Sherwin Williams Alabaster is a beautiful white color that can be used on kitchen cabinets, walls, and trim. If you’re looking for an elegant option that will stand out from the rest, then this cabinet paint color would work perfectly. SW Alabaster has been one of our most popular colors this year- and for good reason. Let’s find out why!
Y’all, I have painted SO many kitchen cabinets these past few years AND I have used almost every color under the sun. Everything from Accessible Beige to Creamy and even Hale Navy!
But, I have to say, Sherwin Williams Alabaster (SW 7008) has to be my most requested paint color for kitchen cabinets. And it’s easy to see why! It’s a really great option when you’re looking for a good, clean white that’s not too stark and definitely not too warm.
For today’s project, I will be showing you how I transformed these dated honey oak cabinets from MEH to WOAH with a fresh coat of SW Alabaster White.
Tip: If you want some advice on how to paint your own oak cabinets, take a look at this helpful guide I put together full of tips and hacks to perfectly paint your oak cabinets.
Let’s goooooo!
What is the LRV of Alabaster?
Alabaster has an LRV (luminous reflectance value) of 82, which means that it reflects light easily and makes your kitchen seem brighter. While many tend to question if Alabaster has a yellow tinge to it, it really depends on the lighting. Even so, it has never look yellow to me, but more of an off-white, leaning more towards a creamier light beige.
Is Alabaster cool or warm?
Honestly, neither! That’s why so many people love it. It’s a perfect balance of color with subtle undertones and just the right amount of brightness.
I love it!
What color goes with Alabaster from Sherwin Williams?
For my clients, I typically match Alabaster with a lighter variant of the color. For instance, if they have SW Alabaster on their kitchen cabinets, I will paint the trim in something like SW White Rice (SW 60011), which is closer to an almond white or even semi-transparent Sherwin Williams Ecru (SW 70022).
I’ve also found that Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray pairs really well with alabaster and gives it a nice, clean look when used in a kitchen.
For this specific kitchen I am showing you today, the walls are painted in Sherwin Williams Anew Gray. The perfect color combination if you ask me!
Painted Oak Cabinets In SW Alabaster: Before & After
This kitchen has some amazing before and after photos! Everything received a much-needed facelift.
Details about my cabinet painting process can be found after the photos, so keep scrolling!
Let’s take a look at the major transformation, shall we?
Can you even believe that’s the same kitchen!? I’ve painted a lot of cabinets over the years, but this one just might be my favorite so far!
The night and day transformation from ugly, honey oak to beautiful, smooth white makes me so happy. Painting cabinets is tedious and labor-intensive, but getting the after photos makes it all worth it to me!
How I Painted These Alabaster Kitchen Cabinets
I know there are no less than one milllllion blog posts out there on how to paint kitchen cabinets…but 99% of the posts I’ve read are…
well, I hate to just come out and say it, but I guess I will…
They’re B. A. D.
Pinterest is filled to the brim with pretty pictures boasting, “no sanding, no priming” tutorials for cabinet painting.
It gives me heartburn.
A quality paint job that will last can be attributed to the amount of effort put into the cleaning, sanding and priming phases. That’s the long and short of the story.
So, I wanted to show you how to PROPERLY paint these oak-colored cabinets with Sherwin Williams Alabaster White!
- Disassemble all of the doors and drawers in the kitchen.
- Thoroughly scrub every square inch with TSP/hot water solution and spray Nine degreaser.
- Wipe down with clean water after scrubbing clean.
- Thoroughly sand off the existing finish with an electric sander (not to bare wood, but sand off all the shine).
- Vacuum the dust and wipe with Denatured Alcohol. Then, wipe with a tack cloth.
- Prime with an oil-based or shellac-based primer (normally I spray doors/drawers and brush the frames).
- Sand primer smooth once dry then clean up all dust.
- Caulk and fill holes/cracks, dents, and dings.
- Spot prime places that you filled then sand smooth again.
- Apply the first coat of paint.
- Sand with 400 grit after it’s dry and then, clean up the dust.
- Apply a second coat of paint.
- Reassemble and you are done!
Are you ready to paint your kitchen cabinets in Alabaster?
As you can see…there are many steps you need to take before the actual painting occurs. And these steps are so crucial!
So crucial, in fact, that I created an eCourse all about how to paint your cabinets like a pro. AND, I designed the course with a homeowner with little-to-no painting experience in mind!
Through a series of videos, I walk through each and every step of the process, break it all down and show you what you need to know to get the job done – like a PRO!
If you’d like a professional painter to show you all the tips and tricks and virtually hold your hand, click here to learn more!
Let’s do it together!!
If you want to know all the products and tools I use to paint cabinets, you can download this handy little list straight to your device for FREE!
More Posts To Read:
- 10 Must-Know Cabinet Painting Tips Before You Pick up A Paint Brush
- Painting Oak Cabinets: 5 Must-Know Tips To Achieve The Smoothest Finish
- 10 Worst Cabinet Painting Mistakes
- The Best Colors For Off-White Kitchen Cabinets
- Learn To Fill Woodgrain: Insider Tips From A Pro
This post was originally published on April 18, 2019, and was modified/updated on July 31, 2021.
What color paint is on your walls? I’m in the process of painting my cabinets BM white dove and looking far a wall color. Love your kitchen and yes it’s a ton of work!!
Hello,
The cabinets are gorgeous! But, I was wondering if you could tell me the color of the walls? It looks like the perfect color of greige.
Did you use SW proclassic paint? What subway tile did you use and where did you get it? I am having a hard time finding the perfect combo of white subway tile and white paint.
Love this! Thanks to you I’m painting over the old honey oak and going for Alabaster. 🙂
What color did you paint the trim in the room with alabaster cabinets?
What an incredible transformation! I feel like I’m looking at a completely new kitchen. Love the tips on how to paint your cabinets. I always felt that most of the similar tips were lacking something and now that I’ve read yours, I’m much more confident I can do this because I know all there is to know. Thank you for that and for sharing photos of your beautiful kitchen!
Love it!
Do you mind sharing your wall paint color and quartz name?
Also, what are your thoughts on using liquid sander…. verses manual sanding?
My cabinets are 9 years old and still in good shape. I used liquid sander in the bathroom and holding up well but the kitchen is a more used space.
She stated in her post that the walls were painted using SW Anew Gray.
Hi Kayla! What is the gray color you used on the all’s of the kitchen? It goes well with Alabaster!
Great info, Kayla. Thank you so much for sharing. All the painting you do on either furniture or cabinets is done so beautifully. The home we purchased has some cheap and fast procedure done on the cabinets. I HATE IT! It’s plastic or some cheap application that has begun to split and peel. If you accidentally run your finger over the split, it hurts like a knife cut. I know you are always busy, but if you have a moment, could you please advise what you would recommend to correct this?
Many thanks
What sheen of paint was used? Was it matte or satin?
Satin!
You used satin on the cabinets?
Do you think this color would go well with SW agreeable gray walls painted in eggshell? The trim color is SW pure white in semi gloss.
Yes Satin sheen on cabinets. And yes I do think that would look great!
Megan did you use the agreeable gray?
I’d like to which flooring you used?
Hi Kayla, just wondering what the color might be that was painted on the walls, with the alabaster cabinets
She stated in her post that the walls were painted using SW Anew Gray.
I love this transformation! These cabinets make the whole kitchen look so much more chic and sophisticated. I actually got my cabinets repainted with Sherwin Williams Alabaster about a year ago by my local cabinet refinisher and they did a good job-I still absolutley adore this color a year later! I’m going to try out your DIY painting method on my bathroom cabinets here pretty soon. Will let you know how it goes 🙂
What kind of countertops did you use??
Hey! I wish I knew what they are:( I don’t know the name of the granite the homeowners chose, I’m sorry!!
It almost looks like bengal white granite!
The granite countertops look like Colonial White to me. It’s the granite I’m considering so I’m always on the lookout. If you google it you’ll find lots of pics to compare it to.
I’m having a terrible time trying to find subway tile that goes with our SW Alabaster cabinets. I thought that would be the easy part of our kitchen redo lol What tile & color tile did you use here?
Oh I wish I knew what the tile was so I could help you! I’m so sorry I don’t:( I only painted the cabinets in this home and another contractor did the other updates.
You just finished with the second coat of paint ? That’s it ? No protective coat of Varathane or nothing to protect the finish ???
No, if you use cabinet rated coatings, there’s no need for clear coating.
Hi,
What was the flooring in the renovation please?
I need to know what these light fixtures are. I’ve been looking for something just like this. I need the shorter light for my kitchen.
The side of my cabinets are not the same wood and have veneer end panels. Do you have directions for that in your information?
I sincerely hope MANY people find this post! I’ve been painting for 30 years, and I’m simply amazed that so many people just “diy-it” without really knowing the proper procedures. My heart actually goes out to the many who have painted their cabinets and had no idea what they’re really doing, and now have a mess several years later. Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance.
How long did it take from start to finish
We have wood cabinets with vinyl veneer for trim. Some veneer has lifted and ends are beat up. How would you handle this problem.
Is there a reason you did not use white hinges? I really want them to fade into the background.
This isn’t my kitchen, I was just the painter! xo
The entire kitchen is beautiful. Sever asked what flooring was used. Would you be able to share?
so sorry, i wish i could help with the flooring source, but i have no idea:( we only painted the cabinets in this home.
I wish I could add a pic of my newly painted kitchen. The cabinets are alabaster and the walls different shades of griege . It looks beautiful and I’m super happy with it!
Thank you for the inspiration.