Red is a tricky colour to decorate with - it’s an intense and stimulating colour, associated with strong emotions like love and anger. The human eye is most strongly drawn to red (hence why it’s used on warning signs!), so in interiors, it can easily become an overwhelming colour when used in a scheme.

That’s not to say it shouldn’t be used at all - just carefully. Here are some ways to incorporate this colour into your home.

Terracotta living room

Design by @robertkime, photography by @simonupton

Red is one of the warmest colours, so will undoubtedly make a room feel cosy and warmer when used on the walls. By going for a terracotta (rather than a bright red) you get the benefits of this colour without it becoming too overwhelming or aggressive.

Burgundy kitchen

As well as being associated with strong emotions, red is also said to stimulate appetite - making it a good choice for a kitchen. Burgundy is a classic colour and works well in a more streamlined style as well as a traditional one. It works beautifully with grey too - so pairs well with stone worktops with grey veining.

Paired with blue

There’s something about the pairing of these two primary colours which I love! I think the blue helps to soften the red too preventing it from feeling too overwhelming. This combination is great for a child’s bedroom, or a more playful or contemporary style of room.

Vintage rugs

If you’ve got a bedroom or living room which is feeling cold or stark, an antique rug is a great way to add some warmth. Persian rugs come in deep red, burgundy and maroon colours, so while giving some softness underfoot they also bring some warmth to the colour scheme of a room.

Accent furniture

If you want to add some red but aren’t keen on putting it on the walls, an accent piece of furniture could be an option. Be aware that it’ll stand out the most in the room, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing!

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