The 'unexpected red' theory: what is the red colour trend for 2024?

If you've spent any time looking at social media home decor ideas, you may have come across the 'unexpected red' theory.

The idea is that by adding a pop of red to a room - particularly in a place where you wouldn't expect to find it - you can make the rest of the space look more unified.

We give you seven simple ways to incorporate this bold colour trend into your home, plus a colour psychology expert delves into the science behind the power of red.

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A statement kettle 

KitchenAid Artisan Dual Wall kettle

While this sleek, retro kettle is also available in other shades, we love how the Candy Apple colour is so eye-catching and livens up a neutral kitchen, like the one above.

KitchenAid also sells toasters, coffee machines and stand mixers in the same colour if you're feeling bold, but you don't have to buy the full set to make the pop of red trend work.

• If you want to find out how this product scored in our testing, log in to read our review or join Which? to get access to all our lab tested results.

A super-cool fridge

Smeg FAB28RRD5UK

If you're ready to go bigger with the red trend than a kettle, this retro-style Smeg fridge from the FAB range might be the perfect fit for your kitchen.

The colour red, which Smeg describes as a "go-to shade" for people looking to liven up their homes, was one of the brand's launch colours in 1997 and is still a hit today, ranking fourth out of 13 in popularity behind cream, black and pastel green.

With 164 litres of usable space (enough for almost nine supermarket carrier bags of shopping), this fridge has lots of capacity, plus handy features including an alarm to warn you when the door has been left open.

And its instantly recognisable style would make a statement in any kitchen.

• Was this fridge a Best Buy? Read our review before you buy one and check out prices below:

An inspiring food processor

Magimix 4200XL

This food processor is the kind of appliance that will add excitement to all manner of culinary tasks, from prepping soups and slicing veg to whipping up a cocktail.

The pop of bright red looks superbly stylish on a kitchen worktop, plus it comes with a handy storage box to stow away the attachments.

• How does it perform? Read our review to find out plus check out prices below:

A pop of colour

Morphy Richards Equip red two-slice toaster 

The reimagined retro toaster is a timeless but reasonably priced way to add red to your kitchen and inject style and interest to your countertop.

You can get a Morphy Richards Equip kettle in red to pair with it.

It can't fit tall or long slices, so if you like your toast on the large size, you may be better off looking elsewhere. 

•  Read our reviews of the best toasters to find one to suit you or head straight to our review of the Morphy Richards Equip - check out prices below:

A morning boost

DeLonghi Piccolo XS EDG210.R 

Red doesn't have to be retro to work as a style statement - there are plenty of small appliances with a more modern feel that have picked up on the unexpected red trend.

One is the DeLonghi Piccolo XS, a small but mighty coffee machine that will add a flash of red to your morning routine.

Using Dolce Gusto pods, it makes more than 50 varieties of drinks, including coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, as well as plant-based beverages and cold drinks.

• Does it make good coffee? Make sure you read our review before you buy, plus check prices:

The full range of red

Rangemaster Professional + 90 Induction PROP90EICY/C

A range cooker is one of the ultimate kitchen design statements, which is why it's crucial to love the colour you've picked for the part—you could be living with it for a long time.

This particular model comes in 'Cranberry', a sophisticated dark, burgundy red to make 'a striking focal point without being overpowering', according to Rangemaster.

It combines the traditional range cooker look with sleek, high-end features, such as an induction hob with five cooking zones in a grown-up version of red.

• Read the full review here to see how it performed in our testing, or check prices below:

A red home office printer

Canon Pixma G3572

If you've had your fill of the usual grey or black tech, this red Canon printer could help to redress the colour balance of your home office interior.

It brightens up your space and has a refillable ink tank, so you won't have to keep replacing costly cartridges. 

If you want the functionality but red is too racy for your taste, it's also available in white (Canon Pixma G3571) and black (Canon Pixma G3570).

• How did it stand up to our rigorous testing? Read more about this model in our review and check prices below:

The colour red: what's the science behind it?

Red raises our pulse rate, stimulates us and makes our reactions faster and more forceful, plus countless scientific studies have long noted a 'red advantage' for sports competitors wearing red. 

Karen Haller, applied colour psychology expert and author of The Little Book of Colour, says: 'We see red before any other colour in the spectrum, so this suggests if red is used in a space, on clothing or even appliances in your home, you're going to notice it first. It's a colour that demands attention.'

However, as for the 'unexpected pop of red' bringing interiors together, Karen says there isn't any scientific reason why this might work.

Ultimately, Karen says it's down to the vibrancy of the colour rather than the actual colour, which may come as a relief if red isn't an interior trend you can get behind.

Try out the 'unexpected red' trend 

• Get your red fix from accessories. If you want to dip your toe in first when it comes to red, pick red mugs, tea towels or other accessories that are easy to change if your love of red soon wanes.
• Pick a different red.  Red comes in a range of versions including burgundy and cranberry, both of which are less vivid than tomato red, so ideal for using red in a more subtle way.
• Choose a different bright colour. Any other bright colour such as bright yellow, orange or turquoise can create that 'unexpected' pop of colour just as effectively as red, says Karen. The DeLonghi Icona Capitals KBOC3001 kettle comes in yellow as a punchy alternative to red. SQUIRREL_TEXT_12881380
• Will a red vacuum cleaner help to make light work of chores? Although a red vacuum cleaner won't clean faster than any other colour appliance, Karen says using a red vacuum cleaner could give you the perception that time is moving faster, which could be ideal if you're trying to rattle through the task. There are several red models you could try, including the Numatic Henry Quick HEN.100.

Head to our reviews of the best cordless vacuum cleaners to find the right one for you, or to find out more about this model, read our review plus check out prices below:

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