Positive Red
Often used for its genuinely dark qualities, Positive Red remains a staple for Sherwin-Williams 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
#AD2C34
LRV
10.90
Positive Red's Color Strip
Positive Red is the seventh shade on this 7-color strip, the deepest shade in this coordinated family. Browsing strip 101 alongside this color helps you gauge whether to go lighter, darker, or stay right here.
Positive Red in Real Rooms
Positive Red has a low LRV of 10.9 — it absorbs light and reads as a genuinely dark, enveloping color. It's neutral in temperature and , making it adaptable across different lighting conditions and room orientations. Grouped in the Red family, the photos below show it applied in a front door and house.
3 Front Door Photos
Front door color is the one exterior choice that gets examined up close. Positive Red rewards that scrutiny — it has the kind of depth that looks richer the closer you get, rather than flatter. Pair with polished or unlacquered brass hardware for the best result.
Front door entrance painted vibrant Positive Red.
@campgilmore
Front door commands attention in Positive Red.
@coloradopaintmasters
Entryway door finished in dramatic Positive Red.
@campgilmore
2 House Photos
When choosing Positive Red for an exterior, you are opting for a color that respects the landscape. It feels like it grew out of the earth rather than being dropped onto it, creating a harmonious relationship between the architecture and the garden.
House facade features bold Positive Red accents.
@23whiteterrace
Exterior trim highlighted in striking Positive Red.
@23whiteterrace
Coordinating Colors
Ibis White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 11), opening up a space where Positive Red encloses it.
At LRV 76 vs 11, Toque White is decisively the brighter choice.
A 7-point LRV gap (17 vs 11) makes Gauntlet Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
Trim Color
Ibis White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 11), opening up a space where Positive Red encloses it.
Similar Colors
With LRVs of 11 and 11, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 11 and 10, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 13 and 11, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 13 vs 11), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 11 vs 11), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 12 vs 11), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 11 vs 10), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 11 vs 11), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 13 vs 11), so neither reads brighter in a room.
With LRVs of 13 and 11, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Complementary Colors
Tidewater reflects far more light (LRV 65 vs 11), opening up a space where Positive Red encloses it.
At LRV 25 vs 11, Mountain Stream is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 11 vs 11), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 84 vs 11, Faraway Blue is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 78 vs 11, Sky High is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 85 vs 11, Brooklet is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 14 vs 11), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Lighter Colors
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 13 vs 11), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Grenadine reflects far more light (LRV 26 vs 11), opening up a space where Positive Red encloses it.
Begonia reflects far more light (LRV 26 vs 11), opening up a space where Positive Red encloses it.
Feverish Pink reads slightly lighter (LRV 17 vs 11), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 13 vs 11), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Darker Colors
With LRVs of 11 and 10, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 11 and 11, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Positive Red reads slightly lighter (LRV 11 vs 4), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
With LRVs of 11 and 10, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.