Buff vs Paperwhite
Both are Sherwin-Williams colors. Hue-wise, Buff belongs to the beige family and Paperwhite to the beige-white family. At LRV 87 vs 75, Paperwhite will read as the brighter of the two — a 11-point gap that matters most in north-facing or low-light rooms. They share a warm quality — useful to know if you're layering them in the same space. At ΔE 9.4, the difference is perceptible but not dramatic — the two can work harmoniously in the same space. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Buff vs Paperwhite in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Buff and Paperwhite are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
Living Room
Living rooms test a color across a full range of conditions — morning sun, afternoon shade, and evening lamp light all shift how both of these read. Paperwhite returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Buff vs Paperwhite Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Buff on one side and Paperwhite on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.