Hay Bale vs Artichoke
Hay Bale (Dulux) and Artichoke (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, Hay Bale belongs to the beige family and Artichoke to the grey family. The 46-point LRV gap — 68 for Hay Bale vs 21 for Artichoke — means Hay Bale will open up a space more effectively. Where Hay Bale leans warm, Artichoke reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 33.3 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Hay Bale vs Artichoke in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing Hay Bale and Artichoke 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. Hay Bale reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Artichoke.
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. Hay Bale returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Hay Bale vs Artichoke Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Hay Bale on one side and Artichoke 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 Hay Bale comparisons
See how Hay Bale stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 68), opening up a space where Hay Bale encloses it.
At LRV 68 vs 52, Hay Bale is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 68 vs 30, Hay Bale is decisively the brighter choice.
A 7-point LRV gap (68 vs 60) makes Hay Bale the marginally brighter of the two.
Hay Bale reads slightly lighter (LRV 68 vs 58), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Hay Bale reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 27), opening up a space where Denim Drift encloses it.
At LRV 68 vs 43, Hay Bale is decisively the brighter choice.
Hay Bale reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 55), opening up a space where Tranquil Dawn encloses it.
Hay Bale reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 44), opening up a space where Hardwick White encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 68, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
With LRVs of 68 and 66, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Shoji White reads slightly lighter (LRV 74 vs 68), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Hay Bale reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 12), opening up a space where Pewter Green encloses it.
Hay Bale reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 8), opening up a space where Duck Green encloses it.
With LRVs of 68 and 68, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Hay Bale reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 12), opening up a space where Vintage Vogue encloses it.
Hay Bale reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 45), opening up a space where Saybrook Sage encloses it.
At LRV 68 vs 31, Hay Bale is decisively the brighter choice.
