Sherwin-Williams' Greek Villa is a firm favorite warm white paint – here's how designers use this versatile neutral

Within the category of white paints, the range is vast. From warm whites to cool-toned whites, it's a paint color used in pretty much all rooms and across every interior design style, and Sherwin-Williams' Greek Villa is proving to be one of the most popular among them. 

One of Sherwin-Williams' best-selling paints, Greek Villa ranked within the brand's top ten most popular last year, and its appeal seems just as evident in 2024. 

But what makes this white paint so popular? We spoke to designers to understand why this white paint works so well in interior schemes and their favorite ways to decorate with it throughout the home. 

What color is Greek Villa? 

'Greek Villa SW 7551 is a creamy and sunny white with warm undertones that suits any space homeowners decide to use it in,' explains Sue Wadden, Director of Color Marketing at Sherwin-Williams.

This off-white paint is a favorite for interior designer Marie Flanigan, who has used it as a backdrop color in interior projects. She comments that it's an incredibly versatile paint that works in many different spaces and across various interior design styles.

'Greek Villa stands out as a stunning neutral shade because of its warmth and airiness, making it a versatile choice for any room,' says Marie. 'Its light and airy tones bring a sense of spaciousness to interiors, creating an inviting atmosphere that feels open and bright.'

'Whether used in a cozy living room or a contemporary kitchen, Greek Villa effortlessly complements various design styles creating a welcoming embrace that enhances the overall aesthetic appeal.'

How to decorate with Greek Villa

Decorating with white is one of the most classic and versatile room color ideas. A color that's used time and time again across walls, white is a go-to hue for creating a bright and airy base throughout the home. 

Given this versatility, you can't really go wrong with using Greek Villa. From bathrooms to living rooms, this paint color is widely flattering and doesn't run the risk of clashing with other colors. However, if you want to make the most out of this much-loved off-white paint, designers share below their favorite ways to use it. 

1. Use Greek Villa in place of cool-toned whites

Unlike cool-toned whites, the warm undertones found in this warm white paint prevent it from feeling cold or sterile, instead creating a neutral backdrop that feels inviting.

'If you find stark whites to be too clinical and unwelcoming, this is the ideal, cozy alternative,' says NYC interior designer Eddie Lee. 'I see this in anything from an organic modern setting to something more traditional and architectural.'

This is demonstrated in this modern rustic kitchen designed by Marie Flanigan Interiors. Although pared-back, the end result is cozy and inviting, which wouldn't be the case with a cooler shade of white paint.  

'It offers a welcoming alternative to stark white, perfect for those seeking white walls without the sterile gallery-like atmosphere,' agrees interior designer Eugenia Triandos of Hibou Design & Co. 'Its buttery white undertone allows you to dress up the room without overwhelming it – a subtle yet effective way to enhance your space.'

2. Create a timeless living space or bedroom

While Greek Villa would make an effective color choice for every room in the home, using it across the walls of a living room or bedroom works especially well as a backdrop color.

In living rooms, Greek Villa allows the decor to stand out if your style leans more minimalist while in a bedroom, it can aid in creating a restful feel. In both spaces, Greek Villa used across the walls will help create a bright and airy feel.

'The name says it all, the warm bright white has a sunny disposition and can make any space feel light and bright,' says interior designer Nadia Watts. 

Since Greek Villa is so understated, it will pair well with decor of all styles, but leaning into the timeless feel of this hue through furniture and smaller furnishings is a great way to enhance its appeal.

'Opt for pieces with clean lines and simple silhouettes to maintain a sense of sophistication,' advises Tamara Fitton, designer at LUXE by Andrew Henry Interiors. 'Metallic accents can add a touch of glamour and sophistication to a room painted in Greek Villa. Consider incorporating gold or brass accents through light fixtures, hardware, and decorative accessories to elevate the space.'

To add further interest to your white room, Sue Wadden suggests some of the best accent colors that pair well with Greek Villa: 'A few colors I recommend pairing with Greek Villa are deep blues like In The Navy SW 9178 and grayish greens like Evergreen Fog SW 9130 or a luminous gold like Kingdom Gold SW 6698.'

3. Use Greek Villa in rooms with lots of natural light

Greek Villa looks especially good in rooms that have plenty of natural light. As shown above, in this living room designed by Marie Flanigan, the use of Greek Villa across the walls appears brighter with natural light filling the room. 

'Greek Villa has a high light reflective value, meaning it will look even lighter and brighter when light reflects from it,' explains Nadia Watts. 'This sunny white comes to life with lots of natural light.'

Whether or not your room already benefits from ample natural light, there are small decor upgrades you can make to enhance it when decorating with Greek Villa. 'Lighting is essential to showcase the color,' says Tamara Fitton. 'Maximize natural light by using sheer curtains or opting for light-filtering window treatments.'

If you're looking for a shade of white paint with a touch of warmth, Sherwin-Williams' Greek Villa is a failsafe choice. Use this off-white paint as a backdrop in any room of your home and you'll quickly see how it creates a light and airy look while retaining enough warmth to feel cozy.