Basically Black vs Nocturnal Green
Basically Black (Dulux) and Nocturnal Green (Valspar) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, Basically Black belongs to the blue-grey family and Nocturnal Green to the blue-green family. The 6-point LRV gap — 9 for Basically Black vs 3 for Nocturnal Green — means Basically Black will open up a space more effectively. A ΔE of 11.8 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 3 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Basically Black vs Nocturnal Green in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Seeing Basically Black and Nocturnal Green in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
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 Nocturnal Green Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Basically Black on one side and Nocturnal 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.
