Orange for Fun — and Yes, Versatility — Around the House

Quick: What's the first thing you think of when you hear the word "orange"? The fruit? Halloween? Traffic cones? Unfortunately, many of the associations we have for this color relate to danger. (Think prison uniforms.) It's no wonder that so many of us avoid using it in our homes.

But when the experts at Pantone chose Tangerine Tango as the Color of the Year for 2012, they gave us a brand-new way of looking at orange. No longer reserved for fall decorations or Halloween festivities, different orange hues can fit into virtually any home. "Folks should give orange another look," says California color consultant Christina Harris. "They may be surprised at how fun and versatile this color can be."

We spoke with Harris and three other color experts around the United States to learn more. Here's their insight on how you can introduce this overlooked color into your home.

Why Is There an Aversion to Orange?

Orange tends to get an instant negative reaction — more so than other colors. "Orange has the ghoulish habit of becoming garish without too much effort," says New York color consultant Debra Kling. Generally, orange elicits a mental image of a bright, gaudy hue. It can get too pink or too yellow very quickly. Plus, its reputation as a Halloween color makes it hard for many to envision incorporating it into their home.


"From the professional side, oranges are tricky," says Harris. "The idea of the 'right' orange changes over time. Even Nike's trademark swoosh is not the same orange year after year. It changes as tastes change about what is the current orange."


Use Orange as an Accent

Even when muted, orange calls attention to itself. This makes it a great choice for a burst of color on a single wall, piece of furniture or accessory. Massachusetts color consultant Barbara Jacobs suggests using orange for a focal point in a room, and choosing contrasting or complementary colors and textures for the surrounding space.


With the right tone, orange can work with virtually any color. "Hits of orange never disappoint," says Seattle color consultant Elizabeth Brown. "Orange candles, runners and pillows are all great candidates for an easy, affordable way to inject such a wonderful hue into the mix."


Choose the Right Hue

Orange has just as many permutations and hues as other colors, which can make it relatively flexible. Think about the emotion you want your room to evoke. "A bright orange can be very energizing, but a more muted orange — especially next to another color — can be very cozy and warm," says Harris.


Darker, deeper hues can lean toward red and brown. The most saturated oranges will feel more muted when surrounded by cool grays and other neutrals.


Decide how much orange you're planning to use before picking a hue. If you're painting an entire room, brighter oranges will be tricky. But if you're using it for small accents, you'll have more flexibility.


"Stay away from the orange that looks like those fake-peanuts Halloween candy," says Jacobs. "Keep it deep and rich."

When designing interiors, Kling often employs oranges with bronze undertones. "I generally find it's easier to use yellow-oranges and brown-oranges in a home setting," she says.


Start Small

Not sure where to begin? Keep in mind that you don't need a lot of orange for it to be effective, so start with small doses.


An orange front door can work well in any location. "Try painting an orange front door when you were originally contemplating red," says Kling.


A single orange pillow, vase, candle or throw can be an affordable way to experiment with the color.


Use a simple bowl of oranges as an organic accent.


Paint a single wall or part of a wall with a swath of muted orange. If you don't like it, just paint it back.


Add an orange carpet runner to the staircase of a home with an otherwise neutral palette.

"At the end of the day, just choose the color you like," says Harris. "You're going to live with it, and no one will be reviewing your color choice. If you like it, go for it. Go small or go big. It's all changeable, so it can be worth it to try something new and fresh."


See more guides on how to use orange in your home

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