.

Another option would be to use Dover White in a satin or eggshell finish on your walls, and Dover White in a semi-gloss on your trim. The difference in sheen will make the trim look a bit brighter, but the undertones will be perfect (since they are exactly the same!).

Where to Use Dover White

Because Dover White paint is a warm creamy white, it is great on walls and can even be used on cabinets.

Some people like to use it on trim, but this is not my most preferred use of it. I find that it is a little bit too yellow, and a bit too creamy for trim.

The yellow in Dover White tends to clash with other paint colors that you might put next to it on the wall. If you like that soft look on trim, you might want to consider a color like White Dove instead.

We will talk more about White Dove in a minute.

Dover White can also be used on a home exterior. This creamy white would pair nicely with brown, blue and even some red tones.

Is Dover White Too Yellow?

A commonly asked question about Dover White is if it is too yellow.

Whether Dover White paint comes off looking yellow or just like a creamy white is going to depend on the light in your space.

A warm Southern light is going to really bring out the yellow in Dover White, and may even make your walls look like a soft yellow paint. In a Northern facing room with cool light coming in from the exterior, you might find that Dover White brings a good amount of warmth to the space making it feel bright and cheery without being overly yellow.

The best way to tell how Dover White paint is going to look in your space is to get a Samplize square of it. More on that later.

Dover White Compared

When I look at a paint color, I always like to review in light other popular paint colors. I find that this helps people decide between shades that they are considering.

For example, Dover White shares a paint strip with Creamy, another popular warm white from Sherwin Williams. However when you compare the two, you see the Dover White has a bit more yellow in it.

So without further ado, let’s look at how Dover White compares to some other popular white paint colors.

Dover White vs. Alabaster

Alabaster is a super popular Sherwin Williams paint color. Whereas Dover White might have been the most popular white in the past, Alabaster is the most popular right now.

Like Dover White, Alabaster can be used on walls, and some people even use it on trim.

Alabaster and Dover White have similar intentions. They are both warm whites but Dover White is just a bit more creamy. Dover White has more yellow and, overall, just more color to it than Alabaster has.

If you’re interested, check out this full color review on Alabaster.

Dover White vs. Pure White

Another color that people commonly consider when they are thinking about Dover White is Pure White.

Dover White and Pure White are actually very different colors though.

Pure White is a perfect trim or cabinet color, where is Dover White is a much better wall color.

Pure White can go on walls and Dover White can go on trim, but typically you are going to see the reverse: Pure White on the trim and Dover White on the walls (but not together).

Pure White is more of a neutral white. It doesn’t have much yellow in it though it does have a hint of gray in it.

While Dover White and Alabaster have similar goals, Dover White and Pure White do not. Pure White is a more bright white that is neutral or maybe even hinting warm, while Dover White is just a warm white.

Click here for more information on Sherwin Williams Pure White.

Dover White vs. White Dove

People often question whether Dover White and White Dove are the same paint color. They are not.

White Dove is a Benjamin Moore paint color and Dover White is a Sherwin Williams white paint color.

They are different colors, but Dover White and White Dove are actually fairly similar.

They are both warm creamy whites, but Dover White has more color in it. They share the same undertones though.

White Dove almost looks like a lighter Dover White.

Click here for more information on Benjamin Moore White Dove.

Wondering How To Pick the Perfect Paint Color?

I have the best solution for you!

Samplize sells peel and stick paint samples in almost every paint color.

These no-mess, peel and stick sheets are made from real paint, so they will show you exactly what the paint color will look like.

Simply place them on your walls next to your trim, furnishings or fixed elements, and easily see which paint color works best in your space and with your lighting.

Then, peel the sheet off your wall and reapply it somewhere else if you like. You can try several different paint colors with no mess, no fuss and no cleaning paint brushes.

Oh, and you can have them in your home by tomorrow with OVERNIGHT shipping!

As a bonus, be sure to use the code LoveRemodeled10 at check out to get an extra 10% off! Samplize sheets are cheaper than a sample can of paint, and way less work.

They are the easiest (and fastest!) way to try a paint color in your home, with no hassle.

Final Thoughts on Sherwin Williams Dover White 

Dover White is a gorgeous creamy white paint color that is perfect on walls, or home exteriors. It’s popularity over the years demonstrates that this timeless paint color is a good one.

If you are considering a warm white for your walls, Dover White paint might be the best choice for you.

Want to see all your paint options in one convenient place? Click here to get everything you need to start painting, including Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore paint color decks!

Thanks for sharing!