First Day of School vs RAL 140-2
First Day of School (Cloverdale Paint) and RAL 140-2 (RAL Effect) come from different manufacturers. These are both beiges, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within beige to land. Their light reflectance values are nearly the same — 73 vs 74 — so neither will read significantly brighter or darker than the other. A ΔE of 1.8 puts them in subtle territory — distinguishable in direct comparison, less so from across a room. Below you'll find 3 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
First Day of School vs RAL 140-2 in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. First Day of School and RAL 140-2 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
A living room wall sees more varied light than almost any other surface in the house, which makes the choice between these two more nuanced than a chip suggests. At this scale the difference is subtle — you'd need them side by side, as shown here, to reliably tell them apart.
Kitchen
Kitchens often have the harshest, most revealing light in the house — under-cabinet LEDs and overhead fixtures that strip away subtlety. In photos like these you're seeing the difference at its most direct. In a finished room, the distinction is there but not dramatic.
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. In photos like these you're seeing the difference at its most direct. In a finished room, the distinction is there but not dramatic.
Color Details
First Day of School vs RAL 140-2 Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see First Day of School on one side and RAL 140-2 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 First Day of School comparisons
See how First Day of School stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
