How to use red in interior design
Wednesday, 6 July 2011 9:30 AM
In the latest instalment of our colours mini-series, interior designer Eliska Sapera discusses how to use red when decorating your home, explaining which rooms to use different shades in and the colours that best complement various tones of red.
Red is a pure primary colour, and as such is stimulating and demands attention. Historically, red is associated with rank and religion – it's the colour of cardinals and bishops. The earliest guises of red included red ochre, an earth pigment, cinnabar and vermilion.
In Japan, red is considered the colour of the sacred – for instance, the 'torii' gateways of the Inari Shrine in Kyoto are red. In China, vermilion was known as 'Imperial Red' and these days it's still considered an auspicious colour. In fact, red is always used in Chinese interiors in some form.
When it comes to decorating your own home, warm red, which is associated with feelings of comfort and safety, is a good colour for dining rooms. Always paint skirting boards the same colour as the walls and use a matte paint.
Fabrics that use woven reds, tartans or greens work well in red rooms and counterbalance the intensity of the colour. Cream accessories screen-printed with flowers in the full spectrum of reds also look gorgeous.
Tartan chair by Eliska Sapera
Decorating using terracotta tones is wonderful as it is reminiscent of hot summer days and is very soothing. Red and brown are mixed to arrive at this colour, which works well with the light in the UK.
Using soft greens as an accent in a terracotta room will transform the space into an oasis of natural colours. If used in a conservatory and complemented by fabrics printed with leaf formations, terracotta looks truly stunning.
Crimson, a cooler red due to the blue tones within, is considered regal and sophisticated in the extreme. Mix it with creamy white or deep slate grey to make a strong interior design statement.
Wine red is easier to work with. The comforting aura of this colour makes it perfect for sofas and armchairs. Polished wood, large lacquer bowls in black and red, and wide black framed artwork all sit well with wine red.
Eliska Sapera is an interior designer with over 25 years’ experience and a gorgeous shop named Eliská. She is former exhibition director of the British Interior Design Association (now known as the British Institute of Interior Design).
Main image credit: Dulux Feature Wallpaper, 'Camille in Crimson', RRP £25.49 per roll (available from Homebase); Walls, Roasted Red, RRP £18.99 for 2.5L, and Rum Caramel 5, RRP £21.69 for 2.5L, both available from Homebase, B&Q and selected independent stores.
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