Sherwin Williams Ice Cube is the paint color I used throughout my new build.
Is it white? Gray? Blue? Could it even read as a pastel?
If you want something that isn’t a pure white but reads very light gray, keep reading. Ice Cube sits on the lighter end of the gray spectrum without being classified as a true white. Depending on light it can also show a faint blue cast.
Ice Cube is a cool, icy white with a noticeable neutral gray-blue undertone, which makes it a little unpredictable in different rooms and lighting. It can read as a light gray or a soft blue in darker spaces and appears crisp and refreshing in rooms with warm sunlight and warm wood trim. Overall, it’s a great choice if you want a subtle, natural color that stays close to neutral.
source: rug (home goods) | light
Our hallway with Extra White trim, warm wood, and Ice Cube walls.
Using Sherwin Williams Ice Cube In Our Home
In our bedroom, the drywall above the board and batten is painted Sherwin Williams Ice Cube. Our painters used a flat finish on the drywall (as a mom of four, I don’t recommend flat for high-traffic walls).
sources: rug | bench | lamps | plant basket
With warm Southwest light pouring in from five windows, Ice Cube can look like a clean white at times and a soft blue at others.
Our bathroom, adjacent to the bedroom, is also Ice Cube but appears more white with a hint of gray thanks to the cool grays in the fixtures and finishes.
sources: handles | mirror | sconce
How To Tell What Undertones Will Come Out In Sherwin Williams Ice Cube?
Check the paint swatch for the LRV (Light Reflectance Value) to see how light the color is. Ice Cube has an LRV of 77, indicating it’s a very light paint. The higher the LRV, the more light the color reflects.
Ice Cube performs best in spaces with abundant natural light. Sunlit rooms will feel bright, balanced, and open with this color.
In rooms that receive warm light, the cool undertones will be softened and Ice Cube may read as a gentle neutral gray, much like it does in our bedroom.
Here, with plenty of sunlight, Ice Cube looks bright, pure, and fresh.
Now let’s look at Ice Cube in a shadier space.
In darker rooms or north-facing spaces, Ice Cube’s cool tone can read chilly and bluish, as it does in my son’s room. I prefer it less in rooms with limited natural light.
I paired Ice Cube with similar hues for a monochromatic palette: Ice Cube on the lower walls and Extra White above, both in flat finish. Because his room faces north and has only two small windows, Ice Cube appears cooler and more blue-gray there.
source: rug
Ice Cube’s undertones are prominent in our son’s coastal-themed room.
It’s surprising that the same Ice Cube color reads so differently in our entry, where it looks more gray.
What Colors Coordinate Best With SW Ice Cube?
Children’s rooms often reflect personality and can be exceptions to a home’s cohesive palette. For the rest of the house, aim for a coordinated palette so rooms flow together and feel intentionally designed.
Darker blue-gray colors that pair well with Ice Cube:
- Uncertain Gray
- Cadet
- Foggy Day
You can also pair Ice Cube with warm whites for contrast or with warm taupes to add warmth.
Ice Cube pairs beautifully with deeper grays, richer blues, crisp cool whites, or warm taupes. It reads fresh and crisp in coastal interiors; natural materials such as rattan, rope, and wicker help warm the color and create a balanced, inviting palette.
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Our boys’ bedroom at the sunniest time of day shows Extra White above and lots of warm wood tones to complement Ice Cube below.
After moving, our new brick home is painted Sherwin Williams Alabaster in many areas — a creamier, softer white compared with Ice Cube.
If you liked this overview, you might also enjoy posts on Sherwin Williams Krypton for a light blue kitchen island or tips from our new-construction home build.
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