Discover how burgundy’s rich history, cultural significance, and design tips can elevate your projects with timeless elegance.
Welcome back to Hues unraveled, where we actually dig into what makes colors work instead of just throwing around words like “sophisticated” and calling it design theory. We’ve already deep-dived into indigo’s moody genius and lavender’s soft power energy. Now we’re talking burgundy—the color that’s been carrying main character energy since medieval times but somehow still gets reduced to “fall vibes only.”
Here’s the thing about burgundy: it’s not trying to be red, it’s not cosplaying as brown, and it definitely doesn’t need your permission to dominate a color palette. This color has been flexing on basic reds for literally centuries, and yet most designers still don’t know how to use it without making everything look like a wine bar from 2003.
Time to stop treating burgundy like it’s just red’s moody cousin and start understanding why it’s been the ultimate power move color for designers who actually get it, and showcase stunning graphics to inspire your next project.
Yeah, it’s named after the wine region, but that’s not the tea. The Burgundy region wasn’t just making drinks—they were literally inventing the concept of “if you know, you know” luxury. Medieval nobles picked this color because the dye was outrageously expensive to make, basically creating the first-ever gatekeeping color palette.
Think about it: these people were using color as a social credit score. Wearing burgundy was like having a blue checkmark before social media existed. Pure power move energy.
Jump to 2024, and burgundy is still serving that effortless flex energy, except now it’s democratized. It’s giving quiet luxury—the design equivalent of knowing keyboard shortcuts because you’re actually good, not because you’re showing off.
Burgundy is basically a perfectly curated playlist you don’t need to announce. It just hits different, and people notice without you having to explain why.
Burgundy is literally what happens when red goes to therapy and works through its issues. It’s red + brown + just enough purple to keep you guessing. As the regular red is yowling for attention like it’s auditioning for TikTok, burgundy is over here with understated confidence, knowing it doesn’t have to perform to receive validation.
This is why burgundy completely smacks in UX—it commands notice without the giant bold energy, but speaks “premium” without yelling it, and builds trust without that empty corporation vibe. Red buttons are giving “BUY NOW OR DIE” energy, while burgundy buttons are more like “hey, when you’re ready, I’ll be here being sophisticated.” Same conversion goals, completely different psychological approach.
Stop asking “what’s the burgundy hex code?” and start asking “which burgundy hex code?” because apparently, even software can’t agree.
Pantone defines “Burgundy” as Pantone 19-1617 TPG, a rich, deep red hue associated with sophistication and frequently used in textiles and interior design.
Figma specifies burgundy using the following color codes:
Both Canva and Adobe identify the hex code for burgundy as #800020. For this article, we will adhere to Adobe’s definition, using #800020 as the standard representation of burgundy.
In the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) color model, burgundy is defined as RGB(128, 0, 32). This combination of red, green, and blue highlights its dominant red and brown tones. For print designs, the CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) values for burgundy are approximately C=0, M=100, Y=75, K=50, ensuring the color’s depth and richness in physical media.
| HEX | 800020 |
| RGB Decimal | 128, 0, 32 |
| CMYK | 0, 100, 75, 50 |
| HSL | 345°, 100, 25.1 |
| RgbaColor | rgba(128,0,32,1.00) |
| lab XyzColor | 9.163, 4.693, 1.789 |
| HsvColor | 345° , 100% , 50% |
| CIE L*a*b* | 25.84, 48.9, 21.29 |
While #800020 is a standard representation of burgundy, the color ranges from lighter to darker. Exploring these variations allows you to tailor the mood and style of your design, from deep, contemplative shades to lighter, more vibrant tones.
Regular red icons are aggressive—they demand attention and don’t care about your visual hierarchy. Burgundy icons are strategic. They’re noticeable without being disruptive, sophisticated without being boring.
Here’s how to recolor any icon straight in Icons8’s web app:
Incorporate burgundy to add depth and richness to illustrations. It works well with lighter colors and can highlight important elements without overpowering the entire image.
Burgundy is perfect for little details:
Using burgundy in UI is like adding a designer bag to a basic outfit—it elevates everything.
Burgundy works as an accent color that suggests premium without pricing out your user base. It’s perfect for:
Pro move. Use burgundy for call-to-action elements in B2B products. It suggests professionalism while maintaining warmth.
Burgundy branding works when you want to feel established without feeling old.
Industries where burgundy actually slaps:
Don’t use burgundy if your brand is about innovation, speed, or youth energy. It’s not that kind of color.
Burgundy is a fantastic color that adds depth and elegance to any design. Here are some friendly and concise tips to help you make the most of this rich hue:
Burgundy works when:
Burgundy doesn’t work when:
The secret to burgundy isn’t being the loudest—it’s being unforgettable. It’s giving confident energy—the type who walks into the room and owns it without saying a word. Team #800020 or #660033 (pick your fighter), burgundy hits that sweet spot: boardroom-approved sophistication meets actual human warmth, with just enough attitude to save your designs from looking like they escaped from a generic stock photo library.
This color basically said, “I don’t need to scream to be heard,” and made it an entire personality. While other colors are out here doing the absolute most for attention, burgundy just exists and somehow commands more respect than the rest of the palette combined.
This color has been carrying design projects for literal centuries. It’ll probably still be slapping when we’re all designing holographic interfaces for our AI overlords.
Want to level up your color game? Peep our deep dives into indigo’s mysterious energy and lavender’s subtle power moves to complete your color theory education.
Burgundy is a precision tool, not a personality replacement. Use it with intention, and it’ll make your designs feel expensive. Slap it everywhere without thinking, and you’ll look like you copy-pasted a Pottery Barn catalog and called it brand strategy.
The difference between good designers and great ones? Knowing when burgundy is the answer and when it’s just aesthetic procrastination.
About the author
Adeline Knight is a content writer at Icons8. She started as a professional photographer before falling for design. She enjoys experimenting with new tools and uncovering tips and tricks to simplify her life and boost her creativity.
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