Warm Color Schemes

In this hot-hued sunroom, an analogous color scheme of warm orange, golden yellow, and lime green creates a spicy space that's ideal for lively gatherings. A vintage red-orange Moroccan rug pulls the furniture group into a cohesive unit. The deep neutral flooring and walls provide a rich backdrop for the intense color.

Wallpaper in an oversize graphic pattern of raisin and shell pink accents one wall of this warm and dramatic dining room. Solid blocks of pink on either side of the wall emphasize the slim lines of the pattern in the paper. Modern shapes in bright white -- the pendant lamps, ceramic sculpture, and shelf accents -- stand out vividly against the deep wall.

In this breakfast room, dollops of persimmon and yellow enliven the neutral palette. A vintage black French secretary gets an interior update with warm orange paint, as does the chandelier over the table. Orange-red fabric on window shades, chair cushions, and banquette pillows bring in more color, while solid yellow fabric covers the curved banquette and pillows in a yellow-on-white pattern alternate with orange.

Vibrantly hued furnishings gather atop a seagrass rug in this inviting living room. The chair fabric consists of white wool on the front and colorful patterned linen on the back for a cheery welcome into the room. The same jazzy fabric appears in pillows on the sofa. Softly patterned curtains take the fabric to ceiling height, drawing the eye to the room¿s most unusual architectural feature: the wide barrel vault.

Going bold doesn¿t have to mean coating your walls in bright hues. In this family room, white walls are the backdrop for bursts of fuchsia and tangerine. Painting the bookshelves to match the walls makes the contents of the shelving even more prominent. Pretty fabrics in orange and pink hide lower shelving for those less-than-decorative items, while graphic wallpapers lining the backs of shelving in some of the niches provide punches of color. A painted ladder, table-support sawhorses, decorative pillows, a deep pink rug, and a hot pink throw spread the joyous color palette around the room and encourage the white furnishings to play along.

Children¿s paintings of black-and-orange monarch butterflies inspired the color scheme in this warm living room. Framed in black, they¿re elevated to the level of fine art on a pale wall that provides a soothing backdrop to the vivid color. Revved-up orange, red, and yellow solids and patterns layer for a fabulous combination that¿s exudes energy. Additional black accents, such as the chair frame, ground the palette and keep the combination of colors from becoming chaotic.

Charcoal-gray walls create a gallery-like setting for artwork, furnishings, and accents in this warm living room. Paintings provided the inspiration for the brick-red sofa, decorative pillows, and wall color that flows into the adjacent room, tying the spaces together. Gleaming blue lamps were also suggested by color blocks in the artwork. The white tables, lampshades, and ceiling, as well as the off-white chair and textured rug, bring light visual contrast to the dark saturated tones.

The sunny splendor of a Tuscan sunset inspired the decor in this lovely dining area. Although the space is elegantly appointed, the cozy color creates an inviting corner. Butterscotch-yellow draperies accented with red stripes convey an understated grace while providing an unencumbered view of the garden. A round table surrounded by chocolate-brown leather-upholstered chairs softens the lines of the square breakfast room.

Traditionally understated, this relaxing living room exudes warmth and hospitality. The recovered Chippendale-style camelback sofa gets a modern makeover in shades of golden maize. Rich red in a subtle pattern dresses the flanking upholstered chairs, while bold floral pattern on a red background provides contrast on the sofa pillows.

Give cookie-cutter architecture some identity with strong color on the walls. This wall, painted a deep orange, transforms from blank surface to architectural focal point. Splashes of orange, scattered throughout the sitting room and nearby breakfast area, integrate the color throughout the space and play off the yellow kitchen walls. The earthy colors suit the midcentury furnishings that provide the neutral foil for the bright color.

Vibrant and theatrical, this dining room¿s color scheme is anything but shy and quiet. A mix of modern and traditional furnishings keeps the look chic yet family-friendly. Complementary blue tones in the large pair of framed prints keeps the orange walls from getting too warm. High-contrast black and white in the table, chairs, and rug lift the palette to an even higher level of sophistication.

Warm brown walls set a rich and sophisticated backdrop for this eclectic grouping of favored living room pieces. The brown, along with a pale pink ceiling and trim, accentuates the vibrant color of the green chair, coral velvet sofa, and patterned pillows. The blue-and-white rug adds an element of surprise and whimsy.

Red is a vivacious and stimulating color that works perfectly in this busy kitchen. White floors and tile walls provide a neutral backdrop for the lacquered cabinets. The sleek surface of these red cabinets have a decidedly contemporary flair, but the wood ceiling beams overhead bring in a rustic warmth that contrasts with the sleek and sophisticated finish of the Carrara marble countertops and glossy cabinetry.

The rosy palette for this romantic sitting room starts with the walls. Paint in a blushing taupe instills a feeling of warmth and intimacy, while drapery panels in salmon pink frame the windows. Coral patterned fabrics drench the upholstered furnishings, adding zing to the enchanting room.

Inspired by a trip to sunny Greece, this homeowner updated her dining nook with the vivid colors of coastal Europe. A rosy coral coats the walls, while leaf-green fabric updates the stripped-finish chairs. Pretty coral patterned fabric forms the welting on the chairs and ties the color scheme together. Ample surfaces of white on the ceiling and architectural details keep the bold colors in check.

Sunshiny color wakes up this high-traffic living room, creating a happy hub for social interaction. Patterned fabrics and artwork scatter the presence of energetic red throughout the colorful room. Slipcovers and paint makeovers drench the furnishings in cheery shades while broad stripes of white trim, a classic cottage touch, provide visual relief from intense color.

Three matching daybeds piled with plump pillows makes a wonderful grouping for cozy conversation. Pale yellow walls compensate for the lack of natural light in this north-facing room. Neutral fabrics on the cushions allow the furniture frames and pillows to shine. Orange curtain panels bring zest to the pale walls, while a deep red rug anchors the color scheme.

A nearly monochromatic color palette in this cozy nook makes for a quiet, contemplative space. Buttery yellow paint on the walls is matched by the fabric on the slipcovered chairs. To enliven the scene, however, strips of trim outline the slipcover skirt with a juicy berry color. Touches of black in the frames and drinks table calm the color palette a bit..

A hot pink tufted sofa, accented with dotted stripe green, pink, and cream pillows, pops against a gallery-like arrangement of ivory bookshelves. Pear green, a complementary hue to the deep pink, makes a strong statement in this space, with armchairs in a green cotton-linen blend and a round ottoman in a coordinating stargazer lily print. Batik-printed linen draperies bring lively pattern to the walls.

Wine-red walls warm up a basement family room to counteract the inherent coolness of an underground living space. Neutral furnishings, dotted with red pillows and accessories, offset the deep hue. To make low basement ceilings feel taller, keep them white, if possible, and hang a row of framed artwork relatively low.

The fabric on the ottoman provides the inspiration for this living room color scheme of complementary orange and blue. Simple touches with paint and fabric throughout the formerly all-beige room brought this pretty palette into being on a budget. Spray paint remakes a classic gourd-shape lamp base in pretty blue. Paint is also employed to create a graphic floorcloth in orange, yellow, and blue. Inexpensive orange fabric dresses the window and provides the background for an appliqued pillow. Paint a super-simple abstract artist¿s canvas with swipes of orange and blue, and you¿ve transformed your decor on a dime.

Fiery red paint covers two walls setting the tone for this informal kitchen bursting with colorful personality. The delicious red repeats on cabinetry, in the bold patterned shades, and on accents and painted cabinet knobs that pop around the room. Bright white trim and wainscoting dial down the warmth of the red, which is further cooled by the unexpected appearance of aqua. Blue notes found in the glass lamps, repurposed from another room of the house, were suggested by the aqua tones in the large painting.