Basically Black vs Obsidian Green
Basically Black (Dulux) and Obsidian Green (Little Greene) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, Basically Black belongs to the blue-grey family and Obsidian Green to the green family. The 8-point LRV gap — 9 for Basically Black vs 1 for Obsidian Green — means Basically Black will open up a space more effectively. Where Basically Black leans neutral, Obsidian Green reads green — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 23.8 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 5 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Basically Black vs Obsidian Green in Real Spaces
5 real rooms side by side. Seeing Basically Black and Obsidian Green 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
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. Basically Black reads slightly lighter here — a subtle but real difference in how open the space feels.
Bedroom
Bedrooms are typically lit with warmer, lower light than the rest of the house — a condition that flatters warm tones and deepens cool ones. Basically Black has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
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. Basically Black has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
House
A full exterior is the most demanding test for a paint color — scale and outdoor light both amplify differences that seem small on a swatch. Basically Black has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
Front Door
On a front door, the color is both the first and last thing you see — a context where even a modest tonal difference reads clearly. Basically Black reads slightly lighter here — a subtle but real difference in how open the space feels.
Color Details
Basically Black vs Obsidian Green Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Basically Black on one side and Obsidian Green 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 Basically Black comparisons
See how Basically Black stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
