When it comes to selecting the perfect neutral paint color, Sherwin-Williams Navajo White (SW 6126) can give you what you need.Due to its beigy and yellowish undertone but not skipping the charm of creamy look makes it a favorite option for home designers.
Navajo White don’t feel like white from its appearance, but it feels white+beigy in bright light, also its the best option for your bedrooms,kitchen cabinetry and for cozy living room touch.
In this guide, I will tell you everything about Navajo White—from its undertones and how it behaves in different lighting, to where it works best in your home.
You’ll also find expert-approved coordinating colors in soft, bold, and muted palettes, plus answers to the most frequently asked questions—like how it compares to Shoji White or Swiss Coffee, other similar colors and whether it really looks yellow.
What are the Undertones of Navajo White
With yellow and beige undertones, Navajo White (SW 6126) is a warm, creamy off‑white. It has a distinctly warm yellow tint (rather than pink or red) that adds cozy depth.
Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of Navajo white by sw
Its LRV is about 72, meaning it reflects a high amount of light compared to deeper colors. But its not that bright as Sherwin-Williams Frosty White and Alabaster. This places Navajo White among Sherwin’s lighter creams (for comparison, “Extra White” SW 7006 is LRV 84+).
Lighting effect on SW 6126
In a different light Navajo white changes its appearance. In bright natural light (especially north‑facing light), its warm undertones are softened and balanced; under strong warm light (southern or west exposure, or incandescent bulbs) it has richer and more yellow tones.
In very cool or dim lighting, it can even take on a faint rosy tint. In practice, it’s best in spaces with mixed or cool natural light to keep the yellow in check.
Application in rooms
Navajo White in Bedroom
In a bedroom, Navajo White gives walls a warm, soft glow. Its creamy yellow-beige tone gives your bed a vibe of japandi bedroom that have all the coziness that you need to sleep.
What I noticed is “sometimes its yellow undertones is more visible ,but too yellowish ,even this yellow undertone give drama and its important for coziness of bedroom.
It’s especially popular in kids’ or guest rooms – pairing beautifully with natural wood furniture, off‑white linens, and soft pastel accents.
Navajo White-Kitchen
In kitchens, Navajo White brings a classic warm brightness like your dream island kitchen. It often makes a room feel larger and airier, especially when paired with white cabinets and natural materials or even you can use it on cabinets with some creamy or pure white wall paint.
Its yellow undertone looks harmonious with light countertops (marble or quartz), chrome or brass hardware in my opinion add some stone backsplash to make the look more cozy and homey.
Navajo White(SW 6126) in Living Room
In a living room or open-plan space, Navajo White acts as a versatile neutral. Its warm cream tone makes a room feel inviting and cohesive with varied décor.
It works especially well in north-facing living areas, where it comes across as “delightful and balanced”.Also, you can pair it with creamy white by Benjamin Moore. That creates a cozy coordinating harmony which is important for the living room.
Bathroom with Navajo White
In a bathroom, Navajo White don’t make you feel stark. In bright daylight, its yellow notes become more visible but under cooler or artificial lighting it looks softer feel. Also it gives some golden yellow vibe on cabinets and not that much creamy.
Paint your Cabinets with Navajo White
You can also use Navajo White on cabinetry. When applied to kitchen cabinets or built‑ins, it lends a soft cream finish that still feels crisp and clean. It pairs with darker countertops or hardware .
Coordinating Colors for Navajo White(SW 6126)
Soft (Neutral) Palette
Navajo white is also neutral, so its palette will most likely be like other neutral paints. Llight off‑whites like Ivoire (SW 6127), Blonde (SW 6128), or Restrained Gold (SW 6129) as part of a monochromatic scheme is the best option.
Other soft matches include Accessible Beige (SW 7036) or Shoji White (SW 7042) to layer calm, creamy tones.
Bold (Accent) Palette
If you want something rich and bold, than use contrasting colors. Crisp whites like Alabaster (SW 7008), or muted blues/greens such as Smoky Blue (SW 7604) and Ice Cube (SW 6252).
Darker accents also highlight Navajo White’s warmth: e.g. Sea Salt (SW 6204), Rainwashed (SW 6211) or deep neutrals like Iron Ore (SW 7069) or Tricorn Black (SW 6258) is perfect contrast.
Muted (Earthy) Palette
For a gentle palette use Subdued earth tones and greiges. Colors like Tony Taupe (SW 7038) or Mink (SW 6004) bring out Navajo White’s cozy vibe. Other softer, muddy shades (light tans or greys) also harmonize with its warm cream.
Navajo White vs. Swiss Coffee
Swiss Coffee (Benjamin Moore OC-45) is brighter and more neutral. It has a higher LRV (around 82) and even a subtle green tint, whereas Navajo White’s LRV is lower (≈72) with a more golden-yellow warmth. In simple words Swiss coffee is brighter and clean as compared to Navajo white is is more golden yellowish undertone.
Navajo White vs. Shoji White
Shoji White (SW 7042) is a very light warm white with greige (gray/beige) undertones. Its LRV (~73–74) is slightly higher than Navajo White’s, and under bright light Shoji looks more neutral. Navajo White by contrast has stronger yellow-beige warmth. In short, Shoji White feels lighter and more greige, whereas Navajo White appears a bit deeper and creamier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What color is closest to Navajo White?
Antique White (SW 6119) is the closest match for navajo white. Antique White has a similar lightness but a more muted beige tone with less yellow undertone that the navajo white. (By comparison, Benjamin Moore’s Navajo White (OC-95) is quite different – it is lighter and more beige.) So the closest SW equivalent is Antique White, though it reads cooler and less golden than Navajo White.
Does Navajo White look yellow?
Yes – it is not a pure white but a warm cream. By definition it carries yellow/beige undertones, so in many lights it will have a faint yellow cast. However, the effect is usually subtle (“adds warmth without being overpowering”) so most people perceive it as a soft off-white. If very bright or under warm lighting, the yellow hue becomes more noticeable.
What is a shade lighter than Navajo White?
A very similar but lighter Sherwin color is Creamy (SW 7012). Creamy has nearly the same warm hue but a significantly higher LRV (~81 vs. 72), so it looks like a “one-step-lighter” version of Navajo White. (Another very close one is Dover White (SW 6385), which also has a high LRV around 82.) These share Navajo White’s warmth but appear brighter.
What’s the most popular Sherwin-Williams white?
Sherwin’s Alabaster (SW 7008) is widely regarded as the top seller in the white category. It is a warm, soft white with a subtle beige undertone, often described as “cozy and inviting”. Other perennial favorites include Pure White (SW 7005), Snowbound (SW 7004), Extra White (SW 7006), and White Dove (SW 7014). Among designers, Alabaster frequently ranks as the go-to white for walls due to its versatile warmth.
