Last week, we were all about spicy, citrusy oranges in the kitchen. This week, we’re kicking the heat up another notch, finding ourselves inspired by hot peppers and hot chef tempers. That’s right: we’re in the mood for red.

There’s no doubt that red’s a powerful color. It’s the color of love, but also the color traditionally associated with courage. According to scientists, it increases blood pressure, makes people breathe quicker, and speeds up metabolism. Great for kitchens – and diets, too.

Red is bold and exciting and not the least little bit shy. As a result, people are sometimes hesitant to experiment with it at home. But don’t let red scare you – especially in the kitchen, the center of energy in many homes. Whether you embrace the bold or take comfort in neutrals, a little (or a lot of) red could be just what your kitchen needs. Check out the red in some of our favorite inspiration kitchens:

Traditional Meets Eastern

This kitchen is great – we love its efficient organization and cool black-and-white-and-glass motif. With its heavy moldings and sleek, dark cabinetry, it pulls together the best of traditional and modern design:We think it’s missing just a little something, though – that extra accessory that stands out so much it ties the whole look together. That something just might be a narrow love pendant in classic red and silver:Here’s why we liked this particular fixture: it’s the perfect size (not too small, not too big), the Asian motif draws out the space’s clean Eastern lines, and the red adds the energy that the original kitchen is lacking. It makes the prospect of cooking in that space a lot more fun.

Shiny and Glamorous

Red lips are all the rage on the red carpet these days – and there’s a reason why that carpet’s red, too. Red is naturally glam. Choosing red cabinets is a bold move, but one that really works in this glossy, gorgeous space:We’d like the room a little better, though, if there was more lighting over the island! We’d let the red cabinets shine on their own, but accent them with something equally glamorous, like this trio of skinny, sexy pendants in black and white zebra:

It’s 21st century glamour, all the way.

Girl Power

Though it’s traditionally considered an aggressive color, small doses of red can actually appear very delicate. Consider this kitchen. As it stands, it is more than a little bit delicate and feminine. In fact, its cotton-candy pink motif is downright Barbie-fied:That said, it appeals to the little girl in us, but we’d add some red accessories to eliminate some of the kitchen’s “fluff factor.” For example, these traditional damask pendants in aurora red and white are a perfect match, and would give the space a little more of an air of sophistication:

Because the shade has just a tinge of pink in it, it really works with the room’s feminine decor, but because it’s strong, it helps balance the super-sweet pink.

Nearly Neutral

Red walls sound very bold, but thanks to brown undertones, tan hallway walls, and wood floors, this kitchen’s overall look is anything but shocking. In fact, it feels fairly neutral (especially compared to the glossy, glamorous kitchen with the red cabinets):We love its homey, lived in look – it seems like a kitchen where a family could really come together. We’d like it even more if the lights over the island were swapped out for a big, boxy pendant like the kingston pendant in classic red and sand dollar:

We love the way the boxy shape and design echoes the artwork in the hallway, and that the colors tie the hall and the kitchen walls together.

There are a million ways to make red work in the kitchen. It works on the walls, as lighting, on tablecloths and dishes, and even in the food (nothing’s quite like a big bowl of spaghetti with tomato sauce!). What’s your favorite way to use red in the kitchen?

[Photo credits: All kitchens from Houzz.com; All lamps from Alluminare.com]