Smoldering Red
With a focus on genuinely dark tones, Smoldering Red (2007-10) is a standout Red in our database. It was selected for this featured gallery for its ability to anchor a room without demanding the spotlight. See it applied across 5 real world scenarios and find professional pairing data below.
Hex
#A33A2D
LRV
11.67
Smoldering Red in Real Rooms
Smoldering Red has a low LRV of 11.67 — 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. Grouped in the Red family, the photos below show it applied in a house, kitchen cabinets, misc and living room.
1 House Photo
On a traditional or historic home, Smoldering Red acts as a restorative force. It brings out the dignity of the original craftsmanship while making the structure feel relevant to the 21st century. It's a "new classic" in every sense.
Exterior siding glows with rich depth in Smoldering Red.
@fritsnotfritz
2 Kitchen Cabinets Photos
The way Smoldering Red interacts with under-cabinet lighting is transformative. It catches the glow and reflects a softer, more diffused light onto the countertops, making the workspace feel more inviting and less utilitarian.
Kitchen cabinetry painted in Smoldering Red anchors the cooking space.
@irg_stoneboutique
Lower cabinets in Smoldering Red create bold contrast with light countertops.
@studiogoldfinch
1 Misc Photo
Note how Smoldering Red is used as a "ceiling color" in some of these rooms. This "fifth wall" application is a bold designer move that can make a room feel infinitely more cozy and architecturally unique.
Cabinet doors finished in Smoldering Red deliver dramatic visual impact.
@acpcustomclosets
1 Living Room Photo
For open-concept living rooms, Smoldering Red is a powerful tool for definition. It has enough presence to signal where the living area begins without creating a harsh visual break from the rest of the house. It defines the "zone" of relaxation through color psychology and sophisticated depth.
Hallway walls wrapped in Smoldering Red establish an inviting passageway.
@markdwaldron
Coordinating Colors
Opulence reflects far more light (LRV 88 vs 12), opening up a space where Smoldering Red encloses it.
At LRV 66 vs 12, Soft Satin is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 74 vs 12, Classic Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 90 vs 12, Chantilly Lace is decisively the brighter choice.
Similar Colors
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 13 vs 12), so neither reads brighter in a room.
With LRVs of 12 and 12, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 12 vs 11), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 14 vs 12), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Complementary Colors
At LRV 45 vs 12, Kensington Green is decisively the brighter choice.
Antiqued Aqua reflects far more light (LRV 32 vs 12), opening up a space where Smoldering Red encloses it.
At LRV 66 vs 12, Windy Sky is decisively the brighter choice.
Ocean City Blue reflects far more light (LRV 42 vs 12), opening up a space where Smoldering Red encloses it.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 12 vs 11), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 13 vs 12), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 78 vs 12, Whispering Spring is decisively the brighter choice.
Lighter Colors
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 14 vs 12), so neither reads brighter in a room.
A 6-point LRV gap (18 vs 12) makes Fire Dance the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 31 vs 12, Tropical Fruit is decisively the brighter choice.
With LRVs of 13 and 12, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Strawberry Red reads slightly lighter (LRV 16 vs 12), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Darker Colors
Smoldering Red reads slightly lighter (LRV 12 vs 8), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
With LRVs of 12 and 12, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.