Mahogany Color – Making and Using Mahogany Paint Color

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The mahogany color gets its name from the majestic mahogany tree. You will find the tree in deciduous forests and rainforests in Southern Mexico, Central America, and also in South America. Mahogany trees have also been spotted in Florida. The Mahogany color is a dark red-brown color. When we envisage a mahogany color, we imagine the color of a freshly poured glass of iced lemon tea or perhaps the rich hue of rust. In this article, we will explore the mahogany wood color in more detail and look at what colors make mahogany.

The Mahogany Color

The wood of the mahogany tree is not uniformly the same color; therefore, you will find different shades of the mahogany wood color. Many still argue that mahogany is not a color but rather a tree’s name that produces what we consider to be high-end furniture today. The English first recorded the mahogany color as an actual color in 1737.

Some people refer to the mahogany color as a medium to dark shade of orange that reflects a reddish-brown tone.

The wood from the mahogany tree is used today not only to make beautiful bespoke pieces of furniture, but also used to make guitars, boats, and musical instruments. The color can also be seen inside some luxurious motor vehicles where dashboards and instrumentation are finished in high gloss mahogany colors. On the color wheel, the color of mahogany will be located between the dark pink colors and mustard-orange colors.

The actual color of mahogany has been described as a light burnt umber color with various shades of brown, and the mahogany wood color would carry similar shades.

Mahogany vs. Burgundy

To explain the exact color of mahogany, it is essential to know the differences between burgundy and mahogany colors. The two colors are often seen as the same, but there are quite a few differences when both colors are compared. The burgundy color is reddish brown with almost a pink hue. The burgundy name comes from the rich burgundy wines named after the Burgundy region in France. The color is created when red is mixed with the color purple. There are two primary tones of the burgundy color: vivid burgundy, a bright tone, and old burgundy, a very dark shade.

The rich, warm tones of burgundy are used in makeup and accessories such as handbags and shoes. The color is also used as accent colors in interior design. The burgundy color is trendy among the most affluent people in society.

The Mahogany color is named after the mahogany tree, which has a red-brown tone. Because there are different shades of mahogany trees, this will also result in various shades of the mahogany color. However, all these different shades still fall under the mahogany umbrella. The difference between mahogany and burgundy colors is that one color is named after wine, and the other is named after a tree. The burgundy color has a pink or purple undertone, while mahogany has no pink undertones. The burgundy color is much darker and redder than the mahogany color.

The Various Shades of Mahogany

Mahogany wood is far more complex than meets the eye, as there are many mahogany shades that make up the rich color of mahogany wood. Whether you plan on including the mahogany color as wall paint, hair dye, or in your artwork, there is bound to be a shade that suits your project.

Auburn

This is another popular hair color choice for those who love the orange-red tones of fall. As a darker shade of mahogany, the word “auburn” literally means “reddish-brown” or “golden-brown”.

Burgundy

Some people confuse the burgundy and classic auburn shades, even though burgundy is a lot redder and darker in tone. Burgundy is named after the wine, just like Bordeaux.

Cedar

Cedar wood can be considered to be a dark brown shade of mahogany. That being said, the cedar color comes from the cedar tree, which symbolizes strength and nobility.

Ruddy Brown

When compared to the classic mahogany shade, ruddy brown comes very close! This reddish-orange earthy shade reminds us of the fallen autumn leaves on a cold fall day.

Mahogany Color in Interior Design

The mahogany color will never go out of style. It is a classic color that is used in the production of furniture. Using mahogany furniture in bedrooms is particularly rewarding as the color is warm and will automatically make a bedroom feel cozy without much effort. In bedrooms, it is common to see different mahogany color combinations in the furniture, such as headboards and side tables.

The use of cream and ivory always pairs well with mahogany shades for a sophisticated look.

If your home has oak floors, try mahogany colored furniture. The rich tones in the furniture will complement one another beautifully. Oak flooring is much more traditional than mahogany floors because they are thought to be much more durable, so the choice of adding mahogany pieces to the room will prove relatively easy. For a nice contrast, consider painting a feature wall in teal.

If you want to keep a bedroom in neutral colors, incorporating some darker colors, such as black or rich dark browns will add contrast to mahogany furniture. Beige colors and whites are great colors to use with mahogany color combinations, as these colors will dramatically increase the tone of the room.

The use of mahogany in the home’s interior creates a luxurious look. Whenever you are in doubt about incorporating natural wood products or colors into a home, don’t be! Wood elements in the house will automatically give the room a homey feel and will always create a sophisticated finish. Aside from using mahogany wood pieces in a room, you can also use objects painted in mahogany colors to act as accent pieces. The mahogany color is available in a range of wallpaper designs as well as carpets, throw blankets, and pillows, which can easily be incorporated into a room to add a little more sophistication without the room becoming overbearing.

The mahogany color invokes feelings of romance and passion, and if you want to use a mahogany paint color in the interior of your home, the best places to look would be in hallways, living rooms, the home gym area, and bedrooms.

It is recommended to paint only part of the room in mahogany paint colors as it could quickly become overbearing. We suggest that should you find the mahogany color too intense, you should rather consider placing mahogany-colored objects around the room, such as art on the walls, pillows on a sofa, and perhaps even lovely rich velvet curtains. You could consider painting an accent wall in a lovely deep bottle green, which will complement the mahogany accessories.

Dark mahogany furniture will add elegance to a room, but if the incorrect colors are paired with the dark furniture, the color can quickly become heavy. If you want to use mahogany furniture, you should consider all the other colors you will incorporate into the space, such as the color of the flooring and the color of the walls. Remember the golden rule when it comes to interior decorating; less is always more! Some colors which could bring a fresh feel to a room that is heavy in mahogany furniture or flooring are mint green and periwinkle.

Because the mahogany color is so loved, many people consider incorporating an entire wall in mahogany wood as an accent wall. If you think along these lines, the accent wood wall will add warmth to a room; however, think first about the floors because the floor color could clash drastically with the mahogany color.

The contrasting colors may conflict, and you may have to reconsider not using a wood wall panel but instead painting a wall with solid colors such as dark silver gray.

The Mahogany Color in Famous Paintings

Historically, the mahogany colors were not widely used by the famous masters of painting in the Renaissance as most preferred the ochre red and burnt orange hues. Nonetheless, there are still many notable artworks that contain this rich color, or similar shades of mahogany.

Mahogany (1910) by Piet Mondrian

A painter by the name of Piet Mondrian, who was of Dutch descent and regarded as one of the greatest artists of late, used the mahogany color in one particular masterpiece titled Mahogany, painted in 1910. The Mahogany painting was one of three famous works of art by Piet Mondrian. The Mahogany painting features a tree in the center of the canvas, brilliantly done in a vibrant mahogany color on a blue background. The transition of his work from figurative to abstract painting is noticeable in the series of these three paintings.

All three images in the series depict a tree as the main subject, but where the first painting features a mahogany tree on a bright blue background, the other two pictures feature gray trees.

The Return of the Prodigal Son (1669) by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn

Rembrandt van Rijn was particularly fond of using very dark brown and dark ochre red colors in his artwork; however, it is not known whether he used the true mahogany colors. An example of one of Rembrandt’s works done in tones of mahogany is The Return of the Prodigal Son (1669).

The Return of the Prodigal Son (1669) by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn; Rembrandt, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A Few Interesting Facts About the Mahogany Color

If you feel attracted to the beautiful rich hues of mahogany, these interesting facts about the color will be right up your alley! Whether you wish to use the mahogany color in your home, to wear, or even as a hair color, read on to learn more about this gorgeous reddish-brown shade.

• The Crayola crayon color gave the mahogany color its official name in 1949. The crayon was dark red in color.
• The mahogany color symbolizes endurance and strength, which describes the actual timber from the mahogany tree.
• In interior design circles, the mahogany color has been overused in the interior of homes. Yet, it remains a timeless color that will not go out of fashion.
• Mahogany hair color is considered one of the best-selling hair dyes used by hairdressers or do-it-yourself home dye products. It is a color used by all age groups with brunette or light brown colored hair.

• Because of its connections to nature, when incorporated as furniture pieces into the home, there is a sense of tradition and orderliness. The actual mahogany wood is highly resistant to decay and is often a material used when building new sun decks or awnings.
• The name mahogany is believed to be a female name and means dark red wood. It is a name often used to describe brunettes. If you have a friend with dark brown hair with red highlights, her hair tone can be described as mahogany.
• Those attracted to the mahogany paint color are seen as kind and reliable. The color is directly related to being resilient and sturdy, just like the tree.

The warm, beautiful color tones of mahogany will enhance the home’s features. Walking into a room designed with mahogany colors as the backdrop inspires nature in its most beautiful forms. The mahogany color is so vibrant, and we have no doubt it will be a color that will remain with us for centuries to come. After reading this article, we hope you are inspired to bring nature back into your home by using this beautiful rich mahogany color. It will transform both your home and your outlook on life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Mahogany Wood Color?

The mahogany wood color is red-brown. Not all mahogany trees, however, carry the exact color tones. While some of the color tones can be medium to red-brown stains, other wood tones can reflect deep rich reddish tones, or give off a pale brown tone. Deciding on the mahogany wood color that best suits you or your space is a personal choice. A light mahogany wood color pairs up beautifully with warm beige and tan colors. On the other hand, dark warm colors such as gray and brown will also complement mahogany wood colors.

What Color Is Mahogany?

There is often a bit of debate when trying to differentiate between mahogany and burgundy colors. The simple answer to the question of what color is mahogany is that the mahogany color is a dark reddish-brown shade. On the other hand, burgundy is more of a pinkish-brown or purple hue. In hair products, the burgundy colors range from dark pink to deeper wine colors, and mahogany colors range from rich copper to dark brunette tones.

What Colors Go With Mahogany?

When asking the question of what colors go with mahogany, the answer is straightforward. The rich tones of mahogany colors can be paired up beautifully with dark blue, light blue, gray, and green colors. The reddish hue of the mahogany color is warm and automatically makes a room look cozy. The space will feel relaxing and welcoming when incorporating mahogany color paint into a room using combinations of blues and greens.

What Colors Make Mahogany?

Answering the question of what colors make mahogany can be pretty challenging. The mahogany color has rich brown characteristics with a hint of a red undertone. The tone that you are looking for will be dependent on the mix of colors used. These include shades of red, burnt uber, and even golden brown.

Duncan van der Merwe( Color Theory Expert, Video Editor )

Duncan graduated with a diploma in Film and TV production from CityVarsity in 2018, after which he continued pursuing film while taking on a keen interest in writing along the way. Since having graduated, he began working as a freelance videographer, filming a variety of music videos, fashion and short films, adverts, weddings and more. Throughout this, he’s won a number of awards from various film festivals that are both locally and internationally recognized. However, Duncan still enjoys writing articles in between his filming ventures, appreciating the peace and clarity that comes with it.

His articles focus primarily around helping up-and-coming artists explore the basics of certain colors, how these colors can be paired with other shades, as well as what colors are created when you mix one with another. All while relating these shades to historically significant paintings that have incorporated them into their color palette. As a lover of the arts himself, he takes great interest in the Renaissance era of paintings, an era that has directly inspired many of his favorite films.

Learn more about Duncan van der Merwe and about us.