The unexpected red theory is the home trend you need to know
From a little splash to a bold pop, there's nothing we love more than a feature colour! So when we heard about the 'unexpected red theory' (on TikTok, where we get all our serious news updates) we were all ears.
In a video that's racked up close to a million views and counting, interiors creator Taylor Simon posed her concept: "Unexpected red theory is basically adding anything that's red – big or small – to a room where it doesn't match at all, and it automatically looks better."
If the idea of painting your bedroom fire engine red makes you break into hives, don't fret. Unexpected red theory is about adding a surprising twist, a delightful pop, rather than drenching a room in the shade.
Red is a bold, commanding colour. Like the cherry on top of a sundae or a chilli in your margarita, in this case it's used as a garnish to bring out the full-bodied depth of your space. Just as dumping a whole jar of maraschinos in your ice cream would spoil it, this theory is all about adding the perfect little kick rather than overpowering your design. As one commenter put it, red is "the lipstick of any space."
Ready to put a cherry on your sundae?
a sprinkle of spice
If you're new to red or nervous about turning the heat up too fast, start with little details. Bring red into a room through soft furnishings like a lamp, photo frame or cushion. They'll add an element of surprise and create interest without overpowering the space. Bonus – if you want to change things up, it's easy to swap them out!
power pop
Ready to step it up? Create some serious sizzle by adding larger red pieces (might we suggest a locker?) to anchor the space. This is where you can get creative with your colour combos – pair Poppy with pastels like Ocean and Sage for an unexpected mix that surprisingly works! The primary colours – red, yellow and blue – bounce off each other for a bright and cheerful mix, while green sits opposite red on the colour wheel, producing a satisfying balance of warm and cool.
red hot + ready
Loving the unexpected red trend? Take your red from accent colour to feature colour by adding more! A larger surface area, like a Midi or Twinny, lets Poppy shine her brightest. Layer multiple red moments in a room by adding elements like a lamp and bedding in the same colour. Or, let red take centre stage by positioning it in a space that's been colour-drenched in another colour. The high contrast will let your red piece take pride of place. After all, this colour is no wallflower!
Top image: @michellenorrisphoto + bottom right image: @thepajaamahub
