RAL 120-M vs Downing Slate
RAL 120-M (RAL Effect) and Downing Slate (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. RAL 120-M reads as grey, while Downing Slate reads as blue-grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 6-point LRV gap — 27 for RAL 120-M vs 21 for Downing Slate — means RAL 120-M will open up a space more effectively. A ΔE of 10.2 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.
RAL 120-M vs Downing Slate in Real Spaces
5 real rooms side by side. Seeing RAL 120-M and Downing Slate 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. RAL 120-M reads slightly lighter here — a subtle but real difference in how open the space feels.
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. RAL 120-M has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
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. RAL 120-M has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
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. RAL 120-M has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinet color is always seen in context — against countertops, backsplash, and hardware — which amplifies undertone differences that might disappear on a plain wall. RAL 120-M has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
Color Details
RAL 120-M vs Downing Slate Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see RAL 120-M on one side and Downing Slate 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 RAL 120-M comparisons
See how RAL 120-M stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
