Decorating a room in a burgundy color scheme can create an elegant, sophisticated look. Burgundy works well in formal spaces like dining rooms and studies, but can also lend a luxurious feel to bedrooms and living areas. When decorating a burgundy room, it’s important to choose the right complementary colors and mix different textures and patterns. Here are some tips on how to decorate a room in burgundy in a stylish way.
Choosing the Right Shade of Burgundy
The first step is picking the right hue of burgundy for your space. Burgundy ranges from bright red-purples to deeper maroons with brown undertones. Lighter and brighter burgundies like cherry red work well for more playful rooms, while deeper, richer burgundies are ideal for formal spaces. Keep in mind the level of natural light in the room – go for a deeper hue in bright, sunlit rooms and choose a lighter shade for dimmer spaces.
Test out burgundy paint chips or fabric swatches on the wall before committing to a shade. The color will look different in the actual room than it does on a small sample. Go for a matte burgundy finish on walls to avoid too much richness. Use high-gloss paint or lacquered furniture only as accents.
Complementary Colors for Burgundy Decor
Burgundy looks beautiful paired with other jewel tones, neutrals and metallics. Deep greens, plums and navy blues all complement burgundy nicely. For a more striking contrast, pair it with pale neutrals like cream, light gray and taupe. Metallic finishes in silver, pewter, gold and copper make burgundy really pop.
Don’t overlook softer hues like blush pink, butter yellow and sky blue – these can keep the room from feeling too dark. Black is another classic color pairing for burgundy but use it sparingly to avoid feeling too gothic. Keep layers of color in mind so that your burgundy room doesn’t become one-dimensional.
Fabrics and Textures for Burgundy Decor
Layer luxurious fabrics in your burgundy room for depth and interest. Velvets, silks and brocades in burgundy immediately create a feeling of richness. Use them for upholstered furniture, throw pillows, window treatments or as an accent wall. Brass studs, embroidered patterns and fringe add ornamental flair.
Furry textures like faux fur and sheepskin rugs feel indulgent and cozy against burgundy. Leather and suede also complement the hue nicely. To balance the decadence, incorporate some nubby linen, cotton and wood elements. Crisp white trims and edges prevent burgundy fabrics from feeling too heavy.
Patterns and Prints
While you can never go wrong with solid burgundy, introducing some patterns and prints prevents the room from becoming boring. Subtle tone-on-tone damask or herringbone on wallpaper or upholstery is an easy way to layer in interest without overpowering the burgundy.
Look for patterns with metallic or neutral backgrounds to really make them stand out. Florals and organic prints also feel elevated against a burgundy backdrop. Checks, plaids and stripes paired with solids keep the look sophisticated. Use patterns sparingly and space them out to avoid a busy look.
Furniture for a Burgundy Room
Furniture choices have a big impact on the overall style of a burgundy room. Deep burgundy velvet sofas or wingback chairs lend a traditional, formal vibe. Tufting, turned legs, carved details and gold accents enhance the luxurious feel.
For a more transitional style, choose sleek, minimal and lightly-colored furniture silhouettes that let the burgundy features pop around them. Metallic furniture like brushed brass, chrome and stainless steel pairs nicely with burgundy. Distressed wood finishes also complement the hue.
The scale of the furniture is also important. Overstuffed, bulky pieces will make a burgundy room feel smaller. Seek out furniture with elegant, tapered legs to keep things airy. Limit furniture to only bigger, statement pieces instead of heavily filling the space.
Lighting for a Burgundy Room
Lighting affects how burgundy is perceived in a room. Bright, natural light makes it appear brighter and cooler-toned while dim lighting brings out its richer, warmer undertones. Use layers of lighting to get the right effect.
Overhead chandeliers, sconces and table lamps in metals like antique brass, silver and mercury glass reflect light beautifully off burgundy. Candlelight casts a warm glow to prevent the hue from feeling too dark. Smart bulbs that change color temperature help you customize the lighting.
For windows, pick sheer curtains in a light neutral or metallic shade. They filter light while still letting the burgundy features shine. Limit heavy drapes to accent areas or install them high above the window frame for an airy feel.
Rugs and Flooring
Anchor a burgundy room with the right flooring and rugs. Rich hardwoods like walnut and mahogany emphasized burgundy’s warmth. Marble, especially veining patterns, elegantly contrasts the hue. Tile in a geometric print energizes a burgundy scheme.
For carpeting, stick to low pile in a neutral shade like gray. Burgundy area rugs are the safer choice over wall-to-wall burgundy carpet. Layer cream or beige patterned rugs over wood floors to soften a formal burgundy room. Furry rugs feel decadent underfoot in an otherwise sleek space.
Wall Finishes
Beyond just paint, walls in a burgundy room present lots of decorative possibilities. Use a textured burgundy wallpaper with metallic accents as a focal point. Install wood panelling painted burgundy for traditional flair. Shimmery grasscloth energizes the hue.
Tile one wall in a bold geometric mosaic pattern. Finish drywall subtly with a trowel or plaster effect. Lacquer walls in a glossy burgundy for a glam pop. Metallic finishes like copper leaf or silver leaf elevate the look. Keep wall decor minimal to showcase finishes.
Ceiling Treatments
Don’t forget to decorate the ceiling for an immersive burgundy room. Stencils and medallions in a metallic finish or a lighter neutral color provide subtle contrast overhead. Install wood beams or decorative molding painted in a cream or gold tone.
Use lighting to draw attention upward with a modern pendant fixture or traditional chandelier. Hang a burgundy pendant low over a dining table or seating area as a striking drop focal point. Finish the ceiling with shiny lacquer or glossy wallpaper for reflective interest.
Window Treatments
Dress up windows in a way that enhances the burgundy color scheme. For a formal look, hang full length burgundy drapes in lush fabrics like velvet, silk or brocade. Choose sleek roman shades in a coordinating neutral or metallic.
Mix drapery patterns like paisley or damask. Add trim and tie-backs for ornamentation. Install a textured wood or metal blind for texture. Sheer linen curtains diffuse light beautifully. Hang simple rattan shades to keep things casual. Frame views rather than block light.
Accessories
Carefully chosen accessories pull a burgundy room together. Fresh greenery and floral arrangements make burgundy feel alive. Group velvet throw pillows in mixed patterns onto sofas and beds.
Display decorative objects in metallics like mercury glass, copper and brass. Add warm wood elements with trays, bowls and carved sculptures. Set a beautiful table with burgundy glassware, ceramics and linens. Books provide quiet contrast. Mirrors amplify light.
Here are some specific accessory ideas for a burgundy room:
Accessory Type | Examples |
---|---|
Throw pillows | Velvet, silk, tapestry |
Rugs | Moroccan, fur, floral |
Artwork | Landscape paintings, black and white photography |
Sculptures | Metallic finishes, white marble |
Vases/bowls | Glass, ceramic, mercury |
Candles | Pillars, hurricanes, tea lights |
Books | Leather classics, decorative covers |
Decorating by Room
Burgundy works beautifully in nearly every room of the house. Here are some ideas for decorating specific spaces in burgundy:
Living Room
– Burgundy velvet sofa
– Brass coffee table
– Cream shag rug
– Gallery wall with black and white photography
– Dark wood bookshelves
– Patterned throw pillows
Dining Room
– Burgundy grasscloth wallpaper accent wall
– Round glass table
– Upholstered chairs in neutral fabric
– Mercury glass pendant light
– Walnut sideboard
– Mixed metallics: gold flatware, silver serving pieces
Bedroom
– One burgundy accent wall
– Upholstered bed frame
– Linen bedding in neutral palette
– Nightstands with marble tops
– Bench or chair upholstered in patterned fabric
– Mirror with metallic frame
– Fur rug at bedside
Bathroom
– Subway tile walls in white and soft grey
– Burgundy bath mats
– Brass fixtures and mirrors
– Patterned shower curtain
– Modern marble countertops
– Glass vase with fresh flowers
– Stacked white cotton towels
Conclusion
Decorating an elegant, stylish burgundy room is all about choosing the right complementary elements. Use metallics, patterns and luxe textures to enhance the richness of the burgundy shade. Mix in wood tones, cream colors and pale neutrals to keep the space feeling bright and inviting. With proper lighting and furnishings, any room can be transformed into a sophisticated burgundy oasis. Take the time to find the perfect balance of colors, fabrics and accessories to highlight this dramatic hue.