Carmine
Little Greene · 6154
Add to a room
Loading…
The Analysis
Carmine is a saturated, mid-tone red that pulls a room inward, making large spaces feel more intimate and grounded. With an LRV of 24.74, it absorbs a significant amount of light rather than reflecting it, which prevents the space from feeling airy but creates a rich, enveloping atmosphere.
Due to its intensity, Carmine works best as a bold accent wall, in a small powder room, or for cabinetry in a study. Using it as a main wall colour throughout a large room can feel overwhelming unless you are aiming for a deliberate, high-drama interior.
LRV 25History & Origin
Carmine has strong roots in heritage design, reminiscent of traditional drawing rooms and formal Victorian libraries. It offers a classic, sophisticated weight that feels intentional rather than trendy.
How to Use It
Pair this with dark walnut woods or matte black hardware to emphasize its depth and richness. If you want to lean into its heritage feel, polished brass accents will provide a sharp, warm contrast to the red tones.
The Mood
This is an inherently energizing and stimulating colour that raises the pulse of a room. It is best suited for spaces where you want to feel active and social, rather than quiet or restful areas like a bedroom.
Colour harmonies
Complementary
Opposite on the colour wheel — bold, high-contrast pairings. Use for a feature wall or furniture you want to command attention.
Analogous
Neighbouring hues — cohesive and calm, great for layered schemes that feel collected rather than matched.
Split complementary
Near-opposites for strong contrast with a little less tension than a pure complement. A favourite of interior designers.
Triadic
Three evenly spaced hues — balanced, vibrant, and versatile. Keep one dominant and use the others sparingly.
Tetradic (square)
Four hues in a square on the wheel — rich, dynamic palettes. Best when one colour leads and the others accent.
Monochromatic
Dark, mid, and light steps on the same hue — a failsafe gradient for trim, walls, and accents without shifting colour family.
Add harmony palette to a room
Loading…
Brand Matches
Perceptually similar colours from across all brands in our database.
Lighting
See how this colour shifts across natural and artificial light conditions.
- Natural