List of Shades of Red

Dark and Dramatic

• When designing with a dark red shade, designers generally consider from three traditional choices: carmine, which is a crimson, almost purple-reddish shade; cinnamon red, which shimmers with hues of red and golden brown; and burgundy red, the opulent color of red wines. When considering using a dark red shade in a room, think strategically. Too much dark red will overstimulate your sight senses and convey a negative association with blood. Instead, use these colors as accent shades or a focal point.

Soft and Sweet

• Soft red shades are mixes of red and pink. They range from the subtle red that can be seen in a blend of flamingo feathers to the coral red that adorns tropical waters. Soft red shades are used in office settings to spark thoughts of creativity. Unlike dark reds, soft reds can be used to paint an entire room. They also can be painted on two accent walls to inspire working minds.

Bring on the Brights

• Raspberry, candy apple and American rose are just a few colors that belong in the bright red category. This shade of red is bold and evokes action. To use a bright red shade correctly in home decor, you have to capitalize on its ability to complement other shades. This is done by using it in decor pieces such as vases, floral arrangements or paintings with bright red illustrations. Placing it in a creative room such as an office or the kitchen allows a bright red color to shine and add the feel of movement to the space.

Warm and Rich

• Warm red shades are combinations of red and orange or red and yellow. Orange-red, coquelicot, lava red and fire orange red are a part of the category of warm red shades. Warm reds are often creative color blends that are specific to a manufacturer rather than a standard name. This is why under one brand, orange-red may appear more orange than it does in another brand name.