Warmth is so often the feeling we chase when we’re designing certain rooms in our homes, particularly living and relaxing areas like bedrooms, dining rooms, TV rooms, and lounges.
Rich, saturated shades in deep bold hues, are a short-cut to warmth and appealing cosiness and, arguably no colour does it better than a deep shade of red.
Though it can be a little intimidating at first thought, red is a surprisingly versatile shade, and when you work with the right moody tone, the results are bold yet sophisticated and classic.
“Red isn’t for the faint-hearted, but combined with the right shades in your palette, red can bring just the right amount of drama to a room,” says Resene Colour Consultant Meryl Southey.
Dark, rich reds with purple or rich quieter rooms like bedrooms, dining rooms or sitting rooms try darker rich reds with raisin or earthy brick undertones for the feel of a classic homestead, Meryl suggests.
Tasting the right red
If you like the idea of red but are still feeling a little unsure about making the bold commitment, a good place to start is to look at the full spectrum of Resene’s wine reds, which run the gamut from deep plum Rustic Red, through classic burgundy Merlot, to more mid-toned Vanquish, and on to more muted, yet moody reds like Persian Red and the almost garnet Cab Sav.
As with any bold, darker shade, it’s important to try your favourite Resene deep reds in your space, paying particular attention to light, both natural and artificial, to make sure you’re happy with how the light plays against your colour. If your room is naturally cooler, or on the south side of the house, look to deep reds with warmer undertones like Pohutukawa or Rustic Red to bring cosiness. For rooms that feel naturally warm try cooler undertoned shades like Dynamite or Merlot.
Once you have those colours in place, think about whether you want to intensify the sense of cocooning comfort, or pair your rich reds with palette cleansing, fresh neutrals or contrasts.
For a cocoon, try layering a heritage red like Resene Red Oxide with a slightly coppery-red like Lusty, and desert red-brown Redwood. For a velvety wine red look, try layers of Merlot with other rich reds like Aubergine and Cab Sav. It can also work well with muted charcoal neutrals like Oilskin for added drama.
Top tip: To maximise the luxe feel of your deep reds on walls use a low-sheen or matte finish such as Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen or SpaceCote Flat for a suede-like finish.
If you prefer some freshness with your rich reds, try peppery or brick tones like Resene Salsa with versatile off-whites like Double Merino or creamier Thorndon Cream. For more purple-hued reads like Pandemonium, try a delicately green toned neutral like White Noise and add contrast notes in soothing yellow Illuminate or spicy orange Kombucha.
For a blue-toned maroon like Rustic Red look to green-greys like Tana or classic white Sea Fog, and to up the drama, add key accents in olive Seaweed.
Meryl adds that if you want to go down the deep red route, remember you don’t have to go all in. Even touches of these bold shades will add intensity and visual impact. “These shades will always enliven your space, so it becomes about balance to make sure the space feels inviting and not chaotic.”
Other colour combinations to try:
Resene Cab Sav with soft apricot Wax Flower and botanical Spanish Green.
Resene Volcano with mid-toned neutral Half Tea, and deep cream Putty.
Resene Vanquish with fresh olive Frontier and rich beige Alpaca.
Resene Persian Red with citrusy Lemon Twist and moody Blue Night.
Resene Lip Service with pastel aqua Swans Down and vibrant Riptide.
The element of surprise
If you have a largely neutral colour palette throughout your home, one way to get maximum impact from your rich reds is to colour drench one room in them so you open the door to a dramatically different surprise from the rest of the house.
It would work well in a guest bedroom, spare bathroom or media room, even a master bedroom. The visual contrast between a versatile, subdued neutral colour palette through the heavy traffic areas of your home, move to a bold dark red space behind closed doors will double emphasise the impact of your reds.
To keep the colour drenched room feeling thematically connected to the rest of the house, use one or two accent notes of red in other rooms - on a painted decor piece, a picture frame, or a single piece of furniture.
Soften the impact
If a colour drenched room in deep red is a step too far, think about a single feature wall or even a single high-impact drop of colour behind a couch or sideboard. Bold reds can also work well in unexpected places like floors, or even ceilings; a great option to manage the proportion of your room if you have high ceilings.
On the floor go for high impact with two-tone checkerboard look, using Resene Walk-On paint tinted to pinot-hued Incarnadine, with greyed white Black White for a modern take on a classic look.
Top tip: For a painted checkerboard floor, paint the whole floor in two coats of Resene Walk-On in your lighter shade. When fully dry, mask out your check pattern and topcoat with your deep red.
A soft, blurring effect can be another effective way to get the drama of a bold red without overwhelming your space. Try a basecoat in a rich but rich red like Resene Lusty, then add a top coat of Shiraz mixed with FX Paint Effects Medium mixed and apply in a dappled effect with a large brush or a sponge to create a colourwashed look. FX Paint Effects Medium helps give your surfaces this slightly weathered or handcrafted effect that can soften the impact of a bold shade, while keeping your look unique and dramatic.
Top tip: Always try your paint effects on a sample section first and keep note of the recipe for the look you like best so you can recreate it.
Deep, moody reds are a powerful tool in your interior design toolbox and it only takes a little forethought and preparation to make the most of them in any room.
