Color of the Month: Decorating with Orange

As I’ve mentioned, orange is one of my all-time favorite colors. That’s why fall decorating is so much fun! With Halloween right around the corner and the leaves changing colors, orange is a hot color and it’s cropping up all over the place. What’s great about orange is that it’s not just a seasonal color; if you want to use it in your home, it won’t look strictly “summery” or “fall-ish,” making it a versatile decorating color. Plus, it’s one of those colors that instantly cheers you up!

Here are some truly gorgeous rooms all around the house that have inspired me to be a little more daring with my colors (though I didn’t need much inspiration to use orange anyway!). I hope you like them as much as I do!

Bedroom

Because orange is a color designed to stimulate, it’s best used in a darker shade or smaller quantities in a bedroom. Try an accent wall, muted shades, and/or accessories to wake up the bedroom without making it hard to relax in.

Contemporary Bedroom by New York Architects & Designers David Howell Design

Bathroom

A bathroom is the perfect place for a pop of lively orange.

Modern Bathroom by Los Angeles Architects & Designers Bertram Architects

WS Bath Collection Bmood Cabinet with Corian Washbasin

Contemporary Bathroom by San Francisco Design-Build Firms Nerland Building & Restoration, Inc.

If you don’t want to go dramatically orange (or your budget doesn’t allow for it), try adding fun knobs, baskets, towels, rugs, and other accessories.

Kids’ rooms

Orange’s cheery and stimulating properties make it an excellent choice – in any shade – for children’s rooms (boys’ and girls’), playrooms, and homework areas.

Contemporary Kids Playroom

Modern Kids Nursery

Contemporary Bedroom by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Artistic Designs for Living, Tineke Triggs

Traditional Kids by Vancouver Interior Designers & Decorators Fina Designs

Living room

While many living rooms tend to be formal, orange can warm them up without sacrificing sophistication.

Contemporary Living Room by Chilliwack Interior Designers & Decorators Maria Killam

I love the crisp, clean look of white and orange, and pink just makes it perfect.

Kitchen

Orange is said to be an appetite stimulant, so while you don’t want too much orange in the kitchen (just think of the pounds you’d pile on!), it’s a perfect accent color.

Contemporary Kitchen by Durham Architects & Designers Ellen Cassilly Architect

Modern Kitchen by Other Metro Kitchen & Bath Designers leicht.de

Exterior

Want your home to look warm and welcoming without looking like Halloween all year round? Add a pop of color by painting your front door orange! It works on all houses, from the contemporary to the traditional to the ultra-modern.