Cinnamon
What Cinnamon Actually Looks Like
Cinnamon 2174-20 is not what its name suggests. Forget the spice rack. This is a deep, rich red-brown that leans heavily toward velvety plum, anchored by warm, weathered brown undertones. It reads bold on first glance but settles into something more nuanced and livable on a large surface. Think of it as a color that earns its place on a wall rather than demanding attention the way a saturated, pure hue would.
Cinnamon Undertones
The undertones here are layered. You get plum first, then brown pulls it back from veering too purple or too red. That combination is what makes Cinnamon feel complex rather than one-note. On smaller samples it can read closer to a straight brick red, but once it covers a full wall the plum quality becomes more apparent, especially in low or warm incandescent light where the brown undertones deepen and the whole color gets richer.
Where Cinnamon Works Best
This color works hard on accent walls because the depth reads as deliberate rather than overwhelming when it covers one surface instead of four. It also translates well to furniture and cabinetry, where the warm plum-brown combination gives a piece real presence without the cold quality some dark neutrals carry. On exteriors, the warmth in the undertones keeps it from looking stark against natural materials like stone, brick, or wood. It bridges traditional and modern styles without much effort.
Where to put Cinnamon
On a single accent wall behind a sofa or fireplace, Cinnamon adds depth without closing the room down. Pair it with warm neutrals on the remaining walls and let natural wood furniture carry the warmth through the space.
Deep, warm colors have a long history in dining rooms for good reason. Cinnamon creates that enveloping quality that makes a meal feel like an occasion. It works in rooms with candlelight or warmer overhead fixtures, where the plum and brown undertones deepen beautifully.
The color reads as sophisticated and focused rather than energizing. In a room with limited natural light, expect it to read darker and more intensely plum. That works well if you want a serious, contained atmosphere.
This is a strong choice for a kitchen island, built-in bookcase, or a vintage dresser you want to give new life. The warm plum-brown reads as considered rather than trendy, and a satin or semi-gloss finish brings out the depth.
Cinnamon holds up well on exteriors where it can read against natural materials. The warmth in the undertones keeps it from going cold in overcast light, though on north-facing facades it will pull darker and more brown-dominant.
What to Pair With Cinnamon
Cinnamon 2174-20 pairs well with colors that either balance its warmth or lean into its depth. A soft, aqueous color like Sea Salt gives you contrast without clash, keeping the overall feel grounded and livable. A deep brown like Leather Saddle pulls out the brown undertones and creates a richer, more layered combination. For a bolder direction, Ashwood Moss introduces a moody green that plays off the plum in Cinnamon and gives the room a more dramatic, enveloping quality.
You Might Also Like
Colors that clash with Cinnamon
If Cinnamon is on an accent wall and an adjacent room or trim carries a blue-gray or cool gray, the contrast can feel jarring rather than intentional. The plum in Cinnamon will read more purple and the gray will read more blue, pulling the two spaces apart.
At LRV 12.93 this color is dark enough that a gloss finish on textured or imperfect drywall will catch every variation and flaw. The richness of the color will not hide surface issues the way a lighter paint might.
All-over application in a room that gets little natural light will push the color toward a very dark, enclosed read. The plum undertones can become dominant and the space can feel smaller than it is.
Common questions
The LRV is 12.93, which puts it firmly in the dark range. It will absorb light rather than reflect it, so plan your lighting accordingly.
It depends on your light. In warm incandescent or candlelight the brown undertones come forward and it reads as a deep, earthy red-brown. In cooler or lower light the plum quality surfaces and the color takes on more of a weathered, complex character. On a small sample chip it can skew more toward brick red, but on a full wall the layered plum-brown nature becomes clear.
It works in both. The complexity of the color, that mix of plum and weathered brown, keeps it from reading as a straightforward heritage color. Pair it with clean-lined furniture and minimal accessories and it reads as a moody modern choice. Lean into antiques and layered textiles and it feels more traditional. The color itself is versatile enough to go either direction.
Eggshell or matte for walls. The low LRV means a higher sheen will expose every surface imperfection. For cabinetry or furniture, satin or semi-gloss is appropriate and the smoother substrate handles the sheen without issues.
Farrow and Ball Preference Red No. 297 is the closest widely cited equivalent. Both share that muted, complex warm red-brown character that resists reading as a single straightforward hue. As always, pull samples of both and compare them in your specific light before committing.