Usher's Living Room Teaches How to Elevate Burgundy

usher in a red coat on a blue background — (Image credit: Paras Griffin / Stringer via Getty Images)

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Shop the Timeless Burgundy Edit

When colors get very popular very fast, they are often gone like a flash in the pan. By the way... has anyone heard from butter yellow lately? Thus, with the newfound stardom of burgundy, you may be apprehensive about decorating with the deep red hue, for fear that it will fade out as fast as it burned in, but with the right treatment, the color becomes an utterly timeless neutral. For guidance, we're turning to Usher.

Recent photographs of the singer-songwriter's Atlanta home reveal a masterclass in decorating with burgundy as a neutral designed to withstand the test of time. The artist worked with Nicole Fuller Interiors to transform his house into a living sanctuary full of art and family heirlooms that celebrate Black culture and his 30-year music career with cozy, cocooning interiors. In the living room, deep red walls and velvet cushions create a rich ambiance amongst the marble fireplace and classic mouldings. It features custom boiserie panels by David/Nicolas, a custom light fixture by Nacho Carbonell, a coffee table by BG Robinson, and art by Daniel Arsham.

In the midst of these luxurious surroundings, splashes of burgundy feel like home.

Shop the Timeless Burgundy Edit

Gorgeous Shape

Scarlett Pendant

The Scarlett pendant is the perfect burgundy-meets-brown shade that will give a living room enduring sophistication. For a cohesive scheme, scatter other warm browns for a cozy look.

Lacquered Service

Accent Table Wood Round Lacquer Finish

This lacquered side table is a sophisticated but fun addition to any underutilized living room corner. It would be gorgeous, scattered with some color-contrasting accents, like silver candlesticks or a turquoise bowl, as seen in Usher's space.

Rechargable

Cherry Lacquer Rechargeable Bobbin Lamp

Have you ever seen something cuter than this bobbin lamp from Addison Ross home? It's the perfect size and rechargeable for unlimited styling possibilities.

Pop of Color

Red Picture Frame

Add a hint of deep red to your walls with these pretty picture frames, which are a low-lift way to incorporate burgundy without breaking the bank. They are so stylish, yet subtle.

Tactile finish

Sophie Down Fill Pillow

Nothing says luxury quite like deep red velvet, but this scalloped pillow balances the opulence with a dash of contemporary fun. I love the idea of styling them on neutral chairs against a burgundy wall, as we see in Usher's space.

Cozy charm

Aimee Mohair Throw

Burgundy is renowned for bringing warmth into interiors, so why not dial it up with a throw like this one? Mohair is guaranteed to add both coziness and visual interest to your space.

First, it's important to acknowledge that unlike butter yellow, powder blue, or any other viral color trend, burgundy withstands the test of time because it is so versatile. Charlotte Tilby, Head of Design at Calypso, states: 'Burgundy is growing in popularity and is being celebrated for bringing warmth, richness and a more luxurious feel to interiors.'

So, how do you make it timeless? As we see in Usher's red room, one of the most important steps is grounding the rich hue with sandy neutrals. The singer-songwriter uses tan armchairs and a beige checkered rug.

'It works best when balanced with lighter neutrals, natural wood, stone or brass finishes to prevent spaces from feeling too dark,' advises Charlotte. She continues: 'Simple styling allows the materials to take focus. Clear surfaces, integrated storage and considered arrangements help create a calm, composed space.'

Furthermore, burgundy works incredibly well as a neutral base, not just an afterthought. Charlotte states: 'Berry hues work best when treated as a core color rather than an accent. Paired with neutral finishes and natural materials, they add depth and character whilst remaining timeless.'

Just because a color is trending, doesn't mean it will fade away quickly. When we decorate with consideration, our spaces will look stylish for years to come.

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Sophie is a writer and News Editor on the Celebrity Style team at Homes & Gardens. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly passionate about researching trends and interior history. She is an avid pop culture fan and has interviewed Martha Stewart and Hillary Duff.

In her free time, Sophie freelances on design news for Westport Magazine and Livingetc. She also has a newsletter, My Friend's Art, in which she covers music, culture, and fine art through a personal lens. Her fiction has appeared in Love & Squalor and The Isis Magazine.

Before joining Future, Sophie worked in editorial at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens brand. She has an MSc from Oxford University and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.