Babouche vs RAL 280-4
Where Babouche belongs to Farrow & Ball's range, RAL 280-4 is a RAL Effect color. These are both beiges, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within beige to land. Babouche (LRV 57) reflects noticeably more light than RAL 280-4 (LRV 44), a difference of 13 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. The ΔE 8.7 gap is real but not dramatic — close enough to use together, distinct enough to matter as a choice. Below you'll find 4 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Babouche vs RAL 280-4 in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. Babouche and RAL 280-4 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.
Kitchen
In a kitchen, colors are seen under bright task lighting that amplifies undertones — what reads neutral elsewhere can show its hand here. Babouche reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than RAL 280-4.
Bathroom
Bathrooms are one of the few spaces where you're genuinely enclosed by the paint color, which makes the choice between these two more consequential. Babouche reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than RAL 280-4.
House
Seen across an entire facade, subtle tonal differences become pronounced. What reads as nearly the same on a chip often reads as clearly different at scale. Babouche reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than RAL 280-4.
Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are constantly compared against adjacent materials, which means subtle differences between these two become much more visible. Babouche reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than RAL 280-4.
Color Details
Babouche vs RAL 280-4 Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Babouche on one side and RAL 280-4 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 Babouche comparisons
See how Babouche stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
