From carrot colored carpets to apricot bathroom suites, orange has managed to achieve a reputation as a tone to avoid with interior design, unless you are going for a 1970s retro-chic sort of look. Because of this common association, there is no getting away from the fact that orange has been unfashionable within homes for some years.Try not to think of orange as a color that you should avoid and break the rule book. Because, when it comes to orange, the rule book is wrong.

Orange And White.

Like banana yellow and lime green, if you paint your room from wall to wall in citrus orange then the look will be far to vibrant. Rather than sending you mad, orange should compliment an existing color scheme.

The simplest way of achieving this is to go for the white and orange combination. Break up orange carpets with white detailing and repeat the look with white painted cornicing and woodwork. If you paint one wall orange, keep the others plain and break up the look with a white cabinet placed in front of the accented wall.

In bedrooms with orange walls use white linen and mixed pillow covers, for the same effect. Mixed white and orange drapes can set off a similarly colored rug and orange objets d’art perfectly, too. Choose carpets and drapes with an approximate half split of orange and white, such as a herringbone design.

Living Room Accent Walls.

An ideal use of orange is to add warmth to a reception room, for instance with an accented wall that forms a chimney breast. Predominantly white living spaces will get a lift from one plain mid-orange wall, set off by a few cushions. If the room has plenty of natural light you can get away with two accented walls without the look becoming over done.

Twin Tones.

Don’t just use orange as an accent color. It can also be used alongside reds and yellows. Try a light colored orange wall against a yellow ceiling, for instance. Mid-orange walls against a burnt red ceiling will also coordinate. Complete the look with some complimenting upholstery for your furniture.

Cool Kitchens.

Probably the best room to use orange in and immediately achieve a contemporary look, is the kitchen. Splash back areas in orange, set against gray and silver kitchenware look thoroughly modern. Use under cabinet spotlights to draw attention to burnt orange tiling. Bring the look together with some shelving units that match the tone of your kitchen’s chosen shade. A flame color behind a cooker will also create an up to date look. Finish your kitchen’s styling with an orange accessory such as a pedal bin.

Picking Out Details.

Orange does not have to be the main color in a room to have impact. A guest bedroom, with conventional gray and browns in the linen and flooring, will come alive with the addition of an orange rug or throw. Use the same tone with your lamp shades and pillow covers. Detailing, like this, also works for occasional chairs if you reflect the hue with some artwork, for instance.

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