Today we are talking about all things paint and the oh-so pretty Sherwin Williams Navajo White.
Navajo White is a warm, beigey with slight yellow undertones that can be beautiful when used in the right setting. Because it has the orangey-yellow hint to it, many are afraid to use it in their home.
I’ll explain all the details on this great paint color, how it looks in real life homes, the LRV, and all the fun stuff and where it’s best used.
In case you want to check out all my other paint color reviews you can do that right here. Painting your trim too? These are my top 5 white paint colors for trim and doors.
Navajo White is one of those paint colors that isn’t as popular as others like Colonnade Gray or Accessible Beige. But it’s still as pretty, it’s just not as “fool-proof” or versatile as some!
Navajo White is often overlooked but it’s a perfect paint color if you’re needing warmth with depth without going Tuscon.
The LRV of Navajo White is 72 which is right in line with other lighter paint colors. Hence the name it is a white paint color, but it does not look stark white. An LRV of 72 means it has depth and color to it without washing out.
As a refresher, LVR stands for light reflectance value, and it means the amount of light the paint color absorbs or reflects. The higher the number out of 100, the lighter the paint color.
Navajo White is a cream, warm white paint that has beige and yellow undertones. It’s best suited for more traditional interiors and exteriors that aren’t too modern or stark. It definitely does not look like a “white” paint color but is very pretty when paired with brown, reds, and taupes.
Antique White is a close sister to Navajo White, but Navajo has slightly more yellow in it. If you love the look of yellow and want something with a hint of color, Navajo White might be the perfect paint color for you.
Seeing Navajo next to a crisp white trim really brings out the creaminess and it looks so fresh and happy!
If you want the warmth but want to pair down the yellowness a bit, consider pairing it with a medium toned gray or taupe. The coolness of the gray will compliment it and keep Navajo from feeling too warm or beige. By bringing together opposites they counteract each other. You never want to do too much of the same thing in a room or it falls flat.
You can see in the photo below how the walls almost look as if they are painted an entirely different paint color because the blue in the room downplays the yellowness in Navajo White. The cool toned blue paint color counteracts the Navajo for a really pretty look.
This is a great example how it pays to do your research and know the undertones in paint colors so you make combinations that look great.
Navajo White is an excellent choice for exteriors too! As I mentioned earlier, it looks great when paired with reds or brown, making it a perfect paint color for brick homes.
Paint colors always look lighter on exteriors because of the amount of light that washes it out. Navajo White has enough depth that it won’t look white but it will be a very nice beige cream color. You can pair it with white trim around the windows for a very pretty look.
In the photo below, they painted the two dormer windows Navajo White and trim along the trim the roofline. It contrasts nicely against the dark red brick. On this traditional exterior, a stark white would have been too harsh and not right. The creaminess and warmth of Navajo makes the perfect combination.
Wait a second! Benjamin Moore has their own version of Navajo White too. Confusing, I know 🙂
Benjamin Moore’s version is also a warm, cream white with yellow undertones. It has an LRV of 79 making it overall lighter, but they are comparable colors from the same color family. The laundry room walls are painted with Benjamin Moore’s Navajo White and they are very creamy and white, but you can see the difference in color compared to Sherwin Williams.
If you are deciding whether Navajo White is the right color for you, the best way to know for sure is by sampling it in your home! Samples have come a long way these days and gone are the days where you have to buy a whole quart just to sample a paint color. Now it’s mess free and there is no dry time.
Samplize makes peel and stick paint samples that are painted with the exact paint color so you can stick them on your wall with no mess and instantly see the color on your walls! They are genius and I wish I had known about them sooner so I wouldn’t have so many test color quarts of paint sitting in our basem*nt that will go unused. They are super affordable and ship right to your door no hassle. I love them so much and hope you check them out because it truly is the new way to sample paint colors.Learn more about Samplize here.
Between completely remodeling and painting every inch of two ENTIRE homes, I’ve figured out the best paint tools that not only give a more professional finish, but will save you HOURS. No matter the paint project big or small, the following 4 products below I use every single time. Definitely worth the small investment if you will be painting a little in your home.
Paint Brushes – The BEST paint brushes for the most accurate edging and they last forever if you clean them well (more on that below).Trust me, you don’t want to cheap out when doing any trimming on walls or painting baseboards/trim. A good brush is the difference from an easy time painting or a major pain that causes problems.
Painter’s Tape – a must-have when painting trim and to tape off ceilings when doing walls. Even with a precise paint brush you need tape.You can paint faster with it and get much sharper lines!
Drop Cloths – You’ll need this for sure when doing any painting. It’s better to have plenty than not enough and constantly moving them around.
Wire Brush for Cleaning – This wire brush is ESSENTIAL to get your brushes clean and remove all the dried paint on the outside bristles. Without this, your brushes will only last a few paint projects.
