Colonial Blue vs RAL 180-1
Where Colonial Blue belongs to Benjamin Moore's range, RAL 180-1 is a RAL Effect color. These are both blues, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within blue to land. RAL 180-1 (LRV 49) reflects noticeably more light than Colonial Blue (LRV 35), a difference of 13 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. With a ΔE of 13.5, the contrast is hard to miss. These aren't variations on a theme — they're two different answers to the same question. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Colonial Blue vs RAL 180-1 in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Seeing Colonial Blue and RAL 180-1 in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
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 180-1 reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Colonial Blue.
Color Details
Colonial Blue vs RAL 180-1 Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Colonial Blue on one side and RAL 180-1 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 Colonial Blue comparisons
See how Colonial Blue stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
