Burgundy is deep, refined, and quietly dramatic. It is a dark red with hints of brown and purple, named after the famous wine, and it carries the same sense of richness and maturity. Because it is so deep, burgundy behaves almost like a warm neutral, which makes it a sophisticated anchor for all kinds of palettes.
This guide covers the best colors that go with burgundy, the color theory behind why they work, and ready-to-use palettes you can copy in a single click. Click any swatch to copy its hex code.
What color is burgundy, exactly? #
Burgundy is a dark, desaturated red with subtle purple and brown undertones, often written as #800020. It sits on the warm side of the color wheel in the deep red range. Because it is so dark and muted, it reads as serious and luxurious rather than loud.
That depth is burgundy’s superpower. Like a rich, warm neutral, it can ground a palette and make lighter or brighter accents feel intentional and expensive.
The quick answer: best colors that go with burgundy #
If you just need the shortlist, these six pair beautifully with burgundy:
- Blush pink, for a soft, tonal look
- Navy, for a deep, moody pairing
- Gold, for opulent, festive luxury
- Forest green, burgundy’s rich complement
- Gray, for modern balance
- Cream and white, for a clean, classic finish
Each one comes with a copy-ready palette below.
1. Burgundy and blush pink (soft and tonal) #
Since blush is a pale, soft pink and burgundy is a deep red, the two are part of the same family. Layering them creates a graceful, tonal palette that moves from delicate to dramatic, feminine yet grown-up.
It is a beautiful choice for beauty, weddings, and elegant editorial design. Blush is lovely on its own too, as covered in our guide to what goes with blush pink.
2. Burgundy and navy (deep and moody) #
Burgundy and navy is a rich, low-contrast pairing of two deep tones, one warm and one cool. Together they feel moody, luxurious, and confident, like a library of leather and dark wood. A light neutral keeps the combination from going too dark.
It is a great choice for premium brands, hospitality, and sophisticated, masculine-leaning design. Navy anchors beautifully, as covered in our guide to what goes with navy.
3. Burgundy and gold (opulent luxury) #
Pair burgundy with gold for a palette that feels truly opulent. The warm metallic shimmer of gold against deep wine-red is rich and festive, recalling velvet, candlelight, and luxury packaging.
It is a striking choice for premium brands, events, and seasonal campaigns that want to feel indulgent. Gold brings instant warmth, as covered in our guide to what goes with gold.
4. Burgundy and forest green (the rich complement) #
Burgundy is a deep red, so its complement sits in the green range, and forest or emerald green is the most luxurious version of that. The two jewel tones together feel rich and dramatic rather than high-contrast, deep and saturated like a winter garden.
It is a beautiful, slightly festive choice for hospitality, fashion, and bold, confident brands.
5. Burgundy and gray (modern balance) #
Gray is the calm, neutral foil that modernizes burgundy. A cool gray cools and balances burgundy’s warmth, giving a palette that feels contemporary and understated rather than purely traditional.
This is a great choice for modern branding and interiors that want depth without heaviness. Gray pairs with almost any accent, as covered in our guide to what goes with gray.
6. Burgundy and cream (clean and classic) #
Burgundy with soft cream and white feels timeless and refined. The light neutrals give burgundy room to breathe, letting it read as elegant and intentional rather than overwhelming.
This is a great option for classic branding, editorial layouts, and warm minimalist design.
How to use burgundy in your designs #
A few rules to make any burgundy palette work:
- Treat burgundy as an anchor. Use it as a deep base or a confident accent, the way you might use navy or charcoal.
- Add a light neutral. Cream, blush, or pale gray keeps burgundy from feeling heavy and gives the eye somewhere to rest.
- Choose one supporting direction. Gold for opulence, green for richness, gray for modernity. Pick the mood and commit.
- Mind your contrast. Light text on burgundy usually passes WCAG AA, but burgundy text on white can be tested to be sure it is dark enough.
Related color guides #
Burgundy loves jewel tones, metallics, and grounding neutrals. Explore these pairings next:
- What colors go with navy
- What colors go with gold
- What colors go with gray
- What colors go with mustard
Build your own burgundy palette #
These hex codes are starting points. To build a complete palette around burgundy, use the PaletteDeck generator, browse our most popular palettes, or explore more color guides.
Click any swatch above to copy its hex code, then drop it into your design tool.