RAL 840-1 vs Downy
RAL 840-1 (RAL Effect) and Downy (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. RAL 840-1 reads as beige-greige, while Downy reads as beige — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 5-point LRV gap — 81 for Downy vs 77 for RAL 840-1 — means Downy will open up a space more effectively. A ΔE of 2.3 puts them in subtle territory — distinguishable in direct comparison, less so from across a room. Below you'll find 4 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
RAL 840-1 vs Downy in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. RAL 840-1 and Downy are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
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. Downy reads slightly lighter here — a subtle but real difference in how open the space feels.
Kitchen
Kitchens often have the harshest, most revealing light in the house — under-cabinet LEDs and overhead fixtures that strip away subtlety. Downy has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
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. Downy has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
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. Downy has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
Color Details
RAL 840-1 vs Downy Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see RAL 840-1 on one side and Downy 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 840-1 comparisons
See how RAL 840-1 stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
