Orange is a bold, bright, and energetic color that can really make a statement in any home. While some may find the color too overwhelming to use extensively, orange works beautifully when used strategically in moderation. There are many different shades of orange that you can incorporate into your home decor, ranging from burnt orange and terra cotta to neon and citrus orange. Using orange effectively comes down to choosing the right tones, pairing it with complementary colors, and selecting appropriate decorative accessories and accents. With careful thought and planning, orange can be an exciting and lively addition to your home’s color palette.
Choosing an Orange Tone
One of the first steps to successfully using orange is selecting the right shade for your space. Here are some popular orange tones and how they are commonly used in home decor:
– Burnt Orange – A darker, earthy orange that pairs well with browns, tans, reds, and yellows. It has a cozy, autumnal feel. Use it in spaces like living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms.
– Terra Cotta – A muted, rusty orange tone that works nicely with other earth tones. It’s commonly found in terra cotta pottery and tiles. Use it to create a Southwestern vibe.
– Peach/Coral Orange – A warm, inviting version of orange that complements blues, greens, yellows, and pinks. It’s a nice choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and beach-themed rooms.
– Neon/Citrus Orange – A bright, bold orange that makes a dramatic impact. Use it sparingly in the form of accents. It looks trendy in contemporary spaces.
– Pumpkin Orange – A rich, darker shade of orange reminiscent of pumpkins and fall leaves. It’s seasonally appropriate for autumnal decor.
Complementary Color Schemes
One of the keys to successfully decorating with orange is choosing complementary colors that highlight and enhance the orange rather than compete with it. Here are some recommended color pairings:
– Orange and Blue – This contrasting color scheme is vibrant yet easy on the eyes. Different shades of orange pop against light or dark blue backgrounds. Use it in spaces like kitchens, offices, and bathrooms.
– Orange and Green – Drawing from colors found in nature, this scheme is both energetic and relaxing. Try bold orange with forest green, or peach orange with sage green. Use it in living rooms, bedrooms, and outdoor spaces.
– Orange and Brown – Rich browns and earthy oranges evoke autumn. The scheme has a rustic, cozy feel. Use it in living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and cabins.
– Orange and Yellow – These sunny colors create a bright, cheerful look. Citrus orange and lemon yellow make for a happy combination. Use it in entryways, laundry rooms, and kids’ spaces.
– Orange and Red – Both bold colors, red energizes orange. Use crimson reds with burnt oranges or brick reds with terra cotta. This scheme fits well in modern, eclectic spaces.
– Orange and Pink – Pretty peach-coral orange complements soft pinks and magentas. The palette evokes sunsets and flowers. Use it in bedrooms, bathrooms, and baby nurseries.
– Orange and Purple – Contrasting yet harmonious, burnt orange with eggplant purple creates an elegant, sophisticated look. Use it in formal living rooms and dining rooms.
Decorating with Orange Accents
Rather than overwhelm a space with orange, carefully choose key accent pieces to add pops of color. Orange accents help create visual interest and personality. Ideas include:
– Throw pillows
– Area rugs
– Blankets
– Window treatments like curtains and valances
– Lamp shades
– Flowers and plants
– Candles and candle holders
– Kitchen appliances and cookware
– Tableware like dishes, mugs, and utensils
– Bath mats, towels, and shower curtains
– Wall art like paintings, prints, and photographs
– Book collections and decorative objects
When selecting orange accents, aim for 2-3 orange items or surfaces per room. Space them out rather than clustering them together. Combine them with plenty of neutral solids and textures to let the orange really stand out. Vary tones and shades for extra visual interest.
Painting with Orange
While daunting, using orange as a paint color can make a dramatic statement. To use it successfully:
– Choose lighter orange tones like peach, coral, and terra cotta for larger surfaces like walls and ceilings.
– Reserve darker, richer shades like burnt orange for smaller accents like trims and doors.
– Paint orange stripes on a wall or use it in a geometric design to add a graphic punch.
– Use orange in a multi-colored paint technique like ombre or color-blocking.
– Pair orange walls with contrasting trims and moldings in shades like white, navy, or charcoal.
– Offset orange walls with plenty of solid-colored furnishings and neutral textures.
– Use orange sparingly in small spaces like powder rooms, laundry rooms, and offices.
– Ensure orange walls are well-lit to avoid a cave-like feeling. They pop most in bright, sunny rooms.
Incorporating Orange Fabrics
From furniture to window treatments, fabric is an easy way to incorporate orange. Ideas for using orange fabrics include:
– Upholstered furnishings like sofas, chairs, ottomans, and headboards
– Throw pillows, cushions, and slipcovers
– Area rugs and accent rugs
– Blankets, quilts, and bedspreads
– Tablecloths, runners, and placemats
– Window treatments like curtains, valances, and blinds
– Shower curtains and towels
– Decorative touches like pillows, poufs, and tapestries
When decorating with orange fabrics:
– Favor lightweight fabrics like cottons and linens that complement the energetic vibe.
– Mix and match solid oranges with printed orange patterns for added interest.
– Combine different orangey shades like peach, coral, and amber within the same space.
– Pair orange fabrics with cool blues, earthy greens, and natural wood tones.
– Use textured orange fabrics like velvet and chenille for warmth and depth.
Bringing in Orange With Furniture
Painted, stained, or upholstered furniture in orange hues makes a substantial impact. But there are subtler ways to incorporate orange through furniture as well:
– Select furniture with orange metal legs or orange painted accents.
– Choose wood pieces with warm orange undertones like mahogany and cherry.
– Mix vintage wood furnishings with painted orange for eclectic contrast.
– Display decorative orange boxes, vases, or table lamps on accent tables and shelving.
– Incorporate orange leather or vinyl furniture like ottomans, chairs, and bar stools.
– Use orange slipcovers to transform existing sofas, chairs, and headboards.
– Layer orange area rugs over wood or neutral flooring to define seating areas.
– Set an orange fruit bowl or vase of orange flowers as a centerpiece on dining tables or coffee tables.
– Incorporate orange in kids’ spaces through table lamps, storage bins, and desks.
Using Orange in the Kitchen
The kitchen is a great place to experiment with orange for an energetic and appetizing color scheme. Ideas include:
– Painting or retiling walls in orange tones like terra cotta, peach, and pumpkin.
– Using orange on kitchen cabinetry through paint, stain, or by changing knobs and handles.
– Hanging orange pendant lighting over kitchen islands and dining tables.
– Displaying orange Le Creuset or All-Clad pots and pans.
– Incorporating orange kitchen appliances like stand mixers, toasters, and utensil holders.
– Adding orange bar stools, tableware, and kitchen linens for splashes of color.
– Planting orange trees like citrus, peppers, and chilies in an adjoining garden.
– Setting out a bowl of fresh oranges, carrots, mangoes, or peppers on the countertop.
– Pairing orange with contrasting colors like blue, green, gray, and brown.
– Keeping the walls, cabinets, and large furnishings neutral to let the orange accents pop.
Using Orange in Bathrooms
The warm, invigorating nature of orange makes it right at home in bathrooms. Ideas for bathrooms include:
– Painting walls or tiles in warm orange hues like peach, terra cotta, or pumpkin. Use it on one accent wall.
– Selecting patterned orange and white shower curtains. Hang them inside standalone tubs.
– Coordinating toilet seat covers, trash cans, organizers, and bathroom storage in orange.
– Adding orange bath mats, towels, soap dispensers and canisters for an pulled together look.
– Placing orange candles, diffusers, and bowls of potpourri around the space to play up the color scheme.
– Incorporating live or faux orange plants like orchids around the vanity and sink.
– Setting orange art prints, frames, and wall decor behind the toilet or sink.
– Pairing orange with cool colors like blue, green, gray, and white for balance.
– Using orange as an accent in kids’ and teens’ bathrooms through accessories.
Orange Outdoors
The bold color is perfectly suited for outdoor spaces. Ideas for using orange outside include:
– Painting exterior doors or furniture like benches and tables in orange tones.
– Selecting orange cushions and pillows for patio furniture and porch swings.
– Planting orange flowers like marigolds, poppies, and chrysanthemums in beds, planters and yards.
– Adding orange accents like welcome mats, wreaths, and doormats to outdoor entryways.
– Stringing orange patio lights along fences and trees. Use them to illuminate pathways and seating areas.
– Complementing blue pools with orange pool floats, towels, and surrounding flower beds.
– Tying orange ribbons around trees and shrubs. Display orange wreaths in fall and winter.
– Pairing orange with green and brown colors found in nature.
– Using terra cotta pots and planters to hold orange trees, plants, and florals.
Incorporating Orange Accessories
Accessories provide low-commitment ways to experiment with orange. Ideas include:
– Hanging orange prints, photos, tapestries and wall art.
– Displaying orange vases, trays, boxes, and bowls filled with decor items.
– Adding orange books and decorative objects to shelves, console tables, side tables and window sills.
– Showcasing orange candles, diffusers, and aromatherapy accessories.
– Using orange desk accessories like pen holders, organizational trays, and desk lamps.
– Incorporating orange blankets, pillows and throws on beds, sofas, and chairs.
– Setting out orange tableware like charger plates, napkins, and glassware.
– Adding orange planters and cachepots with florals and plants.
– Displaying orange sculptures, figurines, and funky statues.
– Layering orange rugs over hardwoods, tile, and carpeted floors.
Kid Spaces With Orange
For children’s spaces, orange promotes creativity, enthusiasm, and energy. Ideas include:
– Painting a wall or mural in orange shades like tangerine, peach or melon.
– Using orange and white bedding with touches of aqua, lime or navy blue.
– Incorporating orange storage bins, organizers, and cubbies for an upbeat look.
– Adding orange desks, chairs, lamps and desktop accessories in homework spaces.
– Displaying orange kids artwork, photo collages and picture frames.
– Draping orange fabric over loft beds to create cozy, separate spaces.
– Adding orange throw pillows, area rugs, and window treatments.
– Layering in natural wood elements like bunk beds to warm up orange tones.
– Using orange elements like wall decals, mobiles and table lamps in nurseries.
– Tying orange balloons and streamers to chairs, cribs and shelves for parties.
Avoiding Overuse of Orange
To keep orange looking chic rather than overwhelming:
– Use it in smaller spaces rather than expansive open concept rooms.
– Pair it with plenty of neutrals like white, black, gray, tan and brown.
– Ensure proper lighting and ventilation to avoid a dark, cave-like feeling.
– Mix in other accent colors like blue, purple, red, yellow and green.
– Limit orange to key accent pieces; don’t overdo entire orange color schemes.
– Choose muted, softer orange tones rather than harsh neon oranges.
– Space out orange pieces throughout the room rather than clustering them together.
– Add natural wood elements to warm up and balance bold orange tones.
– Use orange in youthful, contemporary spaces rather than traditional formal spaces.
– Change out orange accessories seasonally rather than permanent orange furniture.
Conclusion
Orange is an energetic, cheerful color that fits beautifully in the right home decor context. By choosing complementary palettes, accent pieces, and placement thoughtfully, you can use shades of orange to create a personalized space with visual interest. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different orange tones and looks until you find the perfect fit for your style. Pair and accessorize it properly, and you’ll find that orange gives any room a healthy dose of color and vibrance.
