What Decorations Go With Red Furniture?

Wall Decor

• Safe colors that work with red are black, white, cream, light yellow and gold. Shades of blue, green and purple can work, too, depending on the particular shade of red that sets the foundation elements. If walls feature white or pale, muted colors, set the furniture off with framed art work or hung tapestries that feature red with other strong colors. Images of carp, giant flowers, tango dancers in flowing skirts or high-contrast geometric art do well.

Details and Lighting

• Find patterned pillows, rugs and throws to spread around the room. Tone down red furniture with cream-colored or ivory brocades, or get daring by adding royal blue and deep purple accents. If the room is very dark overall, you might want to brighten it with well-placed floor and side-table lamps that provide lighting for reading or relaxing. Use direct lighting for the wall art, and group several small lamps together to emit a subtle golden glow.

Candles and Accessories

• Hang a few wrought-iron wall sconces or wall vases for candles and flowers. Add black and gold candlesticks topped with white or red candles, but change out the candles to other colors to supplement artwork and accessories. If you use an ethnic theme, find baskets, masks, carvings and sculptures to accent the furnishings. Bowls of colorful potpourris, books in small cases and a few tall plants provide small showcase touches.

Window Treatments

• Stick with red or incorporate gold, white or patterns of mixed colors when dealing with the windows in a room with red furniture. Sheer white curtains can be hung alone or beneath a frame of red drapes. Another idea is to use red for a valance, swags or poufs, and frame them with white or gold curtains. Or simply drape a window scarf across the tops of rods and let them hang asymmetrically. Don't be afraid to get creative - if you like it, it works.