Maroon is a dark, rich red color that has become quite popular for home decor, fashion, and DIY projects. The great thing about maroon is that it can take on different shades and depths, allowing for a lot of versatility. From a light pinkish maroon to a deep burgundy maroon, there are many ways to make various maroons to fit your project or design needs. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about making different shades of maroon.
The first step is understanding the basic color combinations that go into making a maroon shade. Maroon sits between red and purple on the color wheel. It combines red and blue pigments, with a higher ratio of red. To make maroon lighter or pinker, you add more red. To make maroon deeper and darker, you add more blue. The amount of white or black pigment you add will also affect the depth of the color. So maroon can range from light reddish pink to dark reddish purple depending on the pigments used.
Making a Light Maroon
On the lighter end of the maroon color spectrum, you’ll find shades like rose, mauve, and raspberry. To achieve a light maroon hue:
– Start with a red base and add just a small amount of blue pigment. You’ll want at least a 4 to 1 ratio of red to blue for the lightest maroons.
– Add a generous amount of white paint or pigment to lighten and soften the base color. White will mute the brightness while keeping the hue light.
– Consider adding a touch of yellow as well. Yellow brings warmth and vibrancy back into the color. Just a small swipe of yellow can liven up a light maroon.
– Soft pinks like blush or bashful pink paint make great base colors for light maroons too. Simply add a tiny bit of blue and you’ll achieve a rosy light maroon.
– Look for paint names like rose, mauve, blush, bashful, or cameo to easily find light maroon shades at the hardware store. Many mainstream brands will have suitable options.
Making a Medium Maroon
The medium range of maroons offers the truest maroon shades. This range includes classics like burgundy, oxblood, and wine. To mix up a medium maroon:
– Start with an even 1 to 1 ratio of red and blue pigments as your base.
– Add less white than you would for a light maroon. Whites should make up no more than 20% of the total mix.
– Consider adding a small amount of yellow, black, or burnt umber to enrich the maroon. These deepen the shade while keeping it vibrant.
– Look for paint names like burgundy, Bordeaux, oxblood, or cabernet to easily find medium maroon paint. Many brands like Behr, Sherwin Williams, or Benjamin Moore offer ready-made medium maroons.
– Play around with mixing primary reds and blues until you strike the right balance of purple and red for your preferred maroon look.
Making a Dark Maroon
For the deepest, darkest maroons that border on brown and purple, use these tips:
– Use more blue than red in your starting base, at least a 2 to 1 or 3 to 1 blue to red ratio.
– Limit the white to no more than 10% of your total color mixture. Going darker means less white pigment.
– Incorporate more black, burnt umber, or raw umber to make the maroon deeper. Black will mute the color while umbers intensify the richness.
– Try adding a tiny bit of green as well. Green is directly across from red on the color wheel, so it naturally deepens the shade. Just a dab of dark green adds complexity.
– Look for paint names like crimson, cordovan, damson, or plum to find ready-made deep maroons. Specialty paint brands will offer the widest range.
– For DIY mixing, combine a primary blue with crimson red and add umber or black until you hit the perfect velvety maroon.
How to Mix and Match Maroon Shades
One of the great aspects of maroon is that it has so many shades to work with. Here are some tips for combining maroons in your designs and decor:
– Use a darker maroon on feature walls or large furniture pieces. Pair with lighter maroons in accents and decor items for contrast.
– Choose three maroon shades in a light-medium-dark progression (like blush, Bordeaux, damson) for an ombre look.
– Coordinate maroons with analogous shades like reds, purples, and burgundies. Maroons pair especially well with ochre, terracotta, mossy greens, and warm grays.
– Layer lighter and darker maroons together, like a raspberry accent wall with burgundy curtains and pillows.
– Distress or antique lighter maroons to give them more depth and visual interest when combined with darker shades.
Maroon Color Schemes
Maroon is extremely versatile, working in both warm and cool color schemes. Here are some popular maroon color pairings:
| Color Scheme | Maroon Shades | Complementary Colors |
|---|---|---|
| Warm neutral | Oxblood, mauve, tan | Cream, beige, warm grays |
| Earthy | Burgundy, crimson, rust | Greens, ochre, browns |
| Vintage | Mauve, rose | Antique gold, navy, plum |
| Modern | Raspberry, blush | Steel gray, celery green |
| Dramatic | Damson, cordovan | Charcoal, eggplant |
Experiment with maroon shades to find colors that coordinate in lightness, intensity, and temperature for a harmonious palette. Refer to a color wheel if you need guidance.
How Light Affects Maroon
Lighting plays an important role in how maroon shades appear. Here’s how different light temperatures affect maroon:
– In warm incandescent lighting, maroon takes on a soft glow, enhancing any red, orange, and yellow undertones. Warm light brings out vibrancy.
– Cool fluorescent or LED lights will emphasize any blue and purple undertones in maroon. The color may appear deeper and cooler.
– Natural daylight often provides the truest representation of maroon shades. But colors can shift throughout the day as sunlight warms and cools.
– North-facing rooms with indirect northern light display maroon colors most accurately. Southern light warms colors, especially lighter maroons.
Always view maroon paint swatches at different times of day and under multiple lighting conditions to make sure you get the right shade. Artificial light can distort colors at night. Test samples on the actual wall and observe how the color shifts.
How to Use Maroon Decoratively
Ready to use maroon in your home? Here are some ways to stylishly incorporate this dramatic color:
– As an accent wall in a bedroom, living room, or dining space. Deep maroons create a cocooning effect.
– On front doors, interior doors, cabinets and built-ins. Maroon makes a great statement shade.
– In upholstered headboards, chairs, ottomans and barstools. It pairs well with wood furniture.
– As the background color in artwork, mirrored frames, and prints. It makes other colors pop.
– In kitchens and baths as a backsplash tile or vanity paint color. Maroon has vintage appeal.
– As an exterior paint color for a dramatic touch. Look for maroon with gray, taupe, or brick red undertones.
– In rugs, pillows, throws and other fabric accessories. Maroon adds warmth and contrast.
Whatever shade you choose, maroon makes a bold and elegant color for any room. Have fun exploring the many shades as you decorate with this rich, welcoming hue.
Maroon Paint Finishes
The right paint finish can enhance how maroon looks on the walls. Consider these finish options:
– Flat – For minimal sheen. Best for darker maroons as it mutes the color slightly.
– Eggshell – Subtle sheen and easy touch-ups. Works well in all maroon shades.
– Satin – Low luster sheen. Enhances depth and richness of maroons.
– Semi-gloss – Great for bathrooms and kitchens. Deeper maroons look especially striking.
– High gloss – Very reflective and bold. Use on accent walls or in moderation.
– Metallic – Adds glamour and shimmer to maroons. Stunning on textured walls.
– Chalk paint – For a matte, velvety look. Softens lighter maroons.
– Distressed – Weathered finish with character. Complements vintage style maroons.
Consider the room location, your style, and lighting when choosing finishes. For example, lighter maroons work best in flat or eggshell. Deep maroons shine in satin or semi-gloss. Metallics illuminate medium maroons. Chalk paint softens bold shades. Play around with test pots to find your perfect finish.
How to Update Wood Trim and Floors with Maroon
Including wood trim and floors in your maroon color scheme can tie spaces together. Here are some options:
– For a coordinated monochromatic look, paint trim in a lighter or darker maroon from the same color family. This elongates the space.
– For contrast, opt for wood stain in a warm brown tone like walnut or espresso. Darker browns work best with deep maroons.
– To warm up the maroon, stain trim in chestnut, maple, or fruitwood shades. Save this approach for rooms with lots of cool maroons.
– Whitewash or gray wood stain is an on-trend choice that allows the natural grain to show through. This works well with both light and dark maroons.
– For a modern, striking combo, pair black stained wood with maroons like Bordeaux, oxblood and plum.
– Refinish existing wood floors in a gray wash or whitewash to coordinate with maroon walls in a breezy, beachy way.
– Finish hardwood in a rich jacobean or espresso stain to complement and ground dramatic maroon accents.
Adapt trim and floor finishes to your preferred decorating style. And don’t be afraid to mix up wood tones in the same space for extra oomph.
Using Tough-to-Match Maroons
Some maroon shades can prove tricky to coordinate. Here are tips for utilizing tough maroons:
– For orange-leaning maroons, pair with steel blue, dark emerald, or black to neutralize the warmth. Cream and beige also complement.
– Maroons with pink undertones pair beautifully with gray, charcoal, navy and chocolate brown. Gold accents also enhance a pinkish maroon.
– Grayish maroons work well with pastels like mint, buttery yellow and baby blue. Crisp whites keep the palette lively.
– Burgundy maroons flattered by deep greens like jade, hunter and forest shades. Brass accents and warm brown woods tie everything together.
– Muted maroons can pair with just about any neutral. Beige, gray, camel and navy blue are foolproof. Keep other colors minimal.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with unusual color combinations until you find what brings out the best in your difficult maroon shades. The right pairing can make them shine.
In Summary
Maroon is a versatile, dramatic color that instantly transforms any space. By adjusting the amounts of red, blue, white, and black pigments, you can mix up an endless variety of maroon shades. From barely-there pink to inky purple-red, maroon works beautifully in home decor. So embrace this rich hue to add warmth, sophistication, and elegance to your rooms.
