Maroon, burgundy, and crimson are rich, bold colors that add depth and sophistication to any space. In this article, I’ll dive into the subtle differences between these popular shades of red, exploring their unique undertones and the emotions they bring to a room.
Whether you’re aiming to create a cozy feel in the living room, add drama to your dining area, or make a bold statement with an accent wall, I’ll walk you through the best ways to use each color.
Plus, I’ll share complementary color pairings, similar shades, and my top picks for maroon, burgundy, and crimson paint colors.
Let’s find out if these colors are the right choice for your project!
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Maroon vs Burgundy vs Crimson Paint Colors
Maroon, burgundy, and crimson are all based on the color red. Red was the color of royalty and was commonly used by those higher up in the religious life in European history.
Historically, red as the color of blood is also the color of martyrdom. In other cultures, red was known as a lucky color; Chinese brides traditionally wore red gowns.
The three colors considered below start with red and blend in nearly equal parts blue and green to both deepen the color and mute the sharp edge or sense of agitation that red can create.
Red is an eye and attention-catching color; there’s a reason that stop signs are red and not something easier on the eye.
If you want to decorate your home with red, a move toward one of the more muted shades is probably a good idea.
Maroon
When shopping for colors named “maroon” it’s a good idea carefully review the RGB code. For a true maroon, you want the Green and Blue codes to be within 20 points of each other.
If that last number is too high, you will start to drift toward shades of purple. Purple is a lovely color, but it’s not burgundy.
If you are mixing on a palette, such as with acrylic paints, start with a decent dollop of red and mix in a bit of blue.
This will trend toward purple, so make sure you add some green to add a bit of smokiness. The extra bump of green acrylic blended in will mute the intensity of any red tone.
If you try to tone it down with black, remember that the black may be either yellow or blue-based. A blue-based black mixed into a burgundy blend that you want to tone down will make it more purple.
To properly add a touch of smokiness to maroon, start with green before you add any darker tints.
To decorate with maroon, be careful using anything based on blue. Remember, when there is more blue than green in any mix, using blue fabrics, pillows, drapes or furniture elsewhere in the room will make the blue in the maroon pop.
If you draw out the blue, you may trend toward purple again.
Maroon color codes
Hex Code: #862633
RGB Code: R 134, G 38, B 51
Paint Color Samples
Would you like to sample these paint colors? I recommend using a peel and stick paint sample from SAMPLIZE. Peel and stick paint samples are very affordable and easy to use. They are also clean and environmentally friendly!
Advantages of using peel and stick paint samples:
- EASY TO USE: Simply move your SAMPLIZE paint sample around the room to test under a variety of lighting conditions.
- AFFORDABLE: Budget-friendly solution and no more buying inaccurate swatches, rollers, wasted paint.
- SUPER FAST DELIVERY: Depending on your location, 1 day delivery is possible.
- ORDER FROM HOME: Save a trip to the store looking for samples.
- NO MESS: SAMPLIZE uses real paint samples with zero-mess
- NO WASTE: No leftover cans or wasted paint.
Deep Maroon (SW 0072) by Sherwin-Williams
My favorite shade of Maroon paint color is Deep Maroon (SW 0072) by Sherwin-Williams. Deep Maroon is a rich, dark red with deep brown undertones. This color exudes warmth, sophistication, and a sense of luxury. It can add a dramatic touch to any space, making it a striking choice for various design applications.
Is Deep Maroon a warm or cool color?
Deep Maroon (SW 0072) by Sherwin-Williams is a rich, dramatic paint color with warm, velvety undertones that create a bold and sophisticated feel. Rooted in deep red tones, Deep Maroon sits firmly in the warm color family, offering a moody, luxurious quality that makes a powerful statement in any space.
It’s a great choice for those looking to add depth and character to their home while maintaining a warm, inviting atmosphere. Deep Maroon’s richness makes it perfect for creating a striking focal point, whether used as an accent wall or throughout an entire room, in both modern and traditional homes.
Best uses for Deep Maroon:
- Accent Walls: Perfect for creating a bold statement in living rooms, dining rooms, or bedrooms.
- Dining Rooms: Adds an elegant and inviting atmosphere, ideal for formal dining areas.
- Libraries and Offices: Contributes to a warm, sophisticated environment, suitable for home offices or libraries.
- Front Doors and Trim: Provides a rich, welcoming appearance for exterior doors and trim.
- Furniture: Great for refinishing furniture pieces to add a luxurious touch.
Colors that Complement Deep Maroon:
- Neutrals:
- Pure White (SW 7005): A crisp white that provides a sharp contrast, making Deep Maroon stand out.
- Accessible Beige (SW 7036): A warm beige that complements the richness of Deep Maroon.
- Alabaster (SW 7008): A soft, warm white that balances the depth of Deep Maroon.
- Golds and Yellows:
- Butterscotch (SW 6370): A warm yellow that adds a cheerful contrast.
- Goldenrod (SW 6677): A muted gold that enhances the luxurious feel of Deep Maroon.
- Greens:
- Sage Green Light (SW 2851): A muted green that offers a harmonious and calming complement.
- Garden Sage (SW 7736): A deeper green that pairs elegantly with Deep Maroon.
- Blues:
- Naval (SW 6244): A deep navy blue that adds a sophisticated and classic contrast.
- Misty (SW 6232): A light blue-gray that provides a softer contrast.
- Earth Tones:
- Mega Greige (SW 7031): A warm greige that complements the earthy undertones of Deep Maroon.
- Urbane Bronze (SW 7048): A dark bronze that adds depth and a modern touch.
Deep Maroon (SW 0072) is a versatile and luxurious color that can add depth, warmth, and sophistication to any space. Pair it with complementary colors to create a balanced and cohesive design.
Deep Maroon Hex code
The attributed hex codes for each color is a hexadecimal method of determining the combination of red, blue and green that goes into creating a color.
The important thing about a hex code is that it is shorter; being able to lose the three digits of each of the RGB code allows coders and designers to more efficiently note which colors they want to be included in their web pages and layouts.
Deep Maroon has a hex code of #623F45.
Deep Maroon LRV
LRV, or Light Reflectance Value, is a measurement that indicates the amount of light a paint color reflects. It is expressed as a percentage, ranging from 0% (absolute black, which absorbs all light) to 100% (absolute white, which reflects all light).
Deep Maroon has an LRV of 7.