Steam vs RAL 180-1
Where Steam belongs to Benjamin Moore's range, RAL 180-1 is a RAL Effect color. Steam reads as beige-greige, while RAL 180-1 reads as blue — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Steam (LRV 84) reflects noticeably more light than RAL 180-1 (LRV 49), a difference of 36 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. With a ΔE of 21.9, 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 3 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Steam vs RAL 180-1 in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Seeing Steam 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.
Living Room
In a living room, color works across both daylight and evening light — the same wall can read very differently at noon and at 8pm. The LRV gap is large enough that Steam will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than RAL 180-1 would.
Bedroom
The context that matters most in a bedroom is how a color reads under a bedside lamp at night, not under noon daylight. Steam reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than RAL 180-1.
Color Details
Steam vs RAL 180-1 Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Steam 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 Steam comparisons
See how Steam stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
