Ancient Cloud vs RAL 490-5
Ancient Cloud (PPG) and RAL 490-5 (RAL Effect) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, Ancient Cloud belongs to the grey family and RAL 490-5 to the pink-red family. The 35-point LRV gap — 64 for Ancient Cloud vs 29 for RAL 490-5 — means Ancient Cloud will open up a space more effectively. A ΔE of 35.7 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 5 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Ancient Cloud vs RAL 490-5 in Real Spaces
5 real rooms side by side. Seeing Ancient Cloud and RAL 490-5 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. Ancient Cloud reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than RAL 490-5.
Bedroom
Bedrooms are typically lit with warmer, lower light than the rest of the house — a condition that flatters warm tones and deepens cool ones. Ancient Cloud returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Kitchen
Kitchens often have the harshest, most revealing light in the house — under-cabinet LEDs and overhead fixtures that strip away subtlety. Ancient Cloud returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
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. Ancient Cloud 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. Ancient Cloud returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Ancient Cloud vs RAL 490-5 Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Ancient Cloud on one side and RAL 490-5 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 Ancient Cloud comparisons
See how Ancient Cloud stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
