Formal Maroon
Often used for its genuinely dark qualities, Formal Maroon remains a staple for Behr designers. It is widely considered one of the best colors in its class to anchor a room without demanding the spotlight. We've gathered 5 real-home scenarios to help you visualize this color alongside our expert data.
Hex
#70474b
LRV
9.05
Formal Maroon in Real Rooms
Formal Maroon has a low LRV of 9.05 — it absorbs light and reads as a genuinely dark, enveloping color. It's neutral in temperature, making it adaptable across different lighting conditions and room orientations.
1 Misc Photo
More spaces painted in Formal Maroon, shared by homeowners and designers across kitchens, hallways, dining rooms, and beyond. This collection shows how one color can take on a dozen different personalities depending on the room.
Deep Formal Maroon walls create dramatic sophistication in this room.
@kevencraftritual
4 Kitchen Photos
Formal Maroon in a kitchen reads differently from how it might anywhere else — the hard surfaces, task lighting, and constant activity give it more to work against, and it holds up beautifully. It doesn't compete with the colors of food or the texture of countertops; instead, it frames them with a professional finish.
Kitchen cabinetry and walls unified in moody Formal Maroon.
@thatgirlthatbuilds
Rich Formal Maroon kitchen walls pair elegantly with white trim.
@thatgirlthatbuilds
Formal Maroon envelops the kitchen in luxurious, intimate ambiance.
@thatgirlthatbuilds
Dark kitchen walls in sophisticated Formal Maroon add visual depth.
@thatgirlthatbuilds
Complementary Colors
At LRV 25 vs 9, Longmeadow is decisively the brighter choice.
Absolute Zero reflects far more light (LRV 64 vs 9), opening up a space where Formal Maroon encloses it.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 9 vs 9), so neither reads brighter in a room.