Red Bedroom Ideas
Red is a bold bedroom colour, so it works best when you choose an earthy red such as brick, rust or deep crimson and use it in a few deliberate places: a rug, a throw, a lamp and a print. Cream walls, warm wood and a touch of olive green or navy keep it restful.
Below: colours that complement a red bedroom, warm and cool reds, ideas for bedding, rugs and headboards, and how to choose art for red walls.
Prints for this look
The colour palette
Colours that complement a red bedroom
- Olive and sage green are the complementary colours for red. Green bedding or plants make red look rich rather than loud.
- Navy gives a classic, slightly nautical contrast that feels grown-up in a bedroom.
- Cream and warm white calm red down. They are the best choice for most of the walls.
- Charcoal suits deeper crimson and oxblood for a moodier room.
- Mustard and natural wood warm brick red up and give a relaxed, folk-inspired feel.
The 60-30-10 rule is the simplest way to stop red taking over: about 60% cream, 30% wood and a supporting colour such as olive or navy, and only 10% red.
Brick, rust or crimson: warm and cool reds
Warm reds such as brick, tomato and rust have orange or brown in them. They feel earthy and suit oak, terracotta, olive and mustard. Cool reds such as crimson, cherry and raspberry have a touch of blue. They suit grey, charcoal, navy and crisp white.
Bright fire-engine red on all four walls is energising, which is the opposite of what most people want from a bedroom. If you love red walls, choose a deep, muted shade and paint only the wall behind the bed.
Red bedroom decor: rugs, bedding and headboards
- Rug: a kilim or patterned rug with red, cream and blue is one of the easiest ways to bring red into a bedroom.
- Bedding: keep sheets cream or white and add a red striped throw or one red cushion. Olive or navy duvet covers make a strong partner.
- Headboard: a wooden or cane headboard suits brick reds; a charcoal upholstered headboard suits crimson.
- Small pieces: a red lamp, stool or bedside table repeats the colour at different heights without overwhelming the room.
Choosing art for red walls
On red walls, art with cream or off-white backgrounds stands out best, and touches of navy or green give contrast. On cream walls, a print with plenty of red becomes the focal point of the room and links to your rug or throw. Folk-style designs, red sun motifs, tulips and bold birds all suit a red bedroom.
Above the bed, aim for art about two thirds the width of the headboard: one A1 above a double, or a pair of A2 prints above a king size. Leave 15 to 25 cm between the headboard and the frame.
Browse our red wall art, or our red and blue prints if you are pairing red with navy.
Sizes at a glance
| Size | Centimetres | Inches | Works for |
|---|---|---|---|
| A4 | 21 x 29.7 | 8.3 x 11.7 | Shelves, desks, small gaps, sets of 3 |
| A3 | 29.7 x 42 | 11.7 x 16.5 | Hallways, side walls, pairs |
| A2 | 42 x 59.4 | 16.5 x 23.4 | Above a sideboard or small sofa, the anchor of a gallery wall |
| A1 | 59.4 x 84.1 | 23.4 x 33.1 | Above a standard sofa or bed |
| A0 | 84.1 x 118.9 | 33.1 x 46.8 | Large walls, open-plan rooms, statement pieces |
All our A sizes fit standard off-the-shelf frames, and every print is made to order on museum-grade matte paper.
