Ionian vs Naval
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. These are both blues, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within blue to land. Ionian (LRV 20) reflects noticeably more light than Naval (LRV 4), a difference of 16 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Both lean cool, so they'll behave similarly in mixed or changing light conditions. With a ΔE of 41.4, 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.
Ionian vs Naval in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Seeing Ionian and Naval in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Color Details
Ionian vs Naval Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Ionian on one side and Naval 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 Ionian comparisons
See how Ionian stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
