Sherwin Williams Rookwood Dark Red: A Complete Color Review

Looking for the perfect deep red paint color for your home? Let’s talk about Sherwin Williams Rookwood Dark Red and if it might be right for your home!

Deep reds bring so much energy and personality into a space. They’re rich, dramatic, and impossible to ignore. Reds are there to make a statement.

Some reds feel fiery and bright, while others feel more moody and luxurious. Rookwood Dark Red is the latter, which makes it a timeless and stylish choice.

Let's talk about the details of Rookwood Dark Red and see if this historic hue is right for you.

Rookwood Dark Red, Sherwin Williams, SW 2801

Rookwood Dark Red is an extremely dark shade of red. It adds drama and elegance to a space.

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Rookwood Dark Red

Color Family

Rookwood Dark Red is in the red family.

Light Reflectance Value

3

Light Reflective Value is the measurement of how much light a color bounces around. This is on a scale of 0 to 100, with 0 being pure black and 100 being pure white.

With an LRV of 3, Rookwood Dark Red is an extremely dark paint color. If you use this color in a bathroom or closet without any natural light, it may even look slightly black-ish.

RGB Colors

R: 75 G: 41 B: 41

RGB describes the amount of each color - red, green, and blue - present in a color. This is on a scale of 0 to 255 for each color. This is basically the color mix to make the color!

Hex Code

#4B2929

Undertones

Rookwood Dark Red has a warm red-violet undertone.

Because of its low LRV, Rookwood Dark Red will always look dark and dramatic, but in south-facing rooms with plenty of sunlight, you may notice more of its warmth coming through.

In north-facing rooms with very little natural light, it holds onto that deep richness and will lean into its violet undertone.

Best uses

A color as dark as Rookwood Dark Red is all about the drama. Whether you go all-in with it or use it as an accent, here’s where I’d recommend trying it:

• Entire room: Perfect for a living room, home office, dining room, or den if you want a snug, intimate feel.
• Accent wall: Adds depth without overwhelming the space.
• Furniture and built-ins: Looks stunning on bookshelves, cabinets, or a statement dresser.
• Shutters and trim: A dramatic contrast against lighter walls.
• Exterior doors: A warm, inviting alternative to black or navy.

Similar Colors

If you love Rookwood Dark Red but want to explore other options, here are some close matches:

• Sherwin Williams Polished Mahogany
• Benjamin Moore Bewitched
• Behr Chipotle Paste
• Sherwin Williams Rojo Marrón
• Benjamin Moore Raphael
• Behr Divine Wine
• Sherwin Williams Marooned

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Rookwood Dark Red

Coordinating Colors

Rookwood Dark Red goes well with other warm colors, like soft whites, beiges, khakis, tans, grays, browns, and blacks.

For a bit more contrast, try pairing it with greens, blues, oranges, or yellows.

Warm neutrals:

• Downing Sand
• Relaxed Khaki
• Urban Putty
• Ramie
• Malabar

Soft whites:

• Creamy
• Alabaster
• Cotton
• Greek Villa
• Ivory Lace

Mid to dark reds:

• Toile Red
• Bravado Red
• Reddish
• Cordial
• Rambling Rose

Trim Colors

As a dark warm color, Rookwood Dark Red pairs well with soft whites for trim.

Soft white trim colors:

• Sherwin Williams Alabaster
• Benjamin Moore White Dove
• Behr Cameo White

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Rookwood Dark Red

FAQS

Here are some frequently asked questions about Rookwood Dark Red.

Is Rookwood Dark Red too dark?

With an LRV of 3, Rookwood Dark Red is an extremely dark paint color. If you're going this route, you'd better want dark and drama!

It may look almost black in very dark spaces such as bathrooms or closets. If you're debating, give Rookwood Dark Red a swatch in your home and see what you think.

What is the color code for Rookwood Dark Red?

The color code for Rookwood Dark Red is SW 2801.

Its hex code is #4B2929, which comes in handy if you’re trying to match it for a digital project or graphic design work.

What color trim with Rookwood Dark Red?

As a dark warm color, Rookwood Dark Red pairs well with soft whites for trim. The warm white keeps the look fresh and balances the richness of the red.

SW Alabaster, BM White Dove, or Behr Cameo White are great choices.

Is Rookwood Dark Red warm or cool?

Rookwood Dark Red is a warm paint color. It's a deep red with warm red-violet undertones.

Does Rookwood Dark Red look purple?

Rookwood Dark Red is a deep, dark red, but it does have a warm red-violet undertone that can cause it to lean more violet in darker spaces, such as north-facing rooms or interior rooms.

Give it a swatch in your home and review it throughout the day as the lighting changes before you make a final decision.

What's the difference: SW Rookwood Dark Red vs Rookwood Red?

Rookwood Dark Red and Rookwood Red are similar dark red hues.

Rookwood Dark Red is very dark with an LRV of 3, whereas Rookwood Red is still dark but slightly lighter with an LRV of 5. Rookwood Dark Red is a bit more moody and dramatic, whereas Rookwood Red is slightly more saturated and bold.

Rookwood Dark Red leans more violet and Rookwood Red more brown / orange.

Always swatch colors in your space before making a decision—especially when two colors are this close!

Thanks for reading!