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Orange is a cheerful colour, reflecting stability, reassurance and warmth. It evokes memories of autumn leaves, pumpkins and fireside evenings. It symbolises balance, warmth, enthusiasm, vibrance and flamboyancy and is demanding of attention. Softer shades, such as peach, are friendlier and more soothing but can still be full of energy. Orange works well in living and family rooms, entrance halls and office spaces. It is also recommended for a dining room or kitchen, as it is thought to arouse the appetite, aid digestion and stimulate conversation. Orange also looks beautiful when lit by candlelight, making it an ideal choice for a restaurant environment too.
Orange, like red, warms a room but in a less dramatic and passionate way. The mood and attitude of orange is friendly rather than fiery, more welcoming than seductive. Nevertheless, it is considered an attention-grabbing colour and one that expresses ambition or a change in attitude. It definitely isn’t a calm colour. It is mentally stimulating and can be used to get people thinking or talking. People who love orange are generally energetic, friendly and warmhearted. Self-motivated, practical and good at organising, they commonly have a positive outlook on life. Orange reflects enthusiasm, creativity and confidence.
Use orange in the bedroom at the risk of being kept awake at night by this stimulating shade. It can also make a room look smaller and is best used in spaces that get plenty of natural light.
Blue: orange and black are a traditional pairing but medium blue really makes orange come to life
Red and yellow: use bright shades for a hot, spicy combination or tone them down for a fresh, summery scheme
Green: as in nature, this is the definitive tropical colour scheme
Pink: steer away from this combo unless you’re aiming for a psychedelic 1960s look
Purple: a dash of deep purple tamed by mellow yellow or white will create a décor scheme that’s eye-catching without being overpowering.
