Colour Psychology: Red
Red is a colour with many faces. Rich and vibrant: it is associated with love, passion, and romance; but its use in nature as an alarming shade can signal danger and act as a warning. These diverse connotations give red great complexity, but offer clues as to how best to use it in interiors.
Power & Passion
Red does nothing by halves. It represents the strongest of emotions (both good and bad) and inspires ferocity and vigour. Red alone can cause a physical response that includes increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure, making us feel energised. This can feed into associations with power, dominance, and anger, or simply inspire excitement and desire. So designs including red may need a touch more careful planning.
Emphasising Warmth
Despite its ability to excite and aggravate, the warm shades of red can also act as a comfort. When combined with similar colours, such as aubergine, burnt orange, mustard, or mocha, the result is welcoming. The rich tones craft a cosy hug around the space, especially when mixed with patterns and textures.
This take on red is best suited to relaxed, informal settings; such as a living room or a bedroom. These are places you want to unwind and feel calm, so it’s important to ground the reds with earthy tones.
Pops and Contrast
If a worldly Jungalow vibe isn’t your thing, reds can be the perfect striking contrast to neutral modern interiors. A matt texture, or deeply toned red, stand out fabulously against neutrals and sleek surfaces without creating a space that is too stark and jarring. Think statement sofa, eye-catching artwork, or unusual features.
Due to the drama and finesse this style of red interior brings, it’s best suited to spaces that can take it. Such as in a dining room or a bathroom.
Stripes and Details
Red doesn’t have to be a commitment to colour blocking. Instead incorporate it as pinstripe décor, tastefully painted table legs, or (and this is our favourite idea) use a bold red grout against contrasting tiles. A simple coloured grout can create a space that is entirely unique and red offers that richness that cool whites or moody greys love.
Details like this can work anywhere. Depending on the shade of red they can blend in perfectly, or add just a touch of unexpected excitement.
Seeing Red
Red isn’t for everybody, but for some people it’s everything. It’s loud, it’s proud, and it’s sure to make you feel some kinda way. But the perfect red in the perfect space can be divine. Choose a classic primary red for a playful aesthetic, take the tone down closer to terracotta for a nature-inspired look, find the colour of wine for a mature, intimate space, or go cherry red for some flirty fun.
Because of the drama red creates, it’s safer to be gentle when using it in interiors, but for those looking to stir the pot those rules don’t apply. Just find your shade and enjoy!