RAL 180-1 vs Aviary Blue
RAL 180-1 (RAL Effect) and Aviary Blue (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. These are both blues, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within blue to land. The 24-point LRV gap — 73 for Aviary Blue vs 49 for RAL 180-1 — means Aviary Blue will open up a space more effectively. A ΔE of 14.1 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 3 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
RAL 180-1 vs Aviary Blue in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Seeing RAL 180-1 and Aviary Blue 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. Aviary Blue reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than RAL 180-1.
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. Aviary Blue returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
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. Aviary Blue returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
RAL 180-1 vs Aviary Blue Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see RAL 180-1 on one side and Aviary Blue 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 180-1 comparisons
See how RAL 180-1 stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
