Desaturated colors are hues that have been muted or toned down, resulting in a less vibrant appearance. This is achieved by adding gray or the color's complementary color, which reduces the intensity of the original shade. For example, a bright red can become a soft, dusty rose when desaturated. In art and design, desaturated colors are often used to create a more subtle or sophisticated look. They can evoke feelings of calmness and neutrality, making them popular in interior design and graphic design. These colors can also help highlight more vibrant elements in a composition.