Make a big impact by decorating with red to infuse your home with verve and energy. Because this can be a tough shade to work with, our third color design story features nine of our favorite red rooms accompanied by advice from interior designer Shayla Copas of Shayla Copas Interiors.
1. Dash of Pizzazz
When skillfully used, red can rejuvenate a room and create visual interest. Shayla cautions, however, that too much red can seem heavy-handed. When designing with red, Shayla suggests using the hue in small upholstery pieces to add drama. This seating area by Gordon Dunning comes to life in cherry tones without overpowering the space with color.
2. All About Scale
Cloaked in elegant, rosy toile wallpaper, this guest room by Sandra Burnett exudes a restful atmosphere to all who visit. For areas intended for relaxation, a strong, warm red can be too active for some homeowners. As an alternative, Shayla suggests saving red for smaller areas of your home (a powder room).
3. Rich Depth
Preferring to use red as a dominant tone in tight quarters, such as powder rooms, Shayla advises that “red adds depth to small spaces.” A bold, true-red wallpaper sets a stately mood in this pocket-size bathroom by Meriwether Design Group, offsetting Baroque golden accents for an opulent feel.
4. Complementary Accents
The richness of red creates a feeling of intimacy, says Shayla, making it ideal when used in small doses for bedrooms and nurseries. Even when used with restraint, it exudes warmth and welcome. In this nursery by Mary Mac, ruby piping lines cream chairs in cheerfulness, echoing a nearby table that matches the gladdening hue.
5. Regal Splendor
With all the zest and vitality that red bestows, it also contributes a distinctively luxurious feeling to its surrounds. Crimson paneling imparts opulence to this regal library, making collected antiques shine bright while cream chaises are adorned with tapestry pillows stitched in nuances of burgundy.
6. Vibrant Keepsakes
For those who have reservations about using red as a dominant tone, collected treasures and artwork can serve as an easy and non-permanent way of working red’s lively tones into your home. These antique lacquered boxes subtly bring brilliant dashes of vermilion to this distinguished library, yet they can be swapped out for another hue if need be.
7. Balanced Beauty
Complementary colors can be used to reduce the splashy impact red imparts to a space, says Shayla. When paired with navy, as in this boys’ room by Will Huff, scarlet stands out to imbue a classic and understated Southern look. Robin’s egg and royal blue touches on a carmine background continue this punchy duo in ornate floral pillows.
8. Spirited Flourish
Introducing artful red accents to your décor can be a clever way to update a neutral scheme. Shayla prefers not to use red as the leading tone in a kitchen, though she says, bright details here and there dress up a space in catchy color. In this eating area by AG Interiors, cranberry lath-back chairs pair with a matching chandelier for contemporary flair.
9. The Softer Side
Coral presents a calmer alternative to red, establishing a delicate and airy feel while still enlivening a room. For this girl’s bedroom Shayla designed, a soft powder-blue headboard and matching monogrammed pillow elegantly play up coral’s feminine nature, and embroidered bedding picks up the rosy hue in a simple floral motif.
For more inspiration, see 11 Tips for Designing with Yellow, 10 of Our Favorite White Rooms, and Decorating with Color.
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