COLOUR CODES
A rich, warm and fruity hue, our colour guru, Amelia, shares how to use this statement shade
Named after the fruit often associated with autumn and winter, cranberry is a deep and vibrant red. By nature, red attracts attention and makes a statement in any room. But while red typically energises and uplifts, cranberry has cool blue undertones that offer a more muted feel to create a space that relaxes and cocoons.
‘Cranberry can make us feel cosy, safe and protected,’ says Simon Temprell, interior design manager at Neptune. ‘It evokes feelings of warmth, comfort and sophistication,’ adds Dominic Myland, CEO of Mylands. ‘Deeper red tones create a snug and inviting atmosphere, making people feel at ease and surrounded by a sense of richnesss.’
You can be forgiven for associating deep red interiors with lavishly decorated country mansions, but used the right way, they can work really well in smaller spaces. ‘Cranberry is an intense, indulgent shade that will look wonderful in a small room as an accent colour on a door or window frame, or in an all-over, colour-drenched scheme where it will create a truly intimate and cosy feeling,’ says Ruth Mottershead, creative director for Little Greene.
It’s important to consider how cranberry makes you feel when choosing which rooms to use it in. ‘Traditionally an expensive colour to produce, the deep red pink of cranberry has always carried an air of opulence well-suited to dining spaces and lounges, particularly when teamed with subdued or focused lighting,’ says Ruth. ‘Cranberry paint works best in spaces where you want to incorporate a sense of intimacy and depth,’ adds Dominic. And Simon agrees with this, too: ‘It’s an excellent choice for dining rooms where candlelight is used,’ he says.
As a striking yet rich hue, when it comes to forming a colour palette, you have two options: neutral or tonal. ‘Cranberry pairs well with neutral colours like creams, beiges, and greys. These shades provide a complementary counterpoint to its boldness,’ says Dominic.
‘Try pairing cranberry with teal or navy for a sophisticated palette, or use dark, mossy green to enhance the warmth and balance the scheme,’ says Simon at Neptune. ‘I would avoid
