Lamp Black vs Ionian
Lamp Black (Little Greene) and Ionian (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, Lamp Black belongs to the grey family and Ionian to the blue family. The 17-point LRV gap — 20 for Ionian vs 3 for Lamp Black — means Ionian will open up a space more effectively. Where Lamp Black leans purple, Ionian reads cool — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 45.3 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Lamp Black vs Ionian in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Seeing Lamp Black and Ionian 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. Ionian returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Lamp Black vs Ionian Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Lamp Black on one side and Ionian 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 Lamp Black comparisons
See how Lamp Black stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
