Don’t you just love the color orange?  No?? But it is such a happy color (next to yellow that is)!  Did you know that orange is considered to be the most controversial of all colors?  That is usually because there is such a strong opinion towards it- either you love it or hate it!

   Gambrel

Orange falls directly between the colors of red and yellow on the color spectrum and shares both attributes.  The color on the yellow side is thought to promote happiness and represents sunshine, enthusiasm and creativity.  On the other side, orange is close to red which shows more of an aggressive side.

But I ask you, how can you not love this room? I see the yellow happier side of orange filled with sunshine.

STEPHEN SHUBEL

I do not think I myself would like a room all painted in orange, but I love to use as accessories because they really ‘pop’ out and look great.  I think orange is such a young, fresh and modern look.  Here are a couple perfect examples below from one of my favorite designers Maria Killam:  

                                               Maria Killam Designs

I know that most people automatically think of bright primary orange when they think of this hue.  But look at how Maria beautifully incorporated ‘orange’ in her design:

      Maria Killam Design

Bet you did not know all of these colors below were shades of orange:  (If you click on the colors it will bring you to Wikipedia’s* illustration and definition.)

Amber                       Apricot                    Bittersweet                      Brown
      Burnt orange          Champagne             Coral                                 Dark salmon
    Flame                                 Gamboge                      Gold            Mahogany                         Orange                      Orange(web)       Orange-red                                                                                                       Orange peel                 Peach                                          Persimmon                                             Pumpkin
                   Rust                                      Salmon                           Sunset                                Tangerine
       Tea rose                       Tenné                        Tomato                             Vermilion

*Resource- Wikipedia     

Most colors such as tangerine, rust and peach were easy to guess, but I never thought of coral or apricot?  Did you know that?

Do you like red and orange together?

     Better Homes & Gardens

How about turquoise and orange?

                                                             Tobi Farley

       House Beautiful

Purple and orange are contrasting colors are across from each other, contrasting, on the color wheel and that is why the two colors look so great together.

Image File 

Another favorite color scheme of mine is orange and navy.  I could not find a picture, but here is an example:

So before you say “ I hate the color orange and I would never use in my home,” , instead of picturing ‘orange’, visualize a pretty shade of rust or tomato or coral.  Picture this instead:

             Maria Killam

If you would like to see more of Maria, visit her blog Colour Me Happy.  She has many great color ideas and really fantastic photos.

If you are afraid of the intensity of the color orange, start small.  Put out a couple pillows, a vase, chair or ottoman.   You will add instant freshness to your room.     How do you feel about the color orange?

If you need help updating and refreshing your home, contact me  for an online or at home consultation.