There’s no color that says passion and excitement like red.  Whether it’s a dining room, living room, bathroom, or bedroom, red is always a bold choice.  With such a powerful color, finding the perfect shade and the perfect places for red is all the more important.  So if your dream color palette involves the confident color, here are some things to consider before reaching for anything and everything red!

 Image via: Home Portfolio

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Set the mood with the color red

Although your first color association may be excitement, red can elicit a range of emotions from cheerful and happy to aggressive and flashy, depending on the amount and shade.  Think about your own fashion choices for a moment. You may love red, but do you wear it from head to toe every single day?  Interior design is the same way: there is always a balance between a bit of color and too much of a good thing.  The more red you use, the more energetic (or even forceful) a room will feel.  Tone back the amount and you will have the power to direct attention exactly where you want it with bursts of cheerful color, like a red piece of jewelry.  Keep your desired mood in mind as you plan your room.  No matter where you’re using red, you want your home to feel welcoming and interesting, not loud and overpowering.

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The color red can bring out your style

Just like the many emotional effects of the color red, you can also create all different design styles with your color choice.  For a contemporary feel, use bright, orange-based reds only in specific pops of color against a light, neutral palette.  Bring in light fixtures, pillows, and decorative accessories to serve as the focal points.  In a more traditional design, deep, rich burgundy reds are warm and cozy.  Use them in upholstery, classic Oriental rugs, or window treatments to bring a comfortable, homey feel to your space.  For the rest of the palette, use the same deep, muted shades of other colors close by on the color wheel for a relaxing, cohesive effect.

Any way that you use it, red can transform a room into exactly what you want.  Have a clear idea of what your goal is, and embrace adventurous red!

For more color ideas on Stagetecture, click here.