The unexpected red theory is the home trend you need to know

February 08, 2024

From a little splash to a bold pop, there's nothing we love more than a feature color! So when we heard about the 'unexpected red theory' (on TikTok, where we get all our serious news updates) we were all ears.

In a video that's racked up close to a million views and counting, interiors creator Taylor Simon posed her concept: "Unexpected red theory is basically adding anything that's red – big or small – to a room where it doesn't match at all, and it automatically looks better."

If the idea of painting your bedroom fire engine red makes you break into hives, don't fret. Unexpected red theory is about adding a surprising twist, a delightful pop, rather than drenching a room in the shade.

Red is a bold, commanding color. Like the cherry on top of a sundae or a chilli in your margarita, in this case it's used as a garnish to bring out the full-bodied depth of your space. Just as dumping a whole jar of maraschinos in your ice cream would spoil it, this theory is all about adding the perfect little kick rather than overpowering your design. As one commenter put it, red is "the lipstick of any space."

Ready to put a cherry on your sundae?

A collage of images shows different interiors with small red accent pieces, like table lamps and photo frames.

a sprinkle of spice

If you're new to red or nervous about turning the heat up too fast, start with little details. Bring red into a room through soft furnishings like a lamp, photo frame or cushion. They'll add an element of surprise and create interest without overpowering the space. Bonus – if you want to change things up, it's easy to swap them out!

A collage of interiors with red feature pieces in colourful spaces. A Poppy locker is paired with Ocean and Sage lockers, while a Poppy Shorty sits in a white room styled with lots of bold, bright colours.

power pop

Ready to step it up? Create some serious sizzle by adding larger red pieces (might we suggest a locker?) to anchor the space. This is where you can get creative with your color combos – pair Poppy with pastels like Ocean and Sage for an unexpected mix that surprisingly works! The primary colors – red, yellow and blue – bounce off each other for a bright and cheerful mix, while green sits opposite red on the color wheel, producing a satisfying balance of warm and cool.

A collage of images shows Poppy lockers styled in rooms with strong, bold features. In a bedroom, a Poppy locker sits against a wall decorated with lemon-patterned wallpaper, while in another a Poppy Midi sits in a yellow and orange striped room with patterned bedding.

red hot + ready

Loving the unexpected red trend? Take your red from accent color to feature color by adding more! A larger surface area, like a Midi or Twinny, lets Poppy shine her brightest. Layer multiple red moments in a room by adding elements like a lamp and bedding in the same color. Or, let red take centre stage by positioning it in a space that's been color-drenched in another color. The high contrast will let your red piece take pride of place. After all, this color is no wallflower!

Top image: @michellenorrisphoto + bottom right image: @thepajaamahub