Balboa Mist vs RAL 120-4
Where Balboa Mist belongs to Benjamin Moore's range, RAL 120-4 is a RAL Effect color. Balboa Mist reads as beige-greige, while RAL 120-4 reads as beige — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. RAL 120-4 (LRV 76) reflects noticeably more light than Balboa Mist (LRV 66), a difference of 10 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. The ΔE 4.6 gap is real but not dramatic — close enough to use together, distinct enough to matter as a choice. Below you'll find 4 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Balboa Mist vs RAL 120-4 in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. Balboa Mist and RAL 120-4 are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
Kitchen
In a kitchen, colors are seen under bright task lighting that amplifies undertones — what reads neutral elsewhere can show its hand here. RAL 120-4 reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Balboa Mist.
Bathroom
Bathrooms are one of the few spaces where you're genuinely enclosed by the paint color, which makes the choice between these two more consequential. RAL 120-4 reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Balboa Mist.
House
Seen across an entire facade, subtle tonal differences become pronounced. What reads as nearly the same on a chip often reads as clearly different at scale. RAL 120-4 reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Balboa Mist.
Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are constantly compared against adjacent materials, which means subtle differences between these two become much more visible. RAL 120-4 reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Balboa Mist.
Color Details
Balboa Mist vs RAL 120-4 Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Balboa Mist on one side and RAL 120-4 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 Balboa Mist comparisons
See how Balboa Mist stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
