What Is Maroon?
Maroon is a dark reddish-brown color that gets its name from the French word marron, meaning “chestnut.” It’s often described as a deeper, darker shade of red that has a brownish undertone.
Maroon sits between red and brown on the color wheel. It’s made by adding brown or black to red to create a richer, darker color. There are varying shades of maroon ranging from bright reddish hues to very deep purplish-reds that border on burgundy.
Some examples of maroon shades include:
| Crimson | A bright reddish maroon |
| Cordovan | A dark, rich maroon |
| Burgundy | A very deep purplish maroon |
The first recorded use of “maroon” as a color name in English was in 1789. But it’s been used as a color name in the French fashion industry since the early 17th century. Maroon became popular in Europe as a symbol of wealth and luxury.
Maroon Color Codes
Maroon is created by mixing red and brown pigments. There are a few different maroon shades that have specific color codes:
| Rich Maroon | #880e4f |
| Dark Maroon | #7f0000 |
| Chestnut Maroon | #95353a |
These are the RGB and hex code values that precisely define these maroon shades. The RGB value shows the intensity of the red, green and blue components that mix to create the maroon color. The hex code is a six-digit code that represents those RGB values.
Maroon sits between the web colors for red (#ff0000) and brown (#964b00) on the color spectrum. Changing the intensity of the red and green values allows you to create different shades of maroon. More red gives you a brighter, vivid maroon. More brown creates a very deep, almost burgundy maroon.
What Does Maroon Look Like?
Maroon is often described as a “woody” or earthy color. It’s considered a neutral color that goes well with other shades like beige, white, grey and black. But it also pairs nicely with certain jewel tones like emerald green and sapphire blue.
Here are some more details on what different maroon shades look like:
| Bright maroon | Has a rich, vivid reddish tone similar to burgundy but slightly lighter and brighter. |
| Deep/Dark maroon | Very dark tone that borders on brown with subtle hints of purple and red. |
| Chestnut maroon | Deep reddish-brown with a slightly muted look compared to richer maroons. |
| Burgundy maroon | Very dark, purplish-red maroon that approaches the burgundy shade. |
Maroon is often used in autumn and winter fashion because of its earthy tone. It’s commonly seen in plaid prints and clothing like sweaters, jackets, scarves, and wool coats. Maroon heels, handbags and jewelry are also popular for adding a touch of warmth and richness to an outfit.
In decor, maroon makes for an elegant, cozy look in spaces like studies, dining rooms and bedrooms. It’s commonly seen in area rugs, wall paints, upholstered chairs and sofas. Maroon pairs nicely with metallics like bronze and gold to give a room an opulent feel.
How Does Maroon Compare to Other Colors?
Here’s how maroon stacks up to some similar shades:
| Burgundy | Much darker, more purple/wine-colored red than maroon. |
| Oxblood | Darker, browner red; more muted than maroon. |
| Merlot | Very similar to burgundy; less purple than typical maroon. |
| Terracotta | Lighter, more orange-toned than maroon. |
| Eggplant | More purple, cooler undertones than maroon. |
| Garnet | Brighter, more jewel-toned red than maroon. |
Burgundy is often used interchangeably with maroon, but true burgundy has a much heavier purple influence. Oxblood and merlot are very close to burgundy. Terracotta, eggplant and garnet are all much brighter, cooler hues than the earthy warmth of maroon.
How Does Lighting Affect Maroon?
The way maroon is perceived can change quite a bit depending on the lighting it’s viewed in.
In daylight or bright white light, maroon shows its rich red undertones. But under soft incandescent lighting, maroon can take on much browner and darker purple tones, almost appearing black in some lighting.
This chameleon-like quality makes maroon an interesting color for fashion and decor. The same maroon outfit or wall can look strikingly different at night that it does during the day.
Maroon’s versatility under different lighting makes it ideal for spaces where you want a color that shifts subtly from day to night. Soft maroon accent walls take on a beautiful warmth under incandescent light bulbs that you don’t see in daylight.
How Does Maroon Make You Feel?
Maroon evokes some sophisticated, nostalgic and romantic feelings:
– Elegant – Maroon is seen as a refined, upscale color associated with luxury.
– Classic – It has a classic, traditional feel, like an antique rug or velvet sofa.
– Warm – Maroon’s earthy tones feel grounded and comforting.
– Nostalgic – Its historic ties to European nobility give maroon a nostalgic vibe.
– Romantic – As a rich, sensual color, maroon has an intimate, romantic feeling.
– Masculine – Maroon leans toward a masculine look, often seen as a “power color.”
– Vintage – The color has an “old world” vintage feel, hearkening to the 1970s and before.
So maroon can add feelings of sophistication, romance and nostalgia to fashion or interior spaces. But it also has masculine appeal when used in darker shades. Overall, it strikes a balance between elegant and bold.
How Versatile is Maroon?
Maroon is considered one of the more versatile neutrals. Its flexibility comes from the wide range of maroon shades and undertones available.
Lighter maroons have enough red in them to pop alongside grey, beige and pastels. Darker maroons pair beautifully with metallics like copper and rose gold. And maroon can be easily mixed with fall colors like mustard, sage green, and rust orange.
In fashion, maroon complements nearly every skin tone and hair color. It’s a flattering color for handbags, shoes, and clothing that can be worn year-round. Maroon dresses are especially popular for the versatility to transition from summer to fall.
Maroon upholstery and accent pieces make an elegant statement in contemporary or traditional room designs. Its flexibility to blend with warm metallics or cool greys gives maroon broad appeal in home decor.
Conclusion
Maroon is a versatile neutral that ranges from brightly reddish hues to dark purplish-reds. It evokes feelings of elegance, nostalgia and romance due to its classic, old-world appeal. Maroon is considered gender-neutral and can be incorporated into both masculine and feminine looks.
While similar to shades like burgundy and oxblood, true maroon has more tonal flexibility. It shifts from earthy and woody to richly vibrant under different lighting. Maroon complements a wide range of colors from neutrals to jewel tones, making it a staple color for fashion, beauty and interior decor.