Basically Black vs Mount Etna
Where Basically Black belongs to Dulux's range, Mount Etna is a Sherwin-Williams color. Both sit in the blue-grey family, which is useful context if you're narrowing within a single hue direction. Basically Black (LRV 9) reflects noticeably more light than Mount Etna (LRV 6), a difference of 3 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Basically Black runs neutral while Mount Etna is decidedly cool, which means they'll respond very differently to warm vs cool light sources. The ΔE 4.1 gap is real but not dramatic — close enough to use together, distinct enough to matter as a choice. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Basically Black vs Mount Etna in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Basically Black and Mount Etna 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 temperature contrast between Mount Etna and Basically Black is what sets these apart most in this context.
Color Details
Basically Black vs Mount Etna Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Basically Black on one side and Mount Etna 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.
