18 Warm Color Schemes for Your Decorating Inspiration

By
Deirdre Sullivan
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Deirdre Sullivan
Deirdre Sullivan is an interior design expert and features writer who specializes in home improvement as well as design. She began her career as an assistant editor at Elle magazine and has more than a decade of experience. Deirdre contributes content for brands including The Spruce and Realtor.com, and has been a featured speaker at various conferences.
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Updated on 09/10/20
Crimson sofa gray kitchen

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Red, orange, yellow, and brown are all warm colors. But did you know that any cool shade that leans toward the red or brown side can also work as a toasty tone too? To help you learn more about warm color schemes for decorating check out the following ideas guaranteed to give your abode a cozy vibe.

  • 01 of 18

    Monochromatic Kitchen in Red

    Mat red modern kitchen
    Gleba and Stoermer

    If you are looking to strike a dramatic chord in your cooking space, behold this monochromatic kitchen by Gleba and Stormer, a design firm based in Berlin, Germany. The warm, matte red color makes the tiny kitchen appear much bigger, and with a burst of color that you can feel the heat off of.

    16 Inspiring Ways to Use Red in the Kitchen
    Continue to 2 of 18 below.
  • 02 of 18

    Mocha, Yellow, and Chocolate Modern Living Room

    warm colors burnt yellow living room
    Marion Alberge

    Earthy warm hues of yellow and chocolate brown give this modern living room by French interior designer, Marion Alberge a retro 70's vibe. The light mocha walls are paired with a creme ceiling, lighter shades of their warmer tones, which compliment each other well. The mirror over the fireplace and the vintage desk lamp are both brushed, brass accents with a warm patina.

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  • 03 of 18

    Bright Yellow Vintage Inspired Kitchen

    yellow modern farmhouse kitchen
    Alys Design

    You can almost feel the heat of the sun when gazing at this bright, yellow kitchen by Alys Design, an interior design firm out of Pittsboro, North Carolina. The contrast in color can also magnify the effect on a sunny day.

    Continue to 4 of 18 below.
  • 04 of 18

    Neutral Living Room With Soft Warm Colors

    Neutral Toned Living Room
    Jamie Keskin Design

    Warm, neutral colors reign in this fun-size living room by Jamie Keskin Design based in Boston, Massachusetts. The wallpaper is a mix of warm cream and taupe. The wicker coffee table and wood end tables both add natural texture to the room's pared-down color scheme.

    Continue to 5 of 18 below.
  • 05 of 18

    This Glam Living Room Radiates Shimmery Warmth

    Brushed gold accents with acrylic coffee table
    Havenly

    Brushed gold pieces lend a little shimmery warmth to this neutral living room seen on Havenly, an online interior design service. An authentic Greek flokati rug adds lovely texture and something soft underfoot. Colorful pillows top off the warm brown sofa. The acrylic coffee table is one of our favorite decorating tricks. Because transparent furniture is see-through, pieces like these do not waste visual. The result is a room that feels bigger.

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  • 06 of 18

    Pops of Warm Orange in a Contemporary Living Room

    orange blue and gray living room
    Ann Lowengart Interior Design

    Orange is the warm dominating color in this contemporary living room by Ann Lowengart Interior Design situated in San Anselmo, California. The wallpaper is a pattern called Union Square Orange by Phillip Jeffries. The fabric covering the upholstered coffee table is vinyl. The white storage built-ins on the left have orange interiors.

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  • 07 of 18

    Red and Orange Kitchen in a Bright and Cheerful Apartment

    kitchen with orange quartz countertop
    Kristy Kropat Interior Design

    Red and orange are the colors punching up this cooking space by Kristy Kropat Interior Design based in San Francisco, California. The quartz countertops are a shade called Orange Cool by Silestone. Over the kitchen table is an acyclic light fixture by Kartell. On the stove is a round red Dutch oven by Le Creuset.

    Continue to 8 of 18 below.
  • 08 of 18

    Orange and White Kitchen With a Retro-Inspired Refrigerator

    bright orange kitchen
    Finesse Design Remodeling

    A retro-inspired refrigerator by Big Chill and a painted backsplash add orange zest to this white and stainless steel kitchen by Finesse Design Remodeling. An otherwise colder look has the heat turned up by the refrigerator and backslash's bold accents.

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  • 09 of 18

    Taupe and Cream Modern Bedroom

    18 Bedroom nook hammock
    McEwan Custom Homes

    Soothing shades of warm taupe create a cozy vibe in this small primary bedroom in a house by McEwan Custom Homes out of Utah. Our favorite feature is the crocheted hammock.

    Continue to 10 of 18 below.
  • 10 of 18

    Warm Nautical Inspired Accents in a Contemporary Primary Bedroom

    Warm netural toned bedroom
    Chango and Company

    Warm natural elements pour on the nautical charm in this primary bedroom in a beach house by Chango and Company based in New York City. The woven sea grass and wood bed frame is from Williams Sonoma Home. The two end tables are wicker. Above them are pendants wrapped with rope.

    About This Term: Primary Bedroom

    Many real estate associations, including the National Association of Home Builders, have classified the term "Master Bedroom" as discriminatory. "Primary Bedroom" is the name now widely used among the real estate community and better reflects the purpose of the room.


    Read more about our Diversity and Inclusion Pledge to make The Spruce a site where all feel welcome.

    Continue to 11 of 18 below.
  • 11 of 18

    Burgundy Dining Room With Hints of Warm Yellow

    Burgundy dining room
    Commune Design

    Commune Design situated in Los Angeles, California created this luxurious dining room in a Beverly Hills Spanish Colonial. The walls are a an indulgent shade of paint called New London Burgundy by Benjamin Moore. They contrast beautifully with the butter yellow dining chairs. Covering the floors are rustic terra-cotta tiles. 

    Continue to 12 of 18 below.
  • 12 of 18

    Modern Midcentury Decor in Shades of Brown, Orange, and Copper

    New Jersey loft with warm color scheme
    The New Design Project

    Warm up your home with a cozy color palette of brown, orange, and copper as shown in this chic New Jersey apartment by The New Design Project out of Brooklyn, New York. Exposed bricks walls give the space an industrial spin. The home's contemporary furniture has a distinctive midcentury vibe, which is always on trend. Polished dome pendant lights in rosy copper hang over the dining table.

    Continue to 13 of 18 below.
  • 13 of 18

    Yellow, Beige, and Taupe Color Scheme in a French Apartment

    Warm Yellows and Creams color scheme
    Marion Alberge

    A yellow, beige, and taupe color scheme may sound a little dated. But here it appears surprisingly modern in this bright French apartment by interior designer Marion Alberge. The wall is decorated with Scandinavian accessories. A favorite on Pinterest are the stylish wood knob coat hooks. 

    Continue to 14 of 18 below.
  • 14 of 18

    Kitchen Island Painted a Shade Called Tomato Tango

    California Tudor with an orange kitchen
    Vidal Design Collaborative

    In this modern kitchen renovated by Vidal Design Collaborative situated in California, a kitchen island painted a shade called Tomato Tango by Benjamin Moore anchors the space. The hue also appears in the colorful backsplash.

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  • 15 of 18

    Woodsy and Earthy Traditional Living Room

    earth tones living room
    Urrutia Design

    In this traditional living room, the team at Urrutia Design, a residential interior design firm in Sausalito, California combined furniture and accessories in dark shades of brown with taupe walls and a beige sofa.

    Continue to 16 of 18 below.
  • 16 of 18

    Burnt Orange Accent Wall in a Modern Farmhouse Dining Room

    burnt orange dining room
    Chango and Company

    A burnt orange accent wall gives the eyes something to feast on in this contemporary dining room in a country retreat by Chango and Company, an interior design firm based in New York City. Mismatched seating surrounds the rustic, wood dining room table. Polished industrial inspired lighting fills the space with a warm glow.

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  • 17 of 18

    Brown and Beige in Bold Patterns and Rustic Textures

    Rustic Bedroom with Chevron wallpaper
    Locati Architects

    Different shades of brown and beige are anything by boring in this modern rustic bedroom by Locati Architects based in Bozeman, Montana. The room epitomizes farmhouse chic thanks to bold geometric patterns and natural wood texture.

    Continue to 18 of 18 below.
  • 18 of 18

    Red, Black, and Gray Contemporary Living Room

    Crimson sofa gray kitchen
    LLI Design

    A warm crimson corduroy sofa offsets the cool gray kitchen in this modern apartment by LLI Design, an interior design studio situated in Highgate, North London. The rug on the floor marries the home's dominate warm and cool tones. Black pieces such as the floor lamp and wire coffee table bring lend striking contrast.

Decorating with a Warm Color Scheme