Downy
Downy is a bright and airy White from Sherwin-Williams. Our real-world data shows it is a primary choice when homeowners need to maximize natural light while maintaining a clean, neutral backdrop. Below, you'll find 15 examples of this shade in actual homes along with suggested color relationships.
Hex
#EFE8DD
LRV
81.19
Downy's Color Strip
Downy is the third shade on this 7-color strip, sitting between White Flour and Futon. The strip spans from Marshmallow at the lightest end to Pacer White at the deepest. Strip 267 makes it easy to compare shades side by side and find the right depth for your space.
Downy in Real Rooms
Downy has a high LRV of 81.19 — it reflects a lot of light and will read pale and airy in most spaces. It's neutral in temperature and , making it adaptable across different lighting conditions and room orientations. Grouped in the White family, the photos below show it applied in a living room, bathroom, kitchen cabinets, kitchen and misc.
4 Living Room Photos
Downy anchors the living room with a quiet, architectural confidence. Its depth shifts subtly through the day — cooler in the crisp morning light and significantly warmer by lamplight in the evening — making it a natural fit for a space meant for both high-energy gathering and silent unwinding. To maximize the effect, layer in natural white oak, heavy linen, and soft metallics to let the color truly breathe.
Fireplace surround in neutral Downy complements the living room's natural light.
@jducedesign
Walls in soft Downy provide calm backdrop for this fireplace feature.
@liz.a.sagar
Living room walls wrapped in Downy establish a serene, sophisticated backdrop.
@liz.a.sagar
Accent wall in Downy draws focus while maintaining the room's airy feel.
@theroadsiderelic
3 Bathroom Photos
Bathrooms test color in specific ways — task lighting, tile grout, and chrome or brass fixtures all compete for attention. Downy holds its own against all of it, and tends to photograph even better than it reads in person.
Bathroom walls painted in airy Downy brighten this spa-like retreat.
@housemadeoftwiggs_
Bathroom vanity painted Downy brightens the space with soft, muted tones.
@housemadeoftwiggs_
Wall treatment in Downy transforms the bathroom into a spa-like retreat.
@housemadeoftwiggs_
6 Kitchen Cabinets Photos
Downy on cabinets gives a kitchen a sense of intentionality without the risk that comes with louder choices. It's grounded enough to feel permanent, versatile enough to work with whatever countertop material surrounds it.
Lower cabinet unit in Downy grounds the kitchen's crisp white upper storage.
@garden_and_grace
1 Kitchen Photo
In a modern kitchen, Downy provides the necessary "organic" touch to offset stainless steel appliances and glass backsplashes. It prevents the kitchen from feeling like a laboratory, injecting a much-needed sense of domestic warmth and culinary inspiration.
Kitchen walls in Downy create continuity between cabinetry and surrounding surfaces.
@designsbypaulettellc
1 Misc Photo
In laundry rooms, Downy adds a surprising level of "design" to a space that is often forgotten. It proves that even the most utilitarian rooms deserve a color that feels considered, intentional, and calming.
Walls throughout feature Downy, a gentle hue for any living space.
@pleasant_finishes
Coordinating Colors
A 5-point LRV gap (86 vs 81) makes Extra White the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 81 vs 33, Downy is decisively the brighter choice.
Similar Colors
With LRVs of 82 and 81, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 81 and 79, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 83 vs 81), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Downy reads slightly lighter (LRV 81 vs 77), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
A 5-point LRV gap (86 vs 81) makes Westhighland White the marginally brighter of the two.
Greek Villa reads slightly lighter (LRV 84 vs 81), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Cotton White reads slightly lighter (LRV 87 vs 81), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 83 vs 81), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Complementary Colors
At LRV 81 vs 11, Downy is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 81 vs 7, Downy is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 81 vs 69, Downy is decisively the brighter choice.
Downy reflects far more light (LRV 81 vs 20), opening up a space where Soulful Blue encloses it.
Downy reflects far more light (LRV 81 vs 28), opening up a space where Dusty Heather encloses it.
At LRV 81 vs 3, Downy is decisively the brighter choice.
Lighter Colors
Ibis White reads slightly lighter (LRV 84 vs 81), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Greek Villa reads slightly lighter (LRV 84 vs 81), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
A 5-point LRV gap (86 vs 81) makes Arcade White the marginally brighter of the two.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 83 vs 81), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Darker Colors
Downy reflects far more light (LRV 81 vs 64), opening up a space where Cream and Sugar encloses it.
Downy reflects far more light (LRV 81 vs 48), opening up a space where Whole Wheat encloses it.
Downy reflects far more light (LRV 81 vs 60), opening up a space where Softer Tan encloses it.
Downy reflects far more light (LRV 81 vs 67), opening up a space where Steamed Chai encloses it.
Downy reads slightly lighter (LRV 81 vs 74), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.