Color Interior Design
Red

Do you love red? But you are not sure how best to include it in your decorating color schemes?

Not sure how red will work in your home?

Find out more about interior design schemes and red - how to use it in your home, what works, and what doesn't...

Red is a popular color - so many of us love red ...

A splash of red in a room gives instant personality and vibe!

But, it can be difficult to incorporate red as a main color in interior design schemes at home...

The problem is that red is such a strong and powerful color - it needs to be treated with respect!

Why Choose Red?

• Red is powerful


• It is the color of passion


• Red is a dramatic and striking choice


• Red is flattering to the skin - so an excellent choice for social rooms.


• Red is a stimulating color - it stimulates:
  • the heart rate
  • the brain
  • the appetite
  • activity

  So it is a good choice for:

  • Exercise rooms
  • Dining Rooms
  • Home Offices or Studies

  I have this gorgeous red wallpaper (below) in front of me, to keep me inspired in my under-the-stairs home office
  
  

Why you need to Take Care with Red

• Red is a powerful color - a little usually goes a long way


• It can feel (or make you feel) aggressive or angry


• It can feel over-powering


• Red has a short wavelength - so the color seems to jump out at you - great for focal points and accents - but not so good for small or dark rooms.


• Red can make you feel restless - so avoid using too much red in rooms where you want to relax.


• Red is a passionate color - great for improving your sex life - but may not be too good for getting to sleep...

  ...and not for the reasons you are thinking! - just because it is a restless color.

So, you should be wary of using too much red in a room - but don't let it put you off including some daring red in your interior design color schemes.

Red is a fantastic choice as an accent color, used in small amounts, to draw a scheme together.

And, providing you use it carefully, and accept that it may make your room feel darker and/or smaller, red can also look very striking as a main color interior design choice.

Red Color Interior Design Choices

Here are some red color interior design options to consider:

Reds with Reds
Reds with Oranges
Reds with Purples and Violets
Reds with Greens
Reds with Yellows and Blues
Reds with Neutrals



Reds with Reds

• The simplest way of using red is just with other reds - however, this may be a little overwhelming in a small room - and indeed, may make any room feel smaller and darker.


• This can give a very striking look, though - very dramatic - so don't discount it completely.


• Go for one, all-over red, or mix with paler tones - this is pink (pink is just red with white added) or deeper dark reds and maroons









• You can try mixing together a pure red, with orangey reds, or purpley reds, for more variety.

  Don't mix orangey-reds and purpley-reds together without the pure red in the scheme somewhere, though - or it just won't go!

• You can also try reds with neutrals, to lighten the scheme a little.

Reds with Oranges

• This can be a 'hot' scheme - ideal for an exotic look - think funky reds and pinks with bright oranges and even yellows









• Or use more muted tones for a 'warm' look - ideal for a warming, cosy rooms - comforting evenings and as a cosy nest on a cold winter days.

  Think warm reds, rusts and russets, mixed with warming terracottas and apricots

Reds with Purples and Violets

• This can be a very dark and dramatic scheme - but red can add a beautiful flash of color to deeper purples.









• Purples and violets are more relaxing than red, so can calm fiery red right down.
• Dark tones will make your room feel smaller though, and can start to feel heavy and oppressive.
• Try paler pinks and lilacs for a fresher. lighter and feminine feel - ideal for a girly area for rest and relaxation.

Look at some ideas to decorate a living room in purple and red, here...

Reds with Greens

• Red is opposite green on the interior design color wheel, so this is definitely a statement color scheme, with real impact.
• In this combination, take care not to use both colors in equal amounts and intensities - or a strobe or flicker effect can result - not very relaxing!
• Instead, pick one as your 'main' color, and one as your accent color interior design scheme.
• Mix red with the whole range of greens, from zingy limes and yellow-greens, right through to turquoises and teals.









• Try going lighter with a pink and pastel green, or pink and darker green, or a striking red with a pale green.








Take a look at a red and green color scheme

Reds with Yellows and Blues

• If you want a three color interior design scheme using red, go for red, yellow and blue.









• In its pure color form, this is a great scheme for childrens' rooms, or as a fresh, almost seaside feel, for bathrooms and other rooms.
• Paler or deeper tones can work well elsewhere in the home.
• Don't be afraid to mix a bold red with a sky blue or primrose yellow - it will look stunning.

Reds with Neutrals

• Perhaps more than any other color, red is a great choice to combine with all neutrals.









• Red is a great focal point and accent color for livening up all:
  • whites
  • creams
  • beiges
  • taupes









• This is a great idea for a simple color scheme - always guaranteed to work - not too overwhelming, but with a strong splash of personality and color.

  See a suggested color interior design scheme for using red with neutrals, here

• Red looks great with:
  • silvers
  • greys
  • blacks









• This can be a very dramatic combination - not for the faint hearted!

  See more ideas for a red and black decorating color scheme, here

  ...and ideas for Victorian decorating with red, here...

Red is a versatile color, and looks dramatic as the base color or accent, in combination with many other colors.

Why not try out your own color combinations with red?

Just get some paint swatches and tester pots, and just have a go.

You can get yourself an interior design color wheel for more help in choosing colors to go with red.

I also recommend this Color Scheme Sourcebook for a handy source of color interior design inspiration.

An easy way to get red into your room is just by adding some new accessories...

Take a look on eBay now for some cool red decor accessories to give your color interior design scheme 'punch'.

This is a live feed from eBay and is constantly updated.

Just click on a product for more information, or to bid or buy...

See Red...!

The price to you is always the same, but I will earn a small commission.

This allows me to continue to provide you with the information on this website, all for free.

Thanks for your continued support :)

Look at how color links to mood and personality

Look at how your decorating color schemes can help you heal

Get more ideas and techniques for successful decorating color schemes

A red and black decorating color scheme

A suggested decorating color scheme for using red with neutrals

A red and green color scheme

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