With the arrival of Fall, we are anxious to get in step – design-wise – so that our habitats reflect the season. As tans fade, more rustic hues replace pastels and brights, our thoughts turn to pumpkin spice lattes, fireplaces and football. Unfortunately, our interiors often become an ode to the State Fair of Texas in October. If not incorporated (or eliminated!) rusts, forest greens, and yellows tend to make an interior feel dated. It’s time we explore how to put a new spin on an aging theme so we can turn out rooms with real impact. Let’s consider how red is our friend.

To begin, understand red. Unless you are a hospitality designer doing restaurants or casinos, red is best used as an accent color. It can be integrated in everything from lighting and candles to pillows and walls. An accent of red draws attention to other things you might not even notice in the room and given the installation less is often more.

The colour red you select will take it’s cue from your design style:

1)  Contemporary – Contemporary design incorporates neutral elements with pops of bold color, often red. Try bright red shades in a pillow, rug or throw.

2) Modern – From primary hues to classic shades with burgundy or brown undertones, any red you love will make a statement. Consider injecting red through a painting or piece of art.

3) Traditional – This design style shies away from primary reds and instead tries a red with burgundy or black tones. Oriental rugs with deep, rich reds are a great example.

4) Transitional – The neutral palette of this design style provides a perfect canvas for pops of red. Outdoor hues of red as used on a front door can be tied to reds you use inside the home. Inside, a softer and more indirect approach like a red lamp or piece of art will keep you from “seeing red!”

5) Country – Reds in this design scheme are chalkier and softer: Think barn or scarlet reds. Choose reds with pinkish and purplish hues, like the color of a ripening apple.

Again, you can keep this scheme more up to date by not overdoing the red but accessorizing with country reds in knickknacks and fabrics.

Long story short, you can be excited about warming up your design scheme as long as you take the preceding hints to heart. Use red but consider your space. Integrate it with new and novel colors besides the traditionals to make your space feel new and fresh. Forego the warning and scarecrows will start asking if you are renting rooms! If you choose to go bold, make sure your space can handle it. High ceilings, a muted wall color and lots of natural light help tone down a too bold hue and promise to turn your space into a design touchdown!