More red:

Hotel Franks

We see red - “unexpected red” at that!

Seriously - a new trend colour?

Obviously, peach fuzz is not an easy colour in fashion, and the same is true when designing rooms and creating colour schemes. That's why we detect no more that discreet whiffs of it in interior spaces, in patterns or as home accessories.

Red, then.

Which one? And where does it come from?

Red means a real, bright and cheerful red colour. A cherry red, usually to be found on fingernails and lips.

In fashion, it has spread from fingers and lips to accessories such as trainers, bags, hats, and scarves; it's quite clever to wear red socks, a trick to integrate the trend colour into your own style with almost no effort. Little effort and a lot of effect — that's all it takes to create a fresh spring look.

The “Unexpected Red Theory”

“It suggests that anything red, big or small, will make a room look better instantly,” explains Brooklyn-based interior designer Taylor Migliazzo Simon in a green-screen TikTok video.

Behind her, photos of rooms appear each featuring a red accent. Since Migliazzo Simon published the video on 16 January, it has been viewed almost a million times.

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SPOILER!

Used properly, red can be sophisticated and playful. However, you shouldn't expect to simply place a red cushion on the sofa and the whole room is immediately perfect.

A red accent can be stylish and timeless, especially when used in the right way. However, always expect red to have a polarising effect — and that some people won't like your new red cushions.

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Red as an interior design colour

How it works: tips & tricks

#01: Mix with neutral colours

Starting out, our advice is to pair red with neutral colours. If you're rather cautious, we recommend mixing red elements with neutral colours such as beige, brown, white and black.

While other primary colours also work, red has a exceptionally striking presence. You can start small, for example by adding a bouquet of red tulips to test the effect.

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#02: Choose complementary colours

Complementary colours are those colours located opposite each other in the colour wheel, they create a natural overall picture. Thus, red goes well with green.

For example, a red lamp on a wooden table against a green backdrop can produce an appealing contrast. As an alternative, colours ranging from green to blue may also be used to complement red.

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#03: the best materials

Choosing the right materials is equally important as the colour scheme. Use of plush, feathers and too much velvet should be avoided, they easily produce a cheap ambience.

Natural materials like pale wood, brass and bamboo complement red tones and add warmth and harmony. Linen can also emphasise this natural look.

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# 04: Place red it-pieces

Integrating red furniture can be tricky. Therefore, always make sure that the colour is not too bright.

A subtle red colour has a warm effect and can still be the primary feature in the room. It is especially easy to integrate a red chair, lamp or stool into an existing interior. For aficionados: a small wall in red or steps in red are sure to spark conversation and emotion.

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CONCLUSION

A CLEAR YES, BUT …

Identifying trends is our very essence. We love the challenge to integrate them into our day-to-day work. And we also love to surprise - others and ourselves. A great example of red as a strong design element: Hotel Franks, where red colour accents originate from the logo and are stylishly placed throughout the hotel. Chapeau!

Otherwise, we recommend a relaxed approach when using the colour red. Relaxed and with a little caution. This way, designing using this colour is fun and will eventually stir up emotions.

Images: home INTERIOR, Shutterstock