Atomic Red vs Artichoke
Atomic Red (Little Greene) and Artichoke (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, Atomic Red belongs to the pink-red family and Artichoke to the grey family. The 9-point LRV gap — 21 for Artichoke vs 12 for Atomic Red — means Artichoke will open up a space more effectively. Where Atomic Red leans red, Artichoke reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 70.9 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.
Atomic Red vs Artichoke in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing Atomic Red 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.
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. Artichoke returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
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. Artichoke returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Atomic Red vs Artichoke Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Atomic Red 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 Atomic Red comparisons
See how Atomic Red stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
At LRV 83 vs 12, White Dove is decisively the brighter choice.
Ammonite reflects far more light (LRV 69 vs 12), opening up a space where Atomic Red encloses it.
A 7-point LRV gap (12 vs 6) makes Atomic Red the marginally brighter of the two.
Purbeck Stone reflects far more light (LRV 52 vs 12), opening up a space where Atomic Red encloses it.
Evergreen Fog reflects far more light (LRV 30 vs 12), opening up a space where Atomic Red encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 12, Mizzle is decisively the brighter choice.
Agreeable Gray reflects far more light (LRV 60 vs 12), opening up a space where Atomic Red encloses it.
At LRV 58 vs 12, Accessible Beige is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 27 vs 12, Denim Drift is decisively the brighter choice.
French Gray reflects far more light (LRV 43 vs 12), opening up a space where Atomic Red encloses it.
Atomic Red reads slightly lighter (LRV 12 vs 4), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 55 vs 12, Tranquil Dawn is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 13 vs 12), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 44 vs 12, Hardwick White is decisively the brighter choice.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 12), opening up a space where Atomic Red encloses it.
At LRV 66 vs 12, Balboa Mist is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 74 vs 12, Shoji White is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 83 vs 12, Snowbound is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 12 vs 12), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 68 vs 12, Skimming Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
Dix Blue reflects far more light (LRV 41 vs 12), opening up a space where Atomic Red encloses it.
Calamine reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 12), opening up a space where Atomic Red encloses it.
Treron reflects far more light (LRV 25 vs 12), opening up a space where Atomic Red encloses it.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 12 vs 12), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 45 vs 12, Saybrook Sage is decisively the brighter choice.
Pale Green reflects far more light (LRV 31 vs 12), opening up a space where Atomic Red encloses it.
Atomic Red reads slightly lighter (LRV 12 vs 7), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Cement grey reads slightly lighter (LRV 24 vs 12), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Guilford Green reflects far more light (LRV 57 vs 12), opening up a space where Atomic Red encloses it.
Just Walnut reflects far more light (LRV 72 vs 12), opening up a space where Atomic Red encloses it.