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17 Ways to Decorate with Orange

Put your preconceived notions aside. Orange―the stuff of jack-o’-lanterns and garish ’70s wardrobes―is actually a wonderfully versatile color for home decor

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1 /17 Thomas J. Story

Be bold

Paint a small bedroom in a cheerful hue to make an impact.

2 /17 Thomas J. Story

Sprinkle in an accent

Eighteen-foot ceilings and a wall of windows make the first floor of this triplex feel larger than its 576 square feet. Floating orange shelves and a tangerine-hued Sunbrella cushion pop against the neutrals, adding some flair to the light-filled space.

3 /17 E. Spencer Toy

Modernize a traditional look

This mantle headboard imparts a sense of tradition, while the tangerine-and-floral wallpaper freshens up the look.

4 /17 Thomas J. Story

Provide a focal point

An orange pendant lamp draws the gaze, adding a striking pop of color without dominating the room.

5 /17 Thomas J. Story

Add personality

The statement wall acts as a vivid backdrop for an heirloom bookshelf unit housing decorative collections, creating a doubly personal tone in this living room.

6 /17 Jennifer Cheung

Take it outside

A stuccoed concrete wall, painted orange and capped with stained redwood, visually warms this backyard lounge. Falling Leaves paint, S-H-240; behr.com. Dark Slate stain; cabotstain.com.

7 /17 Thomas J. Story

Make an impact

Having too many colors can segment a space rather than tie it together. Limiting the number of hues allows one to take center stage, as with the orange vinyl love seat in this kids' room.

8 /17 Joe Schmelzer

Harmonize a palette

Painting a wall in a pumpkin shade adds warmth and goes well with dark earth tones in this small home workspace.

9 /17 Lisa Romerein

Mix cool and warm

Steel columns make this living room’s glass corners—and airy feel—possible. The fireplace and coordinated orange-red furnishings serve as an interesting focal counterpoint, yet keep the room warm and cozy.

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Create an anchor

A kitchen island covered in stainless steel and painted bright orange anchors this bright kitchen and keeps it fun and fresh.

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Escape the all-netural trap

This second-floor hallway is a rare hit of color in a neutral-toned house. It represents one of the few real deviations from a largely neutral palette of whites, grays, and wood tones.

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Sit on it

Selecting vibrant furniture is a clever way to add bright color to a room. These orange dining chairs are stylish and oh-so-cheerful.

13 /17 Thomas J. Story

Pay homage to harvest hues

Adding seasonal items from nature is an easy and non-commital way to flirt with a new color palette. Here, red-orange pumpkins mingle with glory lilies, pomegranates, red winter berries, and― most surprisingly― golden and cherry tomatoes.

14 /17 James Carrier

Pay a complement

Complementary colors achieve a bold contrast, but it's difficult to strike the right balance. A strong red-orange item―here, Eero Saarinen's Womb chair and ottoman―is perfect amid a wash of softer blues. Accessories in the same vibrant color family help unify the elements.

15 /17 James Carrier

Go for a natural tableau

A subtle range of earth tones infuses this scene with tranquility. Accent with elements from nature, such as the potted succulent featured here, to complete the organic theme.

16 /17 James Carrier

Brighten up a nook

Create a colorful focal point in a small space by painting your shelves (including the back) a bright color. Here, pumpkin-colored shelves (Kelly-Moore's Deep Spice wall paint, KM3608-5) act as a backdrop to deep brown and burnt orange accessories.

17 /17 Thomas J. Story

Speak softly

A coat of apricot paint amplifies the space above the mantel, a natural focal point, without over­powering the artwork hung upon it.