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It's remarkable just how much emotion the color red can evoke in a home. A muted, brick tone enveloping a library asserts a sense of comfort and warmth whereas a lacquered cherry in the salon hints at something much more dramatic. Even the soft rose and corals shades of the floral fabrics covering sofas in convivial living rooms bring out a certain romance. Whatever the shade of your choice, it's easy to see how red injects energy into a space.
Since the eye-catching tone inherently makes a statement whenever it's deployed, it can be tricky to get right. Start small with ruby accessories sprinkled throughout the den or play with Venetian red trims lining upholstered chairs in the dining room. This allows you to see just how the color makes your home before you make the call to cover your bedroom is a sexy scarlet shade.
To make the process even simpler, we've gathered our favorite red rooms from the VERANDA archives to help you make the leap and swathe the walls with this bold color. From rich auburns to earthy rusts, there's a perfect shade of red for everyone.
Cardinal Red
According to Italian-born designer Alessandra Branca, red is life, and we couldn't agree more. The glazed dining room walls in her Chicago townhouse create a vivacious spirit that lends itself perfectly for the holidays or an intimate dinner party. The Maison Jansen chairs are covered in a Casa Branca fabric.
Cherry Red
A sleepy Victorian-era rowhouse in the heart London is revived with the help of lively color and buzzy patterns. Interior designer Gary McBournie doused the walls of the main living room in a delicious cherry red that perfectly frames the cheerful window seat. The striped banquette fabric is produced by Pierre Frey.
Persian Red
For this Connecticut game room, decorator Ashley Whittaker needed to ensure the quaint space exuded a playful spirit that matched its intended use. This was achieved by utilizing two 18th-century Indo-Persian borders by Pierre Frey which is not only a transportive take on the traditional striped wallpaper but it feels exciting and youthful. The game room’s polished brass drinks tables are by Soane Britain.
Striped Red
Decorator Anthony Baratta dials up the drama in this Upper West Side pied-à-terre with Americana style. Stripes assert themselves throughout the bedrooms both boldly as wallpaper (Bennison) and more subtly as trims that emphasize the contours of furnishings. The pineapple-finial bed is Baratta’s own design.
Muted Red
Inspired by her father’s iconic red rooms, decorator Alexa Hampton wanted to challenge the notion that red can't be used in the bedroom for the Kips Bay Show House. Hampton's most important tip is to always balance the fiery shade with a crisp white to create artful contrast. The new digitized collection of maps by Gracie covering the walls further balances the bold space.
Auburn Red
Designer Todd Romano dared himself to push taste to its limits in his modest two-story, Georgian Revival home in San Antonio. Auburn wool felt walls (Claremont) make artwork and Peruvian mirrors come alive in the primary bed. A Louis XV-style step stool in gauffrage velvet (Lee Jofa) sits at the end of the bed.
Tawny Red
Tawny cashmere walls provide an animated backdrop for historic fabrics and modern furnishings in this Markham Roberts-designed den. A cartouches printed linen (Rose Cummings) and a Kashmir wool paisley (Clarence House) dress the custom sofa and slipper chair. The Mandala artwork is by Julia Condon.
Rosy Red
Roses climbing the walls evoke the thriving garden just outside the windows of this primary bedroom at Caroline Gidiere's exuberant Alabama home. The wall and drapery fabric is by Décors Barbares.
Vermilion Red
An antique Venetian fabric cloaks the walls of the entry and creates a lively welcome for guests visiting designer Micky Hurley's exquisite Paris loft.
Scarlet Red
In the library of Charolette Moss's Manhattan townhouse, the scarlet walls energize her impressive collection of paintings, creating a rejuvenating place to reflect and think. The Century sofa is covered in chocolate and cream linen by Bernard Throp.
Brick Red
The earthly palette decorating the guest rooms at The Alisal Guest Ranch by designer Nathan Turner directly reflects the resort's surroundings. The brick-red walls (Picture Gallery Red by Farrow & Ball) pull the warm tones out of the rustic bed linens.
Coral Red
Designer Miles Redd took color cues from the coral reef cays of the Abacos and covered the walls of this Baker's Bay bedroom with a muted-geranium wallcovering. The headboard and bed linens are from Serena & Lily.
Sarah DiMarco (she/her) is the associate editor at VERANDA, covering all things design, architecture, art, gardens, jewelry, travel, wine and spirits. She also manages social media for the brand.
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