It's Not Just for Halloween! Why Decorating With Orange Is Red Hot

ARCADIA, WI--(Marketwired - Oct 28, 2013) - From Halloween jack-o-lanterns, to the graceful landscapes of fall foliage, orange is no doubt a popular color this time of year. But what about inside your house? Orange combines the fiery energy of red and the soothing happiness of yellow -- making for an energetic combination. While many shy away from this vibrant color, it's easy to introduce into your fall home décor -- and beyond -- without it taking over a room.

"Orange has very high visibility and, if used right, it can be an attention grabber that helps you highlight the central elements of your design," says Brenda Dillon, VP of Merchandising. "By balancing it out with solids and quieter tones, it may be easier than you think to create a warm, welcoming space."

Ashley Furniture HomeStore offers five tips for decorating with orange -- and making it work in any room in the house:

1. In the kitchen. Nothing kickstarts your day quite like slice of orange -- on your plate and on your walls! If you have a breakfast nook (and a fairly neutral-colored kitchen) it's the perfect spot to paint the walls a bright orange. Contrast it with a modern kitchen table with white chairs and you've got a gorgeous place to start your day every morning. Or use it on a wall under the countertops as a focal point and then sparingly throughout the kitchen... on barstools and/or an eye-catching island centerpiece (think hurricane jar filled with tangerines!) The whole look goes especially well with warm wood flooring.
2. In the bedroom. For the master bedroom, a soothing hue of orange is definitely in order. Try a coral-colored comforter -- a splash of soothing blue and white on the walls -- and breezy, sheer-white draperies. Toss in some throw pillows with an orange hue to bring out the color -- maybe one adorned with an embellished floral pattern or natural landscape. For the kids' bedrooms, you can get a little crazy. For a girl's room you can go wild with an orange accent wall, hot-pink comforter, and accent pillows and throws -- grounded by vintage white bedroom furniture and white window coverings. For a boy's bedroom, bright orange accents can pair well with various shades of blue walls and rich wood bedroom furniture.
3. In the office/study. Whether it's a home office, study space or craft room, bright "citrusy" colors can really get the creative juices flowing. Imagine stark white walls and white shelves (painted a bright or deep yellow on the inside). Add a desk with an orange top, an orange office chair or an orange sofa -- contrast with a bright yellow or butterscotch rug and you've got a bold, energetic, creative space. Warm wood floors will help to tone it down a bit and bring the look together.
4. In the living room. To add a subtle, rustic look to a natural-toned living room, add a coral-colored sofa and/or loveseat and chairs. Bring out the hue with a floral accent rug and artful throw pillows in hues of coral for a welcoming look. For a bolder, more modern family room, add a vibrant shade of orange paint to a focal wall (featuring a fireplace, artwork or both). It will look amazing with a modern, white leather couch and glass coffee table -- or a white, leather sectional with ottoman -- and accented by textured gray rug, as well as black, gray and orange throw pillows.
5. In the dining room. Add an elegant look to your formal dining room with a splash of bright pumpkin orange on the walls. (A warm, rustic dining set will really make the color pop.) Glass or understated accessories are in order (e.g. a glass vase centerpiece filled with white flowers.) A beautiful piece of wall art will further enhance the look.

For other helpful lifestyle tips and home makeover ideas, or to browse the hottest new furniture collections, visit AshleyFurnitureHomeStore.com.

About Ashley Furniture HomeStore
Ashley Furniture HomeStore, the #1 furniture retailer in the United States, delivers furniture and mattresses to customers at over 480 independently owned and operated locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Japan. Ashley Furniture HomeStore is an exclusive provider of furniture from Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc., the largest furniture manufacturer in the United States. "Like" Ashley Furniture HomeStore on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, or see their design-focused boards on Pinterest.