Colour trends: a spotlight on jewel-toned burgundy interiors

Associated with grandeur and luxury, burgundy is having its moment in the sun right now in terms of interior trends. But what is the history of burgundy and why is it so popular?

In this blog post, we take a look at why dark reds are on the rise and how you can incorporate burgundy into your interior design schemes.

What is the colour burgundy and where does it come from?

This deep, reddish-brown colour takes its name from the famous wines made in the Burgundy region of eastern France. Known for their dark red hue and distinctive purple tinge, these celebrated dry red wines are considered some of the best in the world.

Much like the wine, burgundy as a colour has also proved popular for centuries, playing a major role in lavish historical settings across Europe. It is this sense of heritage and familiarity that adds to the bold colour’s timeless appeal.

So how is this indulgent colour made? Burgundy is made by mixing red with a dash of green and blue, resulting in a rich brown colour with purple undertones.

Using burgundy in an interior setting can imply a sense of refinement, sophistication and luxury. Traditionally, the colour was seen as a sign of power, strength and wealth. Burgundy tones have even been shown to enhance the appetite, which is why it is such a popular choice for restaurants and bar interiors.

Burgundy, trendwatching and FibreGuard

For us, the colour burgundy at this point in time falls under our Oublié trend, with its wealth of rich jewel tones. This trend theme reflects our turn inward to a contemplative, almost mystic place. In a hybrid aesthetic language between past and present, it's defined by grandiose, dark styling and deep, jewel tone colours like emerald, green, peacock blue and garnet red. Here is a world of gilded designs, metallic accents, stained glass, and the lustre of candles.

Explore Oublié on the full Trends website, and gather up even more inspiration then on our dedicated Oublié Pinterest board.

Trend spotting: burgundy tones in the wild

Burgundy makes frequent appearances in trending colour palettes as recognised by the colour experts Pantone. In fact, the current Pantone Colour of the Year 2023 is none other than ‘Viva Magenta’, a vibrant burgundy shade with pink undertones and a ‘bold, joyful’ nature.

“Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating colour whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative.” – Leatrice Eiseman, Pantone Colour Institute

This isn’t the first time a burgundy shade has hit the top spot when it comes to predicting home décor colour trends. Back in 2015, Pantone announced Marsala – a ‘naturally robust and earthy wine red’ – as its Colour of the Year. Proof that dark red shades have a perennially popular appeal. Here, we explore some examples of recent uses of burgundy in a variety of visual settings…

Example 1: the colour burgundy in interior design

The colour burgundy dominates in this lavish bedroom from Tom Carey Design (see below). Set within a Nineteenth Century home in London’s trendy Shoreditch district, this dramatic combination of colour, texture and pattern creates a dazzling visual feast. Jewel tones such as emerald and sapphire combine with the burgundy in the extravagant wallpapers and fabrics, creating an enveloping sense of luxury and comfort.

Example 2: Burgundy as seen in wall coverings

Below you'll find an utterly stunning graphic wallpaper from Swedish brand BelarteSTUDIO called ‘Geometric Shades’. Combining rich burgundy with black and blue in a 60s-inspired pattern, this wallpaper mural brings a blast of colour and a retro feel to the interior.

Example 3: Fine art objects

Burgundy is also having a moment in the world of fine art. This exquisite stoneware ring vase by South Korean artist Jieun Kim (seen below), for example, features a glistening burgundy glaze and is designed to hold a single flower.

Example 4: Red carpet fashion

Bold colours such as burgundy have often made their mark at red carpet events, and the recent Golden Globes were no exception. Actress Niecy Nash-Betts made a striking style statement in a stunning, embellished burgundy Dolce & Gabbana gown. She was nominated in the category ‘Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role’ for her part in Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer story.

How interior designers can use burgundy shades

Burgundy often brings to mind the decadence of mid-Nineteenth century interiors with their lavish silk damasks and highly-decorated wall hangings. Because of this, designers often bring burgundy into a scheme to add a sense of richness and grandeur.

Combining burgundy with other luxurious elements such as velvet, fur or leather is a sure-fire way to create a glamorous interior. Why not upholster a sofa or armchair in a lush burgundy velvet or add decadent texture with a burgundy lacquered wall or textured flock wallpaper?

Choosing an interior paint colour like burgundy has the effect of making people sit up and take notice. There’s nothing shy and retiring about burgundy, that’s for sure, which is why it’s the perfect choice for sociable spaces such as dining rooms.

This bold colour is thought to stimulate conversation and create a sense of excitement. You only have to take a look at the name of Farrow & Ball’s ‘Eating Room Red’ for an indication of why this rich burgundy shade has become such a reliable choice for kitchens and dining rooms.

The deep blackened pigmentation of our Eating Room Red gives a rich burgundy finish with a wonderfully aged feel. This, our most elegant red, takes its name from the colouring of the red damasks so popular in dining rooms in the mid-19th century and reads almost like a saturated purple if you compare it to the more modern looking Incarnadine. - Farrow & Ball

Another way to go with burgundy is to take inspiration from the resurgence of dark woods and shades of brown which are proving popular in interiors right now. Drawing on the 1970s trend for deeply saturated colours, bringing burgundy into a scheme is a great way to tap into retro style.

Related Read: Trend Watch: It's the 1970s again and Wes Anderson inspired interiors are in

Embracing the burgundy trend with FibreGuard’s stain-resistant furnishing fabrics

Bringing together luxurious performance fabrics with the richness of burgundy is a winning combination, in our opinion. Whether used in a bold accent piece or as the main colour scheme, burgundy is sure to make a statement in your home decor. Experience a world of colour and variety with FibreGuard’s performance fabrics. Follow us on Instagram now for even more colour inspiration.