Decorating in Red

In home decor, the color red is a powerful tool. Correlated to the root chakra in the Indian view of the spiritual body, the color red supports the instinct to survive. In this view, red comes to mean sexuality, feeding, and a fight or flight response on the physical level, stability on the mental level, sensuality on the emotional level, and security on the spiritual and economic level. Applied to home decor, carefully placed doses of red can help you to stimulate your own survival instincts, enabling you to take the necessary steps to creating and safeguarding your shelter, your sustenance, and your back up plans for when things are less than ideal.

In Feng Shui, red represents the element of fire, and is best placed in the zone of your home which supports your fame and good reputation. Red is especially helpful in a room with no windows, according to Feng Shui. In a bathroom, red towels can be just the right touch to keep the room feeling warm and cozy. As long as you place a plant or green bamboo wood object between the red towels and the faucets, you will avoid a conflict between the fire and water elements.

What ever your reasons for using red in your home decor, there are a few guide lines that you'll want to keep in mind.

A) Less is more. Too much red can turn a room into a place of struggle, anxiety, anger, and weary discomfort. Save red for accent pieces rather than whole walls or entire sofas. Here are some suggestions for ways to introduce red:

1. red ribbon tied around a bamboo plant, or used to suspend a gem stone or crystal ball hung in the window
2. red throw pillows or throw pillows with a red accent in the motif
3. red stained glass in a window hanging, or blown glass, especially in the form of a bowl in which you light candles
4. red flowers or ornamental chilies, either growing in a pot on the table, or printed on a fabric, can add just the right splash of red to a table cloth and matching seat cushions.
5. ruby colored rhinestones can be glued onto the borders of mirrors and frames. Vanity tables look lovely with a red glass bottle of perfume.

B) Light is an important decor element. Red sheer organza curtains or a red lamp shade that will turn the room's light a shade of raspberry pink...this is flattering to the occupants, as well as romantic and sensual. Red light also allows our eyes to maintain night vision, so it is especially appropriate for dining on the back yard patio and for bedrooms.

C) Red comes in many shades, so you can find one that works for you. The red spectrum includes burgundy, wine, burnt red, red with a touch of blue in it, red with a touch of orange in it, pastels created by mixing red with white to make pink, and the list goes on.

One of the prettiest ways to introduce red to your room, is with a classical Persian style carpet. These can be floor coverings or hung on the walls as art that adds insulation. They make spectacular focal points, and usually balance the red jewel tones with a few other accent colors, creating a harmonious jumping off point for the rest of the room's decor.