Mauve vs Magenta vs Purple – Color Comparison Guide

This article will discuss the differences between mauve, magenta, and purple colors.

Purple has long been a color of royalty and power. Because it’s strong on the red spectrum, it is also quite popular with pollinators looking to feed.

Purple can be cooled with green and heated up with blue and red, but it’s always a cool color.

Keep reading to discover my favorite shades of mauve, magenta, and purple. You’ll also find corresponding and similar colors for each shade.

Mauve vs Magenta vs Purple paint colors comparison

Mauve

Of the three colors in this listing, mauve will be the easiest color to coordinate with. It’s the green in mauve that actually makes it rather friendly.

While mauve is obviously not tan, it has enough yellow in it to fade a bit when paired with another strong shade.

If you love bold colors, mauve can serve as a wonderful background shade against cobalt or cerulean blue.

It can also work well with small pops of orange.

Consider using a buffer color that contains more yellow against any strong warm colors; for example, you may find a pillow or upholstery fabric that features rust and a mauve throw that you love, but they may not work well side by side.

Put one on your brown sofa and the other on the tan chair beside it.

Mauve can also provide a beautiful contrast against colors within the green spectrum. For example, a deep mauve can hold its own against a moss green; both colors will draw the eye and complement each other.

This combination would be wonderful in a space that has a warm light, such as a family room with a fireplace.

This dusky purple tone is also wonderful to use in textured pieces. A throw pillow or small blanket that has a deep texture will provide its own shadow as the room darkens.

If you have a dark grey sofa or a brown leather side chair, a rich texture mauve throw will invite friends and family to snuggle in.

RGB: 187, 133, 171
Hex Code: #BB85AB

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!

Toasted Mauve (1279) by Benjamin Moore

Toasted Mauve (1279) by Benjamin Moore is a warm, muted mauve with subtle undertones of gray and brown. This color offers a sophisticated and cozy feel, making it a versatile choice for various interior spaces.

Best Uses for Toasted Mauve:

1. Living Rooms: Toasted Mauve can create a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for living rooms where a cozy and elegant feel is desired.
2. Bedrooms: Its soft and soothing tones make it ideal for bedrooms, promoting a relaxed and comfortable environment.
3. Dining Rooms: This color can add a touch of sophistication and warmth to dining rooms, enhancing the dining experience.
4. Home Offices: Toasted Mauve can create a calming and focused environment, making it suitable for home offices and creative spaces.
5. Bathrooms: Its warm hue works well in bathrooms, especially when paired with complementary fixtures and accessories.
6. Accent Walls: Use Toasted Mauve on an accent wall to add depth and interest to a room without overwhelming the space.

Colors that Complement Toasted Mauve:

1. Whites and Off-Whites:
   • Chantilly Lace (OC-65): A crisp, clean white that provides a bright and fresh contrast.
   • White Dove (OC-17): A soft, warm white that complements the warm tones of Toasted Mauve.
   • Simply White (OC-117): A warm white that balances the richness of Toasted Mauve.
2. Neutrals:
   • Revere Pewter (HC-172): A light gray with warm undertones that pairs well with the muted mauve.
   • Edgecomb Gray (HC-173): A warm, light gray that complements the subtle undertones of Toasted Mauve.
   • Balboa Mist (OC-27): A soft, neutral gray that harmonizes with Toasted Mauve.
3. Blues and Greens:
   • Wythe Blue (HC-143): A muted blue-green that provides a refreshing contrast while keeping the palette harmonious.
   • Palladian Blue (HC-144): A soft, soothing blue-green that pairs well with the warmth of Toasted Mauve.
   • Sea Salt (SW 6204): A light, calming green that complements the mauve tones.
4. Warm Tones:
   • Nantucket Dune (SW 7527): A warm, sandy beige that adds a natural and balanced touch.
   • Lenox Tan (HC-44): A warm tan that enhances the warmth of Toasted Mauve.
5. Metallic Accents:
   • Brushed Gold or Brass: Adds a touch of luxury and sophistication that complements the warm tones of Toasted Mauve.
   • Rose Gold: Enhances the pinkish hue and adds a stylish touch.
   • Copper: Complements the warm undertones and adds warmth.

Toasted Mauve (1279) by Benjamin Moore is a versatile and sophisticated color that can add warmth and elegance to various spaces. It pairs well with a range of neutral and complementary tones, allowing for a balanced and harmonious design.

Toasted Mauve Hex code

The Hex Code for Toasted Mauve is #C3878C.

Toasted Mauve LRV

The LRV for Toasted Mauve is 31.94.

Toasted Mauve RGB

The RGB for Toasted Mauve is R 195, G 135, B 140.

Peel-and-Stick Paint Sample – Toasted Mauve (1279) – Pink – Benjamin Moore

Toasted Mauve – Similar Colors

The following colors are similar to Toasted Mauve.

• Genuine Pink 2005-40 – Benjamin Moore
• Precious Pink 2084-40 – Benjamin Moore
• Princess 1272 – Benjamin Moore

Magenta

Both magenta and purple are the “take no prisoners” colors in this review. Any colors that have a 0 in their RGB listing are going to be more likely to contrast than to blend.

To the eye, colors that are prone to contrast can actually be quite exhausting. However, if you love bold colors, you can set up your space to let magenta fabrics and objects take center stage.

Magenta is made only of red and blue. There is no yellow in this tone, so any form of green will provide a contrast.

Emerald green will step and compete with magenta (hint: magenta will win) while hunter and moss green will give magenta a step up.

If you’ve ever studied magenta flowers in a garden, this color looks richer against darker green leaves.

Because magenta is such a hot color, consider pairing it with greens that have a higher content of blue than yellow.

Many desert blooms that feature magenta have greenery that is closer to celery or sage; while this looks terrific against a pale tan desert floor, in your home this combination could leave the green looking rather sour and unpleasant.

Pairing magenta with purple will work beautifully in a child’s room or a playroom. It may be hard to get this combination to appear anything but juvenile in the rest of your home.

However, if you can pair magenta with colors that have more yellow and are a bit more muted, such as cobalt blue, dark teal or a deep moss green, you can make magenta a bit more effective in an adult space.

Unless you love the energy of it, magenta is not a great wall color. However, it can be incredibly effective in small doses, such as

• a single vase on a white or plain wood shelf
• a set of summer dinner napkins or dessert plates
• a festive, energetic print on the wall

A little magenta goes a long way. If you’re not keen on a long-term commitment to magenta, get a blooming houseplant that features magenta blooms.

RGB: 255,0,255
Hex Code: #FF00FF

Purple

Purple also contains no yellow at all. It’s a bold, strong shade that is generally ready to go to battle with whatever color it’s next to.

Curiously, purple is a great shade to use against a variety of whites and very pale grey shades; as long as the colors in the white spectrum have little to no yellow, you can actually warm up purple.

A dark purple can be a terrific background for pastels.

For example, if you have a collection of crystals or minerals, put them on a white shelf and paint the back of the shelf unit purple to give your collection the chance to stand out against multiple shades.

Unlike magenta, purple is pure as opposed to invasive. Yellow can stand beside purple without losing intensity, while yellow next to magenta will likely be washed out. Green tones with a higher concentration of yellow can deepen and enrich purple in your household.

Curiously, if you pair pure purple with a blue green such as aqua or mint, you can actually convince purple to grey out slightly. However, this combination can get a bit combative. Mint, which is generally visually cooling and soothing, can appear a bit tired and grey against a pure purple.

Getting purple to back down will be tough once it’s on the wall. Like magenta, this is a color that can be a wonderful addition in small doses.

Consider investing in purple table linens, special plates, pillows or throws. When you’re tired of it, you can put it away until you’re ready to celebrate it.

Pair it with white for a clean, crisp combination on your summer table or on your sofa. Go ahead and add some texture. A rich, fluffy purple throw may be the only blanket you need on your sofa on a cold winter night.

RGB: 128,0,128
Hex Code: #800080

Victorian Purple (1370) by Benjamin Moore

Victorian Purple (1370) by Benjamin Moore is a deep, rich purple with sophisticated undertones of burgundy and gray. This color exudes elegance and depth, making it a bold choice for adding a sense of luxury and drama to various spaces.

Best Uses:

1. Living Rooms: Victorian Purple can create a dramatic and luxurious atmosphere in living rooms, making the space feel rich and inviting.
2. Bedrooms: Its deep, calming tones are ideal for bedrooms, creating a cozy and serene environment.
3. Dining Rooms: Use Victorian Purple to add sophistication and a touch of opulence to dining rooms, enhancing the dining experience.
4. Home Offices: The color can provide a strong, focused environment in home offices or study areas.
5. Accent Walls: It works well on accent walls, providing a bold contrast and adding depth to the room.
6. Libraries or Reading Nooks: Its rich hue makes it perfect for libraries or reading nooks, creating a classic and contemplative space.

Colors that Complement Victorian Purple:

1. Whites and Off-Whites:
   • Chantilly Lace (OC-65): A crisp, clean white that provides a bright and fresh contrast to the deep purple.
   • White Dove (OC-17): A soft, warm white that balances the richness of Victorian Purple with a gentle touch.
   • Simply White (OC-117): A warm white that complements the deep tones without overwhelming the space.
2. Neutrals:
   • Revere Pewter (HC-172): A light gray with warm undertones that provides a subtle contrast and complements the deep purple.
   • Edgecomb Gray (HC-173): A soft, neutral gray that harmonizes with Victorian Purple.
   • Balboa Mist (OC-27): A light, neutral gray that balances the intensity of the purple.
3. Blues and Greens:
   • Hale Navy (HC-154): A deep navy blue that adds a sophisticated contrast while enhancing the richness of Victorian Purple.
   • Palladian Blue (HC-144): A soft, muted blue-green that provides a calming and complementary contrast.
   • Sea Salt (SW 6204): A light, soothing green that pairs well with the depth of Victorian Purple.
4. Warm Tones:
   • Nantucket Dune (SW 7527): A warm, sandy beige that adds a natural and balanced contrast.
   • Lenox Tan (HC-44): A warm tan that complements the rich purple tones.
5. Metallic Accents:
   • Brushed Gold or Brass: Adds a touch of luxury and complements the opulence of Victorian Purple.
   • Copper: Provides a warm, metallic contrast that enhances the richness of the color.
   • Silver: Offers a sleek and modern touch that contrasts elegantly with the deep purple.

Victorian Purple (1370) by Benjamin Moore is a sophisticated and luxurious color that can add depth and drama to various spaces. It pairs beautifully with both light and dark tones, allowing for a balanced and elegant design.

Peel-and-Stick Paint Sample – Victorian Purple (1370) – Purple – Benjamin Moore

Victorian Purple Hex Code

The hex code for Victorian Purple is #B793AE.

Victorian Purple LRV

The LRV for Victorian Purple is 34.72.

Victorian Purple RGB

The RGB for Victorian Purple is R 189, G 144, B 174

Victorian Purple – Similar colors

The following colors are similar to Victorian Purple.

• Purple Hyacinth 2073-40 – Benjamin Moore
• Cranberry Ice 1362 – Benjamin Moore
• Caribbean Sunset 1377 – Benjamin Moore

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