Malt vs RAL 850-1
Malt is a Cloverdale Paint color while RAL 850-1 comes from RAL Effect. Malt reads as beige-greige, while RAL 850-1 reads as greige-grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. With LRVs of 52 and 53, they'll behave almost identically in terms of how much light they reflect back into a room. At ΔE 4.6, 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.
Malt vs RAL 850-1 in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. Malt and RAL 850-1 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
Malt vs RAL 850-1 Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Malt on one side and RAL 850-1 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 Malt comparisons
See how Malt stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
