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Color Guide: How to Work With Orange
Orange is the most controversial color in the spectrum, but its warmth and personality can charm almost anyone
Houzz Contributor. I am a former magazine editor specializing in travel and design. I just completed my first remodel, turning my crumbling 1941 kitchen into a beauty of grays, whites and natural wood. If I could, I'd sleep on the countertop. That's how much I love it.
You can also read my parenting blog on Baby Center http://blogs.babycenter.com/author/sschoech/
Houzz Contributor. I am a former magazine editor specializing in travel... More »
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 color of sunsets and tropical fruit, and it is undeniably cheery and bold.
Traditionally, orange is said to stimulate activity, appetite and socialization. In decor it can be a bright pop of color or a more muted background color used to warm up a room.
It looks amazing with blue, from navy to turquoise, but it cozies up well with gray 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 color in the spectrum. More people claim to have strong positive or negative feelings about orange than about any other color.
Traditionally, orange is said to stimulate activity, appetite and socialization. In decor it can be a bright pop of color or a more muted background color used to warm up a room.
It looks amazing with blue, from navy to turquoise, but it cozies up well with gray 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 color in the spectrum. More people claim to have strong positive or negative feelings about orange than about any other color.
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Orange Walls
This mellow orange brings out the color in the carpet and adds a feeling of coziness and warmth to a simply furnished room.
This mellow orange brings out the color in the carpet and adds a feeling of coziness and warmth to a simply furnished room.
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| Whoa, Nelly. These red-orange walls with bright white trim are not for the faint of heart. A saturated, color-themed room like this has an old-fashioned feel. It reminds me of Napoleon's quarters in the Louvre — not the color as much as the idea of doing a single-color room. |
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A brown-orange hue, otherwise known as burnt orange, adds instant warmth.
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| Tangerine orange is a bright and cheerful alternative for genderless nurseries. |
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| A pinkish salmon orange looks lovely with a fresh, springy green and bright white. Think salmon with dill and dollops of sour cream. |
| Orange + blue = BFFs. |
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| In an otherwise starkly modern room, orange adds a bit of warmth without sacrificing any design chops. |
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This golden orange is almost a match with the hardwood floors and sets off the gray accents beautifully.
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Orange Doors
Orange is a popular color for front doors. It pops against the muted colors of most houses and invites visitors to step right up. It works well for modern houses.
Orange is a popular color for front doors. It pops against the muted colors of most houses and invites visitors to step right up. It works well for modern houses.
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Orange doors also work well for cabin-style homes.
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A tangerine-orange door looks beautiful against warm white walls and gold frames.
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Orange Accents
A recessed wall in orange pops in this uber-modern kitchen, adding personality and warmth.
A recessed wall in orange pops in this uber-modern kitchen, adding personality and warmth.
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| These shelves with lit orange interiors would look amazing even without the matching orange sofa. |
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by Maria Killam
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| Orange helps bring out the architecture of this fireplace in an otherwise architecturally muted room. |
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Shots of Orange
Bright orange chairs glow against the charcoal in this room and add some much-needed color and cheer.
Bright orange chairs glow against the charcoal in this room and add some much-needed color and cheer.
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Orange with white and cream looks modern and clean.
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| The orange fireplace signifies warmth and becomes the focal point of the room. Blue and citrus accents are perfect complements. |
by betsy burnham
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Cinnabar and turquoise are a classic match.
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| Pop! goes the orange sofa against the blue and green map. |
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Bright orange against bright sky blue is a color spectrum triumph.
| Orange with Its Friends Pink and orange are festive and summery together — close enough to be cousins. |
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by casamodern.com
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| Orange always goes well with its citrusy siblings, lemon and lime. |
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| Orange mingles with pink, lime, magenta and kelly green. And somehow it all works. Read on for our favorite paint picks. |
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by Benjamin Moore
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| This muted terra-cotta orange has lots of brown. |
by Benjamin Moore
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It's either a very red orange or a very orange red. Either way, it's lovely and bold.
by Benjamin Moore
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This is almost copper and might qualify as an orangey brown.
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by Benjamin Moore
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| Bright, "pow!" orange. |
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Getting closer to salmon.
by Beth Connolly
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Not quite carrot, but pretty bright. This would look great with bright white in a sunny room.
by Farrow & Ball
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Pinky orange wallpaper, like a sunset.
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Muted tangerine flowers against bright white. This wallpaper adds color and texture.
by Jonathan Adler
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In the right space — I'm thinking open beamed ceiling, lots of light, gleaming hardwood floors — this Jonathan Adler wallpaper could be the perfect shot of sunshine.
More guides and ideas for decorating with orange
More guides and ideas for decorating with orange
Ideabook updated on July 25, 2012.
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For the chaise, I would put in it's own little comfy nook, w/ a side table and lamp. As for the dining chairs for that gorgeous table, I think cream, white or a "greige" would look great, perhaps w/ a more traditional lean to compliment the club chairs and recessed moulding. Good luck with whatever you do! Post more pictures when you decide! :)
I've been using orange for years, with clients who enjoy the unusual, and are adventurous. Great fun for me!
The counter-height table is a left-over from our old place, which is why it's dark brown. I'm not sure what to replace it with, or if I should refinish it. I suppose it'll hit me when I see it. I purposely did not get all matching appliances. I wanted a Samsung fridge and Bosch dishwasher, then picked out the stove/microwave based on what those two brands had available. I live in a tropical climate, so we grill quite a bit.
marcie
http://custm.co/hz/16
I love and appreciate your article. I really died for this color. I want to know if it's possible or will look beautiful to put orange curtains and some pillows in my windows. Besides, how can I do for make more comfortable this area. Thanks!!
The quilt is certainly a work of art, and I can see now how your curtains are so perfect to go with it. You have combined colours I would not have thought possible but it works beautifully to make a lovely inviting room. No wonder the dog is still there!!!
Thank you for posting.