Energetic, passionate and dominant, red is often assumed as one of the most powerful colors in the spectrum. Whether it’s lipstick or a full painted wall in a living room, the allure of red is undeniable.
With all this appealing it’s only fitting that Scarlet Red is coming stronger as one of the top Trends in décor for 2018. Studies have shown that red increases brain activity and drives both physical stamina as well as a feeling of hunger making this color ideal to use in a kitchen or a living room. Also Scarlet Red can be sexual and romantic, making it perfect to use in a bedroom.
Did you know that red backgrounds increase the attractiveness and desirability of a person standing in front of it?
Bright red took hold on runways for this next season. Designers like Jason Wu embraced the returning trend of the business suit and it seems square shoulders are here to stay. The modern working women needs a combination of comfort and sophistication that translates in exaggerated suit jackets and coats. Gucci and Dior provided more artful options with asymmetric and transparent long dresses with the use of floral patterns.
As bold and captivating as it might be, this color needs to be used carefully. Color experts have also described red as such a stimulating shade that it has distracting effects that reach into our subconscious.
This makes scarlet red not such a desirable color to use in places where thoughtful work will be done as offices or working areas. Today red is seen as both traditional and trendy depending upon its use and if done right this color mixes well with almost any color scheme.
Red grabs focus and easily becomes the defining element of a space. Scarlet red or orange tones can make you feel energized and alive, while subtler shades of burgundy or maroon can evoke the cozy, insular vibe of an old fashioned space.
So how do you decorate with red without going overboard?
It’s easy to design a room around furniture in neutral shades, but decorating around brightly colored elements may be a challenge. One way to decorate around scarlet red is to treat them as the focal point of the room, using plenty of neutral color throughout the rest of the room to keep the red toned down.
Scarlet red is such a high-impact color, that furniture in this shade dominate the room. Avoid using other bold colors in the same room, as some colors create visual conflict and don’t make the mistake of filling the room with red décor as too much color may overwhelm the space.
Tan, beige, cream and gold are neutral colors that work well with scarlet red. Balance the scarlet red by repeating it in small degrees. The most correct way to make this is to use red within small décor pieces and accents, such as throw pillows, wall art, flower vases, lamps, upholstery, draperies or other items.
When using red as a wall color choice, remember that red paint has the potential to make a room feel smaller. Not to mention, red is extremely intense and can dominate a room if overdone.
Hope you’ve been inspired to add a little pop of red in your home!