Tucson Red
What Tucson Red Actually Looks Like
Tucson Red is a dark, saturated red that reads more like aged brick or fired clay than a pure red. It sits on the deeper end of the red spectrum, grounded by its low light reflectance. In a well-lit room it shows its red clearly. In low or north-facing light it can pull toward a dusky, almost brownish red, closer to terracotta than anything vivid.
Tucson Red Undertones
The color has warm, earthy undertones rooted in orange and brown. This is not a cool blue-red or a bright cherry. It leans toward the adobe and rust side of the red family, which gives it a natural, grounded quality rather than a high-energy one.
Where Tucson Red Works Best
Because its LRV is low, Tucson Red absorbs a lot of light and makes a space feel smaller and more intimate. That is an asset in a dining room, a study, or an entryway where you want presence and warmth. It is not the right call for a small, dark bedroom where you need the room to breathe. On an exterior it can work well on doors, shutters, or accent elements, especially on homes with natural wood, stone, or cream trim.
Where to put Tucson Red
A deep earthy red in a dining room creates a cozy, enclosed feeling that suits evening candlelit meals. The low LRV works in your favor here because dining rooms are often lit artificially, and the color deepens beautifully under warm incandescent or warm LED light.
Tucson Red makes a strong first impression in an entry without relying on shock value. Its brick and clay character gives the space a grounded, welcoming tone. Keep trim in a warm white or cream to frame the color and prevent it from feeling heavy.
The color suits a study or library wall where you want depth and focus. Pair it with warm wood shelving and leather or linen upholstery to lean into the earthy palette. Avoid pairing it with cool gray or chrome, which will fight the warmth.
On a front door or shutters, Tucson Red reads as a classic, slightly rustic accent. It works well on craftsman, colonial, and adobe-influenced homes. On a full exterior it can be overpowering, so test it on a large sample before committing.
What to Pair With Tucson Red
No coordinating colors are listed in our database for this color at this time. In general, Tucson Red works well alongside warm whites, soft creams, deep navies, and natural wood tones. Aged brass and matte black hardware both complement its earthy warmth.
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Colors that clash with Tucson Red
Tucson Red is firmly warm and earthy. Place it adjacent to cool blue-grays or stark cool whites and the two palettes will pull against each other, making both colors look off.
With an LRV just above 14, this color absorbs a significant amount of light. In a room that already struggles with darkness, it will feel cave-like rather than intimate.
Because Tucson Red already leans orange-brown, adding furnishings or decor in warm coral, salmon, or orange can create a muddled, monotone effect with no contrast.
Common questions
Tucson Red carries Benjamin Moore code 1300. Its LRV is 14.43, which places it firmly in the dark range. The hex and RGB values render in the color spec block on this page.
Yes, especially as an accent color on doors, shutters, or trim details. Its earthy, brick-like character suits craftsman, colonial, and adobe-style homes. For a full exterior application, test a large sample first since the color will read differently across a wide surface in open sunlight.
An eggshell finish is a solid everyday choice for walls. It is easy to clean and adds just enough sheen to keep the color from feeling flat without drawing attention to imperfections. For trim, a semi-gloss will hold up well and provides a subtle contrast in sheen next to the wall color.
Yes. Benjamin Moore offers this color in both interior and exterior formulations.