20 Red Room Ideas That Prove A Statement Color Never Goes Out Of Style
The red lipstick of interior design: classic but undeniably sexy.
Red is a hue that can evoke a number of emotions: It can be energizing and glossy in a living room, spicy and appetizing in a kitchen, and just sensual enough in a bedroom. However, choosing the right red can be tricky. (Remember when Mr. Big painted his bedroom bright red? A disaster!).
To make sure you don't go overboard, we've collected our favorite red walls from incredibly designed homes to help you find out the best way to pull it off. Browse on and get ready to work this statement hue into your next room makeover.
Red Library
Red doesn't always have to make a major design statement. In the library of a Houston home, the walls — painted in Fine Paints of Europe's #WC-48 — help to create a stylish and welcoming atmosphere. The library's sofa and ottoman are covered in a Pierre Frey linen velvet, the William Haines cane chair and cocktail table originally belonged to the owner's grandfather, and the artwork is by Vik Muniz.
Red Master Bathroom
The red-walled master bath of a Greenwich Village apartment has the original tile and sink, the ceiling light is by the Federalist and the etchings are by James Brown.
Red Guest Bedroom
Dubbed the Crimson Room, the guest bedroom of a historic English estate gives red a classic spin with the matching curtains and wall-covering by Bennison Fabrics. The 18th-century French bed's canopy is of a Colefax and Fowler silk lined with an Ian Mankin ticking; the rug is antique.
Red Kitchen
This two-tone kitchen brings some color to the quiet Connecticut countryside. In John Robshaw's kitchen, the walls are painted in Rose Quartz and the cabinetry in Starry Night, both by Benjamin Moore. The settee is by Richard Wrightman, the sink fittings are by Newport Brass, the ceiling lights are by Restoration Hardware.
Red Kitchen Corner
In a corner of John Robshaw's Connecticut country kitchen, the statement red wall is the perfect anchor for the Dutch plates he purchased in Sri Lanka and turbans he had made in India as gifts for friends. The Indian chair and table are from Privet House.
Red Master Bedroom
Evidence that just a pop of red will do, the master bath of a London townhouse is defined by its closet doors that have black-lacquered frames inset with red silk upholstery. The tub is by Villeroy & Boch, the steel vanity is a custom design, and the photograph is by Pablo López Luz.
Red Hallway
Try a statement wall color in transitional spaces like an entryway. In a space designed by Kelly Behun, the hallway vestibule has a red custom-lacquer finish and steel-and-glass pocket doors that lead to the kitchen.
Red Dining Room
Go for crimson in formal living and dining spaces, like this dining room in a family's Tuxedo Park, New York, home designed by Jeffrey Bilhuber. The Loop chairs surrounding the dining room table are a family heirloom. The chandelier lampshades are custom.
Red Children's Room
In this kid-friendly Manhattan duplex, the son's bedroom masters red with a few pops of the vibrant shade, including the felt rug by Patterson Flynn Martin and the map decal by Dezign With a Z.
Red Library
In the library of a Left Bank Parisian home, the red wall-covering is complemented by furniture of the same hue. The sofa is upholstered in a cotton damask, the armchair is covered in a silk velvet and the slipper chair is based on a Mongiardino design. The desk is Louis XV, the chandelier is Louis XIV and the 19th-century rug is Persian.
Red Guest Bedroom
Red walls don't always need to be approached with bright paint. In this slightly more muted red guest room in antiques dealer and interior designer Lorenzo Castillo's home, wallpaper by Sanderson creates a sophisticated yet sensuous backdrop for the space. The headboard is upholstered in a Valentino velvet, the bench is Louis XV–style and the Spanish mirrors are 17th- and 18th-century. The paintings are by Yturralde.
Red Dining Room
If you're not prepared to paint an entire wall red, try just part of the wall, as interior designer Celerie Kemble did on the trimming and wooden overlay on the mirror paneling of this East Hampton dining room. "We chose a deep raspberry color that was a few shades more pungent than the pink-red used in the centers of the peonies on the hand-painted Frontal scenic wallpaper," says Kemble. "The high gloss finish of the paint holds equal shine power to the reflective glimmer of the mirror and lifts some additional reflective elements up high to the ceiling, making the room feel dynamic and balanced." The trim color is Pantone's Tibetan Red, and the vintage chandelier is from D & G Antiques.
Red Library
In a couple's Houston abode designed by J. Randall Powers, vibrant red walls instantly draw attention to impressive pieces of art from the owners' collection — but this isn't a choice for the reserved. "Pulling off a red room is like pulling off red lipstick, because it takes guts and attitude," says Powers. "After six tries, we all agreed upon Tomato Red by Benjamin Moore. It's the perfect red to pair with rich woods, contemporary art and feels saturated enough to be the life of the party."
Red Kitchen
Warm rust is an appealing backdrop for a contemporary space, as proved in this Copenhagen kitchen belonging to gallery owner Mikael Andersen. The hue complements an earthy vintage table by Hans Wegner. The chairs are midcentury designs by Kaare Klint.
Red Bathroom
This bathroom may be in the Napa Valley home of interior designer Martha Angus, but she can't take credit for its colorful design. "My son, who was 12 years old at the time, chose this coral red and wanted it not just for the walls, but also for the baseboard, trim and ceiling," says Angus. "I asked him if he was sure he wanted so much coral red, but I'm pretty embarrassed I doubted him. I love the result of the bathroom color. It's a wonderful bathroom." Small bathrooms are ideal for experimenting with vivid colors on every wall (with larger bathrooms, it may be best to start with an accent wall).
Red Guest Room
A maroon red backdrop adds sophisticated dimension to a bed alcove in a guest room in the 11th-century Normandy, France, château of fashion designer Gérard Tremolet. The color echoes the red outlines throughout the rest of the spaces, drawing the red and bright yellow into one cohesive aesthetic. The wallcoverings and bed-curtains are of a Thevenon toile de Jouy and the bed alcove is lined in taffeta. The armchair is Louis XV, and the rug is Russian.
Red Child's Bedroom
In the East Hampton home designed by Kemble, bright red wallpaper offers a joyful contrast to the ceiling, painted in Benjamin Moore's American Cheese, and the blue striped rug by Dash & Albert. "We were excited by the big red color field behind the intricately-drawn continents, specifically how the red replaces the enormous blue of the ocean we are accustomed to seeing on a map," says Kemble. The bunk beds are by Pottery Barn Kids and are dressed in bedding Sferra.
Red Kitchen
Red adds an appetizing spice to kitchen design, as shown in this London flat designed by Alex Papachristidis. In quaint, elegant style, 19th-century neoclassical prints are displayed against Nina Campbell's Tamarin wallpaper from Osborne & Little.
Red Den
In the den of this 18th-century apartment on the Left Bank of Paris, the walls and 18th-century Chippendale armchair at right are covered in a Pierre Frey fabric, creating a warm atmosphere ideal for reading or conversation. The sofa by Howard and Sons is upholstered in a Charles Burger cotton, and the leather armchair is Regency; the custom-made tatami mat was inspired by an 18th-century Persian design.
Red Study
An English chandelier from the early 1900s stands out against the matte red walls in this Roman palazzo. The 19th-century painting over the door was found in a Palermo flea market. This room is an example of how red can blend well with neutral earthy colors, but also a bit of shine, for a cozy yet elevated aesthetic.
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