How to Decorate With Orange
While its vibrant hue can enliven a space, a deeper shade adds warmth instead. Here are 10 ways to decorate with this versatile colour
Bhavin Taylor
18 August 2016
Orange has so much going for it, and yet it’s often overlooked as a colour to try in our homes. According to colour consultant Jill Morton, “Orange symbolises energy, vitality, cheer, excitement, adventure, warmth and good health.”
If you want to welcome some positive vibes into your interior, here are some clever tips for decorating with tangerine tones.
If you want to welcome some positive vibes into your interior, here are some clever tips for decorating with tangerine tones.
Bring in a taste of the unexpected
The thin marigold border above the skirting board elevates this space and gives quite a traditional hallway a modern and quirky twist. This is a perfect example of how small details can add a huge impact to a space. The orange chair accents the stripe, making it even more eye-catching.
The thin marigold border above the skirting board elevates this space and gives quite a traditional hallway a modern and quirky twist. This is a perfect example of how small details can add a huge impact to a space. The orange chair accents the stripe, making it even more eye-catching.
Revamp with orange fabric
Buy a length of your favourite orange fabric and have a piece of furniture upholstered in it. Here, the designer has teamed an apricot coffee table with a blue sofa for the perfect combination against a neutral backdrop. The furniture stands out and makes a statement in the room.
Buy a length of your favourite orange fabric and have a piece of furniture upholstered in it. Here, the designer has teamed an apricot coffee table with a blue sofa for the perfect combination against a neutral backdrop. The furniture stands out and makes a statement in the room.
Juice up furniture in high gloss
Orange works really well in a glossy finish. The shine elevates the colour and creates bold statement pieces of furniture. Here, the soft furnishings in blue and shades of yellow perfectly balance the straight lines of the bedside table, creating a restful space for colour lovers.
Orange works really well in a glossy finish. The shine elevates the colour and creates bold statement pieces of furniture. Here, the soft furnishings in blue and shades of yellow perfectly balance the straight lines of the bedside table, creating a restful space for colour lovers.
Put some zing into a dark room
It’s tempting to use whites and neutrals to maximise light, but for something different consider orange instead. The window in this bathroom is narrow, so the space has the potential to be quite a dark. The brave use of orange on the walls, ceiling and cabinetry has really brightened the whole room.
Make a splash with colour in your bathroom
It’s tempting to use whites and neutrals to maximise light, but for something different consider orange instead. The window in this bathroom is narrow, so the space has the potential to be quite a dark. The brave use of orange on the walls, ceiling and cabinetry has really brightened the whole room.
Make a splash with colour in your bathroom
Combine subtle hues with bold bursts
Orange doesn’t always have to be dramatic: for a more muted effect, it can be subtly incorporated in a fabric design or wallpaper pattern. Here, the orange and white wallpaper adds a soft injection of the colour to this room. The low-key tones allow stronger accents of orange to be used as well, making the space a perfect combination of calm and vibrant.
Orange doesn’t always have to be dramatic: for a more muted effect, it can be subtly incorporated in a fabric design or wallpaper pattern. Here, the orange and white wallpaper adds a soft injection of the colour to this room. The low-key tones allow stronger accents of orange to be used as well, making the space a perfect combination of calm and vibrant.
Add citrus to your cook space
Kitchens are a great place to use colour, so be brave and choose cabinetry in bright orange gloss. Team it with stainless-steel worktops for added impact. The zesty colour will add a strong statement to a room that’s often the hub of the house. Orange is a perfect option for basement kitchens that need brightening up.
Kitchens are a great place to use colour, so be brave and choose cabinetry in bright orange gloss. Team it with stainless-steel worktops for added impact. The zesty colour will add a strong statement to a room that’s often the hub of the house. Orange is a perfect option for basement kitchens that need brightening up.
Take baby steps with orange accessories
Orange isn’t shy and retiring, so if you’re afraid to make a permanent statement, you could use accessories instead. Start with a cushion and then keep adding further pieces in the same shade of orange to boost your room. The more splashes you add, the bolder and brighter the room will become.
How to add colour to your home without paint
Orange isn’t shy and retiring, so if you’re afraid to make a permanent statement, you could use accessories instead. Start with a cushion and then keep adding further pieces in the same shade of orange to boost your room. The more splashes you add, the bolder and brighter the room will become.
How to add colour to your home without paint
Go for it with a feature wall
Feature walls are always popular, as they’re an easy way to add a bold statement to a room. Why not use the idea in the bathroom? Here, the bright orange tiles work well with the dark wood tones and give the perfect balance of light and dark to the space.
Feature walls are always popular, as they’re an easy way to add a bold statement to a room. Why not use the idea in the bathroom? Here, the bright orange tiles work well with the dark wood tones and give the perfect balance of light and dark to the space.
Liven up a traditional setting
We often think of orange as a modern colour and use it in clean white spaces, but it can work well in a traditional scheme, too. Here, the designer has used orange as a border on the curtains and chair as a surprising twist. It’s just enough to add definition without compromising the overall look of the room. This idea would work perfectly in a country home.
We often think of orange as a modern colour and use it in clean white spaces, but it can work well in a traditional scheme, too. Here, the designer has used orange as a border on the curtains and chair as a surprising twist. It’s just enough to add definition without compromising the overall look of the room. This idea would work perfectly in a country home.
Pep up your bathroom hardware
Add an element of fun to your white bathroom and introduce hardware in bold colours, like the taps and towel hook here. This look would be great for a kid’s bathroom and wouldn’t become tiresome as he or she grew up.
TELL US
Have you used orange in your home? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse more design ideas on using orange
An Oxfordshire Townhouse is Reinvigorated With Bold Colour
Add an element of fun to your white bathroom and introduce hardware in bold colours, like the taps and towel hook here. This look would be great for a kid’s bathroom and wouldn’t become tiresome as he or she grew up.
TELL US
Have you used orange in your home? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse more design ideas on using orange
An Oxfordshire Townhouse is Reinvigorated With Bold Colour
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Thanks for including Ensoul in your feature Bhavin, thought you may like the picture below as well, best wishes, Mike