Paint Color to Match Mahogany

Lighter Mahogany Finishes

• Lighter mahogany finishes will still be darker than light woods like pine. You can go for contrast with darker tones. Warm paint colors that match well from the darker end of the spectrum are rich reds like carmine or claret. Plum is another option that's darker than the reds but less brash. Keep it on the light side with jasper yellow, or fern for a cooler tone.

Deeper Mahogany Finishes

• For deeper mahogany finishes you may want to lighten the walls. In this vein, try semolina or melon in the yellow-orange range. Carrot or begonia are strong options in darker shades. Cool, light hues will offset the warmth of mahogany. Here, a light pistachio or light cornflower fill that bill. Terracotta has a pleasing warmth that keeps the feel natural.

Faux Options

• For the intrepid, faux options can add complexity to the walls. Faux woodgraining will match beautifully with mahogany of any tone and produce homey results. Stripes or stencils offer a chance for two colors to spice things up. Use a more restrained base color, with a livelier color as a secondary choice that covers less area, and you cut down on the possibility of too much intensity.

No-Fail Solutions

• If you want to make absolutely sure no color conflicts will occur based on your wall color choice, keep it simple. White will always work. A mid-tone gray is just as no-fail, but brings a hint of the contemporary to the room. Another option is to find a dominant color in the other furnishings and use a lighter version of it. For example, if you have a green sofa and chair, try a light mint.