Why burgundy is the go-to decorating colour this season
Posted on 12th September 2024
Dark, warm, and utterly sophisticated, there is no better colour than burgundy to immerse your home in a cosy and cocooning feeling.
Whether you want to drench your kitchen or bathroom in this rich berry hue, or just want to add a couple of damson-coloured accessories and soft furnishings throughout your bedroom, burgundy is an incredibly popular shade in the interiors world.
Why, I hear you ask? “The colour of the season, this deep hue will create an inviting atmosphere, adding visual contrast to interior schemes with its rich, berry undertones,” says Al Bruce, founder of Olive & Barr.
Although you might initially think decorating your kitchen, bedroom or bathroom with burgundy is far from easy, it actually is a versatile shade, which works well in both big and small doses and in any size room.
Picture a grand open-plan rustic kitchen with Shaker-style cabinetry complemented by light veiny worktops, a crimson concrete basin in a blush pink cloakroom, or a boutique hotel-inspired bedroom enveloped in this hue – ceiling included.
This dark colour is complemented by jewel tones alike such as emerald green and sapphire blue, as well as earthy shades and warm neutrals, and it suits a range of interior design styles – from cottagecore to contemporary.
Ready to get inspired and decorate your home with burgundy? Read on…
Burgundy decorating ideas for your kitchen
“We’re seeing bolder braver colour choices that ooze warmth and playfulness – tones like deep blush and red, which are used both on an island and swept across the whole kitchen,” says Stacey Cobley, senior designer at Harvey Jones. Arbor kitchen, from £30,000, Harvey Jones.Achieve a timeless kitchen design with the help of Shaker units painted in a sumptuous burgundy shade, brass accents such as these statement pendant lights by Pooky, an aged tap, and a fluted butler sink.Create the perfect backdrop for your open shelving by painting your kitchen walls in a dark, rich red paint. Lady Bug Claypaint, priced from £57.50 for 2.5 litres, Earthborn.Make your cooking zone stand out with a white and burgundy checkerboard-style splashback and add a retro touch to your design by tiling the unit housing your oven, like in this scheme by Kate Watson Smyth (@mad_about_the_house). So chic! Victoria SteamOne oven, from £1489, Smeg. Photography: Carol Poirot.Love a sophisticated look? Opt for wood cabinetry in a maroon colour, statement marble surfaces and pretty fluted glass. Dark Clarendon beaded kitchen in Malbec, from £15,000, Second Nature.
Ideas for your bedroom
Love burgundy but can’t fully commit to a colour-drenched scheme? Then why not paint the lower half of your walls in this hue to add intrigue and keep the rest of the scheme light and airy with pops of soft peach and off-white? Warm, neutral shades are ideal for balancing this berry shade. Design by Studio Dean. Photography: Susie Lowe.Pretty pink and blooming florals are perfect for adding a romantic touch to your burgundy bedroom design. Fauvism duvet cover and pillowcase set, from £60; Plum plush velvet throw, £34; Wrought glass topside table, and Dark swirl vase, £38, Next. Available from October.Nail the boutique hotel look at home by installing a marble feature wall behind your bed. Complete the look with stylish wall lights, minimalist side tables, and luxurious linen. Rosso Levanto Marble, priced from £480 per sq m, Cullifords.
Burgundy decorating ideas for your bathroom
Add depth and interest to your bathroom by mixing and matching different burgundy tones, from dark maroon and rich crimson to auburn and vermillion. Kast Concrete Tilde basin in Crimson, £2700, West One Bathrooms. Wrap your ensuite in a dark berry shade for a sophisticated and modern look – from the wall and floor tiles to the sanitaryware and accessories. Vaida 80 LED mirror in Brushed Brass, with Entero Pill concrete vessel basin in Dusky Pink, and Altas wall-mounted mixer tap in Brushed Brass, prices on application, Hib.Create a focal feature in your bathroom and embrace burgundy by swapping your white tub with a painted option. Cheshire bath, from £1779.52, Victoria + Albert Baths. Design: Kate Watson Smyth. Photography: Carol Poirot.“A wonderful way to achieve a burgundy interior is with tiles – try zellige-style red wall tiles for bathrooms to provide a rustic earthy look,” advises Isabel Fernandez, marketing director at Quorn Stone. Farini Cinnamon glazed square decorative tiles, from £64.99 per sq m.Pair your burgundy bathroom furniture with emerald green sanitaryware for a luxurious design reminiscent of opulent jewellery boxes. Finion bathtub in Forest; Artis surface-mounted oval washbasin in Forest; More to See Lite round LED mirror, and Finion vanity unit in Bordeaux, Villeroy & Boch.Burgundy oozes charm and sophistication, so if you love a classic look, use it to paint your timeless wall panelling and revive your space. Carter Plum, from £20 for 0.94 litres, Benjamin Moore.
