Earl Blue vs Arctic Grey
Earl Blue is a Dulux color while Arctic Grey comes from Jotun. These are both blue-greys, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within blue-grey to land. At LRV 41 vs 32, Earl Blue will read as the brighter of the two — a 9-point gap that matters most in north-facing or low-light rooms. The tonal difference — Earl Blue's cool character against Arctic Grey's neutral — becomes most visible against white trim or in morning light. At ΔE 5.1, the difference is perceptible but not dramatic — the two can work harmoniously in the same space. Below you'll find 5 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Earl Blue vs Arctic Grey in Real Spaces
5 real rooms side by side. Earl Blue and Arctic Grey 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. Earl Blue returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Bedroom
Bedroom walls are often seen under warm artificial light, a context that shifts both colors from how they look on a chip. The LRV gap is large enough that Earl Blue will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Arctic Grey would.
Kitchen
Kitchen lighting tends to be bright and directional, which sharpens contrast and makes undertone differences more apparent. The LRV gap is large enough that Earl Blue will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Arctic Grey would.
Bathroom
Bathrooms amplify color — the enclosed space and reflective surfaces make what reads subtle elsewhere feel more present here. The LRV gap is large enough that Earl Blue will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Arctic Grey would.
Kitchen Cabinets
On cabinetry, undertone and temperature become more pronounced against countertops and hardware. The LRV gap is large enough that Earl Blue will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Arctic Grey would.
Color Details
Earl Blue vs Arctic Grey Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Earl Blue on one side and Arctic Grey 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 Earl Blue comparisons
See how Earl Blue stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
