12 Best Red Paint Colors

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.