Lavender is a light purple shade that is quite popular in interior design, fashion, and beauty. While lavender itself is already on the darker end of the purple color spectrum, there are many purple shades that are even deeper and darker than lavender.
Darker Purple Shades
Here are some purple shades that are darker than lavender:
- Eggplant – A dark purple with hints of blue. Slightly darker than lavender.
- Royal Purple – A rich, deep purple that was historically associated with royalty. Much darker than lavender.
- Phlox – A medium-dark purple, between lavender and royal purple in depth.
- Byzantium – A reddish-purple that is very dark, almost black in some lighting.
- Boysenberry – A super dark reddish-purple named after the berry. Extremely deep and rich.
- Catawba – A slightly reddish dark purple. Often used in wines.
- Pansy Purple – A medium-dark purple with blue undertones inspired by the pansy flower.
- Amethyst – A gemstone-inspired purple that is between lavender and royal in depth.
- Siren – A very dark purple that has a reddish tint in certain light.
- Carissma – A deep, cool-toned purple that is richer than lavender.
As you can see, there are many shades of purple that are darker, deeper, and richer than the relatively soft and light lavender hue. From eggplant to Byzantium, these dark purples evoke mystery, drama, and intimacy.
What Makes a Color Darker
So what makes these shades darker than lavender? There are a few key factors:
- Saturation – Darker purples are more saturated, meaning they have a higher intensity of pigment. Lavender is quite soft and desaturated.
- Value – Darker shades like royal purple simply have a lower value than lavender, meaning they absorb more light rather than reflecting it back to the eye.
- Hue – Some darker shades have a slightly different hue, containing more red or blue tones than the light lavender.
- Context – The same purple can appear lighter or darker depending on what colors it’s paired with.
A deeply saturated, low value, reddish purple will always appear darker than a pale, lightly saturated lavender. However, context also matters – a mid-tone purple can look very dark in an otherwise light pastel setting.
Psychology of Dark Purple
So why does the depth and darkness of certain purple shades appeal to us? Dark purples have some symbolic meanings and psychological effects.
- Royal purple connotes luxury, creativity, and magic.
- Eggplant purple suggests sophistication, intrigue, and depth.
- Dark reddish purples like siren evoke passion, romance, and seduction.
- Mysterious dark purples indicate spirituality, the metaphysical, and the unknown.
- Byzantium purple is associated with power, nobility, and ambition.
Compared to the soft femininity of lavender, these darker purple shades are bolder and more complex. They add visual drama and interest, provoke deeper emotions, and imply meanings like creativity, mystery, and nobility.
Using Darker Purples in Design
So how can you effectively utilize these deep, dark shades of purple in your own designs and color palettes? Here are some tips:
- Pair darker purples with neutrals like black, gray, and white to create a moody, sophisticated vibe.
- Use them as accent colors in an otherwise light and bright color scheme for contrast.
- Lean into their mystical qualities by using darker purples in spiritual or magical designs.
- Combine eggplant or burgundy purples with other rich colors like gold, crimson, and navy.
- Darken any light or medium purple by adding a touch of black or reducing brightness.
Darker purples work best when you let them shine as dramatic statement shades, rather than trying to mute them down. Use their mystical, elegant qualities to your advantage for bold, creative designs.
Examples of Dark Purples
To inspire you, here are some examples of darker shades of purple used elegantly in interior design, fashion, graphic design, and more:
Interiors
- An eggplant purple accent wall with charcoal grey sofas and silver decor creates a glamorous, sophisticated living room.
- Deep amethyst-colored velvet curtains and matching upholstered chairs give a dining room a regal vibe.
- Painting a front door royal purple makes an eye-catching, unique welcome to any home.
- Light gray walls popped with Byzantium purple throw pillows, vases, and candlesticks create an elegant, mystical bedroom retreat.
Fashion
- A flowy catawba-colored cocktail dress makes a stand-out option for a formal event or wedding.
- Siren purple looks striking on accessories like purses, shoes, jewelry and scarves.
- Dark eggplant-colored skinny jeans or leggings paired with neutral pieces creates an edgy casual outfit.
- Byzantium purple eye makeup is a perfect option for an evening out, with a cat-eye flick in the dramatic hue.
Graphic Design
- Using a rich phlox purple as a bold background color with white text grabs attention in posters and website headers.
- Darkening the purple used in a company’s logo can give their brand an updated, sophisticated look.
- Invitations, business cards, and stationery pop when incorporating a deep amethyst or carissma purple.
- Watercolor washes in shades of boysenberry, siren, and pansy purple make unique backgrounds or frames for an artistic design style.
The darker purple palette has an endless variety of shades to inspire and elevate your design work or personal style. Embrace the mystery!
Conclusion
Lavender may be a light, delicate purple but there is a vast range of regal, elegant purples that are darker and deeper. From the reddish tones of catawba and Byzantium to the blue-based hues of royal purple and phlox, these rich shades open up an entire world of color possibilities. Dark purples add drama, intrigue, and luxury to any design or palette. So don’t be afraid to go boldly beyond lavender into the deep, mystical purple shades.