Carmine
Carmine is a genuinely dark paint color from Sherwin-Williams. Our real-world data shows it is a primary choice when homeowners need to anchor a room without demanding the spotlight. Below, you'll find 10 examples of this shade in actual homes along with suggested color relationships.
Hex
#801522
LRV
5.24
Carmine in Real Rooms
Carmine has a low LRV of 5.24 — 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 Bathroom Photo
In a powder room, Carmine can be used floor-to-ceiling to create a dramatic, high-impact experience for guests. Because these rooms are small and transitional, they can handle the full intensity of the color's personality without feeling overwhelming.
Carmine — modern luxury bathroom
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1 Dining Room Photo
For an "all-day" dining room, Carmine is surprisingly adaptable. In the morning, it feels crisp and clean for breakfast; as the sun moves, it transitions into a moodier, more reflective space that is perfect for long, lingering dinners.
Carmine paint in a contemporary dining room
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1 Front Door Photo
The front door is a great place to experiment with higher sheen levels. Carmine in a high-gloss finish creates a mirror-like surface that looks incredibly expensive and traditional, echoing the grand entryways of London or New York.
minimalist front door featuring Carmine by Sherwin-Williams
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1 Home Office Photo
The transition from "home life" to "work life" can be signaled by the color of the room. Entering a space painted in Carmine provides a mental shift, telling your brain that it's time to settle in and be productive.
Sherwin-Williams Carmine in a warm home office
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1 Patio Photo
In sun-drenched climates, Carmine is a practical choice that helps reduce the glare from the patio floor. It absorbs the harsh light, making the outdoor space more comfortable for the eyes during the peak hours of the day.
wabi-sabi patio featuring Carmine by Sherwin-Williams
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1 Mudroom Photo
In a laundry/mudroom combo, Carmine adds a touch of luxury to a space that is usually purely functional. It makes the chores feel a little less like work by surrounding you with a color that is sophisticated and calming.
Carmine paint in a tiny mudroom
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1 House Photo
On the exterior, Carmine holds up across all lighting conditions — crisp in full sun, rich and dimensional on overcast days. It pairs especially well with white trim, black window frames, and natural stone, giving the home a timeless, curated presence.
Carmine color — eclectic house inspiration
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1 Kitchen Photo
Carmine 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.
Carmine — scandinavian kitchen
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1 Living Room Photo
Few colors transition as gracefully from day to evening as Carmine. In natural light, it reads clean, grounded, and modern; by candlelight or lamp, it deepens into something much more soulful. For a living room that needs to function as a bright morning coffee spot and a moody evening lounge, that tonal range is an invaluable asset.
A scandinavian living room painted in Carmine
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1 Bedroom Photo
In the context of a primary suite, Carmine suggests a boutique-hotel level of refinement. It creates a seamless flow between the sleeping area and the dressing room, providing a steadying influence that makes the morning routine feel more organized and serene.
Carmine — boho bedroom
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Coordinating Colors
At LRV 84 vs 5, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 5 vs 4), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Similar Colors
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 6 vs 5), so neither reads brighter in a room.
With LRVs of 5 and 4, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 7 and 5, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 7 and 5, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 7 vs 5), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 7 vs 5), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Complementary Colors
At LRV 84 vs 5, Aquacade 226 is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 30 vs 5, Jargon Jade is decisively the brighter choice.
Cooled Blue reflects far more light (LRV 41 vs 5), opening up a space where Carmine encloses it.
Retiring Blue reflects far more light (LRV 79 vs 5), opening up a space where Carmine encloses it.
Bravo Blue reflects far more light (LRV 77 vs 5), opening up a space where Carmine encloses it.
Tibetan Sky reflects far more light (LRV 80 vs 5), opening up a space where Carmine encloses it.
Little Blue Box reflects far more light (LRV 49 vs 5), opening up a space where Carmine encloses it.
Lighter Colors
With LRVs of 7 and 5, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 6 vs 5), so neither reads brighter in a room.