Interior Design
Work it Right With Bold, Beautiful Orange
It's a controversial colour in the spectrum but once you get it right, orange works wonders in the home
Orange is a blend of yellow and red, and in its truest form, it’s an equal mix of the two. But it ranges from almost red to bright tangerine. It’s the colour of sunsets and tropical fruit, and it is undeniably cheery and bold.
Traditionally, orange is said to stimulate activity, appetite and socialisation. In decor it can be a bright pop of colour or a more muted background colour used to warm up a room.
It looks amazing with blue, from navy to turquoise, but it cosies up well with grey too. In its more subdued form, it can blend into brown (but be careful – this can get really Brady Bunch really quickly). Its peachy, terra-cotta and rust incarnations are extremely popular, especially in dining rooms.
In its brighter, bolder hues, it is the most controversial colour in the spectrum. More people claim to have strong positive or negative feelings about orange than about any other colour.
The Meaning of Colour: Orange
Traditionally, orange is said to stimulate activity, appetite and socialisation. In decor it can be a bright pop of colour or a more muted background colour used to warm up a room.
It looks amazing with blue, from navy to turquoise, but it cosies up well with grey too. In its more subdued form, it can blend into brown (but be careful – this can get really Brady Bunch really quickly). Its peachy, terra-cotta and rust incarnations are extremely popular, especially in dining rooms.
In its brighter, bolder hues, it is the most controversial colour in the spectrum. More people claim to have strong positive or negative feelings about orange than about any other colour.
The Meaning of Colour: Orange
Whoa, Nelly. These red-orange walls with bright white trim are not for the faint of heart. A saturated, colour-themed room like this has an old-fashioned feel. It reminds me of Napoleon’s quarters in the Louvre – not the colour as much as the idea of doing a single-colour room.
A brown-orange hue, otherwise known as burnt orange, adds instant warmth.
Tangerine orange is a bright and cheerful alternative for genderless nurseries.
A pinkish salmon orange looks lovely with a fresh, springy green and bright white. Think salmon with dill and dollops of sour cream.
In an otherwise stark bathroom, orange adds a bit of warmth without sacrificing any design chops.
This golden orange is almost a match with the hardwood floors and sets off the grey accents beautifully.
A tangerine-orange door looks beautiful against warm white walls and gold frames.
Orange Accents
A recessed wall in orange pops in this kitchen, adding personality and warmth.
A recessed wall in orange pops in this kitchen, adding personality and warmth.
These shelves with lit orange interiors would look amazing even without the matching orange sofa.
Shots of Orange
Bright orange chairs glow against the charcoal in this room and add some much-needed colour and cheer.
Bright orange chairs glow against the charcoal in this room and add some much-needed colour and cheer.
Orange with white and cream looks modern and clean.
Cinnabar and turquoise are a classic match.
Bright orange against bright sky blue is a colour spectrum triumph.
Orange with Its Friends
Pink and orange are festive and summery together – close enough to be cousins.
Pink and orange are festive and summery together – close enough to be cousins.
Orange always goes well with its citrusy siblings, lemon and lime.
Orange mingles with pink, lime, magenta and kelly green. And somehow it all works.
TELL US
What do you love or hate about orange? Share in the Comments below.
TELL US
What do you love or hate about orange? Share in the Comments below.
This mellow orange brings out the colour in the carpet and adds a feeling of coziness and warmth to a simply furnished room.