The Meaning of Color: Red
Red is perceived as energetic, powerful, bold and lucky. Find out about the color’s roots in design, spiritual thought and nature
Perhaps more than any other element in design, color can inspire intense debate and passionate feelings among designers and homeowners alike. In this series on the meaning of color, we’ll be looking at color from a wide range of perspectives — the world of design, psychology, philosophy and nature. If you’ve ever wondered why you feel the way you do about the color on your walls, you’ve come to the right place.
The color red and mood. It’s no wonder that red, the color of fire and blood, is also known as the color of passion, action and anger. Strong and powerful, red has even been shown in a study to increase the speed and strength of reactions. Clear red (like a ripe tomato) can feel vibrant and energetic, while a deeper red (like oxblood) has a more serious connotation.
The color red in feng shui. In feng shui, this bright, bold hue is considered a lucky color, symbolizing happiness and strength. As the place where energy, known as chi in feng shui, enters your home, the front door is an especially auspicious place — perfect for highlighting with a lick of lucky red.
Feng Shui Basics for a Happy Home
Feng Shui Basics for a Happy Home
The color red in nature. From breathtaking sunsets and crackling flames to blazing fall foliage, red in the natural world is the color of drama. And considering that red in nature is sometimes used to attract (think of a perfectly ripe apple) and sometimes to warn (red-hot chili peppers, poisonous mushrooms), it makes sense that people tend to have a strong reaction to it. Whether you love it or hate it in your home, you probably have an opinion on the matter.
Nature’s Color Wisdom: Lessons on Red From the Great Outdoors
Nature’s Color Wisdom: Lessons on Red From the Great Outdoors
The color red and the chakras. If you’re into yoga or meditation, you may have heard of the chakras; they’re considered centers of energy in the body and are aligned with the spine.
The word chakra comes from the sanskrit word for wheel or disc — and you can visualize each chakra as a swirling wheel of energy where your physical body and consciousness meet. The chakras start at the base of the spine and go up to the crown of the head, with the lower chakras being more closely related to our physical bodies and the upper chakras more to our spirit.
The first chakra, the root chakra, is at the base of the spine, the pelvic floor and the first three vertebrae. It’s associated with the color red and represents your foundation. When this chakra is balanced, you have a feeling of being grounded and of innate safety and trust.
The word chakra comes from the sanskrit word for wheel or disc — and you can visualize each chakra as a swirling wheel of energy where your physical body and consciousness meet. The chakras start at the base of the spine and go up to the crown of the head, with the lower chakras being more closely related to our physical bodies and the upper chakras more to our spirit.
The first chakra, the root chakra, is at the base of the spine, the pelvic floor and the first three vertebrae. It’s associated with the color red and represents your foundation. When this chakra is balanced, you have a feeling of being grounded and of innate safety and trust.
The color red in design. Red is a primary color, but the full range of reds stretches from pale pink to deep mulberry. If you want to incorporate red into your decor, the most vivid medium reds are best in smaller doses, while the lighter and darker ends of the red spectrum tend to feel more comfortable across a larger area. To keep the overall look harmonious, carefully consider what other colors are in play in your space. Red feels rich and mellow when surrounded by neutrals, as in the space shown here, and comes alive when paired with blues.
Color Guide: How to Work With Red
Color Guide: How to Work With Red
Using red at home. Red makes a bold backdrop for artwork and collections, so it could be a wonderful choice for that gallery wall you’ve been planning. It also works well with the other warm hues (orange and yellow) in social spaces like the living and dining rooms. The farther away you reach on the color wheel — for instance, pairing red with turquoise — the more dramatic and bold the color scheme will feel.
In smaller doses, red can bring that perfect pop of color to an all-neutral or black and white design.
In smaller doses, red can bring that perfect pop of color to an all-neutral or black and white design.
The color red and you. Above all, color is personal. So when it comes down to it, what’s most important is to consider how you are responding to the colors around you. For example, common wisdom may hold that red is too energetic for a bedroom, but perhaps it just feels cozy and enveloping to you. Trust yourself, and go with what feels right.
Exploring further. Whether all of this talk of color has you inspired to go out and paint your walls or you’re just curious to learn more, consider trying one of these explorations to deepen your color awareness:
Read more stories about designing with red
- Take a walk outdoors (in nature or in your city) with your camera, and snap pictures of all the red things you see
- Browse a gorgeous design store in your area and pay attention to how red is used in the fabrics and furnishings
- Visit a paint store and bring home some red paint swatches
- Go on a color hunt in an art museum or gallery, searching for works that use red
Read more stories about designing with red
