DO RED AND GREEN GO TOGETHER?
The straight answer to that question is: yes. While green and red are opposite each other on the color wheel, they're considered completely complementary, the two tones can still have a wonderful partnership. Usually, this palette is seen abundantly during Christmas, but when it comes to designing with these tones all year round, this combo doesn't have to look too much like an explosion at Santa's workshop. When it comes to colors that go with green, red is easier to work with than you might think. Using them in textures, furniture, wallpapers to even cushions or curios can keep your space from looking too seasonal, but cheery all year round. But most of all, choosing the right tones of red and green matters.
There are many colors that go with red and green, allowing a third shade to be introduced that can further uplift the scheme.
FOR A MORE SOPHISTICATED SETTING, CHOOSE DEEPER TONES
Dark tones are a great way to ground a red and green room and avoid that Christmassy feel. Warm tones have an inherent cocooning feel and can create a cozy environment, especially helpful in spaces like the dining room or banquette seating, which are intimate areas.
'When using colors like red and green, you're approaching the design with the intent to make a statement,' says Katie Paulsen, interior designer at Maestri Studio. 'In this case, the space needed to be exciting but also needed to have a soothing quality that the family could always enjoy.' 'We did this by softening the brighter values of the red and green by pulling in wood tones and by adding warmth to the metal finishes,' she adds. 'We knew that our best approach to using these bold colors was in knowing they will stand out but also keeping in mind that they need to feel like they belong.'
AVOID PRIMARY COLORS AND CHOOSE TONAL SHADES
Thankfully, red and green are available in several interesting undertones and shades. From mint, sage, and forest to teal and moss green, and terracotta, rust, scarlet, to poppy red and more, there's a whole gamut of hues you can use to create this palette. Whether you're looking for bedroom color ideas, living room, or kitchen, this offers a much less stark color combination than pure tones of red and green.
SCATTER THE PALETTE AROUND THE ROOM FOR A MORE SUBTLE LOOK
Another way to work with this palette is by scattering it around the room, or by concentrating it in one corner of a room. Consider bringing in more tones such as black, gold or beige to ground a scheme that may seem too OTT with just green and red. A living room or bedroom accent wall with red and green, with the rest of the room drenched in neutrals, could do the trick too.
MIX RED AND GREEN WITH OTHER COMPLEMENTARY HUES
Keep in mind that you don't need red and green to dominate your space. With your red and green color scheme, consider weaving in a masterful job with multiple colors. The trick is to use pieces of decor that combine all of the hues in your palette, instead of trying to use individual pieces in each color.