RAL 180-1 vs Downing Straw
RAL 180-1 (RAL Effect) and Downing Straw (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, RAL 180-1 belongs to the blue family and Downing Straw to the beige family. The 5-point LRV gap — 49 for RAL 180-1 vs 43 for Downing Straw — means RAL 180-1 will open up a space more effectively. A ΔE of 35.6 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.
RAL 180-1 vs Downing Straw in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Seeing RAL 180-1 and Downing Straw in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
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 180-1 has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
Color Details
RAL 180-1 vs Downing Straw Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see RAL 180-1 on one side and Downing Straw 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.
