Buttermilk vs RAL 120-3
Buttermilk is a Cloverdale Paint color while RAL 120-3 comes from RAL Effect. Buttermilk reads as beige, while RAL 120-3 reads as beige-greige — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. With LRVs of 85 and 85, they'll behave almost identically in terms of how much light they reflect back into a room. At ΔE 3.8, the difference is perceptible but not dramatic — the two can work harmoniously in the same space. Below you'll find 4 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Buttermilk vs RAL 120-3 in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. Buttermilk and RAL 120-3 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.
Living Room
Living rooms test a color across a full range of conditions — morning sun, afternoon shade, and evening lamp light all shift how both of these read. At this scale, the choice between them becomes clear in a way that a swatch alone can't communicate.
Bedroom
Bedroom walls are often seen under warm artificial light, a context that shifts both colors from how they look on a chip. Side by side like this, the difference is easy to read — which is exactly why seeing them in a real space is more useful than comparing chips.
Kitchen
Kitchen lighting tends to be bright and directional, which sharpens contrast and makes undertone differences more apparent. Side by side like this, the difference is easy to read — which is exactly why seeing them in a real space is more useful than comparing chips.
Bathroom
Bathrooms amplify color — the enclosed space and reflective surfaces make what reads subtle elsewhere feel more present here. Side by side like this, the difference is easy to read — which is exactly why seeing them in a real space is more useful than comparing chips.
Color Details
Buttermilk vs RAL 120-3 Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Buttermilk on one side and RAL 120-3 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 Buttermilk comparisons
See how Buttermilk stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 85 vs 83), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Buttermilk reflects far more light (LRV 85 vs 69), opening up a space where Ammonite encloses it.
At LRV 85 vs 6, Buttermilk is decisively the brighter choice.
Buttermilk reflects far more light (LRV 85 vs 52), opening up a space where Purbeck Stone encloses it.
Buttermilk reflects far more light (LRV 85 vs 30), opening up a space where Evergreen Fog encloses it.
At LRV 85 vs 52, Buttermilk is decisively the brighter choice.
Buttermilk reflects far more light (LRV 85 vs 60), opening up a space where Agreeable Gray encloses it.
At LRV 85 vs 58, Buttermilk is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 85 vs 27, Buttermilk is decisively the brighter choice.
Buttermilk reflects far more light (LRV 85 vs 43), opening up a space where French Gray encloses it.
Buttermilk reflects far more light (LRV 85 vs 4), opening up a space where Naval encloses it.
At LRV 85 vs 55, Buttermilk is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 85 vs 13, Buttermilk is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 85 vs 44, Buttermilk is decisively the brighter choice.
With LRVs of 85 and 84, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Buttermilk reflects far more light (LRV 85 vs 21), opening up a space where Artichoke encloses it.
At LRV 85 vs 66, Buttermilk is decisively the brighter choice.
A 11-point LRV gap (85 vs 74) makes Buttermilk the marginally brighter of the two.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 85 vs 83), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 85 vs 12, Buttermilk is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 85 vs 68, Buttermilk is decisively the brighter choice.
Buttermilk reflects far more light (LRV 85 vs 41), opening up a space where Dix Blue encloses it.
Buttermilk reflects far more light (LRV 85 vs 68), opening up a space where Calamine encloses it.
Buttermilk reflects far more light (LRV 85 vs 25), opening up a space where Treron encloses it.
At LRV 85 vs 12, Buttermilk is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 85 vs 45, Buttermilk is decisively the brighter choice.
Buttermilk reflects far more light (LRV 85 vs 31), opening up a space where Pale Green encloses it.
Buttermilk reflects far more light (LRV 85 vs 7), opening up a space where Pine Needle encloses it.
Buttermilk reflects far more light (LRV 85 vs 24), opening up a space where Cement grey encloses it.
Buttermilk reflects far more light (LRV 85 vs 57), opening up a space where Guilford Green encloses it.