Sherwin-Williams Origami White (SW 7636): What I Love — And a Few Things I Don’t

Origami White is one of those “quietly good” off-whites that can make a space feel clean, soft, and finished—without the harshness of a bright, sterile white. Sherwin-Williams describes it as a clean, delicate white with cool violet undertones, and it sits right around LRV ~76 (so it reflects a lot of light, but it’s not a blinding white). (Sherwin-Williams)

Quick snapshot

• Color family: soft off-white / very light greige-leaning white

• Undertone: can lean cool-violet (and sometimes a faint pink-violet “flash”) depending on lighting and surroundings (Sherwin-Williams)

• Light Reflectance Value: ~76 (bright-ish, but still has body) (designerpages.com)

What I love about Origami White

1) It’s not stark, not creamy—just soft

If pure whites feel too sharp and creamy whites feel too yellow, Origami White often lands in that sweet spot: clean, light, and calm.

2) It plays well with modern neutrals

Origami White tends to look great next to today’s popular greiges and taupes. It can help an open concept feel cohesive because it doesn’t fight with floors, stone, or cabinets.

3) It gives trim and walls a “finished” look without screaming “WHITE!”

If you want walls to read light and airy but still have a little depth (so they don’t look washed out), this is a strong contender—especially in homes with mixed finishes (wood tones, black hardware, warm stone, etc.).

4) Great “background” color for bolder accents

Because it’s subtle, it lets your décor do the talking—art, rugs, furniture, and wood tones tend to stand out nicely.

A few things I don’t love (and when to be careful)

1) It can shift in certain lighting (that violet undertone is real)

In some rooms—especially north-facing light or cooler LED lighting—Origami White can pick up a faint cool/violet cast. (Sherwin-Williams)If you’re sensitive to pink/violet tones, you’ll want to sample first.

2) In dim spaces, it may read a bit “flat” or slightly gray

Hallways, lower-level rooms, and shadowy corners can make it feel less crisp and more “off-white/greige.” Not bad—just different than what people expect when they hear “white.”

3) It’s not the best choice if you want a bright, punchy white

If your goal is a super-clean gallery white look, you may prefer a brighter white for walls/trim. Origami White has body—which is the point—but it’s not ultra-bright.

Where Origami White works best

• Living rooms + open concepts (soft, flexible, easy to live with)

• Bedrooms (calm and not harsh)

• Kitchens (walls especially; cabinets can work too if the lighting is right)

• Whole-house color when you want “light” without “stark”

Pro tips to make it look its best

• Sample it on multiple walls and check it morning/day/night.

• Pair it with a cleaner/brighter trim white if you want more contrast (this helps avoid any “dingy” feeling in low light).

• Make sure your bulbs are consistent (mixed color temps can exaggerate undertones).

Need help dialing it in?

At RPR Contractors, we help homeowners pick colors that work in your lighting (not just on a paint chip)—and we apply them with clean lines, solid prep, and professional results.

Ready to Refresh Your Home?📞 484-949-5258🌐 www.rprcontractors.net✉️ RPRContractors@aol.comServing Phoenixville, Royersford, Pottstown, Chester Springs & surrounding areas.