How Merlot Can You Go? 8 Enticing Ways With Wine-Inspired Hues

Count me as a big fan of burgundy, whether I’m enjoying a glass of it with dinner or using it as an accent wall color. Decorating with shades of red wine can add drama, depth and a delicious cozy feeling to any room. But the hue can make a space appear somber, busy or even claustrophobic when overused or combined with too much visual clutter. So here are eight elegant examples of red-wine hues done right, along with suggestions for similar colors to try out in and on your own home.

Reds are thought to excite and stimulate our senses, so a dollop of deep burgundy is a good choice for a home office. This is a very dark shade, but limiting it to a single small wall and pairing it with lots of white and natural light will keep it from feeling heavy and dreary. I also think it’s smart to limit the number of decorative elements in a room when using such an intense color on the wall. You don’t want your knickknacks to compete with a statement-making color.

Get a similar hue with Merlot from Pittsburgh Paints.


When paired with a lighter hue, such as white, these wine-inspired colors really stand out and catch our attention. Use them thoughtfully to enhance interesting forms and elements.

See when to use red in the kitchen


Get a similar look with Wine Tasting from Behr.


This deepest, darkest shade of burgundy reads almost as black, which coaxes it into working as a neutral hue. This is a dramatic alternative to the more expected neutral shades of white, gray and beige. As in the first example, and as was done here, limit the number of decorative accessories so that the few things you do choose to display really stand out.


Get a similar look with Antique Burgundy from Valspar.


As gorgeous as this wall color is, it can be tough to pull off, because dark colors such as these tend to suck all the light out of a room. I suggest using it in small amounts or, if you’re painting the entire space, limit it to “occasional” spaces — rooms such as an entry area or powder room, where you tend to pass through briefly and not spend a large amount of time.


The paint color in the previous photo is Cheerful Cherry 8693 from Cloverdale Paint. You can get a similar look with Burgundy from Sherwin-Williams.


This pretty berry-wine shade is a nice alternative to pastel pink for a modern take on a little girl’s room. But this fetching hue is not just for little girls; I think it would also look fantastic on the headboard wall of a master bedroom, or used to visually lower a tall ceiling for a cozier and more intimate vibe.


Get a similar look with Bottle of Bordeaux from Benjamin Moore.


There’s no reason these beautiful shades must be limited to the interior of your home. Since darker burgundy hues work as neutrals, they are a nice alternative to the ubiquitous dark brown shades on the exterior of a house. Just keep in mind that dark colors absorb more heat than lighter hues, so this may not be the best choice if you live in a predominantly hot climate. If that’s the case, try out a red-wine hue on your front door or window and door trim instead.


Get a similar look with Rare Wine from Valspar.


If your space lacks abundant natural light, or you just want to keep your rooms light and bright, make a place for red-wine hues via furniture or other decorative accessories instead. This room has a rather cool palette, but the wine-hued dining chairs add warmth and richness, preventing it from feeling too cold.


Deep red furniture and accessories make a handsome match for wood and brick finishes. This warm, rich palette is a smart choice in a cooler climate or an urban environment where the view outside the window might be a little heavy on concrete and asphalt.

More: Have You Heard the Hues? 15 Colors You May Not Know About

Tell us: Are you a fan of red-wine-inspired colors? We’d love to hear in the Comments how you’ve used them around your house.

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