Orange Crush
Yes, orange paint can be chic.
Stacy Zarin Goldberg
Sophisticated, elegant, elevated—words that don’t always come to mind when you think of the color orange. We’re here to give orange paint its due! From toned-down terracottas to playful peaches, shades of orange run the gamut. While it naturally reads sunny and energetic, orange can also feel historic, warm, and super-cozy. See some of our favorites below and how to create an orange space that makes people say wow—in the best way possible.
1. Red Earth BY FARROW & BALL
What it is: A cozy clay-inspired tone.
How to use it: It doesn’t get cozier than Red Earth. Despite having “red” in its name, it lands solidly in the orange category with its yellow undertones. This color is surprisingly versatile—Zoe has it in her personal sunroom, and we used it to make our HQ built-ins pop. While this color is nature-inspired, it has enough saturation to feel interesting.
Stacy Zarin Goldberg
2. Etruscan by Benjamin Moore
What it is: A golden, historic orange.
How to use it: The sun-soaked nature of Etruscan feels like an Italian sunset, and looks Old-World like it, too. Give your space a heritage vibe by coating walls and millwork in this color. Accent with unlacquered brass fixtures and simple linen furnishings to transport yourself to paradise.
3. Faded Terracotta by Farrow & Ball
What it is: A light pottery-inspired shade.
How to use it: This peaceful hue would provide a beautiful wash of color in a gender-neutral nursery, or provide a flattering ambience for a dressing room. Use Faded Terracotta warm up and soften any space that needs it.
4. Charlotte’s Locks by Farrow & Ball
What it is: A poppy, almost retro burst of color.
How to use it: While this bold shade cries out for a playroom, we also love a jewel box moment for daring tones like Charlotte’s Locks. Try it in a powder room, library, or sitting room.
Stacy Zarin Goldberg
What it is: A cool, almost-pink peach.
How to use it: Seen here in the entry of Framebridge founder Susan Tynan’s home, Georgia Peach is elevated with a black balustrade and feels playful yet grown-up. Don’t be afraid to juxtapose it with other soft cool tones—like the adjacent light blue sitting room.
BOOKMARK THIS:
Test a minimum of three and a maximum of five—don’t settle, but don’t get overwhelmed. Samplize is a mess-free way to try multiple samples.
Always put the samples up in different areas of the room and observe over a 24-hour period. Different times of day will reveal different paint qualities.
Consider the most common type of weather and light sources that create the room’s atmosphere and let it guide your paint choice. For example, if you live in a mostly sunny part of the world, don’t test paints on the one rainy day of the month.
Test our tips and send us your photos! We might just give you a shout-out on Instagram.