The journal

Red Interior Design

12 September 2024 5 min read

Red is a supremely versatile colour. Its shades run from vibrant postbox red to warming terracotta to deep, dark maroon and many more in between. The red you choose will transform your interior and set the mood, from refined elegance to playful energy.

Wondering how to decide between the many reds? Think about how you want the room to feel, whether a comforting, cocooning bedroom, a sophisticated, refined living space or a bright, inviting entrance, all possible with red interior schemes.

Create a warm welcome

Make a strong first impression and boost your home's kerb appeal with a red front door; it makes an impact from the outset, signals that you like to make a statement and shows personality, rather like a statement red lipstick, a bold flourish that's forever in style. In Chinese feng shui a red front door invites wealth and good luck, and in Scotland it signals that the owners have paid off their mortgage, so if good fortune appeals, consider one.

A warm red entrance or hallway is very welcoming for guests, and for you returning home; an entirely red hallway can become very dark, so create balance with deep red on the lower half of the wall and woodwork and a light, neutral complementary colour above, which not only looks great but is practical too, as the dark red masks the inevitable scuffs of a high-traffic hallway.

Georgian front door painted in deep red Arts Club No.281 with a stone surround and a fanlight — Left, a front door painted in Arts Club No.281; right, a front door in Mortlake Red No.290

Panelled front door painted in Mortlake Red No.290 on a rendered seaside villa with a tiled path — Left, a front door painted in Arts Club No.281; right, a front door in Mortlake Red No.290

Child's room with built-in bookshelves painted in Red Post Hill No.68 and walls in Enamel Blue No.78 — Left, bookshelves in Red Post Hill No.68 against Enamel Blue No.78 walls; right, a bed frame in the same red

Child's bedroom with a turned bed frame painted in Red Post Hill No.68 and Enamel Blue No.78 walls — Left, bookshelves in Red Post Hill No.68 against Enamel Blue No.78 walls; right, a bed frame in the same red

Inject playful energy

Primary reds work well in children's rooms, bedroom or playroom, being uplifting, fun and playful, and they needn't be all-encompassing; add dashes with an accent wall, on bookshelves or through furniture.

In this child's room, Mylands Red Post Hill™ No.68 on the bed frame and bookshelves is paired with Mylands Enamel Blue No.78 for a cohesive, balanced look, the vibrant red tempered by the calming blue, while a red-striped wardrobe adds another striking, playful focal point, an idea you could apply to blinds, curtains, textiles or bedding to great effect. If you have a home gym, consider red there too, another space where you want an energy boost.

Make an enveloping environment

Red needn't always be vibrant, energetic and bold; it can do the reverse. Deep, dark reds are perfect for an enveloping environment, that cocooned, comforted feeling ideal for a bedroom where you recharge and hibernate. Darker tones like burgundy and maroon are ideal for colour drenching a room to this effect, and the same cocooning trend works in a snug living room or home cinema.

Bedroom with walls, ceiling, shutters and door all painted in deep red Arts Club No.281 — A bedroom drenched in Arts Club No.281, walls, joinery and ceiling together

Spice up your space

Add heat and spice to your kitchen by working red into the scheme; elevate it by combining deep red with metallic touches like gold fittings and accessories, since sumptuous reds pair well with neutrals such as grey and stone. For a brighter, modern look, pair brighter reds with white, adding a pop with a red accent wall, tiling or furniture; in this kitchen, red feature tiles lift an otherwise neutral scheme with warmth and interest. A good analogy is to use red like seasoning in a kitchen, sprinkle some warmth or pack a punch.

Narrow kitchen with Limestone No.55 walls and a glazed door and window frames in FTT-010 Vermillion — Kitchen woodwork in bright FTT-010 Vermillion against pale Limestone No.55 walls

Spread some joy

Does red make you smile? Is it a shade you reach for in your wardrobe when you want to feel good? If you're drawn to red, don't be afraid to bring it into your home too, since your living spaces should make you feel good, smile and feel joyful.

Reflect a strong personality with bold hues; red walls make a statement and add drama yet stay warm and inviting. Direct attention to a focal point by painting it red, a warm red with a touch of orange is perfect for a cosy fireplace, or if your furniture is the centrepiece, highlight red in the upholstery with complementary throws or cushions to make a favourite armchair all the more appealing.

Snug sitting room with walls painted in Red Post Hill No.68 and a stone chimneypiece — Left, a snug with walls in Red Post Hill No.68; right, a door and woodwork in FTT-010 Vermillion

White room with a tall internal door, skirting and picture rail painted in bright FTT-010 Vermillion — Left, a snug with walls in Red Post Hill No.68; right, a door and woodwork in FTT-010 Vermillion

Stimulate social interaction

Red is especially popular in dining rooms. Why? Deep reds are warm and inviting, perfect for social spaces where you gather with friends and family; rich plum and berry shades are good choices, as is burnt terracotta, and sumptuous reds bring a room closer together at night and look amazing by candlelight.

More vibrant reds bring energy and dynamism that can stimulate conversation and social interaction, ideal in entertaining spaces, and home offices benefit from these qualities too, stimulating dynamic energy and creative inspiration.

Design with refined elegance

If you love a high-end look of refined elegance and want an air of sophistication, darker reds work better than bright ones; this style is more serious than playful, more traditional than relaxed, and burgundy and maroon fit it well, creating a grown-up, sophisticated air combined with grey, white or gold.

"A deep, dramatic red like Arts Club™ No.281 is sophisticated and intense, but also warm and welcoming, which makes it a great choice for a living room or dining room." - Dominic Myland, CEO.

Red also works as a wonderful backdrop to artwork, directing attention to that focal point while ensuring the art is the star, which is why it's the colour of choice at London galleries including Dulwich Picture Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery.