Red & Black Bedroom Theme

Choose a Dominant Color

• Designing a room with a red and black theme can be difficult since both shades are dramatic and bold. Using equal amounts of both colors can easily overwhelm the space. When planning your bedroom, it usually helps to choose one color to be the dominate shade while using the second to serve as the accent color. For example, you can paint all of the walls red and use it as the main color for the room. Incorporate black in smaller walls, such as a pattern in the rug or bedding, lampshades or artwork. You can also opt for furniture with a black finish to balance the room. On the other hand, you can go with black on the walls for a dark, dramatic look and add smaller pops of red to brighten up the room.

Emphasize Windows

• Because black and red are such bold, saturated colors, they can make a room appear quite dark even with adequate lighting. Soft, warm natural light can go a long way in balancing the look of a red and black bedroom. As a result, leave as much of your windows exposed as possible to allow light to enter. If your bedroom has only one or two windows, add a few more to create an entire wall of windows. You can also add a skylight to allow natural light into your red and black bedroom.

Play up Pattern

• One of the easiest ways to highlight a red and black theme for your bedroom is to find patterns that utilize both shades. Plaid is a traditional choice and is an ideal option for a masculine-style bedroom. For more feminine flair, look for a red and black floral pattern for your bedspread or curtains. In a teenage girl's room, a polka dot pattern in red and black can be fun. You can also find more sophisticated options, such as red and black paisley or a toile pattern that provides French flair.

Pair With White

• If you like the idea of a red and black bedroom but the two colors alone are too bold for your tastes, use white to soften the effect. Painting your walls white creates a neutral backdrop that allows black and red to pop in other aspects of the room, like the carpeting, bedding, window coverings and furniture finishes. However, you can still add drama to the room by creating a single red and black accent wall. Paint the wall in red and black stripes, or use wallpaper in a red and black print. You can even use black and red tiles to cover the wall, or play up white in other aspects of the room by finding patterns that incorporate all three shades.