Dark burnt orange is a rich, deep orange color that has a brownish undertone to it. It’s warmer and darker than regular bright orange but not as deep as a true brown. Dark burnt orange is an earthy, autumnal color that can add a rustic touch to decor. When making your own dark burnt orange paint at home, there are a few techniques you can use to get the perfect shade.
Gather Your Materials
The first step in mixing up a custom dark burnt orange paint is getting your supplies together. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Paint – For the base, use a premixed orange paint or primary paint colors like red and yellow to mix your own orange.
- Brown paint – This will be used to darken and mute the orange to create the burnt look.
- White paint – White can lighten up the tone if your color mix gets too dark.
- Paint mixing supplies – Mixing sticks, paint brushes, paint trays, etc.
- Test surfaces – Get some sample wood boards, paper, cardboard, etc. to test your paint mixes on before painting your final project.
The specific paint colors and types you use, such as acrylic craft paint vs. interior house paint, will depend on the project you’re using the burnt orange for. Make sure you get enough of each color to properly experiment to find the right shade.
Mix Orange
If you don’t have a premixed orange paint on hand, you’ll need to blend your own by mixing red and yellow paint together. Here are some tips for mixing up a rich orange:
- Use a warm red instead of cool red for a more orangey, Autumn look.
- Start with more yellow than red initially to achieve orange instead of red-orange.
- Add more red than yellow to make the tone deeper.
- Blend the colors thoroughly so they are evenly incorporated.
Test your orange paint mix on one of your sample surfaces. If working with craft paints, use about a 1:2 ratio of red to yellow as your starting point. Keep tweaking the ratio until you get an orange hue you like.
Darken with Brown
Now that you have a base orange prepared, it’s time to transform it into dark burnt orange. Brown paint is what gives this shade its characteristic scorched, earthy tone. Here’s how to darken your orange with brown:
- Start by adding just a small amount of brown paint to your orange to gently deepen the tone.
- Mix the brown thoroughly into the orange so there are no streaks.
- Keep adding more brown a little at a time until you reach your desired darkness.
- Aim for more of a milk chocolate brown rather than black for a classic burnt orange look.
Make sure to sample your paint on a test surface each time you add more brown so you can see how the tone changes.
Fine Tune the Shade
Once you’ve added brown to darken your orange paint, evaluate whether you’ve hit the perfect burnt orange tone. Here are some finishing touches you can try:
- Add a small amount of white paint to soften it if the color becomes too dark.
- Mix in more orange paint to brighten the tone if your brown ratio was too high.
- Consider adding a dash of black paint if you want an extra saturated, intense burnt look.
- Use gray paint instead of brown to mute the orange into more of a rust or terra cotta tone.
Take your time gradually modifying the paint color until you land on your desired dark burnt orange shade. Test on multiple samples to compare versions.
Pick a Finish
Once you’ve honed in on your ideal dark burnt orange tone, there are a few final paint finish options to consider:
- Flat/Matte – This non-reflective finish mutates the tone for a relaxed, softened look.
- Satin – With subtle luster, satin offers a smooth, velvety finish and appearance.
- Semi-Gloss – The medium gloss provides a gentle sheen and helps accentuate the color richness.
- Gloss – High-shine gloss makes the burnt orange color truly pop with its reflective, bright finish.
Think about the vibe you want before selecting your paint’s finish. A moodier flat or satin pairs well with the earthiness of burnt orange. Gloss finish makes it bold and energizing.
Sample Colors
To help visualize the tones you can make, here are some specific dark burnt orange paint colors and their mixes:
| Brand Paint Color | Mix Recipe |
|---|---|
| Sherwin-Williams Spiced Cider | 3 parts orange + 1 part brown |
| Benjamin Moore Burnt Orange | 3 parts orange + 1 part red + 1 part brown |
| Behr Canyon Floor | 4 parts orange + 1 part brown + 1 part gray |
| Valspar Tiger Skin | 2 parts orange + 2 parts brown |
Use these popular paint brand colors and DIY mixes as inspiration for creating your own perfect custom dark burnt orange.
Test on Your Project
You’ve done the color mixing work – now it’s time to try out your burnt orange paint on your actual project. Here are some tips for application:
- Start by painting test swatches on inconspicuous areas to confirm the color.
- Check that the application method doesn’t alter the appearance significantly.
- If painting walls, paint a large sample section before committing to the whole space.
- Use painter’s tape for sharp edges and protect nearby surfaces from drips and smears.
- Apply two coats for best coverage and vibrancy.
Take your time with the application to ensure you get the burnt orange look you want. Don’t be afraid to do more test samples if needed.
Complementary Colors
Dark burnt orange has both warm and cool properties, making it versatile to decorate with. Here are some recommended color pairings:
- Cool tones – Deep greens, blacks, grays, and blues (denim, navy, robin’s egg)
- Warm tones – Earthy browns, reds, yellows, peach, cream
- Neutrals – Crisp whites, beige, wood tones
- Metallics – Copper, bronze, pewter, silver
Choose accent colors based on whether you want to emphasize the burnt orange’s warmth or balance it out with cooler tones. Metallic accents also pop nicely against the muted burnt shade.
Alternative Application Techniques
Using store-bought burnt orange paint is the easiest option, but you can also make your own with these creative techniques:
- Tinted wood stain – For wood projects, mix orange and brown transparent wood stains.
- Plant-based dyes – Boil down orange and brown plant materials like carrots, cinnamon, and turmeric.
- Powdered pigments – Mix powdered orange and brown oxides and mineral pigments into a paint binder.
- Milk paint – Adapt vintage milk paint recipes using orange and brown natural pigments.
If you want an organic artisan paint with more texture, these homemade options using natural dyes deliver beautiful burnt orange shades.
Maintenance
Caring properly for your burnt orange painted surface will keep it looking rich and vibrant. Here are some tips:
- Use soft microfiber cloths to gently dust painted walls or furniture.
- Spot clean scuffs or marks to prevent buildup.
- Avoid harsh scrubbing or abrasive cleaners which can damage the finish.
- Repaint periodically to refresh the color as it starts to fade over time.
With some simple care and maintenance, your burnt orange paint creation will look great for years to come.
Conclusion
Dark burnt orange paint provides a palette of gorgeous earthy tones to brighten up your home decor or DIY projects. Mixing orange and brown paints, with some color adjustments, lets you easily achieve this look. Sample your test mixes on boards first, then apply a coat or two to your final piece. Decorating with complementary metals, greens, neutrals or other autumnal hues completes the burnt orange palette. With the right preparation and techniques, you’ll achieve the perfect burnt orange paint color to warm up any space.
