BRIGHTEN UP

Orange is one of the shades of the moment. Here’s how to bring it into your home

By EVE HERBERT

One of the most impactful ways of incorporating orange hues into your interior is by going bold and investing in a statement piece of furniture. Adding a pop of sunset colour into any space can instantly add warmth, and by choosing a standout furniture piece to feature the hue, you can ensure a showstopping display.

Sam Baldry, Head of Design at Swoon, comments: “When you find a colour you truly adore, it is very easy to go all out and plaster your interior with it. However, it is often more impactful to choose one statement piece of furniture to feature the tone, and then work your accessories to complement and emphasise it. In a living space, I love the idea of a burnt orange sofa, complete with orange-toned pillows and a matching throw blanket, paired with brown and brass furniture and accessories. The delicate contrast between the bright orange, neutral brown and muted brass allows the sofa to become a centrepiece of the space, creating visual interest without overwhelming the senses.”

So, when choosing your showstopper ‘statement’, consider which furniture pieces stand out in your space. Beds, sofas, desk chairs, and even feature walls created with vibrant orange paint are all great examples.

If bold displays of affection for the nation’s current favourite colour seems a little too theatrical for your liking, there are more subtle ways to show off pumpkin hues in your home. Consider using small pops of the tone to feature in lesser-used areas, such as hallways, landings, and bathrooms. Being selective can create a cohesive aesthetic throughout your abode, without overpowering your entire interior.

Sam Baldry says: “A great way to add lashings of orange into your abode without overdoing it is to select refined spaces such as hallways, conservatories, and downstairs lavatories to subtly embellish. I love the idea of recurring accents of orange paint on selected walls around the home – this thoughtful feature truly ties the entire interior design together for a well composed finish.

“For a renter-friendly way to integrate sunset tones into your home, hanging wall art and mindfully placing accessories are great, less permanent alternatives to painting surfaces. Curating a collection of vases, candles, rugs, and hardware in orange and golden tones to disperse into a space such as a hallway creates a chic, monotonal vibe that will be sure to impress guests as they first enter your home. One of my favourite ways to integrate colour artfully is by replacing unin- teresting or tired chrome hardware such as door and drawer handles with beautifully bold substitutes.”

If you're not ready to commit to an all-out orange aesthetic, updating your soft furnishings is an ideal alternative. This way, as each season rolls around, you can simply switch out your throws, cushions, curtains and bedding for a more seasonally appropriate replacement, and store the old one away for its return later in the year. “Reinventing your interior style doesn’t have to come with a 12-month minimum commitment contract. To easily achieve a consistently seasonally appropriate home, simply rotate your soft furnishings a few times a year. During the summer months, keep your furnishings light and breezy using materials such as linen and cotton. When the weather begins to cool down, heavier fabrics such as velvet and boucle will help to transform your current interior to form a cosy space for the colder months.

“Consider updating your bedding to a chic burnt orange and crisp white combination, adding texture and pattern through decorative pillows and throws. Combine this with co-ordinating curtains, which will help to keep the heat in, and a sunset-toned rug to keep your feet warm and comfortable – and just like that, you’ve created a wonderfully seasonal and weather appropriate boudoir space.”