Create Your Dream Red Living Room

Walls in Arts Club™ No.281

If you want to be bold and add drama and impact to your living room decor, red is a surefire way of doing it. Red is a wonderfully warming colour that can make a room feel refined, cosy, elegant or dramatic depending on how you style it.

Shades of red vary from rich earthy tones with hints of terracotta and rust, to bright pillar box red, floral poppy red or deep reds like maroon and crimson.

You can colour drench your sitting room in an enveloping deep red colour or simply add red accents to lift a more neutral living room. There is a wealth of design ideas online on how to incorporate red in your living room, whether you choose to add a lot or a little of this bold colour. Here, Mylands will share some expert interior design tips and ideas for you to consider.

Red living room design tips

Before you decide on the shade of red for your living room, you need to consider a handful of factors.

How do you use your living room?

It could be your formal entertaining space, your intimate cinema and TV room, or the place to spend quality family time. Perhaps it is a multi-purpose space that flows into a dining room or work area.

How light is your sitting room?

Consider the aspect of the room and the amount of natural light it attracts. Think about the wall and ceiling lights, plus additional lamps. Paint colours look different in different lights, so it is recommended to test these colours in order to understand how they interact with the natural light throughout the day.

Do you have focal points?

Perhaps you have characterful period features that you would like to accentuate, for example, an ornate fireplace, elaborate ceiling rose or coving. It could be a striking piece of furniture or artwork that you want to take centre stage. Red is a great way to draw attention to your key focal point within a room.

What furniture will you include?

The colour of your living room furniture and textiles (such as curtains, cushions and rugs) will affect the shade of red to use. Everything needs to work in harmony. There may be a certain red that features in the fabric that you can pick out and emulate on your walls.

How do you want to feel in your living room?

This is an important consideration. Do you want to make your room feel cosy, relaxed and inviting? Do you want it to be sleek and stylish? Maybe you want to bring in some personality with a sense of drama. All of this, and more, is possible with a well-considered red room.

Choose your perfect shade of red

Keeping in mind the previously highlighted interior design considerations, you can start looking for the right shade of red for your sitting room. You might find it helpful to order Mylands colour cards or tester pots to try the red paint colour in situ.

Walls in Arts Club™ No.281

Earthy Red

Natural, earthy red colours give a relaxed and organic atmosphere than bright, vibrant reds. Using this hue as part of your living room design, allows you to create a space to unwind. These are comforting and grounding shades of red that exude warmth and help guests to feel welcome.

Look for warm red paints with brown undertones, such as natural shades like terracotta, rust and cinnamon. This colour palette pairs well with other natural elements like wood, wicker, jute and brick. Embrace this natural styling and add plenty of plants which can complement an earthy red wall bringing it to life.

Mylands Dulwich Red is a warm shade with terracotta hints. Originally made specially for Dulwich Picture Gallery, it has been used as the backdrop to tell the story for the artwork it houses. You could do the same to showcase your artwork in your sitting room.

Deep Red

Dee red is intertwined with history, for example, it is a much-loved shade of the Victorian age. Its association with history has made it particularly appropriate for period homes in creating a traditional style. Use it to draw the eye toward characterful period features like wall paneling or an elegant fireplace.

Despite its formal nature, you can offset this by adding soft styling elements. Think tactile fabrics, such as velvet, chunky knits or subtle embroidery, and use them on cushions, throws and furniture. 

Gold is a wonderful constrasting colour to a deep red. It will lift the room, add opulence as well as light. Deep red and gold is a regal combination that suits sitting rooms, giving an atmosphere of grandeur. Furthermore it is worth considering the colour flow from one room to another. You could have a bright and inviting yellow-gold hallway as the ideal transitional space to lead people into your elegant, deep red living room.

Walls in Huguenot™ No.49

Dark Red

If you want to make your living room feel like a welcoming retreat, use a deep, dark red. By colour drenching the entire room in a dark red colour, you will create a cocoon effect that will envelope you in warmth and comfortable. 

A dark red works well in rooms that lack natural light. Instead of trying to increase the lightness with white paint, embrace the room’s darkness and play to its strengths.

If you do not want to colour drench the whole room in dark red, you can create a similar effect in a small section. Create an intimate, reading nook in a corner or alcove. Define it with dark red, add a comfortable armchair and warm, tactile blankets or throws, and you have the perfect place to curl up with a good book.

Retro Red

A playful red with orange and/or brown undertones gives off retro vibes. It’s particularly good for mid-century styling. Combine it with muted, earthy tones like mustard, teal or orange. This retro look extends to the style of furniture with warm woods like teak and walnut used on cabinets, coffee tables and chair frames.

Also typical of this style, bold prints are a great way to introduce some red to your room without committing to an entirely red wall or even red room. Use your retro shade as a base upon which to layer the playful prints. That red base could be your furniture fabric, or a plain red living room wall. This is an upbeat and cheerful style with a sense of fun that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Those are great characteristics for a welcoming, social space.

Cabinet in Theatre Land™ No.282

Fireplace in Mortlake Red™ No.290

Bright Red

Add an impactful pop of vibrant colour with a bright red. This is best used as an accent colour, for example on a feature wall, with furniture or with red accessories like cushions, rugs, lamps and artwork.

Bright red can add a dash of colour to an otherwise minimalist black and white living room. This sleek, simple styling works for either an art deco look or a modern living room. You could pair bold red accents with crisp white elements for a striking aesthetic - one that will make an impact.

Mylands FTT-009 bright red paint is ideal for striking accents and graphic elements. As such, you could create impactful geometric Art Deco shapes with it, or draw the eye to a focal point like a sleek fireplace or window frame.

But if it is drama you want, look no further than Mylands Theatreland™ No.282 red paint. This colour is the ultimate showstopper.

Floral Red

If you like the natural aesthetic, but earthy is not quite the tone you are seeking, explore floral reds. Poppies, dahlias, tulips, peonies and, of course, roses all burst into glorious red blooms. Add some of those spring and summer floral hues to your living room. Mylands Blomster JB.01 is a rich poppy red, inspired by Scandinavian landscapes and designed alongside British landscaper Jinny Blom, which is perfect for this kind of interior design.

Instead of a red accent wall, you may prefer wallpaper with red elements (whether floral or prints). You could then pick out that red detail and use it elsewhere in the room, such as on window frames, cabinetry or shelving.

Go bold with maximalist styling, featuring eccentric floral wallpaper bordered by complimentary red woodwork. Or opt for a less intense patterned wallpaper balanced out by a neutral paint colour (such as stone, taupe or beige) with red accent textiles.

Considering going red?

Transform your living space into a warm and cosy space; a dramatic room that is oozing personality; an inviting and organic natural zone; or a sleek, modern sitting room. Red may be a bold and confident paint idea, but there are many, versatile ways to feature it. Choose the one that suits you, and the way that you want your room to feel.

If you are feeling inspired by our red decor ideas for your sitting room, browse our red paints to discover your favourite.

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.