Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Inspiration

What colors go with red? How to complement this bold statement color

Amelia Wilson
By

Red is the perfect color for creating a bold statement in your home. It’s luxe, vibrant, and great for adding some personality to your space. Unfortunately, using red in your home design can be tricky. Too much of the color can leave a room feeling overwhelming, and pairing it with incompatible hues creates a design that feels choppy and confused. Today we’re giving you everything you need to know about this magnificent color to help you create a stunning design.

couple standing in front of window in a red painted room

What is the complementary color of red?

When searching for a shade to pair with red, you might immediately think of its complementary color. Using complementary colors in home design is a great way to achieve a cohesive palette with plenty of visual interest. When it comes to red, the complementary shade is green. For some people, it’s easy to associate red and green with Christmas. While the combination of those classic shades can look great around the holidays, it can look tacky in a year-round home design.

Related Videos

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t use both red and green colors in your interior! For example, a dark evergreen can be a lovely wall color to highlight and amplify muted red accent pieces. Alternatively, a subtle and washed-out green can be the perfect pairing for a bright and vivid red tone. To best pair red and green together in a color palette, opt for hues in different tints (a tint is any color that is lightened through the use of white). So, try pairing rich and vibrant shades with lighter, softer tints to create a look that is stunning to behold.

Related

What colors go with red?

Neutral shades

Neutrals are a popular option for homeowners looking to use red in their design. With warm undertones, luxurious browns and creams, and a gentle base for such a bright and lovely color as red, neutrals are one of the best options for building your color palette. Both warm and cool neutrals such as canyon shades, chocolate-browns, creams and off-whites, and grey-tinted colors are wonderful choices to pair with red. Whether you opt for a fiery red tone or a more subtle hue, neutrals can help your red pieces stand out in your design.

Monochromatic tones

Alternatively, monochromatic tones have long been a staple pairing with red. They allow the red to become a feature in any design without softening the look of the space. Unlike neutrals, true monochrome shades — like black, white, and grey — create an edgy look typically found in modern spaces. This color combination is a great way to create a sophisticated look while showing off vibrant red accent pieces.

Blue and green

If you prefer more color in your designs, other great color pairings for red are blue and green. Rich, jewel-toned blues are a beautiful color to add to your palette. They cool down the warm tone that red provides and allow you to experiment with color. Additionally, as we mentioned above, dark and muted greens are excellent pairings for red because they add a more natural feel while also allowing the red to shine.

red decor accents in kitchen and dining space

How to use red in your home design

Once you know which colors look good with red, it’s time to implement them into your design. Here are some of our favorite ways to use red in your home.

Use it as an accent color

Red is best used as an accent color in the home. Whether you opt for small red pieces like accent chairs, decor, or side tables, or go grand with red feature walls or kitchen cabinets, it’s best to use the color sparingly to create a curated design. Try to use compatible colors as the base of your design and incorporate smaller elements of red for nice pops of color.

Don’t go overboard

One of the issues many homeowners face when decorating with red is going overboard. Red is a bold color, so in excess, it can feel abrasive and overwhelming. While it’s OK to use red as one of the core colors in your palette, try to use it minimally. However, muted reds or other tints in this hue can look stunning on walls and the ceiling. Just make sure you have some unique and bold furniture pieces to match the attitude this shade will bring to your room!

Pair it with light, muted colors

Muted colors like washed-out blues and greens, monochromes, and neutrals are some of the best shades to pair with red. Bright red, in particular, is best used as an accent color to stand out against these softer backdrops. A muted red room with neutral-toned furniture can also create an alluring space that feels opulent and inviting.

But don’t be afraid to go moody as well

One of the best things about using red in your design is that it is the perfect romantic shade for a moody interior. Pair a rich, velvety red with black or dark grey for the perfect moody suite. Or create a stunning at-home library, office setting, or living space with vibrant red accents alongside black leather. Adorn the room with neutrals and glass decor pieces to prevent clashing. Allow the red to become a splash of color amid a darker setting.

Red is a fantastic color to use in the home, and it can be both exciting and moody. Depending on your color palette, you can create a fun, maximalist dream or opt for something more subtle and modern. If you’re new to using the color or want to experiment with it in your design, we recommend starting slow and first using it as an accent. Once you’ve gained some confidence, try using it on a feature wall, or paint an entire room in this lovely shade!

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
5 expert tips to personalize your home design in 2023
Get personal with these expert tips for your home's vibe.
Couple planning their living room layout together

Interior design trends shape the way you style your home, but personalization is where you get to shine. Personalizing your home's interior decor is a great way to achieve a vibe by using colors, textures, and materials. The overwhelming tone of 2023 in home design is creating a space where you feel good. If this seems like too broad a statement, keep reading -- we'll have you on your way to personalizing your home design in no time with these expert tips.

Don’t worry about matching
Gone are the days when you must worry about matching colors and textures inside your home. This is excellent news for anyone who always felt their personality was much less tidy than their home’s vibe. Jon Sanborn, the co-founder of SD House Guys, suggests "mixing different metals throughout the house to create a more unique and interesting look." Think brass hardware in the kitchen with stainless steel appliances. Just don't get carried away -- paying no mind to matching colors could get dangerous.

Read more
This is the simple way to incorporate sustainable design when remodeling your home
Do your part for the environment when considering your next remodel
Kitchen remodel plans

When it comes time to renovate your home, there are a lot of decisions to make. Designing your space with your personal style in mind is just the beginning. Cost, DIY vs. hiring a contractor, and schedule all come into play. But what if you also want to incorporate sustainable home designs into your remodel? Considering the environmental impact when making design choices doesn’t have to be difficult at all. Check out some simple ways to remodel sustainability below.

Home design trends have moved toward sustainability and eco-friendly -- recycled materials, low-energy lighting and appliances, organic fabrics and materials, and high-quality indoor air. Katherine Cohen, associate creative director at Interface and FLOR says this means many people are now selecting products from companies and brands that prioritize sustainability and offer environmentally friendly products. And while this may mean paying a higher price for specific products, many people now consider this extra cost a built-in expense of living responsibly.
Reuse, recycle
If you’re worried about cost or remodeling on a budget, don’t worry -- you can still remodel sustainably without breaking the bank. Repurpose, reuse, recycle, salvage, and reimagine your way into environmentally conscious home design. Use reclaimed wood for floors or a bed frame, reuse cabinets and light fixtures when possible, and buy pre-owned decor from garage sales or local secondhand shops.
Buy responsibly
If you’re concerned with the environment, one way to do your part is to cut down on the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) you’re responsible for. VOCs harm the environment by creating smog and also pollute indoor air. Check for brands that have options with no VOCs, or at least go with a brand that has less than 5g/L of VOCs. You can also look into buying appliances that are better for the environment, such as a tankless water heater.

Read more
These are the luxe design trends experts say will elevate your home interior
Luxe design style to up your interior design game
Person sitting at design table with different drawings and color choices

Interior design trends are always changing and sometimes they can be hard to keep up with. Luxe design trends are sophisticated and elegant without looking like you’ve tried too hard. This usually pricey style appears across all design styles, though, so it’s not that unattainable if you want to try to up your interior design game. Experts agree that design trends are moving toward more unique aesthetics, so choosing a luxe design style may now be more doable than ever. Check out the trends experts think will elevate your home decor this year.
Unique and custom pieces
Design trends have moved away from modern and sterile and have become more homey and unique. This is excellent news for anyone looking to add some luxe items to their home decor. Since luxury pieces aren’t usually cheap, the purchase can be more justifiable if you invest in something timeless that will be in your family for years to come. Even if you choose to go with a custom piece or two, like the hand-crafted ironwork that has been popping up everywhere, you won’t regret the purchase years from now, if it’s a design you truly love and not just a passing fad.

Micro-luxury
Jessica Sommer, VP of Wedgewood Homes & Maverick Design, explains that this rising trend "introduces the idea of going all out in a smaller space, or going 'all in' on just one luxury element used in combination with more budget-friendly items." For example, use high-quality materials for the bathroom floors and counters mixed with more cost-effective items to give an overall luxury look but not break the bank. This is also a good place to sneak in some decadent patterns like damasks and large florals that are making a huge comeback.
Technology
Speaking of luxury, smart technology will continue to work its way into more parts of the home, especially in luxe designs. Even with bedrooms and bathrooms, we are starting to see more and more tech integrated to include charging areas in furniture, adjustable heights for mattresses, and additional features that make the home feel more like a place of rest and pampering. With more time spent at home over the past years, people are really taking the time to make their homes feel like a place of serenity.

Read more