Decorating with Reds and Oranges

By By Carol Schalla
Red and orange paints can add a dash of drama, energy or even restfulness to your home.
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Revitalize a space

Red boosts the vitality of a living space-exactly what was needed in this basement, part of a Chicago Victorian home remodel. The rich red (Benjamin Moore AF-295 Pomegranate) on walls dispels any thoughts of a cold, dark or damp basement. Pillows and art in complementary lime green (opposite red on the color wheel) add a touch of additional color without feeling "Christmas-y."

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Go bold

When walls are so saturated in red (Sherwin Williams SW6608 Rave Red), other colors need be intense enough to hold their own. Red is a great clarifier – bright, cleansing and revealing. It makes all other colors look dramatic and sophisticated, such as the yellow-gold, black and white accents here.

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Restful red

In this room, deep burgundy (Sherwin-Williams Red Bay SW 6321) connects with the rug's cool blue to create a calming feel. 

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Friendly orange

The juicy, ripe-melon shade of orange (Kwal 7346A Mikado) on the walls of this Missouri home offers a perfect backdrop for friendly conversation. The walls are bright enough to reflect light from the large windows during the day (especially paired with white woodwork and furniture), and at night, they offer a cocoon of color that amplifies glowing firelight.

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Feel playful

Children respond happily to orange. It's like a goldfish or a clown's carrot-top hair. In this little girl's bedroom, the orange walls (Kwal 7354D Orange Buff) paired with pink and turquoise accents create a playful mood and add the right amount of energy.

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Soft tones

Muted, gentle orange tones, such as peach or apricot, feel warm and nurturing. In this elegant living room, the addition of complementary navy fabric accents takes the slightly earthy peach walls (Sherwin-Williams Smokey Topaz SW 6117) from girly to fashionable.

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More about decorating with colors

See a color you like? Most home improvement stores are happy to mix colors if you show them a picture or a fabric sample you're trying to match. They're also usually able to match discontinued colors. Remember that colors can look different depending on factors such as light and the size of your room-plus colors can look different on a computer screen or a printed sample. Always buy a small container first and try the shade out before painting the entire room. Get more color inspiration by browsing any of our slideshows below.

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