Maroon Vs Crimson: A Style Guide to These Popular Red Shades 

So here’s the thing about maroon and crimson. Both are rich, dark, and gorgeous when done right.

But here’s where we get confused, they create completely different moods in a space.

Maroon vs crimson isn’t some random paint comparison but these two can make or break your room’s vibe because of their undertones and intensity with light.

Understanding which shade you’re working with matters whether you’re repainting your bedroom, picking an accent wall color, choosing new throw pillows, or trying to figure out why the perfect red you saw looks wrong in your space.

Small shifts in undertone like brown and blue, it changes everything about how a color looks in different lighting.

Here in this post I’m breaking down what makes maroon vs crimson different, how they perform in rooms, which spaces work best for each, and how they compare to other ones you’ve heard of.

Also, I’m sharing the paint colors I recommend to clients.

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Color Profile of Maroon

Maroon is basically red’s earthy, grounded version.

You get maroon by mixing red with brown or a bit of black, and it is a deep, heavy color that has STRONG brown undertones in it.

The standard reference is RGB 128, 0, 0 and hex code #800000, but it varies depending on which paint manufacturer you’re looking at.

The thing about maroon is it doesn’t jump at you. It feels back, warm, looks sophisticated without trying hard.

I used Deep Maroon (SW 0072) from Sherwin-Williams in my home office and it makes me happy every time I walk in there.

The LRV is only 7, which means it’s absorbing most of the light in the room rather than reflecting it back.

The low light reflectance is what you NEED to plan for.

I made the mistake once of using maroon in a basement guest room with one small window and it felt like a cave and not cozy.

Then I added four more light sources and a big mirror before it felt inviting.

But when you use maroon in the right way, it creates a warm, enveloping feeling that’s perfect for spaces where you want people to settle in and stay awhile.

It works beautifully in dining rooms where you’re trying to create intimacy, in living rooms where you want a rich backdrop that doesn’t compete with your furniture, and in any space where you want sophistication without the drama that bright reds bring.

The brown undertones in maroon mean it pairs well with other earth tones like warm grays, taupes, bronzes, even olive greens.

I pair it with something like Revere Pewter (HC-172) from Benjamin Moore for trim and adjacent walls. The warm gray WORKS with maroon’s earthy quality.

Fashion-wise, maroon shows up in fall collections and formal wear.

It’s the reliable, mature red which pulls it all together without being boring.

Color Profile of Crimson

Crimson is bright, vivid, and has blue or purple undertones that make it look cooler than maroon.

Standard puts it around RGB 220, 20, 60 and hex #DC143C. But it shifts depending on the specific paint.

The crimson I recommend is Benjamin Moore Crimson (1299), which has an LRV of 19.58 and hex code #9D2235.

This is almost three times the light reflectance of Deep Maroon, which tells you everything about how differently these colors perform in a room.

Crimson is BOLD. It demands attention. It’s that red you see and have an emotional response to.

Where maroon is a bit quiet, crimson is too loud.

I used crimson as an accent wall in a client’s entryway only on one wall, everything else was a soft white and every single person who walked into the house stopped and stared.

Some loved it. Some hated it. 

The blue undertones in crimson make it tough to work with though.

I learned this with a bedroom project and the client wanted crimson walls, these gorgeous navy curtains, and when we hung them.

The whole room went purple-red instead of the clear, vibrant crimson we were going for. 

Crimson performs best in well-lit spaces where the vibrancy shines.

North-facing rooms will make it look dark and purple.

South-facing rooms with natural light look PERFECT in crimson. It’s dramatic, intense, eye-catching.

For complementary colors, I pair crimson with bright neutrals like Pure White (SW 7005) or Kendall Charcoal (HC-166) for a modern look.

You want colors that either enhance the vibrancy or provide bright contrast. Warm beiges will muddy crimson fast.

In fashion and styling, crimson shows up in statement pieces.

The bold lip color, that dress you wear when you want to be SEEN, that accent pillow that ties a neutral room together. 

Maroon Vs Crimson: Key Differences

So here’s where we get into the comparison of Maroon Vs Crimson, because knowing what each color IS doesn’t explain why they’re different.

I’m breaking this down by the factors that matter when you’re standing in a paint store. So, let’s go and find out the major differences that you need to know before going with this.

Undertones

Maroon has brown undertones and sometimes you’ll see purple influence depending on the specific paint mix, but mainly it’s brown showing through the red base.

Crimson has blue or purple undertones that make it look much cool and clear.

This is the big difference and the one that affects everything else.

The undertones determine what colors you can pair with each shade, how they respond to different types of lighting, and what kind of mood they create.

I keep paint samples of both taped to my office wall so I can show clients this difference in person. 

Brightness and Lighting Effect

Maroon absorbs light, with the low LRV around 7, it’s pulling light in and creating depth.

In dim lighting, maroon can look almost brownish. I’ve had clients send me photos asking if we painted the wrong color because it looks different from daytime.

Crimson reflects more light with an LRV between 15-20 depending on the specific paint.

It maintains its vibrancy in low light, though it will show purple in spaces without good natural light sources.

Here’s what I tell clients: if your room doesn’t get great natural light, maroon will feel cozy but heavy.

Crimson will come but shift cooler than you want. Neither is wrong, but you need to know what you’re getting into.

Mood and Versatility

Maroon creates a grounded, sophisticated, stable feeling. It’s the mature red which works in traditional spaces, formal settings and anywhere where you want richness without risk.

It’s VERSATILE in the sense that it plays well with other colors and styles.

Crimson creates passion, energy, urgency, boldness. It’s less versatile because it’s hard to ignore, but when you want impact.

I use maroon more in client projects because most people want their spaces to feel collected and intentional rather than dramatic.

But for the clients who come to me wanting something DIFFERENT then they should go with Crimson.

Visual Impact

When you walk into a room with maroon walls, it creates an elegant look which is hard to ignore.

When you walk into a room with crimson walls, it creates an amazing factor which makes it beautiful and different.

Maroon is as subtle as a dark red can be. It’s eye-catching but in a refined way.

Crimson is attention-grabbing and unapologetic about it. It’s the color equivalent of walking into a room and announcing itself.

Neither approach is better. They both have completely different purposes.

Style and Best Uses

Maroon works beautifully in:

• Traditional dining rooms
• Home libraries or offices
• Fall-inspired spaces
• Anywhere you want warmth and sophistication
• Paired with wood furniture and earth tones

Crimson works beautifully in:

• Modern accent walls
• Entryways where you want immediate impact
• Spaces with excellent natural light
• Paired with stark neutrals and contemporary furniture
• Statement pieces rather than whole-room applications

I recommend painting a room crimson unless it’s large with great light. But with a single accent wall, it looks nice.

Maroon I’ll use on multiple walls or a whole room because it’s easy to live with long-term.

Factor	Maroon	Crimson
Undertone	Brown	Blue/Purple
Brightness	Darker, more muted	Brighter, more vivid
Temperature	Warm-leaning	Cool-leaning
LRV	~7 (low light reflectance)	~15-20 (higher light reflectance)
Visual Impact	Subtle, grounded, sophisticated	Bold, dramatic, eye-catching
Mood	Mature, stable, earthy	Passionate, energetic, intense
Best Lighting	Works in various lighting	Needs good natural light
Versatility	Highly versatile	More specific applications
Common Pairings	Earth tones, warm grays, bronzes	Crisp whites, charcoals, stark neutrals

Maroon Vs Crimson: Room-By-Room Comparison

Let me walk you through how Maroon Vs Crimson looks in real spaces, because this is where theory meets reality.

I’m basing this on real projects, mistakes I’ve seen while doing the projects, and the texts from clients about their color choice.

Let’s see how these two colors look in different rooms.

Living Room

Maroon in a living room is foolproof IF you have good light sources.

I did a living room last year with Dark Burgundy (2075-10) from Benjamin Moore on three walls and that was burgundy not maroon, but it has the same brown-leaning qualities.

It has an LRV of 5.52 which means we needed light planning.

We added floor lamps, table lamps, and made sure the ceiling fixture was bright to illuminate the space.

The space it created was cozy, inviting, perfect for movie nights and the room felt warm and calm.

Crimson in a living room is RISKY for a whole room but incredible for an accent wall.

I watched a friend paint her entire living room crimson and after some time she was repainting.

It was too much visual intensity for a space where she spent hours every day.

But the same crimson on a single wall behind a neutral sofa with white walls everywhere looks perfect and it creates a focal point without overwhelming the room.

Bedroom

Maroon in bedrooms works well if you’re going for the romantic, enveloping vibe.

I painted my own bedroom maroon and it was better for sleeping. Something about that deep, warm color made the space feel restful.

I paired it with cream bedding and warm wood furniture and the room felt calm.

The trick is making sure you have good task lighting for reading and getting dressed, because the low LRV means you’re not getting much help from the wall color.

Crimson in bedrooms is hit or miss depending on the person.

I’ve had clients who LOVE it, which says it makes them feel energized and passionate.

I’ve had other clients who tried it and complained they couldn’t relax to fall asleep.

The boldness and intensity that makes crimson great in public spaces can work against you in a room meant for rest.

If you’re going crimson in a bedroom, I’d recommend limiting it to one accent wall rather than the whole space.

Bathroom

Bathrooms are interesting because they’re small spaces where you can take big color risks.

Maroon in a bathroom creates a luxurious and calm feeling especially if you pair it with brass or gold fixtures.

I did a powder room in a maroon shade with a gold mirror, gold faucet, and white marble countertop.

Every guest who used it in the bathroom commented on it.

Small spaces can handle that intensity better because you’re not spending hours in there.

Crimson in a bathroom can be STUNNING if you have good lighting.

The problem is most bathrooms do not have good lighting.

If you’ve a bathroom with a window and good overhead lighting, crimson can work beautifully especially in powder rooms where you want drama.

But if your bathroom is interior with basic builder-grade lighting then I would not recommend going with crimson. It’ll look muddy and purple.

Kitchen

Maroon in a kitchen works better as an accent like on an island, or lower cabinets, or a small accent wall.

I’m not painting the kitchens maroon because kitchens need to feel energizing and the heavy brown-red can make them feel closed in.

I’ve seen maroon used beautifully on kitchen cabinets in spaces with white or light gray walls which provides richness without overwhelming.

Crimson in kitchens is trickier because the brightness and intensity can clash with food, but I’ve noticed people report feeling less hungry in very red kitchens.

Something about the boldness.

If you’re doing crimson in a kitchen, keep it to small accent areas, like a backsplash section, or inside open shelving, or on a single cabinet piece.

Don’t commit to crimson cabinetry unless you’re certain.

Maroon Vs Crimson Vs Other Colors

So now you understand the difference between maroon Vs crimson individually, let’s talk about how they look against OTHER reds because the red color family is vast and confusing and I get questions about this. 

There are many variations within reds that slight shifts in undertone change the color category you’re working with.

So, let’s go and check the other ones too.

Maroon Vs Crimson Vs Burgundy

This is the comparison I get asked about MOST.

Burgundy is right between maroon and crimson in terms of characteristics, but it’s got its own personality.

It is named after burgundy wine and it’s a red with strong purple undertones and equal blue-green balance in its mix.

Where maroon leans brown and crimson leans blue, burgundy leans purple.

The wine-toned quality makes it feel luxurious and elegant in a way that’s different from both maroon and crimson.

I used Dark Burgundy (2075-10) on a dining room feature wall and the way it shifted from rich red in daylight to deep purple-red at night was gorgeous.

Clients loved it BECAUSE of the color-shifting quality.

Burgundy is more intense than maroon but more refined than crimson. 

Crimson Vs Red

I hear this ALL the time and no, crimson is NOT the same as pure red.

Pure red is like a true fire-engine red and has minimal undertones. It’s bright, primary, and straightforward.

Crimson is red WITH blue undertones gives it depth and richness.

It’s closer to pure red than maroon is, but the blue influence makes it dark and more complex than simple red.

If you hold a pure red paint swatch next to crimson, you’ll notice that crimson is deep and slightly cool.

Pure red looks almost cheerful and crimson feels powerful.

Maroon Vs Scarlet

Scarlet is bright and more orange than maroon.

Maroon is a darkened red with brown undertones. Scarlet is a bright red with orange or yellow undertones that make it feel warm and energetic in a different way.

I don’t use scarlet as much as maroon because it’s hard to work with.

The brightness and warmth can easily feel childish or overwhelming unless you’re going for a specific bold, playful look.

Maroon is sophisticated. Scarlet is vibrant and youthful. Different purposes.

Crimson Vs Dark Red

“Dark red” is kind of a term that could mean maroon, burgundy, or a darkened crimson depending on who’s talking.

Crimson refers to the bright, blue-undertoned red. When someone says “dark red” they mean any red that’s been deepened with black or brown, which can be maroon or burgundy or something else.

This is why I always push clients to look at paint samples with proper names and codes rather than relying on color descriptions.

“Dark red” could mean ten different types of shades.

Comparison	Key Difference	Which to Choose
Maroon vs Burgundy	Maroon = brown undertones, Burgundy = purple undertones	Maroon for earthy spaces, Burgundy for wine-inspired elegance
Crimson vs Pure Red	Crimson = deeper with blue undertones, Red = bright primary color	Crimson for sophistication, Red for bold simplicity
Maroon vs Scarlet	Maroon = dark brown-red, Scarlet = bright orange-red	Maroon for mature spaces, Scarlet for playful energy
Crimson vs Dark Red	Crimson = specific blue-toned red, Dark Red = generic term	Always specify exact paint name/code
Burgundy vs Crimson	Burgundy = purple-leaning, Crimson = blue-leaning	Burgundy for luxury feel, Crimson for bold drama

Conclusion

Look, comparing between maroon vs crimson, these two are NOT interchangeable even though people use the terms all the time.

Maroon is an earthy, sophisticated, warm red with brown undertones.

It’s reliable, versatile, creates cozy spaces without screaming for attention.

It is perfect for dining rooms, offices and bedrooms where you want richness and depth.

Crimson is a bold, vibrant, cool red with blue undertones.

It’s dramatic, intense, demands good lighting and careful planning.

It looks incredible for accent walls, entryways and anywhere you want IMPACT.

The mistake I see people make is choosing based on a small paint swatch under fluorescent store lighting.

Get samples and test them in your space at different times of day before committing because choosing between maroon vs crimson for your space can be a bit difficult but it is doable.

FAQs On Maroon Vs Crimson