Marooned
What Marooned Actually Looks Like
Marooned is a deep, brooding burgundy that reads almost black in low light. In person it sits right at the edge between dark red and dark purple, with just enough warmth to keep it from feeling cold. At an LRV of 4, this is one of the darkest colors Sherwin-Williams offers. It has the richness of dried wine or aged leather, and it shifts noticeably depending on your lighting. Under warm incandescent bulbs, the red comes forward. In cool daylight, the purple undertone takes the lead. It is not a color that fades into the background. Even on a small surface it commands attention.
Marooned Undertones
The dominant undertone here is purple, which separates Marooned from more straightforward dark reds. There is a secondary warmth underneath, a faint brownish red, that keeps it grounded. Some designers see this color as essentially a blackened plum. Others read it as a very dark oxblood with violet shadows. Both readings are fair. The truth is that Marooned sits in a gray area between red and purple families, and the light in your room will decide which side wins. If you pair it with warm neutrals, the red side comes out. Cool grays and whites will emphasize the purple cast.
Where Marooned Works Best
Because of its extremely low LRV of 4, Marooned works best on surfaces where you want drama without covering an entire room. Think accent walls in a dining room or bedroom, a front door that makes a statement from the curb, or kitchen cabinets when you want something darker than the usual navy or charcoal. It is also a strong choice for exterior shutters, window trim on a lighter body color, or a powder room where you want the space to feel cocooning and intimate. Avoid using it on all four walls of a large room unless you have generous natural light and high ceilings. In smaller doses, it delivers a sense of weight and sophistication without making a space feel like a cave.
Where to put Marooned
Paint the wall behind a sideboard or buffet in Marooned and keep the other three walls in a warm off-white. The dark surface anchors the room and makes candlelight feel twice as warm. Add a large mirror on the accent wall to bounce light back into the space.
Marooned on a front door reads as a refined alternative to classic red. It pairs well with stone, brick, and light siding. In direct sun, the burgundy red undertone reveals itself. In shade, it looks nearly black. Either way it feels polished and intentional.
Use Marooned on lower cabinets with a lighter neutral on uppers for a two-tone look. Brass or unlacquered copper hardware brings out the warmth. Pair it with light countertops, marble or butcher block, so the cabinets don't swallow the room.
A small powder room is the ideal place to go all in with Marooned on every wall. The low LRV creates a jewel-box effect. Use a warm white ceiling, brass fixtures, and a well-lit vanity mirror to keep the room from feeling too dark.
On a cream, tan, or pale gray exterior, Marooned shutters add depth without the heaviness of plain black. It reads as a very dark neutral from a distance but rewards a closer look with its burgundy warmth.
What to Pair With Marooned
Marooned's depth means it needs lighter, calmer partners to breathe. Pair it with a warm creamy white on trim and ceilings to soften the contrast. A muted gold or antique brass hardware pulls the warm red undertone forward beautifully. For a moodier palette, try it alongside a medium warm gray on surrounding walls. If you want contrast without going stark, a dusty blush or muted rose on textiles creates a tonal connection that feels intentional.
Marooned vs similar colors
All comparisons are matched against Marooned at LRV 4.0.
Colors that clash with Marooned
At LRV 4, Marooned can lose all its color in dim rooms, especially those with north-facing windows or limited artificial light.
Orange-toned hardwood can fight with the purple in Marooned, making both look muddy or off.
Very deep colors like Marooned sometimes show roller marks and streaks, especially over a light base.
Common questions
Marooned has an LRV of 4, making it one of the darkest colors in the Sherwin-Williams catalog. It reflects very little light and will make surfaces appear to recede.
It genuinely sits between the two. Most reviewers agree the purple undertone is the dominant one, but warm lighting or warm companion colors will bring out the red. Expect it to shift depending on your room's light source.
A warm creamy white is the safest choice. Bright, cool whites can create too harsh a contrast and emphasize the purple. A soft, warm white keeps the transition smooth and lets Marooned feel rich rather than stark.
You can, but plan your artificial lighting carefully. In rooms with very little daylight, Marooned will read as near-black. Warm-toned lamps, sconces, or recessed lighting aimed at the walls will reveal the color's burgundy depth.