12 Best Red Paint Colors

Written by
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel has covered architecture, interiors and decor for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Lonny and the international editions of Elle Decor.
Learn about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Kristin Hohenadel
Updated 03/03/21
Natural light filling red painted room with two windows

The Spruce / Francesca Maiolino

Painting your room red is a power move that can add instant style and atmosphere anywhere in the home. It's a stimulating, passionate, high-spirited hue that isn't for the faint of heart. But a red living room, dining room, library, home office, den, powder room, or bedroom in the perfect shade might just make you fall in love.

And if a whole red room feels a bit too much, a little splash of red will make a big impact—on a front door, on the inside of a closet, or as an accent wall in a neutral room that needs a little oomph.

Here are 12 of the best red paint colors for your home.

  • 01 of 12

    Best Dark Red: Eating Room Red by Farrow & Ball

    Farrow & Ball Eating Room Red

    The Spruce

    Named after the red damask wallpaper that often adorned the walls of elegant mid 19th-century dining rooms, Eating Room Red from Farrow & Ball is a deeply pigmented burgundy that like a fine wine can read a bit on the purplish side. It has a rich, old world feel that works especially well in period homes, with moldings and woodwork painted in a fresh cream or white to create contrast.

  • 02 of 12

    Best Red-Orange: Persimmon Orange by The Spruce Best Home

    Spruce Paint color swatch in Persimmon

    The Spruce

    Persimmon Orange SPR-01 from The Spruce Best Home by KILZ is a deep rustic red-orange that straddles the line between those close cousins on the color wheel and creates a fresh, modern look that works like a charm in a bedroom or kitchen. The feel-good, red-orange hybrid will change with the light, looking more orange at high noon and skewing toward red by candlelight.

  • 03 of 12

    Best Crimson: Incarnadine by Farrow & Ball

    Farrow & Ball Incarnadine swatch

    The Spruce 

    As classic as a red manicure, Incarnadine from Farrow & Ball is a glamorous crimson that can be used in a formal living room. But it works just as well as part of a classic red, white and blue color scheme in a kid's room. Or it can be used to create a contemporary feel, paired with modern art and chrome or glass furniture and decorative objects.

  • 04 of 12

    Best Clay Red: Morocco Red by Behr

    Morocco Red by Behr swatch

    The Spruce

    Morocco Red PPU2-17 from Behr is a soft, livable clay colored shade that evokes the earthy warm colors found in the stunning landscapes and architecture of its namesake country. In addition to working well in a living room or library, it's also a popular choice for those who love the welcoming embrace of a red front door.

    Continue to 5 of 12 below.
  • 05 of 12

    Best Deep Red: Big Apple by Clare

    Swatch of Big Apple by Clare

    The Spruce

    Big Apple by Clare is a deep delicious apple red love letter to New York City that adds personality and style to a bedroom or entryway. Or use it to paint an accent wall anywhere you want to lift the room's mood.

  • 06 of 12

    Best Subdued Red: Sundried Tomato by Benjamin Moore

    Swatch in Sundried Tomato by Benjamin Moore

    The Spruce

    Sundried Tomato by Benjamin Moore is a dark red that looks like it was baked to perfection in the sun. It pairs well with pewter and beige for a subdued look or can be accented by touches of gold for a more dramatic effect.

  • 07 of 12

    Best Pink-Infused Red: Berrylicious by Valspar

    Valspar Berrylicious swatch

    The Spruce

    Berrylicious by Valspar is a luminous raspberry dream of a red that would work well as an accent wall, in a small powder room or kids' room. It's a fun base for a room in shades of red and pink that will create a cocoon from the outside world.

  • 08 of 12

    Best Rust Red: Brick Facade by Valspar

    Brick Facade by Valspar swatch

    The Spruce

    Brick Facade by Valspar is a rusty brick red that would work well in a Tuscan-inspired room to set off warm woods, cognac colored leather, wrought iron and earthenware accents. Keep the ceiling a bright shade of white to keep the color from from overwhelming.

    Continue to 9 of 12 below.
  • 09 of 12

    Best True Red: Atomic Red by Little Greene

    Swatch of Atomic Red by Little Greene

    The Spruce

    Atomic Red by Little Greene is a powerhouse of a primary red that adds a bit of attitude to a room and pairs well with light to medium blue-toned grays.

  • 10 of 12

    Best Berry Red: PANTONE 4975 C

    Pantone 4975 swatch

    The Spruce

    A dark chocolatey red, Pantone 4975 is a sophisticated color that creates a moody vibe in a media room or library.

  • 11 of 12

    Best Dusty Red: Cherokee Red by PPG

    Swatch of PPG Cherokee

    The Spruce

    Cherokee Red PPG13-02 is dark spicy color that is easy on the eyes and would work well in a bedroom or dining room.

  • 12 of 12

    Best Light Red: Le Corbusier Crush by Dunn-Edwards

    Dunn Edwards Le Corbusier Crush swatch

    The Spruce 

    Le Corbusier Crush by Dunn-Edwards is a cheerful red shade named after the mid-century master architect, who developed his own signature theory of how colors work together.