City Loft by Sherwin Williams: Best Rooms & Color Pairings

Looking for a paint color that’s warmer than stark white but not as bold as beige? Sherwin-Williams City Loft might be the perfect choice for your next painting project.

This soft, warm off-white has become incredibly popular among homeowners and designers who want something fresh and modern.

With an LRV of 70, it brings brightness to rooms while maintaining that cozy, welcoming feel that makes a house feel like home.

City Loft works beautifully in living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and even on exteriors. It pairs well with both modern and traditional styles, making it one of the most versatile paint colors on the market.

Ready to see why City Loft has earned a spot in Sherwin-Williams’ top-selling colors? Here’s everything you need to know about this stunning shade.

What Color Is City Loft by Sherwin-Williams?

City Loft sits perfectly between warm gray and off-white, with subtle beige undertones that add warmth without being too yellow. It’s definitely not beige; it’s not warm enough for that. It’s also not greige since it doesn’t have green undertones.

Sherwin-Williams describes City Loft as “a warm off-white with beige and red undertones”. The color changes slightly throughout the day, looking more gray in morning light and showing its warmer tones in evening light.

In the right lighting conditions, City Loft is absolutely beautiful, though it can be a bit of a chameleon color.

Here are the key details about City Loft:

Understanding Undertones of City Loft

City Loft has beautiful and interesting undertones that can be interpreted in a variety of ways, depending on the lighting. Here are the main undertones:

Beige Undertones:

• Add warmth without being too yellow
• Create a soft, welcoming feel in rooms
• Make the color more versatile with wood tones and natural materials

Red-Pink Undertones:

• Can make City Loft appear peachy or even purple in certain lights
• Add subtle warmth that prevents the color from feeling cold
• Common in warm gray paint colors like Repose Gray and Incredible White

Taupe Undertones:

• Create a soft pink/purple undertone effect
• Make the color more aesthetic and complex
• Allow City Loft to work with many different decorating styles

The undertones become more visible next to very cool colors or in rooms with lots of natural light.

In north-facing rooms, the undertones help balance cool blue light. In south-facing rooms, they add warmth without making spaces feel too hot.

These complex undertones are what make City Loft so versatile with different furniture finishes and decorating styles.

Where City Loft Works Best in Your Home

Looking to add City Loft to your space, but not sure where to start? This versatile color can upgrade any room in your house. Here’s how this stunning shade can enhance different spaces throughout your home.

Living Rooms

City Loft creates a calm backdrop that lets your furniture stand out. It works well on all four walls or as an accent wall behind your sofa or TV.

The color looks great with white trim and natural wood furniture. It also pairs nicely with navy blue, sage green, and warm beige accents.

The warm undertones make movie nights feel relaxed and open while still looking polished enough for entertaining guests. City Loft also helps make small living rooms feel larger by reflecting light without being too bright.

Bedrooms

This soft gray creates a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere in bedrooms. It’s light enough to keep the room feeling open, but warm enough to feel soft and calming.

Try pairing City Loft walls with white bedding and natural wood nightstands. Add some plants or artwork to bring in color and life.

The color works especially well in master bedrooms where you want to create a hotel-like retreat atmosphere. City Loft also helps balance bright morning light without making the room feel dark at night.

Kitchens

City Loft works well on kitchen cabinets, especially lower cabinets paired with white upper cabinets. It also looks nice on kitchen walls with white or light-colored cabinets.

The color holds up well in busy kitchen spaces and doesn’t show fingerprints as much as pure white paint.

City Loft cabinets create a timeless look that won’t go out of style like some trendy colors might. The warm undertones also complement most countertop materials, from quartz to butcher block.

Bathrooms

In bathrooms, City Loft creates a spa-like feeling. It works well with white fixtures and tiles. The color also pairs nicely with natural stone and wood vanities.

For powder rooms, you can paint all walls City Loft for a spa-like, calm, wrapped-in feeling. The color helps hide water spots and soap splashes better than pure white paint.

City Loft also works well in bathrooms with limited natural light because its warm undertones prevent the space from feeling cold or sterile.

Exterior

City Loft shines as an exterior paint color. The warm off-white pairs beautifully with contrasting trim like black or light gray.

Generally, you have to be careful when picking a white for exterior paint because it can appear stark and washed out. City Loft has just enough color to avoid being washed out in harsh sun.

City Loft has undertones to suit various facades, including stone, brick, and asphalt roofs. The color looks stunning as a front door color, creating a welcoming entrance that’s aesthetic but not too bold.

Best Colors to Pair with City Loft

City Loft pairs beautifully with many other colors. Here are some tried-and-true combinations:

• Snowbound (SW 7004) – A crisp, clean white that adds brightness without being stark. Works well on trim and ceilings to make City Loft walls pop. This combination creates a fresh, modern look that feels clean but not cold.
• Taupe Tone (SW 7633) – A deeper, richer taupe that creates beautiful depth when paired with City Loft. Perfect for accent walls or furniture pieces that require more drama. The two colors share similar undertones, creating a sophisticated monochromatic look.
• Connor’s Lakefront (SW 9060) – A blue-gray that complements City Loft’s undertones. Great for creating a calming, spa-like atmosphere in bedrooms and bathrooms. The cool blue tones balance City Loft’s warmth perfectly for a relaxing color scheme.
• Evergreen Fog (SW 9130) – A muted green that brings natural, earthy vibes to any space. The soft sage tone works beautifully with City Loft’s warm undertones. This pairing creates a connection to nature and complements wood tones and natural materials well.
• Naval (SW 6244) – A rich navy that creates a stunning contrast with City Loft. Perfect for front doors, built-ins, or accent walls when you want bold sophistication. The dark navy makes City Loft appear lighter and more refined by comparison.

Alternative Colors to Sherwin-Williams City Loft

Are you unsure if City Loft is the perfect fit for your space? These similar colors offer the same warm, neutral appeal with slight variations in tone and depth.

Each option offers a distinct take on the gray-taupe family, while maintaining the versatile, livable quality that makes City Loft so popular.

If you like City Loft but want something slightly different, consider these alternatives:

These alternatives provide options if City Loft doesn’t quite align with your vision. Some are lighter, some are darker, and some lean toward different undertones.

Testing samples of these colors alongside City Loft will help you find the perfect neutral for your home’s unique lighting and style.

Conclusion

Sherwin-Williams City Loft is a beautiful, flexible paint color that brings calm, light, and warmth to any space.

With its subtle undertones and soft look, City Loft pairs well with both modern and traditional designs. And if you’re still on the fence, try a few swatches of similar shades like Agreeable Gray or Drift of Mist to find your best match.

No matter where you use it, City Loft adds quiet charm and a welcoming feel to your home, without ever stealing the spotlight.

Ready to try City Loft in your space? Pick up a sample and test it in different lighting throughout the day.

If you’ve used City Loft before, share your experience or favorite pairings in the comments. We’d love to hear how it worked for you!