RAL 180-1 vs Inkwell
RAL 180-1 (RAL Effect) and Inkwell (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, RAL 180-1 belongs to the blue family and Inkwell to the blue-grey family. The 45-point LRV gap — 49 for RAL 180-1 vs 4 for Inkwell — means RAL 180-1 will open up a space more effectively. A ΔE of 53.3 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 4 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
RAL 180-1 vs Inkwell in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. Seeing RAL 180-1 and Inkwell 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 180-1 reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Inkwell.
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 180-1 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. RAL 180-1 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. RAL 180-1 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 Inkwell Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see RAL 180-1 on one side and Inkwell 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.
