While it might seem like a recent trend, colour has played a massive role in decor and art for thousands of years. There is even a field of study, known as colour psychology, that
researches how different colours can influence a person’s emotions and perception.
As a result, colour has become an important factor in the home decoration process. Statistics show that colours can do more than impact how a person may feel about a room—colour can also influence purchase decisions and house value.
Colour trends come and go, but one that has stuck around for thousands of years is the colour red. The popularity of red goes as far back as Ancient China in the Yangshao Culture period (5000-3000 BC), and is still popular today with the ‘unexpected red theory.’
What is the unexpected red theory?
The unexpected red theory is a simple design concept, that suggests adding red to a space—whether it’s a small vase or a massive rug—can enhance any room, regardless of furniture design or style.
While adding red accents to a room where it ‘doesn’t belong’ has been a design concept for decades—even in other industries, like fashion and branding—it wasn’t given the name ‘unexpected red theory’ until 2024 by interior designer Taylor Migliazzo Simon.
The psychology behind red
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The unexpected red theory is more than just a fad that’ll pass in a year. There is a science behind red and why it’s such an attention-grabbing colour. First of all, red is one of the most ‘powerful’ colours, often associated with strong emotions like passion, love, and anger.
Beyond being eye-catching and closely associated with power in various cultures throughout history, there is also academic evidence to support this. Studies have found that red seems to possess the most emotion-eliciting properties out of all the colours.
It’s important to remember, however, that while red has been associated with positivity, like warmth, love, and vitality, it can also be perceived negatively. For some people, too much red can be linked with blood, anger, and aggression.
So, if you’re considering adding a splash of red to your home, remember to keep it minimal. The goal is to add red accents throughout your home and complement your other furniture and art, not overpower them.
Especially in homes where most of the furniture is in neutral colours, like grey or brown, the contrast with red can be intriguing and act as a focal point. It’ll naturally draw people’s eyes and can even be used as a talking point.
If you’re looking to add a cosy vibe to your home, red is a great option due to its common association with warmth. This is because humans perceive the likely temperature of an object by means of colour. For example, red equals warmth and blue equals cold.
URL: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-chair-with-a-red-pillow-on-top-of-it-p7_B8U38DVA
Easy ways to add red to your home
If your goal is to improve your home decor and add a touch of intrigue, the unexpected red theory is a great place to start. The other benefit of the theory is that you can go as big (or as small) as you want.
This also makes it a cost-effective way to add to your home’s design and appearance. You can spend a few dollars by adding a few red vases or red couch cushions, or you can go big with an expensive red rug or paint a red feature wall.
If you’re interested in the unexpected red theory, you can start off small and easily give it a try by searching for custom picture frames online in Australia and ordering a few red frames. Using red frames for any art or photos is a great way to highlight the piece and enhance the surrounding space.
Accessories
An easy way to jump on the red trend and test the colour in your home is through accessories. For example, these could include:
- Lamps
- Vases
- Throw pillows
- Candles
- Decorations
- Figurines
These accessories are a safe way to try out the unexpected red theory and, in most cases, are cheaper than buying a brand new red rug or lounge chair. If you’re into sustainable shopping, you could also scout for second-hand red accessories at your local thrift shop.
Furniture
If you want something more eye-catching than small red accessories, you could consider going for red furniture. Below, we’ve outlined a few options.
- Sofa or lounge
- Dining table
- Side table
- Chairs
- Fridge
- Dresser
- Nightstand
If you want a discussion piece, larger-sized furniture is a great option. It’s sure to draw people’s attention. Just make sure that it’s well-balanced with neutral colours, like white, brown, and grey.
Framed art and decor
If you want to do more unexpected red theory than small house accessories but more subtle than a giant red couch, we recommend considering framed art and decor. A red frame can make any artwork or photo pop and transform the wall space around it.
Similarly, decor like a rug or curtain is a great way to add red to a space subtly. It can add a sense of warmth to a room and softly enhance the rest of the interior, especially if the furniture is in neutral colours—creating a high contrast.
