Punch It Up With Red

How to use red in your decor with out getting knocked out

 What do you think of when you imagine the color red? Bright, bold, fun, exciting, passionate, juvenile, sultry or even garish; the color red can be any of these things.

For some people, the idea of using red in their decor scares the dickens out of them. Red done right is captivating. Red done wrong is just bad. It’s no wonder so many people are afraid of it! Drop your fears because help is on the way. We’ve all seen those little color swatches in the paint stores. They have about a million shades of every color known to mankind. Well, maybe not that many, but they do offer enough to make your head spin. They are meant to help, not overwhelm. Honest! You can use these samples to help choose colors for paint, accessories and everything in between. They are free for the taking, so grab one in every shade of red available. That way you won’t be wondering about all the shades of red you didn’t pick and whether you’ve made the right choice.

The secret to using red is to use the right shade of red for the look you are trying to achieve. Lay your paint swatches out and then organize them into groups that fit into the following categories:

Juvenile or Party:  Think bright, primary, loud and fun

Feminine:  Think softer shades of red that lean toward pink

Masculine:   Think dark, dusty shades of red that are complimented with black, dark wood tones and leather

Sultry or Sophisticated:  Think deep shades of red (stay away from fire engine red, it belongs in the juvenile group)

Ethnic:  Think warm, almost rusty shades of red that are complimented by earth tones

You may find that some shades fit more than one category. They can. The whole point is to get you to recognize the different feel that various shades of reds give off. Then you’ll be able to narrow your choice down to the group that best represents the feeling you’d like your room to have.

When choosing your shade of red, think about the colors that will be used in the room with it; white, black, brown, jewel tones, earth tones or pastels. Hold your red next to these colors and you will quickly see which ones clash and which ones compliment.

No matter what shade you choose, red is a strong bold color that holds a lot of energy. It is safe to say that a little goes a long way. If you plan on painting your walls red, be careful. Red can easily overwhelm a room. If you really want red on the wall consider painting an accent wall that is the focal point of your room. And make sure that it is the focal point, because the minute you paint it red it will get all the attention! Red is a very effective accent color, use it deliberately and sparingly.

Red really is a fun color that has the power to energize a room like no other color can. Take the time to choose the right shade of red to add ‘punch’ to your decor. You’ll be glad you did!