Romantic Dinner
The decorators of this red dining room played up a feeling of classic romance with wall sconces that offer warm and inviting low light. The crisp white tablecloth, red roses, crystal glasses, and china look elegant but not too stuffy, thanks to the black-and-white Breakfast at Tiffany's art print, which infuses an element of playful passion.
Related: 5 Favorite Picture Hanging Tricks
Modern Kitchen
Color psychologists say that red can stimulate appetite, so maybe that's why it's such a popular color in many kitchens and diners. This modern kitchen looks flawless with red and brushed-metal cabinetry and kitchen chairs. The glass table disappears into the room, letting the red design take center stage.
Related: Bob Vila's Guide to Kitchen Cabinets
Beautiful Boudoir
There's something to be said for pairing pink with red. It takes confidence to match colors that are so close on the color wheel, but the choice certainly pays off. This multihued bedroom uses complementary textures and patterns to create a whimsical vibe. The circular motif on the headboard and bed skirt serves as companion to the ottoman's half-circle flaps, linking the room together.
Related: Improve Feng Shui in the Home
Retro in Red
Here is one truly vintage-looking kitchen. The various shades of red are slightly different, but the polka dots on the tablecloth, lampshade, apron, and dishes add congruity to the space. This room proves that red isn't just for romance—it's incredibly playful as well.
Related: 10 Ways to Bring Historic Style Home
Richly Red
Gold and maroon create a warm and luxurious atmosphere in this living room, where the wonderful red background allows the golden features to shine. An intricately carved fireplace, illumined ceiling, and Persian-inspired painting make this red room seem palatial.
Related: Hot Spots: 10 Rooms to Warm Up with a Fireplace
Bright Nursery
You've probably heard that black, white, and red mobiles stimulate infants, but this room takes the idea to the next level. Some color psychologists warn that too much red might be confusing for newborns, because it's the first primary color they can see. Adding a little white, gray, or green to the color scheme will still allow red to make a beautiful impact.
Related: Nursery Safety Tips
Ruby Red Staircase
This homeowner dressed up a standard-looking staircase with a pop of color. By drawing the eyes to this architectural feature, the red walls make it seem bold and grand. White is a stunning contrast to red; the combination always looks crisp, clean, and deliberate.
Related: Make an Entrance: 10 Inspirational Foyer Ideas
Bathroom Safari
Red can make a wild addition to a bathroom, as this Scalamandré wallpaper so distinctively demonstrates. If you'd rather not fully commit to red walls, however, try starting small with red towels. (Fans of Wes Anderson movies will note that this red zebra print wallpaper makes an appearance in The Royal Tenenbaums.)
Related: 12 "Off the Wall" Ways to Repurpose Wallpaper
Red Linens
This bright and airy bedroom gets a boost of color with red bedclothes and accent furniture. Color psychologists say that red is an energizing hue, so who knows—maybe a red bedspread is all it will take to make waking up early in the morning easier! If not, you'll still have a delightfully decorated space.
Sentimental Side Table
This cheery red space is designed to Valentine-card perfection, right down to the typographical elements that pop whimsically against the eye-catching wallpaper.
Unusual Accents
When is a bicycle more than a bicycle? When it's the focal point of your headboard, of course. This unexpected element makes an undeniably bold statement, but even without the wall-mounted bike, this room's red walls and colorful checked curtain have a strong modern flair.
Round of Applause
The circle headboard, round side table, and polka dot art print work together in a lively interplay of shapes and colors in this dynamic bedroom. The bold red wall serves as a canvas for the sinuous shapes, while the pillows personalize the space.
Related: 9 "Dreamy" Headboards You Can Make
Island Paradise
This kitchen looks almost like a diner with its bar-style seating and bright cabinets. Black paint and stainless steel are classic complements for a red kitchen, and the chalkboard panel on the fridge is great for grocery lists or special reminders for the family.
Related: 10 Reasons to Go Crazy for Chalkboard Paint
Shabby Chic
Mismatched pieces in varying shades give this room the prototypical cottage-chic look. A folding chair and tray allow this space to be rearranged with ease while the white-painted floors highlight the bright red pieces.
Related: How To: Paint a Wood Floor
Red and White
A red wall accentuates the impact of this white, geometric headboard. Red walls can make a room feel dark, so pairing red with white is a great way to keep things feeling light. Wary of an all-red room? Try painting just one accent wall in an otherwise neutral room.
Related: What Makes a Room a "Bedroom"?
French Style
With its ornate fixtures and delicate French Louis XIV-inspired chairs, this dining room may seem like an unconventional setting for bright red walls. The high-gloss backdrop offers a sleek contrast to the softness of the drapes and upholstered chairs.
Related: Bob Vila's Guide to Historic House Styles
Upholstered Walls
Highlight the Ceiling
From the ground up, this room is rocking the red. The contemporary lines of the couch provide a counterpoint to the red panel that snakes across the ceiling, concealing lighting while adding colorful interest. Even the framed art on the wall has a not-so-subtle message in red.
Related: 10 Ways to Unleash the Potential of Your Blank Walls
Blue Tiles, Red Cupboards
Red can often put a couple of volts of modernity into a room, but in the case of this kitchen, the color takes on a nostalgic tone. The Delft tiles on the counters and backsplash give off an old-world charm that, together with the vintage serving pieces, makes the bright red cabinets seem more rustic than modern.
Related: 5 Creative Alternatives to Kitchen Cabinets
Multiple Patterns
While red is often the boldest feature in a room, here it anchors an active space that's awash in fine details. Patterned furniture and curtains add depth to the room while the intricate Arabic piece in the corner adds exotic richness against the backdrop of the red wall.
Related: 48 Pretty Living Room Ideas
Bold Breakfast Nook
There's nothing shy about this brave use of color. Red and purple might not be at the top of every decorator's idea pile, but the combo certainly makes a huge visual impact in this breakfast nook. Purple and gold accents on the wall and ceiling pull the room together while the red brightens the space.
Canopy Bed
Subtlety is for neutral tones—red's for making bold proclamations. This illuminated canopy bed with matching pillows certainly sends a passionate Valentine's Day message.
Related: How To: Replace a Ceiling Light Fixture
Clawfoot Bathtub
This red bathroom marries the best of modern convenience and vintage charm, beginning with a bright red clawfoot bathtub that feels both dated and updated. Continuing the juxtaposition of old and new, the toile wallpaper harks back to an earlier era, but the stainless steel fixtures are decidedly here and now.
Related: 20 Ways to Make a Small Bathroom Big
Red Accents
Neutral walls and white trim keep this room bright and open while a red Dutch door and hutch exude needed warmth in this country-style home. A patterned wingback chair strikes a good compromise between commonsense neutrals and bold, lively red accents.
Related: 15 Old House Features We Were Wrong to Abandon
Matchy-Matchy
This color-coordinated room is almost completely red, with walls, curtains, upholstery, and lampshades working in concert to make the space a unified whole. Only a few standout pieces, such as the table and artwork, break ranks with the red, to stunning effect.
Related: How To: Select a Paint Color
Offset Neutrals
Red paint is usually the star of any room, but here it helps give definition to neutrals like the rattan chair and deeply stained wood furniture. A mix of textures, shapes, and colors makes this space feel inviting.
Related: Wicker Gone Wild: 10 Ways to Transform the Old into New
Classic Kitchen
The red cabinets are the headliner in this kitchen, but even the pendant lights and roller blinds get into the act. Again, white is a great foil for red, as seen in the tiled backsplash and country-kitchen-chic enamel dishes displayed above the cupboards.
Related: Trending Now: Pendant Lights
Perfect Paneling
This New York home bursts with color. Crown molding, walls, and paneling are all painted in a cherry-red hue. The singular color helps features like the octagonal light fixture stand out.
Related: Know Your Moldings: 10 Popular Trim Styles To Spiff Up Any Space
Red and Green
A red wall makes a fun backdrop for knickknacks and plants. Because red and green are opposites on the color wheel, the colors pair well together, which makes red a great canvas for greenery. With the creeping vine running across the shelves, this wall almost becomes an indoor trellis.
Related: 10 Air-Purifying House Plants
Narrow Passage
While many designers opt for lighter paint colors in a small space to make the room feel larger, this slender room is an exception to the rule. The black outline along the ceiling and white crown molding draw the eye upward, adding the illusion of height to the space.
Related: Ideas for Living Large in Small Spaces
Black and Red
Few color combinations possess the drama of red and black. While the dark hues bring suspense to the room, the airiness of the crystal chandelier and flowery centerpiece add a romantic element.
Related: Eye-Popping Chandeliers Made from the Everyday
Private Quarters
This four-poster bed is saturated with romance. Sconces set into the headboard bring low lighting within easy reach and serve as interesting design elements. The scalloped canopy turns the bed into an intimate room, not just a piece of furniture.
Related: Sweet Dreams: 16 Bed Frames You Can Make Yourself
Mixed-Use Space
This bright wall is shared by both the living and dining space in this multifunctional room. The living area is defined by a dark rug and artwork, while the dining space is distinguished by black floating shelves that stand out boldly against the red wall. Small white file boxes lining the shelves are a crisp contrast to the wall color and help clear out clutter.
Related: How To: Install Floating Shelves
The Red Room
The Red Room in the White House got its name in the 1840s after it was decorated in red draperies and floor coverings, a decorating theme that has stuck over time. Today the room features red walls and silk upholstery with gold accents. In different administrations, the parlor has been used variously as a music room, press room, or setting for small dinner parties.
For More...
For more color ideas, check out:
21 "Expert Picks" for Fail-Safe Color
Winning Combinations: 9 Can't Miss Color Schemes
Bob Vila's Guide to Historic Paint Colors
Don't Miss!
Clever project ideas and step-by-step tutorials delivered right to your inbox each and every Saturday morning—sign up today for the Weekend DIY Club newsletter!
