Octavius vs Basically Black
Where Octavius belongs to Cloverdale Paint's range, Basically Black is a Dulux color. Octavius reads as grey, while Basically Black reads as blue-grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Basically Black (LRV 9) reflects noticeably more light than Octavius (LRV 6), a difference of 3 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. At ΔE 2.6, these are close — the kind of difference that matters when choosing between them, but doesn't read strongly in a finished room. Below you'll find 3 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Octavius vs Basically Black in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Octavius and Basically Black 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
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 brightness difference is modest but present — Basically Black gives the walls a little more lift.
Bedroom
The context that matters most in a bedroom is how a color reads under a bedside lamp at night, not under noon daylight. Basically Black reads slightly lighter here — a subtle but real difference in how open the space feels.
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. Basically Black reads slightly lighter here — a subtle but real difference in how open the space feels.
Color Details
Octavius vs Basically Black Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Octavius on one side and Basically Black 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 Octavius comparisons
See how Octavius stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
