Red Colour Schemes

When it comes to creating cosy spaces, red colour schemes truly are unrivalled. From soft terracotta to deep burgundy, every shade is brimming with warmth. Be inspired by our advice, ideas and scheme suggestions below.

Picture Gallery Red No.42 by @highfidelityhome



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Our carefully curated palette of 132 shades, with an intriguing story behind each colour name, will help you to choose colours you love for your home.


Why Choose Red?

Red colour schemes are classic for a reason — they’re elegant, welcoming and much more versatile than you might think. Whether you have a country cottage or city apartment, period property or new build house, red will always feel perfectly at home.


Discover our red paint colours

If you've ever wondered what it is that makes Farrow & Ball so special, you'll find the answers here. From our high-quality ingredients to our artisanal methods, our 100% water based range of finishes and responsible practices, it's about so much more than just paint and paper.


Our Signature Red Paint Colours

Here at Farrow & Ball, we have a beautiful range of reds to choose from. Bright Bamboozle is bursting with buccaneering sprit to bring rooms to life, while mellow Marmelo is grounded and earthy for a thoroughly relaxing feel. Brown-based reds, like Etruscan Red and Singed Red , are perfect if you’re simply dipping a toe into colour and want a neutral shade with just a hint more warmth. 

All of our reds are handcrafted with subtle undertones to create depth, character and complexity.


Sample Our Favourite Reds

The best way to experience our colours before taking the plunge is with a true-to-colour paint sample. To help you narrow down your shortlist of shades, we've curated three of our most popular red shades to help you find your perfect match.

Sample selection contains 3 x 100ml Sample Pots of our beautiful Picture Gallery Red, Rectory Red and Preference Red.


How to Create a Red Colour Scheme

Choosing colours is half the joy — and half the challenge — of decorating. With such beautiful shades to choose from, it can be tricky to narrow them down.

You could make red the star of your scheme and pair it with a complementary white, which works wonderfully for a sophisticated dining room. Another option is creating a tonal scheme, layering several red shades together. This may seem bold but using red in this way can actually soften the overall feel by removing any harsh contrasts. In this instance, more can be less. As always, if you’re tentative about colour, then a bathroom, hallway or other spaces you don’t spend a lot of time in are perfect places to get creative.

We’ve asked our experts Joa Studholme and Patrick O’Donnell for three of their favourite red colour scheme suggestions.


Joa's Red Schemes

Joa Studholme is a best-selling author, Colour Curator and the mind behind many of our (and the world’s) most iconic paint shades. The original Colour Consultant, it’s no surprise that Joa knows our palette inside and out.  You can book Joa to help with your transformation in-home or over video call.

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Patricks's Red Schemes

Patrick O’Donnell spends his life talking, thinking and playing with colour. Our Brand Ambassador, the face of Farrow & Ball on social media and the host of our podcast, The Chromologist, he’s transformed homes of every shape, style and size. For personal advice from Patrick, you can book a colour consultancy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best red paint colour? 

From bold burgundy to tempered terracotta, red paint comes in a variety of shades that all create a different feel. So, finding the ‘best’ red, really means finding the best red for you. To get started, browse a selection of reds and see which ones you feel drawn to.  

What colour goes best with red paint? 

The best colour to complement red, depends on which red you choose and the look you want to create. For a truly classic look, combine a brilliant red or burgundy on the walls with white woodwork. For a softer look, try pairing an earthy red with a Warm Neutral to minimise contrast and create harmony. If you want to create a statement, try experimenting with black, green or pink.

What effect does red paint have on a room? 

With its unrivalled warmth, red paint is a wonderful way to make a room feel cosy. Lighter shades create a relaxed, inviting atmosphere, while deep red hues make an elegant, sophisticated statement. 

Should I paint my whole room red? 

Painting a whole room red may seem bold, but using one shade like this can almost make it act as a neutral. A muted red like Red Earth adds a relaxed feel while a bolder shade like Bamboozle brings energy to your scheme. If you’re unsure, you can always start experimenting in a small space or somewhere you use less often, like a guest bedroom.  

How can I choose the right shade of red? 

Choosing the right red for your room means thinking about how you want the space to feel and how you want to use it. If you want a cosy room you can retreat to in the evening you might want a different red than if you want to create a vibrant, energetic playroom. We always recommend sampling a few shades to see how they look in your light.

How do I make sure I get the best finish with red paint? 

Achieving the best result begins long before you start painting. Firstly, make sure you choose the right finish for the surface, which our finish finder can help with. Then prepare and prime, so that when you do start painting, your chosen finish glides on and stays put. Of course, we always recommend using a quality paint that’s packed with pigment for a rich depth of colour. 


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Need Some Advice?

Our expert Colour Consultants are ready and waiting to help bring your style to life. If you’d like personalised advice on how to use our colours in your home, book an appointment with our design experts today.