Dark Ash vs Naval
Dark Ash (Behr) and Naval (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Dark Ash reads as grey, while Naval reads as blue — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 11-point LRV gap — 15 for Dark Ash vs 4 for Naval — means Dark Ash will open up a space more effectively. Where Dark Ash leans blue, Naval reads cool — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 23.2 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Dark Ash vs Naval in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Seeing Dark Ash and Naval in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Bathroom
Small bathrooms intensify color. A shade that seems quiet in a larger room can feel immersive when you're surrounded by it on four walls. Dark Ash returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Dark Ash vs Naval Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Dark Ash on one side and Naval on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Dark Ash comparisons
See how Dark Ash stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
At LRV 83 vs 15, White Dove is decisively the brighter choice.
Purbeck Stone reflects far more light (LRV 52 vs 15), opening up a space where Dark Ash encloses it.
Evergreen Fog reflects far more light (LRV 30 vs 15), opening up a space where Dark Ash encloses it.
Agreeable Gray reflects far more light (LRV 60 vs 15), opening up a space where Dark Ash encloses it.
At LRV 58 vs 15, Accessible Beige is decisively the brighter choice.
A 12-point LRV gap (27 vs 15) makes Denim Drift the marginally brighter of the two.
French Gray reflects far more light (LRV 43 vs 15), opening up a space where Dark Ash encloses it.
At LRV 55 vs 15, Tranquil Dawn is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 44 vs 15, Hardwick White is decisively the brighter choice.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 15), opening up a space where Dark Ash encloses it.
At LRV 66 vs 15, Balboa Mist is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 74 vs 15, Shoji White is decisively the brighter choice.
A 3-point LRV gap (15 vs 12) makes Dark Ash the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 68 vs 15, Skimming Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
A 3-point LRV gap (15 vs 12) makes Dark Ash the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 45 vs 15, Saybrook Sage is decisively the brighter choice.
Pale Green reflects far more light (LRV 31 vs 15), opening up a space where Dark Ash encloses it.
Dark Ash reads slightly lighter (LRV 15 vs 7), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Cement grey reads slightly lighter (LRV 24 vs 15), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Guilford Green reflects far more light (LRV 57 vs 15), opening up a space where Dark Ash encloses it.
Just Walnut reflects far more light (LRV 72 vs 15), opening up a space where Dark Ash encloses it.