Dark maroon is a rich, deep shade of red that has hints of purple or brown. It’s an elegant, sophisticated color that can add drama and luxury to any design. But like any dark, bold shade, it’s important to pair it with colors that complement it well. Choosing the right color combinations is key to making dark maroon work in your space.
The Meaning and Psychology of Dark Maroon
Before diving into color combinations, it’s helpful to understand what dark maroon represents. Maroon sits between red and brown on the color wheel. It inherits some symbolic meanings from both of these colors.
Red is associated with energy, passion, aggression, and danger. It’s an intense, bold color that evokes strong emotions. Brown relates to nature, earthiness, stability, and masculinity. It’s a grounded, natural shade.
Dark maroon takes attributes from both ends of the spectrum. It’s richer and more elegant than true red. The brown undertones add a refined, sophisticated edge. Overall, dark maroon suggests:
– Luxury
– Sophistication
– Drama
– Intensity
– Passion
– Masculinity
This varied set of associations makes dark maroon very versatile. It works well in traditional, vintage, or elegant settings. It provides a bold accent in minimalist or modern spaces. Dark maroon can skew masculine or feminine depending on how it’s used.
People also respond subconsciously to maroon’s psychological effects. It’s a confident, ambitious color that stimulates focus and determination. In design, dark maroon creates an empowering, motivating ambience. It captures attention while also feeling refined.
Complimentary Colors for Dark Maroon
Now that you understand dark maroon’s symbolism, let’s get into the top color combinations.
Complementary colors sit directly across from each other on the color wheel. These contrasting hues complement each other in striking ways when paired together. The complementary color of dark maroon is dark green.
Dark maroon and dark green look rich together. The interplay between the warm and cool tones creates visual interest. Use this pairing sparingly though, as both shades have bold personalities. Too much can overwhelm a space.
Here are a few ways to use dark maroon with its complement dark green:
– Choose dark maroon walls with dark green accent furniture or decor
– Use dark maroon on an accent wall balanced with dark green furniture
– Pick a dark maroon sofa or armchair paired with dark green throw pillows
– Alternate dark maroon and dark green stripes on a rug or upholstery
– Combine the two on holiday decorations like ornaments or garlands
When working with these two intense shades, add in plenty of neutral beige, white, or wood tones. This helps soften the look while allowing the colors to pop.
Analogous Colors for Dark Maroon
Analogous colors sit directly next to each other on the color wheel. This createseasy, harmonious combinations.
The analogous colors to pair with dark maroon include:
– Red
– Dark red
– Burgundy
– Wine
– Mauve
These analogous shades match dark maroon’s intensity and darkness. Mixing them together has a sophisticated, elegant effect.
For example, use a dark maroon sofa as the starting point, then add accent pillows in mauve and burgundy. Paint one wall dark maroon and the others a lighter red or wine shade. Use various maroon tones in a Persian rug.
You can also expand the analogous palette by including the colors on either side of red and purple:
– Orange
– Salmon
– Pink
– Lilac
– Lavender
This brings in some brightness while keeping a cohesive feel. For instance, pair a fuchsia pillow with a dark maroon armchair. Or, hang a salmon painting above a maroon entryway table.
When working with analogous colors, pay attention to texture and sheen. Combining matte, glossy, smooth, and textured versions of the hues adds dimension. Just don’t go overboard with too many competing fabrics and finishes.
Split Complementary Colors for Dark Maroon
The split complementary color scheme uses three colors instead of two. Along with the base color, you also incorporate the two colors adjacent to its complement.
For dark maroon, this translates to:
– Dark maroon
– Yellow-green
– Blue-green
This trio provides higher contrast than a regular complementary pairing. The yellow-green and blue-green brighten up the deep maroon in a natural yet visually engaging way.
Try dark maroon walls with blue-green and yellow-green accent furniture and decorative objects. Or paint built-in shelving yellow-green and use maroon books and blue-green vases as pops of color.
In upholstery, pair a dark maroon sofa with yellow-green and blue-green patterned pillows. Or choose one of the brighter shades for a chair, using maroon and the other complementary color for accents.
To balance the contrast, add neutral shades like white, gray, and wood tones. You can also incorporate analogous shades like red or purple as supporting players.
Triadic Color Scheme with Dark Maroon
The triadic color scheme relies on three colors evenly spaced around the color wheel. For dark maroon, this translates to:
– Dark maroon
– chartreuse
– Cerulean blue
This combination provides maximum contrast due to the colors being so visually different. It’s vibrant, energetic, and eye-catching.
Some ideas for combining dark maroon, chartreuse, and cerulean blue:
– Use maroon as the dominant color in a room with chartreuse and blue accents.
– Choose maroon wallpaper with blue and chartreuse prints.
– Paint one wall maroon, another blue, and a third chartreuse.
– Make a maroon, blue, and chartreuse patchwork quilt or rug.
– Incorporate all three colors in stained glass lamps or other lighting.
This exciting color scheme works best when the shades appear in similar proportions. Avoid letting one color dominate unless the others play minor supporting roles.
Keep the bright chartreuse and cerulean blue touches small and strategic for maximum impact. Rely on white, brown, gray, and wood tones to balance and soften the triad.
Tetradic Color Scheme with Dark Maroon
The tetradic scheme gets even more dynamic by using two sets of complementary colors. This creates a square of four colors on the wheel.
One tetradic square with dark maroon includes:
– Dark maroon
– Dark green
– Light yellow
– Light blue
These four shades provide immense variety through contrast. But you still get some harmony from the two complementary pairings.
Combining all four colors risks looking disjointed. But you can use them beautifully in selective ways:
– Paint a room in alternating stripes of maroon, green, yellow, and blue.
– Make a patterned rug that weaves the colors together.
– Choose maroon walls with blue and yellow art and green decorative objects.
– In a living room, use maroon on the sofa, green on chairs, blue on pillows, and yellow on drapes.
– For a bedroom, pair a maroon headboard with yellow nightstands, blue sheets, and green lamps.
Take advantage of the color and texture variations within this tetradic scheme. Use glossy, matte, light, and dark shades of each hue for depth. Just keep the overall palette unified through shape, format, or location.
Monochromatic Color Scheme with Dark Maroon
If you want a super sleek, elegant look, go monochromatic. This scheme relies on different tones, tints, and shades of one color.
Here are some darker maroon hues perfect for a monochromatic color palette:
– Maroon
– Dark maroon
– Chestnut
– Burgundy
– Oxblood
– Cordovan
– Wine
– Plum
And here are some lighter tints to incorporate:
– Blush
– Dusty rose
– Mauve
– Rose quartz
– Lavender
Using various intensities of the same color creates subtle visual interest. It allows dark maroon to stand out while keeping your overall palette subdued and refined.
Some ways to use different maroon tones and tints together:
– Do a dark maroon sofa with mauve and blush pillows.
– Choose an oxblood leather armchair with a dusty rose throw.
– Paint your walls wine colored with burgundy and chestnut accent furniture.
– Use different maroon shades in floral wallpaper.
– Pick plum, burgundy, and lavender tiles for a bathroom.
Pay attention to texture and sheen when mixing shades of maroon. Combine glossy and matte paints, smooth and textured upholstery, metallic and flat accents. This adds depth within a single-color scheme.
Neutrals to Pair with Dark Maroon
No color scheme is complete without neutral tones. Neutrals beautifully balance and support bold dark maroon while letting it take center stage.
Here are some neutral shades that complement dark maroon:
– Cream
– Beige
– Camel
– Tan
– Chocolate brown
– Gray
– Charcoal
– Black
– White
– Ivory
Use these neutrals in large pieces like sofas, chairs, headboards, beds, wall paint, and flooring. Then incorporate maroon as accent colors in decor, pillows, rugs, artwork, and more.
Creamy neutrals like beige and tan soften maroon’s boldness. Gray and charcoal neutrals add sleek contrast. Chocolate browns connect back to maroon’s earthiness. Black and white provide striking high contrast.
You can also layer different neutrals together, such as:
– A black leather sofa with tan and white patterned pillows
– Dark wooden flooring with a cream shag rug and charcoal walls
– A chocolate leather headboard with white bedding atop a black iron bed frame
Mixing natural and modern neutrals balances dark maroon whether your aesthetic is traditional, minimal, or eclectic.
Best Interior Spaces for Dark Maroon
Now that you know how to pair dark maroon with other colors, where should you use this dramatic shade at home? Here are some ideal spots.
Living Room
Make a bold style statement by featuring dark maroon in your main living space. Use it on a sectional sofa or accent chair, or splatter it across pillows and small furnishings. Paint one wall maroon or hang maroon drapes. Just balance it out with neutral seating and lighter accent colors.
Dining Room
Set a refined ambience in your dining space with maroon. It looks striking on walls or used for a dining set – try maroon chairs with a glass tabletop. Or lay down a maroon area rug underfoot. Introduce maroon via dining room decor as well.
Bedroom
The warm, elegant nature of dark maroon makes it perfect for bedrooms. Use it on a leather or upholstered headboard, complemented by white or brown bedding. Or paint your walls maroon and keep the other decor simple and neutral.
Bathroom
Make your bath feel luxurious with maroon tiles, towels, shower curtains or accents like soap dishes and toothbrush holders. Pair it with white subway tiles, chrome hardware and neutral counters or cabinets.
Home Office
Boost motivation in your home office with energizing maroon. Paint the walls this shade or use it on a desk and ergonomic office chair. Then incorporate accents like maroon frames, stationery, or desk organizers.
Entryway
Welcome guests in a stylish way with a maroon front door, rug, umbrella stand, or accent wall. It makes a sophisticated first impression.
Conclusion
Dark maroon is a color with no shortage of style possibilities. It provides a look of luxury, drama, and visual intrigue when used right. The key is knowing which color combinations complement its bold, sophisticated personality.
Analogous colors like red, purple and mauve create chic, elegant pairings. Complementary shades like green add striking contrast. Bright accent colors like chartreuse and cerulean boost energy while keeping the deep maroon dominant. Neutral tones from white to black provide the perfect supporting backdrop.
Use dark maroon thoughtfully throughout your home, from living areas to bedrooms and beyond. Keep the principles of color theory in mind, and this dramatic shade will never steer your design astray. Let your inner interior decorator unleash the full potential of beguiling, beautiful dark maroon.
