A Guide to Creating Moodiness and Ambience in Your Space
Photo by Possessed Photography on Unsplash
The red interior design trend is having a major moment today. From pale pink to deep burgundy, rich red shades are showing up everywhere, from design magazines to the endless design inspiration of Pinterest. While red is a beautiful and versatile shade, using it effectively can be intimidating.
So, how do you decorate with red, and make a space feel elevated instead of overwhelming if you want to incorporate this color into your home? The secret is harnessing the power of earthy reds. These deep, nuanced shades bring unmatched drama and allure to any room.
Red offers endless opportunities to create a rich, enveloping interior, from bold statements to subtle accents. This article will explore how to skillfully incorporate earthy reds through paint, textiles, furniture, and accents while discovering stunning ways to use red that feel inviting instead of overwhelming.
Unlock red’s potential to design a space that nourishes your spirit and enlivens your senses. This is the year to consider welcoming red into your home with confidence and flair.
Understanding Earthy Reds
Earthy reds are rich, deep shades of red that pull inspiration from raw, natural materials like brick, terracotta, paprika, and wine. “When using red in a color scheme, it’s best to choose shades that are rich and warm rather than loud and insistent,” explains Simon, head of interior design at Neptune. These earthy reds evoke feelings of coziness and warmth, unlike the intensity of primary reds. Typical earthy red hues include crimson, burgundy, rust, brick red, sangria, and garnet.
Unlike vibrant red, earthy reds create a more muted, subtle backdrop that still packs a punch of color. These deeper reds bring a sense of drama and sophistication to a space while feeling grounded and natural. Designers often describe earthy reds as “romantic” or “brooding” because they impart a moodiness and ambiance that bright reds cannot achieve.
The Psychological Benefits of the Red Interior Design Trend
Earthy shades of red have an irresistible psychological pull that enhances our interior spaces. Beyond just aesthetics, red speaks directly to our emotions. It sparks passion, boosts confidence, and creates an atmosphere of indulgence we crave.
Love and Connection
Red is primal. It conjures thoughts of love and passion, making it perfect for spaces meant to entertain and relax. Crimson-colored dining spaces accompanied by candlelight set the mood for impactful gatherings, and blush bedrooms full of textures and textiles, such as pillows and drapes, help create a backdrop for sensuality.
Refuge and Comfort
Shades of red in earthy, muted tones can have a soothing, comforting effect in interior spaces. Rather than invoking high energy or passion, these softer reds create a gentle, tranquil atmosphere. A bedroom or living room in an earthy terra cotta or brick red hue can feel enveloping and intimate, encouraging relaxation.
Distressed brick lends a cozy, weathered touch, perfect for rest and rejuvenation. Unlike bright, lively reds, these muted, earthy red tones establish a subtle meditative mood that helps reduce stress and anxiety. Choosing colors in this range can transform a home into a personal refuge and place of comfort.
Sophistication and Luxury
Deeper shades of crimson, rust, and garnet can help bring elegance to any space. Earthy reds feel luxurious and refined, unlike the potentially abrasive brightness of primary reds. Oxblood home offices or libraries lined with leather chairs create a sense of maturity and prestige. Whereas burgundy dining rooms swathed in candlelight help create romantic sophistication.
Alternatively, blush-colored powder rooms feel glamorously chic and feminine. Incorporating earthy reds into a home can add a refined, luxurious dimension to your space.
Impact and Self-Confidence
The rich vibrancy of red doesn’t just end with creating an atmosphere of love or luxury. It also commands attention. In its bold variations, this assertive hue is a powerful statement of self-assurance and optimism. When used in design, it naturally becomes a focal point, drawing eyes and eliciting reactions. Emma Deterding, the founder of Kelling Designs and KDLoves, aptly captures this sentiment: “‘Red makes people sit up and take notice and is a color that says you are self-reliant, optimistic, and know what you want. This effect is the same in interior design, as it can bring in a rich, warm color that will pack a punch.'”
Whether it’s an impactful art piece, a bold red wall, or statement furniture pieces, integrating such lively variations of red can reflect the homeowner’s confident choices and optimistic outlook. Homeowners and designers can create aesthetically pleasing interiors that resonate with determination and individuality by playing with these powerful shades.
Incorporating Earthy Reds in Wall Colors
Painting your walls in an earthy red shade is a gorgeous way to transform a room’s entire look and feel. When choosing a red paint color, aim for versatility. Pick earthier tones that can work with your existing furniture and décor. For most living spaces like dining rooms and living rooms, deeper reds like merlot, brick red, or burgundy create an elegant, enveloping warmth.
A red kitchen or dining room evokes appetites and creates an intimate gathering place. However, for the master bedroom, lighter reds like a blush rose, or terracotta can provide a peaceful sanctuary for rest and romance.
When painting a wall in your home a bold color such as these red tones, it is best to stick to just one accent wall to start, particularly in smaller spaces. This way, the room doesn’t feel overwhelming or small. Then, try integrating a neutral backdrop like white, beige, black, or gray walls to balance out the bold color. Also, consider using a matte or eggshell finish for red wall paint colors to keep the look muted and refined.
Complementary Colors for an Earthy Red Palette
When integrating earthy reds into a space, thoughtfully choose accent colors that highlight the red’s vibrancy while promoting visual harmony. Complementary colors work alongside a red color scheme to create depth and interest.
Beautiful Blues
Rich shades of blue beautifully complement earthy reds. Navy, cobalt, and sapphire blue accents and furnishings add striking contrast against crimson backdrops. Try incorporating dark blue curtains and throw pillows in a red living room, or paint bedroom nightstands in navy blue to pop against merlot walls. “Red can be a very strong color, and depending on the shade, I like to pair it with [calmer colors] to soften it,” says designer Betsy Wentz. “Red and blue are a classic combination, so for a more traditional look, I pair navy blue with shades of red.” The contrast between red’s warmth and blue’s coolness creates inviting spaces.
Warm Metallics
Metallics like bronze, brass, and copper work wonders with red. The sheen and luminosity of metals bring the red’s richness to life. Warm metallic finishes on lighting fixtures, hardware, and decorative accents give red palettes a subtle sparkle and sheen. Gold tones are especially complementary, creating rooms with an undeniable allure.
Creamy Whites
Red and white pair together beautifully. Crisp whites balance the dramatic nature of red. Painting the ceiling, trim, or accent wall in a bright, clean white provides contrast. Fold in plush white linens and decorative objects for a refined look. White rugs and furniture anchor the color red without muting its impact.
Warm Wood Tones
Natural wood finishes like oak, walnut, and mahogany are also known to complement red’s earthiness. Incorporating wood furniture, flooring, cabinetry, decor, or perhaps even some exposed beams can further enhance the organic vibe of red rooms. Distressed woods can greatly enhance red’s rustic elegance. With woods ranging from pale and whitewashed to deep espresso, this should provide much versatility when deciding which to pair with different shades of red.
Welcoming Red’s Vibrancy
Earthy reds bring a spirit of celebration and luxury to any room. Whether you want a bold statement or cozy elegance, red adds atmosphere and charisma. Even as an accent, red draws the eye with its energy. Introduce crimsons, rusts, and various wine colors through enticing textures and dramatic shapes to welcome red’s vibrancy.
Luxurious Red Upholstered Furniture
When used thoughtfully, earthy reds can add warmth and vibrancy to any space. Choose a few key accent pieces to welcome this rich hue into your home. A burnt orange leather armchair or lounge upholstered in deep Cognac leather immediately draws the eye while providing a sense of luxury. Similarly, a burnt orange or deep red Persian area rug underneath a living room seating area makes a statement with its saturated color.
Deep red dining chairs enveloped in garnet fabrics transform an ordinary table into a dramatic dining experience. Tufted merlot leather or burgundy chenille headboards establish bedrooms designed for sensuality and comfort.
Whatever the furniture, red upholstery commands attention. Combined with luxe materials like velvet and leather, red-hued upholstery cultivates an intimate atmosphere. It beckons inhabitants to sit, relax, and indulge in the space.
Eye-Popping Red Accents
Start small with red accents, like a magenta-colored ceramic vase filled with textured blooms. Arrange a trio of terracotta pots along a windowsill brimming with elaborate ferns. Roll out a Moroccan-inspired brick-red wool rug as your foundation. Paint a side table or chest of drawers in wine-like red for a bold pop of color. Add whimsical red art, like abstract watercolor prints in crimson frames.
Red accents can create bold focal points and elevate a space. They provide pops of color that can significantly help liven-neutral backdrops. Like confetti, red accents set an uplifting, celebratory mood when sprinkled thoughtfully throughout a room.
Gorgeous Red Statement Pieces
Once you feel comfortable adding red through various accents, consider incorporating this stunning shade into more oversized statement furniture. Red statement pieces command attention in a subtle yet striking way. They anchor and focus a room, providing a luxe focal point. Red’s saturated richness brings drama and intimacy to a space.
Rather than buying new, consider thrifting and vintage hunting for unique red statement pieces. For example, a distressed ruby leather Barcelona chair discovered at a local antique store brings aristocratic flair to a reading corner. An ornate garnet fainting couch from decades past adds a glamorous touch to a bedroom.
Complementary Pieces for a Red Room
Complementary furnishings and accents prevent rich red hues from dominating a space. When decorating with bold reds, it’s essential to balance them with complementary textures and materials. Hardwood furniture like oak sideboards or mahogany console tables ground the space with natural, organic textures. Whereas metallic accents such as brass sconces or wrought iron curtain rods add a touch of luxe shine.
Earthy Red Décor and Accessories
Decorative accents and accessories in rich red tones can bring further depth and dimension to any space. So, by using red décor thoughtfully to enhance your interior design palette, you can create a warm, inviting, and elevated space you have always envisioned.
Rugs and Pillows
Incorporate plush pillows in red velvet, wool, and embroidered cotton to infuse spaces with warmth. Additionally, a hand-loomed Moroccan-style rug in brick red makes a lively foundation for any room. Also, red area rugs help ground spaces while providing texture underfoot.
Wall Art
Transform blank walls into bold focal points by hanging abstract red paintings in matching crimson frames. Try creating a gallery wall that blends black-and-white photography with large, red-toned art for a striking contrast. By carefully curating wall art for your space, you can easily liven up neutral backdrops with a hint of red. Incorporating crimson-hued graphic prints or moody landscape photographs will instantly enhance your space’s look and feel.
Decorative Objects
Try displaying natural red ceramics like wide-rimmed terracotta bowls overflowing with leafy greens and fern-filled clay pots lined up along a windowsill or on your dining room table. Cluster merlot-colored glass vases, bottles, and trays atop open shelves for refined pops of color. Reddish-orange ceramics and deep red glassware add earthy vibrance.
Lighting
Lighting presents subtle opportunities to incorporate red in a space. Consider a crimson ginger jar lamp on an end table to cast a warm glow over a living room. Or make a statement with a bold ruby glass chandelier as the focal point above a dining table.
Don’t forget accent lighting as well. Install picture lights with oxblood shades over artwork to draw attention to favorite pieces. Place an antique floor lamp with a burgundy stained shade in a quiet reading nook.
Overall, thoughtful red lighting choices set a mood while still feeling integrated. Let red lamps, sconces, chandeliers, and reflections illuminate your interior space.
Bring Sophisticated, Earthy Red Hues into Your Home with Kaiyo
At Kaiyo, we’re committed to making sustainable interior design accessible and affordable. Our online marketplace offers a wide selection of pre-loved furniture to refresh your home while reducing waste.
We know choosing the perfect earthy red statement piece can be a challenge. That’s why our team of merchandisers curates the Kaiyo collection with pieces that allow you to incorporate red into your home. Browse our ever-changing inventory for dramatic sofas, cozy armchairs, and rustic wood media consoles.
Buying and selling used furniture keeps quality items circulating in homes longer. It’s one way you can make sustainable choices for your space. Kaiyo takes this commitment further by planting a tree with every order.
Visit Kaiyo today to discover earthy red furnishings that create sophisticated, inviting spaces. Let us help you welcome red into your home with confidence. We’re here to make sustainable interior design an elegant, accessible reality.
