RAL 290-4 vs Naval
RAL 290-4 (RAL Effect) and Naval (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. RAL 290-4 reads as beige, while Naval reads as blue — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 26-point LRV gap — 31 for RAL 290-4 vs 4 for Naval — means RAL 290-4 will open up a space more effectively. A ΔE of 86.1 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 Naval in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Seeing RAL 290-4 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.
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 Naval.
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 Naval Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see RAL 290-4 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 RAL 290-4 comparisons
See how RAL 290-4 stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 31), opening up a space where RAL 290-4 encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 31, Purbeck Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 31 vs 30), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 60 vs 31, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 31), opening up a space where RAL 290-4 encloses it.
RAL 290-4 reads slightly lighter (LRV 31 vs 27), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 43 vs 31, French Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 31), opening up a space where RAL 290-4 encloses it.
Hardwick White reflects far more light (LRV 44 vs 31), opening up a space where RAL 290-4 encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 31, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 31), opening up a space where RAL 290-4 encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 31), opening up a space where RAL 290-4 encloses it.
RAL 290-4 reflects far more light (LRV 31 vs 12), opening up a space where Pewter Green encloses it.
RAL 290-4 reflects far more light (LRV 31 vs 8), opening up a space where Duck Green encloses it.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 31), opening up a space where RAL 290-4 encloses it.
RAL 290-4 reflects far more light (LRV 31 vs 12), opening up a space where Vintage Vogue encloses it.
Saybrook Sage reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 31), opening up a space where RAL 290-4 encloses it.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 31 vs 31), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 31 vs 7, RAL 290-4 is decisively the brighter choice.