Merlot Red
2006-10 · #9D3D2D · LRV 12 — warm red tone, dark — high drama, needs strong daylight or warm bulbs.
- 1Mahogany0
- 2Turkish Coffee5
- 3Merlot Red12
- 4Cavern Clay20
- 5Redend Point30
What Color Is Merlot Red, Really?
Merlot Red reads as a warm red tone — dark — high drama, needs strong daylight or warm bulbs. The notes below cover how Benjamin Moore 2006-10 behaves in different light and the closest matches at competing US brands.
Best Rooms and Uses for Merlot Red
Merlot Red works best as a feature — a single wall, built-ins, a study or dining room — rather than wrapping a whole bright space. Browns ground a room and pair naturally with leather, wood and warm metals.
How Lighting Changes Merlot Red
With an LRV of 12, Merlot Red is a deep, dramatic shade. It soaks up light in north-facing rooms and looks richest where strong daylight hits it. Its red undertone is the part to watch: it gets picked up by whatever sits next to it, so test it against your trim, floor and the room's main light before committing. Warm artificial light softens it; cool LED can make it look flat, so match your bulbs to the mood you want.
Most complaints about Merlot Red are a light mismatch. Upload a photo of your actual room and see it on your walls — then ask for the same wall in north light or evening lamps before you buy a single sample.
Need It From Another Brand?
Any paint counter can custom-tint Benjamin Moore 2006-10 directly. If you would rather stay in one brand's own deck, these are the closest stock matches, measured as ΔE2000. Under 2 is a difference you will not see on the wall.
| Brand | Closest color | ΔE | LRV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherwin-Williams | Chinese RedSW 57 · Sherwin-Williams | 1.8 | 11 | Color page → |
| Behr | Fire CrackerPPU2-16 · Behr | 3.6 | 11 | Color page → |
| Valspar | Cinnamon SunsetV008-3 · Valspar | 1.9 | 11.2 | Color page → |
| PPG / Glidden | Burning BushPPG1057-7 · PPG / Glidden | 4.8 | 11 | Color page → |
| Dutch Boy | Terra Orange308-7DB · Dutch Boy | 3.4 | 11 | Color page → |
| HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams | Ruby Red SlippersHGSW 1072 · HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams | 2.9 | 11 | Color page → |
Similar Benjamin Moore Colors
The nearest shades to Merlot Red within Benjamin Moore's own range, ranked by perceptual color distance — useful when you want the same look a touch lighter, darker, or warmer.
WCAG 2.1: AA is 4.5 : 1 for normal text, 3 : 1 for large text, AAA is 7 : 1.
Coordinated palette
Generated by hue-rotating #9D3D2D in HSL space. Pair Merlot Red with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
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