Painting Ideas for a Red Wall in a Boy's Bedroom

Balance

• Painting only one accent wall red is a good way to keep the color from being overpowering or the room from feeling dark. Strike a balance by painting the other walls a less intense color such as a beige, light blue or pale brown. You can also offset the red by using other colors not only on the walls but also in the bedroom: the curtains, carpet or rugs, throw pillows, bedding and the lampshades.

Options

• The boy may not like the same red you like, so take him with you when you go paint shopping and let him pick the color. Not all reds are the same, and the selection is very wide ranging. Check paint stores or the paint aisles of home improvement stores. You'll find a number of diverse alternatives to choose from among the wide range of shades, hues and tints available, including ruby, crimson, scarlet, red-purple and fire engine.

Multiples

• Another very creative technique to consider is to do something other than a plain red wall. Purchase a bright red and a muted red, and paint stripes. Purchase a dark maroon red and a yellowish red, and paint contrasting circles or polka dots. Use a pinkish red and a deep burgundy red to do a tone-on-tone treatment. Install a chair rail on the wall, and paint wine red above it and reddish brown beneath it.

Picture

• A mural is a fun option for a child, and a good way to prominently feature red while incorporating other colors. Paint or hire someone to paint a scene that will capture a little boy's imagination. Options include an orchard in which the trees' branches are heavy with apples; a farmer in his garden of strawberry, cherry and tomato plants; a pastoral setting with a big red barn; or a portrait of the little boy being pulled in a little red wagon.