Red is a bold, decisive color, especially in home décor. When it comes to red, some homeowners are afraid to use it at all, while others tend to go overboard. Inspired by the decorating experts at HGTV, here are three favorite tips for decorating with the color red:

Tip #1: Use a signature red piece. Homeowners who are afraid of red aren’t completely wrong: because red is such a bright, strong color, it is entirely possible to overwhelm a room with red.

If you want to stay classic with just a pop of red or if you aren’t quite over your timidity, choose one bright, signature red piece to pop against a more-neutral, clean room. This could be a painting, vase, statue, pillow, or area rug, and it will bring attention without being too much.

Tip #2: Balance red furniture. If you’re the kind of decorator who likes to jump in with both feet, red furniture can be a tempting choice. However, before you invest in that cherry red loveseat, make sure the room you plan to put it in can handle its strength. A larger room, one with high ceilings, neutral walls, and plenty of windows for natural light is the best choice. 

Tip #3: Consider using red light fixtures. Light fixtures are a great way to bring a little red into the room. Find lampshades, pendants, or chandeliers in red tones that will warm up any room, especially when the lights come on in the evening. Keep the rest of the room clean with crisp colors to really make the light fixtures stand out.

Red is a beautiful color for decorating, and with these tips, you don’t need to be afraid of using it!