- 1). Select the most neutral shade as your main wall color. Dark wall colors like red and black make a room feel smaller and more cramped, while lighter, neutral colors keep the space open and airy. While white on its own can be a sterile, cold interior color, red and black accents add color and warmth to a white-walled space.
- 2). Add a border or wall design in either red or black. Use two parallel lengths of painter's tape spaced eight to ten inches apart to create a border on your white walls. Place the border slightly above eye level for the most striking effect. Paint the interior of your tape-defined border either red or black, according to your preferences. Remove the tape after the paint has dried for at least 24 hours.
- 3). Use red and black paint to create a design on an accent wall if you prefer a more abstract or artistic alternative to a wall border. Place the design on a wall that is free of large furniture or windows. Use painter's tape to create a series of circles, geometric shapes or flowing floral patterns rather than a standard border. Paint the design inside the painter's tape in red or black. Remove the tape after the paint has dried overnight.
- 4). Carry the color scheme to the flooring with small area rugs. If you have hardwood floors, area rugs with simple patterns like concentric circles or wide stripes in red, black and white reflect the color scheme through all parts of the room. If you have carpeting, consider replacing the carpet with a neutral gray or white carpet, or lifting the carpet and installing pine or ebony hardwood floors.
- 5). Choose a dramatic black and white checkerboard tile floor for bathrooms or dining rooms. Tiled floors may be too busy and vibrant for living rooms and bedrooms but they are practical and bold choices for kitchens and bathrooms.
- 6). Purchase black-painted wooden accent pieces of furniture. Natural woods introduce texture into the space, and black-painted or ebony-stained wood pieces like dining tables, end tables and dressers blend seamlessly into the color scheme.
- 7). Update soft furnishings with bold, red upholstery fabrics. Red is a rich and saturated primary color, so choose fabrics with simple, symmetrical designs to avoid a look that is visually overwhelming. When used in draperies and bedding, matte fabrics like cotton or wool are subtle complements to the bold red coloring. For kitchen stools or chairs, red patent leather creates a retro vibe.
- 8). Arrange accent pieces that include at least two of the colors around the area. A framed black and red painting, black and white paisley vases or lamp shades with black and white floral patterns offer color combinations that make the space feel connected.
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