Decorating
Colour: Inspiring Ways to Bring a Touch of Red into the Bedroom
As the colour of passion and warmth, it’s no wonder red can work wonders in the boudoir
Red is striking and bold, and commonly associated with warmth, passion and love – making it a perfect choice for the bedroom. As you will see from these 12 inspiring bedrooms that feature red in different ways, the trick to incorporating this vibrant hue is to use it sparingly and match it thoughtfully with the overall scheme. First, establish which colours complement red and help it to stand out in the most aesthetically pleasing way. Then choose the shade you like best: from fresh strawberry to deep burgundy, there’s a plethora of choices. Finally, think about how you will add it to the room: will it be a subtle accent or a striking statement?
Before you plunge into using this punchy primary, check out these schemes for inspiration.
Before you plunge into using this punchy primary, check out these schemes for inspiration.
Pair with blue
Red and blue is a match made in heaven. Whether it’s deep red and teal, or bright red and turquoise, this colour combination adds zing while being very easy on the eye. Here, the plush velvet of the blue headboard adds to the richness of the colour combination.
Red and blue is a match made in heaven. Whether it’s deep red and teal, or bright red and turquoise, this colour combination adds zing while being very easy on the eye. Here, the plush velvet of the blue headboard adds to the richness of the colour combination.
Pick up in a pattern
Red can be more subtle when used as part of a pattern – especially if combined with a light colour such as white. This can be a great way to use red in a bedroom while still keeping the look fresh and bright.
Red can be more subtle when used as part of a pattern – especially if combined with a light colour such as white. This can be a great way to use red in a bedroom while still keeping the look fresh and bright.
Stand out against black
Red really packs a punch against a monochrome background. Here, even the tiny amount of red visible in the wires of the glass pendant lights really adds to the style.
Learn how to work cool contrasts with a monochrome scheme
Red really packs a punch against a monochrome background. Here, even the tiny amount of red visible in the wires of the glass pendant lights really adds to the style.
Learn how to work cool contrasts with a monochrome scheme
Be bold and bright
This ultra-modern bedroom really makes an impact, not just because of the busy, colourful wallpaper, but because of the strong red of the bed itself. The slab of colour helps to highlight the red graffiti in the cityscape, too, linking the elements. A pale, neutral carpet give the bold bed room to breathe and avoids colour overload.
This ultra-modern bedroom really makes an impact, not just because of the busy, colourful wallpaper, but because of the strong red of the bed itself. The slab of colour helps to highlight the red graffiti in the cityscape, too, linking the elements. A pale, neutral carpet give the bold bed room to breathe and avoids colour overload.
Add a warm note
In this scheme, the warm red of the throw and lampshade almost verge on a very dark pink. This gives a warm and cosy feel to the bedroom and complements the green and grey shades elsewhere in the room.
In this scheme, the warm red of the throw and lampshade almost verge on a very dark pink. This gives a warm and cosy feel to the bedroom and complements the green and grey shades elsewhere in the room.
Choose an elegant burgundy
This burgundy headboard brings a sense of cosiness and warmth to an otherwise grey bedroom. The beautiful combination of burgundy and grey proves you can add red to a bedroom while keeping the overall look elegant and calm.
This burgundy headboard brings a sense of cosiness and warmth to an otherwise grey bedroom. The beautiful combination of burgundy and grey proves you can add red to a bedroom while keeping the overall look elegant and calm.
Zing with a pillar-box red headboard
Having a colourful headboard is a great way to bring colour into the bedroom in a big way while keeping the walls neutral. This bright red expanse is cooled down by a deep blue lamp and bedside table for a bold yet stylish scheme.
Having a colourful headboard is a great way to bring colour into the bedroom in a big way while keeping the walls neutral. This bright red expanse is cooled down by a deep blue lamp and bedside table for a bold yet stylish scheme.
Embrace red all over
This cheerful kid’s room features quite a lot of bright red, but the wallpaper is particularly striking. Whether it’s the whole room or simply a feature wall, red paint or wallpaper can be a great way to bring this vibrant primary into a bedroom in a big way. The crisp white furniture is key to the success of this scheme, cooling and sharpening all the red for an appealing look.
This cheerful kid’s room features quite a lot of bright red, but the wallpaper is particularly striking. Whether it’s the whole room or simply a feature wall, red paint or wallpaper can be a great way to bring this vibrant primary into a bedroom in a big way. The crisp white furniture is key to the success of this scheme, cooling and sharpening all the red for an appealing look.
Add accent pieces
The warm, deep red chair and lampshade bring a touch of colour to this otherwise light and neutral bedroom suite. The colour is also echoed delicately in the floral wallpaper at the head of the bed. This scheme shows how just a couple of accent pieces can add colour sensitively.
The warm, deep red chair and lampshade bring a touch of colour to this otherwise light and neutral bedroom suite. The colour is also echoed delicately in the floral wallpaper at the head of the bed. This scheme shows how just a couple of accent pieces can add colour sensitively.
Add a design classic
This deep red Egg chair is the perfect way to bring a touch of colour into the bedroom without overwhelming the space. When you’re choosing a single piece in a bright colour that will stand out against a more neutral backdrop, it’s worth splashing out on something you really love and want to show off.
Find out more about Arne Jacobsen’s Egg chair
This deep red Egg chair is the perfect way to bring a touch of colour into the bedroom without overwhelming the space. When you’re choosing a single piece in a bright colour that will stand out against a more neutral backdrop, it’s worth splashing out on something you really love and want to show off.
Find out more about Arne Jacobsen’s Egg chair
Add accessories
If you want to add a dash of red to your bedroom without committing in a big way, consider adding a throw or cushions to your bed. These are an easy way to test how you feel about a colour while being able to change it with the seasons – or just when you feel like it! Here, the red is also picked up in the blind and the vase on the windowsill.
TELL US…
Are you a fan of red? Would you work it into the bedroom? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
If you want to add a dash of red to your bedroom without committing in a big way, consider adding a throw or cushions to your bed. These are an easy way to test how you feel about a colour while being able to change it with the seasons – or just when you feel like it! Here, the red is also picked up in the blind and the vase on the windowsill.
TELL US…
Are you a fan of red? Would you work it into the bedroom? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
The combination of white and red creates a perfect balance between the cool and calm, and the warm and passionate. These low-hanging pendant lights in cherry red really bring the focus of the room down to the bed area.