Benjamin Moore's 2018 Color Of The Year: A Modern Guide To Using Red

Neutrals, be gone! If Benjamin Moore has its way, interiors will be going from soft and soothing to red hot next year. The paint company’s Color of the Year for 2018 is Caliente, and the name is appropriate. The fiery red is “hot, passionate, and sexy,” said Benjamin Moore. With a hint of orange, caliente has lots of personality and is the perfect hue for you if you are drawn to the warmer tones of red.

The company’s Director of Strategic Design Intelligence, Ellen O’Neill, weighed in by adding, “Strong, radiant and full of energy, Caliente AF-290 is total confidence. It is pleasing, passionate and makes people feel special, like ‘red carpet treatment. “Whether used as one note or on four walls, the spirited personality of red turns heads signaling surprise and adventure. The eye can’t help but follow its bold strokes.”

Indeed. Architectural Digest believes that, “This year’s choice will stop you in your tracks.” Whether or not you’re a fan of red, you’re bound to notice it. Red can be a polarizing color, with some loving the energy it brings and others finding it a tad too bold for their space. The key to making it sing in your home is knowing where to use it, and how much.

Feng Shui

If the principles of feng shui are important to you, consider that red conjures fire and, “Fire represents the energy of sun and life,” said The Spruce. “A balanced feng shui fire element in your home will bring joy, excitement, and strong sexual desire. An imbalance of the same element will bring either fiery arguments, restlessness and even aggression (too much Fire) or a lack of energy and enthusiasm for life (too little Fire).”

When it comes to the home, red “signifies richness, luck and luxury,” they said. “If used too much, though, it can bring bursts of anger and over stimulation.” That means a cautious hand may be best. Covering the walls in every room and oversaturating the spaces with furniture and décor pieces could just be a bit too caliente.

Color Theory

We know from the study of color theory that different colors can affect moods. If you apply that to the home, it makes sense that some spaces would be a better fit than others for a color called caliente.

“Red raises a room’s energy level. The most intense color, it pumps the adrenaline like no other hue,” said Freshome. “It is a good choice when you want to stir up excitement, particularly at night. In the living room or dining room, red draws people together and stimulates conversation. In an entryway, it creates a strong first impression.” In the bedroom, it could mean a fiery sex life…but trying to sleep might be an issue.

You may not be ready to take the bold hue through your whole kitchen, but careful placement can make a huge impact, like on this island.

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Juxtaposed against bright white, Caliente is a standout on the walls – especially in a room that flooded with natural light.

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How’s that for a warm welcome?! The rich, red door is a beautiful complement to the neutral décor and adds another element of interest in a space with a wealth of architectural detail.