The Unexpected Red Theory

Feb 27

Off white living room with blue bookcases and floral chintz fabric on a traditional style sofa with a red ceramic lamp and a block print pleated lampshade. — Elizabeth Hay

If you’re an interior design enthusiast, chances are you’ve been seeing red—literally. Something called “The Unexpected Red Theory” is making itself known in our design bubbles on social media. The theory is simply referring to the effect of including a bit (or more) red in a room. That it creates a bolder vibe with a little more personality can’t be argued. Interestingly, it can simultaneously add both more fun and more sophistication.

Spring green painted lower cabinets in a kitchen with a floral mural backsplash made from hand painted tiles. — Sophie Ashby

Cottage style kitchen designed by Rita Konig with open shelving and red and white check cabinet curtains. — Rita Konig

Dramatic entry with blue wallpaper behind a custom red console table, an antique gilt mirror, and two ted candlestick lamps with red pleated lampshades. — Sarah Vanrenen

Blush pink painted conservatory room with houseplants and red painted chairs. — Kate Guinness

Eclectic cottage style room with lots of houseplants and a red velvet sofa with chintz pillows. — Nicky Haslam

Eclectic coastal style room with a large scale patterned blue and white dhurrie rug and blue and white striped club chairs with bold geometric art in pink, red and yellow hanging over the mantel. — Nicola Harding

Blush pink painted walls with high gloss red lacquered window molding, a green striped rug, and multicolored wingback chair. — Lonika Chande

Small print green and white diamond patterned wallpaper covered room with dhurrie rug, yellow velvet sofa, and double gourd ceramic lamp with a red pleated lampshade. — Rita Konig

Bookcase covered walls with a navy sofa, a persian patterned ottoman and a red floral lampshade on a whitewashed wood lamp. — Mark and Georgie Rowse

Designed by Michael Dansk, this Scandinavian style room is painted with white walls and a green ceiling. The rug is a blue and white dhurrie and a large scale piece of red modern art hangs on the wall. — Michael Dansk

Elizabeth Hay designed workspace with blue painted bookcases, red desks, floral roman shades, and double gourd lamps with green and white block printed pleated lampshades. — Elizabeth Hay

Yellow painted walls surround a space with a bold red rug and a pale blue tuxedo sofa. — Rosie de Ruig

Green and white painted stripes on outdoor covered patio furnished as a living room with a rattan sofa and chairs and large tropical plants. — Nicolò Castellini Baldissera

The kitchen is such a fun place to add a bit of red.

red kitchen and dining options including glassware, timer, kettle, french press, linen napkins, utensils, salt and pepper mills

utensils/holder timer stemmed glassware small check napkins large check napkins salt and pepper mills kettle french press glassware dinnerware

A blue wall with a Ficks Reed wicker and rattan triple dresser, black and white checkered tile floors, and six multicolored paintings hung in a grouping by artist Christina Baker.

Abstract painting in greens, blues, neutrals, pinks and red available at Anne Irwin Fine Art.

Art is also a fantastic way to incorporate red into your space. The amazing pieces in this grouping are by Christina Baker and are available here. Christina masterfully works a bit of red into her abstract pieces, too.

If you’re looking for a touch of red, but not wanting to go all in, these are some gorgeous cushion options.