RAL 180-1 vs Searching Blue
Where RAL 180-1 belongs to RAL Effect's range, Searching Blue is a Sherwin-Williams color. Both sit in the blue family, which is useful context if you're narrowing within a single hue direction. RAL 180-1 (LRV 49) reflects noticeably more light than Searching Blue (LRV 21), a difference of 28 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. With a ΔE of 25.1, the contrast is hard to miss. These aren't variations on a theme — they're two different answers to the same question. 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 Searching Blue in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Seeing RAL 180-1 and Searching Blue in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Bathroom
Bathrooms are one of the few spaces where you're genuinely enclosed by the paint color, which makes the choice between these two more consequential. RAL 180-1 reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Searching Blue.
Color Details
RAL 180-1 vs Searching Blue Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see RAL 180-1 on one side and Searching 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.
