Red decor ideas and inspirations for your bedroom

Top wall in Pale Lilac™ No.246, bottom wall in Theatre Land™ No.282.

Red may sound an unusual and somewhat daring colour choice for a bedroom. It breaks many interior design conventions which recommend calm, serene, neutral colours on bedroom walls. But what if you like being unusual and daring and move away from the traditional neutral and serene tones? Red bedroom walls can enhance your home design while reflecting your warm personality.

“Red is a bold colour choice, but it's not as intimidating if you know how to choose the right shade,” says Dominic Myland, CEO of Mylands. “Deeper reds like Huguenot™ No.49 are ideal if you’re looking for an earthier tone, while brighter hues like Red Post Hill™ No. 68 are lively, fun and vibrant, and an exciting way to make a statement.”

There are varying shades of red, as Dominic explains. Choose from theatrical shades to add drama and impact, to deep, rich hues that feel warm and comforting, and floral reds that have a natural, rosy appeal. Here are 18 ways to incorporate a sophisticated, red colour scheme in a bedroom.

1. Use red as a highlight

Red is a great colour for accents and features, especially if you do not want to commit to an entire wall or room. A red accent wall adds interest, warmth and personality without being overwhelming. It’s a good idea to add notes of the same red tone elsewhere in the room - perhaps on a duvet or cushion cover - so it is not a completely isolated colour choice.

Use red to draw attention to a specific area of interest - perhaps a chimney breast with an ornate fireplace or bookshelves displaying your favourite reads.

Wood in Cadogan Stone No. 59 and Fireplace in Mortlake Red No. 290.

Walls in a bespoke Dulwich Red for the permanent collection at the Dulwich Picture Gallery.

2. Create a red wall as a backdrop for artwork

A red wall will catch the eye instantly. If you have artwork that makes a statement, set the wall art against a red background to make real impact. You could create a captivating gallery wall of pictures, prints or textiles to great effect.

Mylands has produced bespoke red paint colours for Dulwich Picture Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery to showcase their remarkable art perfectly. Mylands Dulwich Red is a warm hue with a hint of terracotta, specifically created to emphasise the light of Dulwich Picture Gallery’s exceptional Enfilade.

3. Try darker shades of red

Walls in Red Post Hill™ No.68.

Experiment with darker reds for depth and sophistication in your home decor. If you have a dark bedroom without much natural light, you can embrace that by colour drenching the whole room in a deep, red colour to create a cocooning effect. You will feel enveloped by warmth and a sense of comfort which is ideal in a bedroom. Mylands Arts Club™ No 281 is a rich, sophisticated choice that is ideal for this look.

4. Whimsical elegance

Bring the outdoor garden feeling indoor with Blomster JB01 from the Mylands x Jinny Blom collection.

Balance whimsy and stylish elegance with vintage-inspired designs and touches of red. Red is the colour of poppies, tulips, peonies, strawberries and cherries. Bring the outside in, with natural floral shades of red. Go maximalist or more subtle in your design approach. In a guest bedroom, this can be fresh and inviting whilst making a memorable stay.

5. Fun and playful graphics

Add vibrant red accents and bold patterns for an energetic and lively atmosphere. A touch of red will lift a room, perhaps as a floral, stripe or graphic print. That could be through textiles and soft furnishings. Here, a striped blind in red and neutral colours makes a fun feature alongside a bright red window frame using Mylands FTT-009™ - Bright Red.

This is a great option in a child’s bedroom. You can make playful additions that pack a punch without feeling over the top. Just remember that larger patterns can feel overpowering in a small bedroom, so it’s better to use smaller prints.

Window frame in FTT-009™ - Bright Red and walls in Cotton Street™ No.3

Walls in Arts Club™ No.281

6. Refined sophistication

Achieve luxury with deep red hues and elegant furnishings for a sophisticated feel. Red can be a very traditional, grand colour. Coupled with antique furniture, artwork and elegant accessories, deep red colour schemes add a sense of grandeur.

Accentuate period features like wall panelling with a strong red shade. In this image, Mylands Theatre Land™ No 282 draws the eye to the panelled wall which is paired with the softer, lighter Mylands Pale Lilac™ No 246.

7. Warm and cosy nooks

Create inviting spaces with soft red throws and pillows for comfort and relaxation. Zone an area of your bedroom - be that a bed nook or cosy reading area - defined by a warming red colour. It’s an easy way to create an comforting small space that you will want to curl up in.

8. Bold striking statements

Make a statement with dramatic red focal points. That does not have to mean painted red walls. You could make a statement with red bedroom furniture. Look for stylish red bed frames in wood or metal or even a dramatic canopy bed. A red sofa or armchair in opulent, luxe fabrics like velvet make an eye-catching addition to a bedroom.

Top wall in Pale Lilac™ No.246, bottom wall in Theatre Land™ No.282

9. Harmonious coordination

Bed frame in Red Post Hill™ No.68, walls in Enamel™ Blue No.78.

Coordinate red with complementary colours for a cohesive and balanced look. Whether that is adding pops of red to an otherwise grey bedroom or contrasting a bold red bedroom with grey, neutral tones, it’s important to add contrast and balance. You do not want elements to jar, especially in the room that you use for relaxation and rest.

Another clever colour combination is a red and pink bedroom. As they are from a colour palette with the same tones, they sit very comfortably together.

10. Combine red and blue

Book Shelf in Red Post Hill™ No.68, walls in Enamel Blue™ No.78.

Pair your choice of red with blues and neutrals for a timeless look. In this child’s room, Mylands Red Post Hill™ No. 68 brings a lively, fun and vibrant energy. That is balanced out by the more serene Mylands Enamel Blue No 78. Blue makes a departure from standard white walls whilst still providing a light, contrast colour to vibrant red.

Wall, skirt and floor in Plum Tree® No.283.

11. Layer earthy tones

These more muted, natural red tones work well in a bedroom. They are warm, soft and appealing. They still make an impact, but without the vibrancy. Think different shades of terracotta, sunset and brick red layered in harmony. These are tones that you’ll be equally happy to snuggle up within at night and wake up to in the morning.

Bedroom wall in Hugenot™ No.49.

12. Luxurious decor

Elevate your space with opulent red and gold bedroom colours for a luxurious feel. You can really build drama with this gorgeous colour combination. Try the sumptuous crimson red Huguenot™ No.49 with the dazzling FTT-001™ - Rich Gold. It is a classic, regal colour combination that pairs beautifully.

To increase the luxe factor even further, add a glass chandelier, stylish mirrors or plush floor coverings.

Wall in Arts Club™ No.281

13. Create a romantic ambiance

Give your bedroom a romantic makeover with soft red tones. Warm red colours can add just the right amount of spice or sultriness. Tactile soft furnishings in sumptuous red tones, beautiful red floral arrangements and textured fabrics can all help to create the right ambience for your room.

14. A modern mix

Red does not only work as a heritage or traditional colour scheme. It can be used to create a modern bedroom look with a striking contrast of red and black.

Black and white is a popular monochrome choice for a contemporary bedroom style and red makes a great addition to that colour scheme. Uplift stylish black and white photographic prints by placing them on a red wall as a backdrop. Add red accent pieces like lamps, rugs or cushions in an otherwise monochrome room. It is a contemporary classic style.

15. Back to black

Black bedroom furniture and accessories add a sleek, sophisticated style, however a red and black bedroom takes this contemporary look to another level. It works best with stark, minimalistic styling. Polished Art Deco influences work well with this colour combination, or a 1980s aesthetic if you prefer.

16. Inject the wow factor

Red is a brave choice of bedroom decor colour so it really lends itself to a room with heaps of character and personality. Showcase unique red features like amazing artwork, eclectic artefacts, vibrant decorations or dramatic lighting features. You want a jaw-dropping reaction to your red bedroom: explore your creativity, design a room that makes you smile .

17. Draw attention with a feature headboard

Make an impact with a bold red headboard as the focal point. It may seem an unusual statement piece, but it works. If you are looking for a statement piece in an otherwise plain white bedroom, this is a perfect idea. Soft, luxe fabrics like velvet are ideal for feature headboards. For something more unusual, you could look for beautiful exotic or custom fabrics.

18. Liven up your space with a red rug

A large red rug add warmths and personality. It will also bring a neutral scheme tolife. It is especially effective when it is layered with accessories in similar shades.This is a great way of making seasonal updates to a room. When it turns colder inautumn and winter, add a vibrant red rug will instantly change the feeling of the roomand make it more inviting. This is a good tip for a living room, not just a masterbedroom.

Wall in Red Post Hill™ No.68

Time to turn red?

Add warmth, personality and vibrancy to your bedroom with a sumptuous shade of red paint. Choose a rich red, an earthy red, a bright red or a bold red. Equally important are the colours that you decide to combine with red. That pairing can elevate a room and make dramatic impact. Whether you opt for painted red walls, feature red furniture or dashes of red in your soft furnishings and accessories, you can transform a tired bedroom with refreshing red elements.

Browse Mylands red paint collection to find the best colour for your bedroom.

Explore more red and pink paint ideas for your home

Over the past few years there has been a surge in popularity of both reds & pinks. Across both hues from the brighter to the deeper shades, the various shades can add an immediate touch of warmth and sophistication to any space.