Anthracite grey vs Retreat
Where Anthracite grey belongs to RAL Classic's range, Retreat is a Sherwin-Williams color. Anthracite grey reads as blue-grey, while Retreat reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Retreat (LRV 21) reflects noticeably more light than Anthracite grey (LRV 8), a difference of 13 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. With a ΔE of 28.3, the contrast is hard to miss. These aren't variations on a theme — they're two different answers to the same question. Below you'll find 4 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Anthracite grey vs Retreat in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. Seeing Anthracite grey and Retreat in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Kitchen
In a kitchen, colors are seen under bright task lighting that amplifies undertones — what reads neutral elsewhere can show its hand here. Retreat reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Anthracite grey.
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. Retreat reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Anthracite grey.
Front Door
A front door is a focal point — small color differences read clearly at this concentrated scale. The LRV gap is large enough that Retreat will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Anthracite grey would.
Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are constantly compared against adjacent materials, which means subtle differences between these two become much more visible. Retreat reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Anthracite grey.
Color Details
Anthracite grey vs Retreat Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Anthracite grey on one side and Retreat 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 Anthracite grey comparisons
See how Anthracite grey stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
