Maroon Vs. Burgundy: Decoding The Rich Red Hues

Mrs. Ardith McClure I 27 Jun 2025

The world of colors is vast and nuanced, often presenting shades so similar they frequently lead to confusion. Among these, two deep, luxurious reds stand out: maroon and burgundy. While often used interchangeably, these hues possess distinct characteristics, undertones, and associations that set them apart. Understanding the subtle yet significant differences between maroon and burgundy is key to confidently navigating the red spectrum, whether you're selecting an outfit, designing a living space, or simply appreciating the artistry of color.

From their origins and symbolic meanings to their practical applications in fashion and interior design, delving into the specifics of maroon vs. burgundy reveals a fascinating interplay of pigment and perception. This comprehensive guide will illuminate what truly distinguishes these two captivating shades, helping you discern their unique qualities and make informed color choices.

Table of Contents:

The Nuance of Red: Unpacking Maroon vs. Burgundy
Defining the Hues: What Makes Maroon, Maroon?
Defining the Hues: What Makes Burgundy, Burgundy?
The Core Distinction: Undertones and Their Impact
- Maroon's Earthy Embrace
- Burgundy's Regal Allure
Visual Comparison: Side-by-Side and Color Codes
Colors in Context: Fashion, Design, and Symbolism
- Fashion Forward: Maroon and Burgundy on the Runway
- Designing Spaces: Interior Applications
Complementary Colors and Perfect Pairings
Navigating the Red Spectrum: Beyond Maroon and Burgundy
Conclusion: Mastering the Red Palette

The Nuance of Red: Unpacking Maroon vs. Burgundy

When discussing shades of red, the nuances can indeed be perplexing. Maroon, burgundy, and even wine are often used interchangeably, yet they possess distinct characteristics. Understanding these differences allows us to confidently navigate the red spectrum and appreciate the unique qualities each color brings. The primary challenge in distinguishing between maroon and burgundy lies in their shared deep red appearance. However, as we will explore, their underlying compositions and historical associations paint a clearer picture.

Despite their apparent similarities, maroon is 90.95% similar to burgundy, with a color difference of 9.05 delta E (δe). This seemingly small difference is enough to create distinct visual and emotional impacts. This article aims to clarify these distinctions, providing you with the knowledge to confidently identify and utilize each shade.

Defining the Hues: What Makes Maroon, Maroon?

Maroon is a color that typically denotes a blend of red and brown, creating a rich, dark hue. Its composition is straightforward: maroon is made by adding brown to red. This addition of brown gives maroon its characteristic earthier and more subdued appearance. It has a strong brown tone running through it, which makes it generally darker and quieter than burgundy.

Unlike some colors that exist naturally, maroon doesn’t exist as a natural color; it is a customized color. The word "maroon" itself is used to describe this dark red color, often evoking a sense of groundedness and warmth due to its brown undertones. In terms of mood, maroon, with its brown undertones, appears earthier and more subdued. It carries a sense of stability and tradition, making it a popular choice for settings where a strong yet understated presence is desired.

Defining the Hues: What Makes Burgundy, Burgundy?

In contrast, burgundy reflects the color of the wine produced in the Burgundy region of France, leaning more towards a deep red with hints of purple. Burgundy is made by adding purple to red. This purple undertone is its defining characteristic, giving it a more violet or purplish tinge. This deep red color with a purplish undertone is directly named after the Burgundy wine, which is a natural color.

The name "Burgundy" has historical roots, denoting numerous political entities, including kingdoms and duchies spanning territory from the late Roman period, named for the Burgundians, an East Germanic people who moved westwards beyond the Rhine. This rich history imbues the color with a sense of heritage and depth. Symbolically, burgundy symbolizes power, wealth, and prosperity. It is often associated with elegance, sophistication, and luxury, due to its opulent and vibrant appearance, especially because of its purple base. Burgundy, with undertones of the purple color, stands somewhat brighter than maroon, despite both being deep shades of red.

The Core Distinction: Undertones and Their Impact

The most crucial factor in distinguishing between maroon and burgundy lies in their undertones. This subtle difference is what dictates their visual properties, the emotions they evoke, and how they interact with other colors in design and fashion. Understanding these undertones is the key to mastering the nuances of maroon vs. burgundy.

Maroon's Earthy Embrace

As discussed earlier, maroon has more pure red undertones, specifically with a strong brown presence. This brown undertone makes maroon appear warmer, more grounded, and inherently earthy. It tends to be a more subdued and less flashy color, exuding a sense of stability, maturity, and classic elegance. Think of rich, aged leather or deep, dark wood – these often resonate with the feeling of maroon. Because of its brown base, maroon leans towards a warmer spectrum, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. It's the kind of color that feels timeless and comforting, making it suitable for traditional or rustic aesthetics.

The brown in maroon can also give it a slightly muted quality, making it less intense than a pure red or even burgundy. This makes maroon an excellent choice when you want a deep red that doesn't overpower but rather provides a solid, sophisticated foundation. It can evoke feelings of seriousness, warmth, and grounded strength.

Burgundy's Regal Allure

Burgundy, on the other hand, mixes in purple. This purple undertone gives burgundy a distinct cool quality, making it appear more vibrant and opulent. While both are deep reds, the purplish tinge in burgundy adds a layer of sophistication and richness that maroon doesn't quite capture. It's often described as a more jewel-toned red, reminiscent of precious stones like amethyst or garnet.

Burgundy leans towards a cooler spectrum because of its purple base, giving it a more opulent and vibrant appearance. This coolness can make burgundy feel more modern, luxurious, and even dramatic. It carries associations of royalty, wealth, and power, much like the historical significance of the color purple itself. The subtle violet hints in burgundy give it a depth and complexity that makes it highly appealing in high-end fashion and luxurious interior design. It can be perceived as more dynamic and assertive than maroon, commanding attention while maintaining an air of refined elegance.

Visual Comparison: Side-by-Side and Color Codes

To truly grasp the difference, a side-by-side color comparison is invaluable. While they are often confused due to their similarities, seeing how maroon and burgundy look side by side immediately highlights their distinct undertones. Maroon will appear more brownish-red, while burgundy will have a noticeable purplish-red hue.

Their closeness is scientifically quantified: maroon is 90.95% similar to burgundy, with a color difference of 9.05 delta E (δe). Delta E is a metric used to quantify the difference between two colors. A delta E of 9.05 indicates a noticeable, though not drastic, difference to the human eye. This explains why they are often confused but are indeed distinct colors.

We can also compare their color properties and color codes in different color spaces and models. While specific codes vary slightly depending on the system (RGB, HEX, CMYK), the general trend remains consistent:

Maroon (example HEX code: #800000): This code typically represents a deep, dark red with a strong brown component. In RGB values, the red component is dominant, but green and blue are present in lower, balanced amounts to create the brown effect.
Burgundy (example HEX code: #800020): This code, or similar variations, will show a deep red with a slightly higher blue component compared to maroon, which contributes to its purplish tint. The subtle shift in these values is what creates the distinct visual difference.

Generally, maroon is darker and quieter than burgundy. Burgundy, with undertones of the purple color, stands somewhat brighter, despite both being deep and rich shades of red. This subtle brightness in burgundy comes from the vibrancy that purple introduces, while the brown in maroon tends to absorb light, making it appear more muted.

Colors in Context: Fashion, Design, and Symbolism

The choice between maroon and burgundy extends beyond mere aesthetics; it influences mood, perception, and even cultural associations. Colors represent places, people, objects, and memories, enhancing or dampening the mood. Interestingly, both colors, in their conceptual origins, derive from France (Burgundy wine region, and the word "maroon" from French "marron" meaning chestnut, which is a brownish-red).

Fashion Forward: Maroon and Burgundy on the Runway

In fashion, the distinction between maroon and burgundy is crucial for setting the right tone.

Maroon in Fashion: With its earthy and subdued nature, maroon is often chosen for classic, timeless pieces. It conveys a sense of grounded elegance, maturity, and understated sophistication. Think of a luxurious wool coat, a velvet blazer, or a pair of classic leather boots in maroon. It pairs beautifully with neutral tones like cream, beige, charcoal, and even deep greens, creating a refined and approachable look. Maroon can be seen as more traditional and less overtly flashy, making it ideal for professional settings or for those who prefer a subtle yet rich color palette.
Burgundy in Fashion: Burgundy, with its purplish undertone and association with luxury, is a favorite for making a statement. It exudes opulence, sophistication, and a hint of drama. A burgundy silk dress, a tailored suit, or accessories like handbags and shoes in this shade immediately elevate an outfit. It pairs well with gold, silver, navy blue, and even emerald green, creating a rich and vibrant ensemble. The designer’s keen eye might tell her that the purple undertones of a fabric make it burgundy and, thus, more enticing than a dull maroon, especially when aiming for a regal or fashion-forward aesthetic. Burgundy can be perceived as more daring and fashionable, often appearing in seasonal trends for autumn and winter.

Designing Spaces: Interior Applications

In interior design, the choice between maroon and burgundy can dramatically alter the mood and perceived warmth or coolness of a space.

Maroon in Interiors: Given its brown undertones, maroon creates a warm, cozy, and inviting atmosphere. It's excellent for traditional or rustic decor, adding depth and a sense of history. Maroon walls, upholstery, or accent pieces can make a room feel grounded and comfortable. It works well in libraries, studies, or dining rooms where a sense of intimacy and warmth is desired. It pairs beautifully with natural wood tones, antique furniture, and textures like tweed or linen, reinforcing its earthy appeal. The couple arguing in the paint aisle over whether to paint their living room maroon or burgundy might be debating the very essence of their desired home atmosphere – a warm, classic feel versus a more vibrant, luxurious one.
Burgundy in Interiors: Burgundy, with its purple hints, brings a sense of luxury, drama, and sophistication to interior spaces. It can make a room feel grand and opulent, especially when paired with rich fabrics like velvet or silk, and metallic accents like brass or gold. Burgundy works wonderfully in formal living rooms, master bedrooms, or dining areas where a statement of elegance is desired. It can be used as an accent color on cushions, drapes, or even a single feature wall to add a touch of regal flair. Its cooler undertone allows it to complement cool-toned grays, deep blues, and even certain greens, creating a rich and complex palette.

Historically, red as the color of blood is also the color of martyrdom, and it was the color of royalty, commonly used by those higher up in religious life in European history. Both maroon and burgundy inherit some of this historical gravitas, but burgundy's association with wine and its inherent richness further ties it to symbols of wealth and prosperity.

Complementary Colors and Perfect Pairings

Choosing complementary colors is essential for creating harmonious palettes. The undertones of maroon and burgundy dictate their best pairings.

Pairing with Maroon: Because of its brown undertone, maroon pairs exceptionally well with other warm, earthy tones.
- Neutrals: Cream, beige, taupe, and warm grays create a sophisticated and grounded look.
- Greens: Olive green, forest green, and moss green complement maroon beautifully, enhancing its natural, earthy feel.
- Golds/Bronzes: Metallic accents in gold or bronze add a touch of warmth and subtle richness.
- Deep Blues: A very dark navy can provide a strong contrast without clashing, creating a classic, masculine appeal.
Maroon's subdued nature makes it a versatile background color, allowing brighter accents to pop without overwhelming the overall aesthetic.
Pairing with Burgundy: The purple undertone in burgundy allows it to blend seamlessly with both warm and cool colors, though it shines brightest with those that enhance its regal quality.
- Metallics: Gold, silver, and rose gold are excellent choices, amplifying burgundy's luxurious feel.
- Deep Blues: Navy blue and sapphire blue create a rich, sophisticated, and often dramatic contrast.
- Greens: Emerald green and teal offer a vibrant and opulent combination, especially popular in jewel-toned palettes.
- Pinks/Purples: Lighter shades of pink or lavender can create a monochromatic or analogous scheme that is elegant and refined.
- Creams/Off-Whites: These provide a soft contrast that allows burgundy to truly stand out.
Burgundy's inherent vibrancy means it can hold its own against stronger, more saturated colors, making it a bold choice for impactful designs.

The "pros and cons" of each color often boil down to their intended use. Maroon might be preferred for its timeless, stable feel, while burgundy is chosen for its vibrant, luxurious statement. Neither is inherently "better," but rather suited to different moods and purposes.

Navigating the Red Spectrum: Beyond Maroon and Burgundy

While maroon vs. burgundy is a common point of confusion, it's worth noting that the red spectrum is vast, with many other shades that can also be misidentified. Understanding these helps further solidify the unique identities of maroon and burgundy.

Crimson: Maroon, burgundy, and crimson are all based on the color red. Crimson is a strong, deep red with a slight hint of blue, making it a cool red, but it's typically brighter and more vivid than either maroon or burgundy. It lacks the brown of maroon and the distinct purple of burgundy.
Wine: This term is often used as a general descriptor for deep reds, encompassing both maroon and burgundy, but it can also refer to a specific shade that is a rich, dark red, often with very subtle brown or purple hints, making it a broader category than the distinct maroon or burgundy.
Ruby: Ruby is a vivid, pinkish-red. It is much brighter and often has a more pronounced pink or blue undertone than maroon or burgundy, making it a more vibrant and less muted shade of red.

Recognizing these other shades helps to appreciate the specific characteristics that define maroon as a red-brown and burgundy as a red-purple. It emphasizes that while all are "deep reds," their underlying compositions create vastly different visual and emotional experiences.

Conclusion: Mastering the Red Palette

The journey to distinguish between maroon and burgundy, two similar but distinct shades of red, ultimately comes down to their undertones, associations, and applications. Maroon, with its brown undertones, offers an earthy, subdued, and quietly sophisticated presence. It's a customized color, evoking warmth, stability, and timeless elegance. Burgundy, conversely, with its purplish undertones, is a natural color named after the famous French wine, symbolizing power, wealth, and luxury. It appears brighter, more opulent, and inherently regal.

While they share a deep red foundation and are often confused, their 9.05 delta E difference signifies a clear distinction. Understanding these nuances empowers you to make intentional choices in fashion, interior design, and even art, ensuring your color selections perfectly convey the desired mood and message. So, the next time you encounter these rich hues, remember: if it leans brown, it's likely maroon; if it leans purple, it's burgundy.

What are your favorite ways to use maroon or burgundy in your life? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! If you found this guide helpful, consider sharing it with friends or exploring our other articles on color theory and design to further enhance your understanding of the vibrant world around us.

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