NCS or RAL: greige and earth tones for Mediterranean interiors

If you are about to paint and can't decide between pure white and a warmer colour, the NCS and RAL charts help you choose. You work with a specific code instead of guessing by eye.

NCS or RAL: which one to use

• NCS works best on walls and large surfaces. It is based on how we see colour, so shades are easy to combine. It also lets you set the amount of black and colour precisely.
• RAL is the standard for metal, lacquer, joinery and radiators. Each RAL code refers to one specific colour in the chart.
• An example: RAL 9010 is a standard white everyone knows. NCS S 0502-Y is an off-white with a touch of yellow that makes a home feel warmer.

Many projects use both charts: NCS for walls and RAL for doors, windows and railings.

Greige and warm neutrals

Greige mixes grey and beige.

• NCS S 2005-Y20R: soft greige. Its Y20R hue is yellow with 20% red. It goes with light wood and never looks cold.
• RAL 7044 Silk grey: a little more body. Good for doors and wardrobes.
• RAL 9002 Grey white: for ceilings and joinery when pure white feels too harsh.

Earth tones: from greige to terracotta

Colours with red or yellow pigment give character to living rooms and bedrooms. They recall the local ceramics and stone.

• NCS S 3010-Y30R: warm sand. Adds body to a living room without closing it in.
• NCS S 4020-Y50R: clay. For an accent wall or behind the headboard.
• RAL Design 010 20 25: oxide red, dark and strong. Best on a detail or on joinery.
• RAL 1015 Light ivory: a cream tone that balances the ochres on frames and ceilings.

Don't overdo it. Pick one main colour and keep the rest for details or fabrics.

Colours and Air-Bosq scents

How a home or a shop feels also depends on how it smells. A few pairings with the Air-Bosq Gold Line:

• With NCS S 2005-Y20R, AQUA: bergamot, sea jasmine and rosemary.
• With NCS S 3010-Y30R, COLONIA: cardamom, coffee and vanilla.
• With NCS S 4020-Y50R, KILATE: leather, mandarin and cinnamon.
• With RAL 7044 Silk grey, HER: musk, osmanthus and patchouli.

See the full range of Air-Bosq air fresheners.

Before you paint

Test the colour on the wall. Light changes a lot from morning to evening: a shade you like at ten can look dark at six. With these neutrals, a matt finish hides flaws and looks more natural.

At Suministros Barrero in Lloret de Mar we mix Blatem paint on the spot in any NCS or RAL reference. We also ship paint and wallpaper across Europe. If you are nearby, bring a photo of the room and we will look at the samples together.

For walls, see our interior and exterior paints category. For doors, radiators and metal in RAL, the enamels category. The scents mentioned each have their own page: Air-Bosq AQUA air freshener, Air-Bosq COLONIA air freshener, Air-Bosq KILATE air freshener and Air-Bosq HER air freshener.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between NCS and RAL?
NCS is mainly used on walls and large surfaces and is based on how we see colour. RAL is the standard for metal, lacquer, joinery and radiators.

How do I choose a warm neutral?
Look for a greige or an off-white with a yellow or red hue, such as NCS S 2005-Y20R or NCS S 0502-Y. Pick one main colour and keep the rest for details.

How do I test a sample at home?
Paint a patch on the wall and look at it in the morning and in the evening. Light changes a lot and a shade can look darker late in the day.

Does the shop mix the colour?
Yes. At Suministros Barrero in Lloret de Mar we mix Blatem paint on the spot in any NCS or RAL reference.