Even if, or perhaps especially since, we have a limited “fall” season in between Texas’ hot summer and mildly cold “winter,” most of us enjoy the idea of those reds, golds, and oranges often associated with autumn. Decorating for Halloween and Thanksgiving gives us the opportunity to play with these bright warm colors, but using orange can be difficult. It’s a strong color that takes skill to pull off in home design so that it’s not overwhelming or just plain ugly (unless you’re a University of Texas fan, then burnt orange is an acceptable year-round decor color).

Since orange is a blend of yellow and red, different hues can shed warm and friendly light on a home’s decor. Real Simple, an interest magazine, gives some good guidelines for using this drastic color: “A red orange…feels graphic, so it works well with sleek furniture; a yellow orange nicely contrasts with dark, rustic pieces. When painting walls orange, don’t use the color elsewhere in the room—stick to neutrals, like white and cream, to temper the shade. And avoid black, so as not to veer into Halloween territory.”

Fall wall– A single orange wall can act as a centerpiece, one that highlights the contrasting colors in art and furniture around the room.

Peek a BOO– Or, with a lighter hand, use pops of orange in a neutral-heavy area to lighten the atmosphere and create warmth.

Commit to color– Bravery can translate to chic style if you mix only orange and one other color (white for example) to play off each other, highlighting the secondary color through accents and small details.

Play with the palette– Real Simple suggests pairing dark or bright oranges with other bold accents to create a playful environment. Try a vibrant teal or a deep magenta for a fun design.

A warm welcome– An eye-catching color, orange makes a strong statement to the neighborhood when implemented at the front door. Put out rustic orange porch furniture or paint the front door an alluring, high-energy hue to stand out from the crowd.

Article Citation: Naciri, Jaymi. (September 6, 2015). “A modern take on fall colors: decorating with orange.” RealtyTimes. Retrieved October 27, 2015 from: http://realtytimes.com/consumeradvice/homeownersadvice1/item/38099-20150907-a-modern-take-on-fall-colors-decorating-with-orange.
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