Fashion designer Bill Blass’ famous mantra, “When in doubt, wear red,” could be applied to interior design at home as easily as an outfit. While most often associated with love and passion, especially this time of year, the color red can also signify joy, strength, courage and confidence. Have you ever donned a red tie, jacket or dress and thought – Yes, I can conquer the world today! The emotional and energizing power of red makes it an ideal hue in interior design. In honor of Valentine’s Day, we’ve rounded up our favorite red-inspired rooms with tips on how to inject the color of love into your own home.
Use caution
Red is a powerful color and a little can go a long way. Strategic placement of red can easily transform a room from bland to exciting. While the room above is stunning, imagine it without the red accents. The linen-colored sofa, cream walls and neutral tones could leave you wanting more. By simply adding a vibrant ruby-red throw and accent pillows, this room appears rich, exciting and welcoming. Small but bold additions of red can make you look like a design superstar with minimal effort.
Accessory action
If you’re not ready to commit to a room filled with red, Real Simple suggests trying “red as an accent, pulling it in through draperies or furniture.” Though room above isn’t afraid of color, a deep red rug ties the space together and beautifully compliments the darker wood tones.
The kitchen is a great place to weave in some red accessories. Red is the color of extroverts, making it the perfect addition to a room where groups tend to gather. For many of us, that’s the kitchen- the heart of the home. Add a gentle wash of red, from seat cushions and placemats to glassware. A bonus for kitchens – studies have show that the color red can stimulate the appetite!
Focus on furniture
Searching for the perfect focal point for a room needing a little more excitement? Consider increasing the intensity with one or two bold pieces of furniture, like an arm chair, ottoman or side table. Red’s flexible nature allows it to work well with an already established color palette.
Jeannie Matteucci for HGTV.com echoes the versatility of red:
“An earthy red used with wood tones can warm a room. Red with soft gray and touches of magenta can make a room feel cozy, feminine and soft.”
Shades of style
While a highly saturated and intense pops of red are undeniably stunning, you’re not limited to just one shade. Who can forget blush and bashful, the quintessential wedding colors from the movie Steel Magnolias? Considering that light reds and pinks suggest romance, friendship and femininity, blush and bashful make the perfect backdrop for that particular movie.
If red feels too aggressive for your tranquil bedroom, shades of pinks and orange are a great alternative. For a girl or young woman’s bedroom, have fun with layering pinks of all tones, plus some lace and ruffles, for a feminine and serene bedroom.
If you want to avoid a distinctly feminine feeling in the master suite, add structured elements and darker tones to muted red shades for a space appealing to men and women, like the Lennar Austin example above.
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