RAL 290-4 vs Iron Ore
RAL 290-4 (RAL Effect) and Iron Ore (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. RAL 290-4 reads as beige, while Iron Ore reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 25-point LRV gap — 31 for RAL 290-4 vs 6 for Iron Ore — means RAL 290-4 will open up a space more effectively. A ΔE of 73.9 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 290-4 vs Iron Ore in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Seeing RAL 290-4 and Iron Ore 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 290-4 reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Iron Ore.
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 290-4 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 290-4 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 290-4 vs Iron Ore Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see RAL 290-4 on one side and Iron Ore 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 290-4 comparisons
See how RAL 290-4 stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
