Orange Wallpaper: The Guide

Orange - the most popular colour of the 1970s - was used in a flamboyant and extravagant fashion for floor to ceiling interiors. This trend included daring chromatic experiments paired with bold floral and geometric patterns. Decades later, it remains a staple of modern design, due to its warmth, brightness and uplifting energy. Depending on the tonality, orange possesses the ability to feel both on-trend and welcoming and can add either a contemporary edge with a dose of zesty sophistication or create a relaxed mood in Country House interiors. Despite its erroneous reputation as a difficult hue to decorate with, it works really well with many other colours and styles and offers an inspiring range that stretches from retro-bright to more calming tones like burnt orange, apricot or tangerine.

Why are orange wallpapers a perennial favourite in home décor?
Which rooms benefit the most from orange wall décor?
Which other wallpaper colours are best combined with orange?
Which variety of orange wallpaper should I choose?

Why are orange wallpapers a perennial favourite in home décor?

There is a lot to love about orange wallpapers. They are full of summery and cheerful energy that captures the essence of the 70s whilst remaining trendy and contemporary.

Orange is brimming with retro vibes

Perhaps the most iconic colour of the golden era of wallpaper in the 1970s, orange is the true symbol of vintage style. Especially in its “Halloween” and “Princeton” variations, it harks back to a time where nothing seemed impossible and interior design was bold and daring. At this day, it remains trendy in contemporary vintage looks and an orange wallpaper still feels like the perfect complement for cool styles that are based on the past while keeping a foot in the present.

Orange brings energy and positivity

Combining the natural warmth of red and the sunny cheerfulness of yellow, orange is a vibrant colour that has long been associated with positivity and well-being. Its effects on the human mind are plentiful, from stimulating appetite to promoting social activities and creating a more positive and uplifting environment. Orange wall décor provides the boost of energy we need to get the job done.

Orange is perfect for striking feature walls

With its uplifting and cheerful nature, orange is the ideal colour for a feature wall that captures the attention of the observer and makes a bold style statement. A single bright orange feature wall brings an appealing and zingy energy to the room, while a more subtle shade is a great choice for a feature wall that provides a comforting and relaxed vibe.

Which rooms benefit the most from orange wall décor?

A kitchen full of joy de vivre, a funky and convivial living room, or a bedroom brimming with positivity are just a few of the possible options when it comes to decorating with orange wallpaper.

A zesty kitchen

Maybe it was the year spent at home during the pandemic or the still prevalent “working from home” trend, but there has been a shift in attitudes when it comes to picking colours for the kitchen. We now want a space that makes us feel alive rather than just being “designer-y”. An orange wallpaper adds a sense of fun and energy that is bright, bold and surprisingly trendy.

A funky living room

The revival of vintage 70s décor shows no signs of losing momentum, as we can’t seem to get enough of the colour palette of that daring era. When it comes to orange wall décor, the living room remains the ideal place as it has the power to create a space that invites conversation and make a stark style statement. Match it with black or dark brown leather upholstery for a trendy yet stylish finish.

A lively bedroom

A high-energy colour that might at first sight seem more suited to rooms used predominantly during daytime, orange remains a popular option for bedrooms that seek to be warm and optimistic. An orange-infused aesthetic works best when paired with grey or other deep shades, whereas brighter shades can create a more modern and retro-futuristic look.

Which other wallpaper colours are best combined with orange?

Many colours benefit from the energising force of orange. A wallpaper characterised by a mix of blue or yellow with orange exudes the bliss of the summer sun, while pairing orange with black is recommended for more sophisticated interiors.

Blue and orange

Despite appearing on the opposite sides of the colour wheel, blue and orange are complementary tonalites that create a dynamic and interesting contrast for trendy and vibrant decorating concepts. While they were used in gaudy and extravagant shades in the 1970s, modern wallpapers in blue and orange tend to be elegant and versatile, matching rooms in many different styles.

Yellow and orange

Perfect for spaces that receive insufficient sunlight, or to overcome the negative moods arising from the gloomy winter months, an orange and yellow wallpaper brings all the positive energy of the summer, filling the room with happiness and helping you put a smile back on your face. Combine this cheerful colour scheme with retro furniture in darker shades of orange and white.

Black and orange

A fun-filled and cheerful colour by nature, orange creates a smart and refined look that oozes style and elegance when paired with black. Considered the traditional colour combo of the Halloween season, black and orange are a classic pairing in interior design and wall décor in shades of orange and black provides visual brightness while adding a touch of class (especially with matt orange).

Which variety of orange wallpaper should I choose?

The orange colour palette is huge, ranging from testy and vibrant tones to more calm and subdued shades. We picked the three most popular varieties: burnt orange, apricot and tangerine.

Burnt orange

The most autumnal of the many shades of orange, burnt orange is the colour of falling leaves. Hints of yellow and red provide a relaxed, smokier version of this hue that brings energy and warmth all year round. The enduring popularity of burnt orange wall décor is a result of its ability to combine retro vitality with a less dominating presence.

Apricot orange

A delicate blend of white and brown, apricot, like salmon, is often chosen for its ability to tone down the vitality of orange, providing an on-trend hue that is lighter and earthier. An apricot orange wallpaper adds a fresh and autumnal feel to the room, makes it feel brighter and provides a calming background for colourful furniture or other decorative details.

Tangerine orange

Always a popular colour in interior design, so much as to even be nominated PANTONE Colour of the Year not so long ago, tangerine is an appealing shade that brings an unconventional and pleasant holiday feel to any interior design idea. It works particularly well with mid-century style concepts, especially if mixed with beige, white and brown, or possibly with some accents in green and grey.

Orange Wallpaper