10 Ways To Decorate with Red

Southern Living

Like a bold lipstick, just a little hit of red can boost a room’s mood and appearance. Use our tips to find just the right shade for your home.

Story by Melody Kitchens 

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Welcoming Wreath

Photo: Robbie Caponetto

Invite guests into your home with a bold entrance that's decked with a seasonal wreath in one color. If you prefer something a little more retro, simply glue classic red ornaments to a grapevine wreath instead. 

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Patterned Pillows

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

This well-designed space proves adding red to your home is as simple as a throw pillow. Even if you don't include much red in the rest of your home's color palette, pick a red in your favorite pattern or two, and voila! It'll more than likely fit itself into the rest of your design.

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Standout Accessory

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Pack a big punch in any room with cherry red accessories. Add a red vase in an otherwise neutral entryway, place red office accessories atop a white Parsons desk, or add a red trim to a simple table runner. The options are limitless!

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Coffee or Accent Table

Photo: Matthew Millman

As one of the smaller furniture pieces in a living room, a red coffee or accent able is the perfect way to make an eye-catching statement without overwhelming the space.

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Lighting

Photo: Eric Piasecki

Glossy red lamps reflect light beautifully. Take a note from this space and test the hue in your space with these bright accessories that are just as easy to add as they are to take away. 

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Dining Room Seating

Photo: Helen Norman

Doubling as cheeky accent pieces, chairs painted in a bright red lead the eye around the table. Try reinventing vintage seating with a couple coats of inexpensive high-gloss spray paint. 

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Bedding

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

For such an iconic color, red is underused in bedroom decor. Try crisp white bedding piped with red trim and tailored monograms. Smaller bits of the strong shade are easier to handle, or try your hand at a full-fledged design like this stunning creation by Caroline Robert. 

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Skirted Table Fabric

Photo: Paul Costello

A patterned red fabric, topped by another shade of pinky-red fabric, brings a fun focal point to an otherwise formal space. 

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Trim Paint

Nothing stands out quite like a true, classic red paint color. If it's too overwhelming for a whole wall, try framing your space with red painted trim. Or, make a bigger statement and paint a rich red on a set of double doors.

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Wallpaper

Photo: Eric Piasecki

In small powder rooms, pulling off large-scale, patterned wallpaper is not only doable, but lovely. Try a print that incorporates red throughout its design to create a chic space to freshen up in. 

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