Red colour in lounge?

Question

I am getting my living room decorated. Most of the walls are painted white and I have a lot of accessories such as a rug, curtains and cushions all in shades of dark red. I am thinking of getting one wall painted in dark red (Moroccan velvet or salsa red) but not having enough courage to go through with it. I am scared I will end up with a very strong colour which I might end up hating.
Any advice will be truly appreciated.

Answer 1

Brilliant idea! I love the idea of using one wall as a dramatic accent wall. To give you some courage, have a couple of quarts made up in your color choices. Either paint large swatches on the wall directly or get some chip board or luane at the hardware store and paint on the colors. Watch the sample boards at different times of the day and evening, under different lighting conditions to see how you like it.

Remember, it is only paint! If you don't like it you can glaze over it with a pearl or gold to tone the color down. Or simply change the color by painting it a different color. I give you a lot of credit for even considering that kind of dramatic color, but it usually turns out to be an elegant, sophisticated accent.

Answer 2

The use of color is also something very personal. It stimulates our senses, power our mood, and helps create a particular ambiance. How we respond to an individual color depends on our nature, extroverts tend to feel happy with bold colors, while introverts prefer more passive colors.

Through using specific combinations of color, combined with a careful consideration of simple color schemes is often the most effective.

Try not to use more than one or two principal colors in a room, as well as a contrasting or balancing tone. The best way to choose a background color for the room is to trial with a palette of different shades and tones, in combination with the color and textures of the furniture and materials. Remember the general color schemes of a home have to be in agreement. The walls define the space in a room, while the colors, to a large degree, define the mood.

Colored light, furnishing materials, and structural proportions, we can create a home that is welcoming, helpful, and comfortable. Walls are similar to background music: each color tone is like a musical note can create a pleasant-sounding harmony while others grate with each other.

The color with which we surround ourselves will without doubt have an effect on us, and so it is important to feel comfortable with our choice. A discussion with a professional color consultant can help to decide individual needs and select appropriate color.

Colors can be divided into three main groups: those that stimulate and uplift, those that relax and calm, and those that provide harmony or balance. So, having taken a number of things into thought when decorating a room, such as the size of the space, the amount of light, the function if the room, and the style and mood we wish to create, we finally, and most importantly, need to consider the needs of the people who use it.

Answer 3

Take a photo of your lounge with your digital camera, load it up to your computer, then open the picture in your basic paint program. "Paint" the wall in the photo with the color you are considering. If you like the way it turns out in the pic, most likely you'll like it in real life. If not... play around with another color. You may discover something different that works better.

Oh, and if you don't have a digital camera, take a pic with your regular camera. Make a few large color copies of the photos you take, and then "paint" the wall in the color you were considering (buy a marker or color pencil that's close to the color you were wanting in your lounge).

Hope that helps. Good luck!


Good luck.

Answer 4

Everyone is afraid of colour the first time they use it in a different way than they usually do. It sounds great tho. And remember it is only paint. If you end up hating it, just paint over it. So I say, "Go for it!"

Answer 5

Red is a very strong, emotional color and a dark shade may overwhelm the room. Think about a more muted shade, like an adobe red...

Answer 6

Do it! Gosh it's just paint - you can paint right over it if you don't like it. Just remember it will take a few weeks for the colour to cure and reach its true potential. Enjoy!

Answer 7

Hi Brc,
Go for it....you only live once!!....if you truly don't like the results, you can always paint over it. By the sounds of your accessories, it'll turn out fine. Good Luck.
Angie