What Colors Go Well With Maroon?

Maroon is a deeper, darker shade of red that has a few different colors that complement it. Read on to learn more about the color maroon, what colors are used to make this deep red shade and what colors go well with it, whether you’re referring to fashion or home decor.

What Colors Make Up Maroon?

While red is a primary color, meaning that no colors “make up” red — it is a standalone color — maroon is not a primary color. It’s not one of the listed tertiary colors, either. Maroon is often considered a hue (or shade) of the color red. If you were mixing paints, you would mix red and brown together to make a maroon shade. However, if you look at hues and colors on a chart, maroon would be closer to brown than red because of its deep shade. 

What Colors Complement Maroon?

If you’re looking at a traditional color wheel, the complementary colors for maroon are yellow and green, depending on the shade of maroon. In fact, a popular color combination is maroon and yellow or maroon and gold. Other colors that go well with maroon include rose, white, gray and neutral colors, such as beige or mauve. Black can sometimes go well with maroon, but you want to avoid pairing two dark hues in many circumstances. 

Is Burgundy the Same as Maroon?

Burgundy is not the same color as maroon, although the two are often mistaken. Maroon is a mix of red and brown. Burgundy is a mix of red and purple. Because of this, burgundy has a purplish hue to it. Other similar colors include crimson, claret and oxblood. 

Using Maroon in Fashion and Home Decor

Maroon’s list of complementary colors is quite long. It’s a strong color that is often associated with intensity, but the color is also associated with Buddhism. It can have many interpretations. 

If you’re trying to pair maroon either with other articles of clothing or home decor, it works well with metallic and neutral hues. For instance, you can pair a maroon sweater with a grey blazer or pants. A maroon throw pillow would go nicely with a cream-colored couch or even a slightly bolder color. 

What Is the Meaning of Maroon?

There is some psychology and symbolism behind every color. When it comes to maroon, it can be associated with energy or danger. It’s also one of the hallmark colors of fall. Maroon is also associated with control, thoughtfulness and responsibility when it comes to color psychology. It’s a popular choice of emblems and school uniforms as well. 

What Are the Differences Between Tertiary Colors and Hues?

Primary colors include red, blue and yellow. Secondary colors include colors made by mixing two primary colors, such as orange or purple. Tertiary colors are colors made by mixing primary and secondary colors, such as yellow-green or blue-purple. A hue is a different shade of either a primary or secondary color. For example, depending on the shade, maroon is either a hue of red or brown, so it doesn’t fit into any of these color categories.