RAL 180-1 vs Rarified Air
RAL 180-1 (RAL Effect) and Rarified Air (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, RAL 180-1 belongs to the blue family and Rarified Air to the blue-white family. The 30-point LRV gap — 78 for Rarified Air vs 49 for RAL 180-1 — means Rarified Air will open up a space more effectively. A ΔE of 16.6 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
RAL 180-1 vs Rarified Air in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing RAL 180-1 and Rarified Air in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
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. Rarified Air 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. Rarified Air 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 Rarified Air Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see RAL 180-1 on one side and Rarified Air 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.
