This month, over a billion people around the world welcomed in the Lunar New Year. Celebrations began on 17 February 2026 and will continue for 15 days, closing with the Lantern Festival on 3 March. Known in China as the Spring Festival, it follows a lunisolar calendar and stands as China's biggest national holiday. Each year is guided by one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac — and 2026 belongs to the Horse
And at the heart of every Lunar New Year celebration, blazing through every street, market, and doorway? Red.
In Asian cultures, Red represents life, vitality, prosperity, and good fortune. It is believed to attract luck and ward off evil spirits. As a designer who celebrates culture and diversity, I find these traditions endlessly inspiring.
Why Red is So Hard to Decorate With (And Why That's About to Change)
Here's my honest confession: despite years of professional experience, I have always found red darn hard to decorate with at home.
It's a bold, assertive colour that can easily overwhelm a space or feel dated when used the wrong way. For a long time, it felt like a colour that belonged in celebrations and cultural traditions rather than everyday living rooms.
And then came the Unexpected Red Theory — and it changed everything.
The Unexpected Red Theory: A Design Idea That Took TikTok by Storm
In 2024, American designer Taylor Migliazzo Simon went viral on TikTok with a beautifully simple idea. Take one singular, bold red object — a lamp, a vintage armchair, a ceramic vase, a stack of red-spined books — and place it into a room of any style or colour palette. The result? A space that instantly feels more curated, considered, and alive.
What I love most about this theory is what it unlocked beyond just the colour itself. It gave us collective permission to embrace that one slightly unexpected, quirky thing that doesn't quite fit — and to celebrate it as a feature, not a flaw. In a design landscape increasingly saturated with AI-generated "perfect" interiors that all look the same, there is something genuinely refreshing about a room that has a little tension, a little personality, a little you in it.
Red, it turns out, is a brilliant vehicle for exactly that kind of self-expression.
How to Use Red in Your Home: Practical Tips from a Perth Interior Designer
Ready to give red a go? Here's how I recommend approaching it, no matter your existing colour scheme or design style.
Pair red with beige for warmth and groundedness. This is one of my favourite combinations. Both red and beige are warm tones at their core, and together they feel inviting and sophisticated — far more harmonious than the sharper contrast of red with white, which can feel cold or clinical.
Try red alongside muted, dusty neutrals. A dusty rose, warm greige, or soft terracotta paired with red will gently soften its intensity, drawing out the warmth in both colours. The result is a room that feels cosy and layered rather than bold and demanding.
Start with accessories, textiles, or artwork. The old design adage holds true: if you're not ready to commit to a red sofa or painted wall, try the colour first through a cushion, a throw, a framed artwork, or a ceramic piece. You'll learn a great deal about how you personally respond to a colour in your own space — and the stakes are beautifully low.
Embrace the unexpected. You don't need to "match" your red item to anything. In fact, the whole point of the Unexpected Red Theory is that it works precisely because it doesn't match. Trust the contrast. Let it do its thing.
Make It Fun, Not High Pressure
Decorating with colour — especially a bold one like red — should feel like a joyful process of discovery, not a high-stakes gamble. Start small, experiment freely, and pay attention to what makes you feel alive in your space. You will surprise yourself with what you love.
Whether you're drawing inspiration from the richness of Lunar New Year celebrations or simply ready to shake up a room that feels a little flat, red might just be the missing ingredient your home has been waiting for.
Ready to Bring More Colour and Personality Into Your Home?
If you'd love expert guidance on colour, styling, or a full interior design project for your Perth home, I'd love to hear from you.
Whether you're renovating, building, or simply ready for a refresh — let's create something that is liveable, lasting, and a little bit luxurious.
Adela Sivewright is a Perth-based interior designer specialising in bespoke residential interiors. She celebrates culture, diversity, and good design for the homes we actually live in.
