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Gorgeous Complementary Color Schemes

Gorgeous Complementary Color Schemes

By Jenny Krane

May 02, 2018

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Using one of three complementary color pairings (red and green, purple and yellow, blue and orange) is a surefire way to create a bold and beautiful space. Discover our favorite color schemes featuring complementary colors.

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Peach + Peacock

Credit: Color Made Easy CMR_5664173

This home library goes for high impact with a striking combination of peach and turquoise. The mixture of warm and cool tones adds major contrast, while a combination of unique patterns on upholstery adds interest. A bright blue abstract painting becomes the focal point on the orange walls.

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Lilac + Mustard

Textured lavender walls give rich mustard-yellow leather armchairs a soft background. A periwinkle throw furthers the contrast, while a large sunburst mirror brings out the gold tones in the chairs. Black accents contrast with the white woodwork.

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Your Guide To The Color Wheel

Before committing to a complementary color scheme, make sure you understand the color wheel. The segments of the color wheel represent the science behind color and show how colors relate to each other. Because complementary colors are opposite of each other, they create a dynamic look when paired together.

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Burnt Umber + Pacific Blue

In this neutral dining room, the fabric elements set the tone and scheme. The burnt-orange fabric on the slipper chairs bring out the hints of orange in the window treatments. A rich shade of blue further ties the elements together.

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Bubblegum + Sage

This romantic and feminine bedroom uses two complementary colors with a splash of white. The entire scheme is taken from the floral wallpaper accent wall. The pale green background and flowy window treatments soften the lines of classic board-and-batten paneling, while the bubblegum pink bed frame adds a punch of color.

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Wisteria + Butterscotch

A magenta bench brings out tones from this bed's silky accent pillows. A warm, butterscotch shade of yellow repeats on the bed frame and pillows. Surrounded by neutral walls and furnishings, the opposite colors star in this master bedroom decor.

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Powder Blue + Tangerine

Pairing a pastel with a bright can add so much character to a color scheme. In this bedroom, neutrals dominate the surfaces, but accents of light blue on the Euro shams and a yellow-orange patterned blanket add texture and depth. The colors are reminiscent of a warm summer day and make the space feel inviting.

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Mullbery + Chartreuse

The rich colors in this vignette are reminiscent of the bold colors of the 1960s. Berry-toned pink and chartreuse green give this corner eyecatching allure. White woodwork emphasizes the room's crisp lines and breaks up the color.

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Cherry + Emerald

Pure jewel tones give this white bedroom major glamour. The cherry red sofa at the foot of the bed accents the black-and-white bed and relates to its red accent pillow. A plush green rug with an art-deco animal print gives worldly flair, and an emerald velvet accent chair brings vintage luxury.

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Mauve + Gold

It's important to consider hue, saturation, and tone when pairing complementary colors. This gorgeous dining area uses opposing muted tones for feminine flair. The two hues match in tone but contrast beautifully.

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Hot Pink + Spring Green

This preppy scheme brings a pop of color to an otherwise neutral gray living room. Among white, gray and silver accents, the opposing colors really stand out. Reflective glass elements throughout the space add glamour.

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Light Blue + Orange

This kitchen enlists a soft blue shade and vibrant orange to liven up the utilitarian room. Powder blue covers the cabinetry for a new twist on neutral. The bright orange bar stools stand out in the kitchen otherwise dominated by muted tones.

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Fuchsia + Goldenrod

The curtains in this living room showcase how complementary colors can pop against each other. Yellow and purple reside on the opposite sides of the color wheel, and putting them together makes for a rich and exciting pair. The combination of fuchsia, plum, and a golden yellow hue energizes this living room's traditional furnishings.

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Red + Navy Blue

A navy blue sofa establishes this room's complementary color scheme. Bright red appears on the patterned armchair upholstery and on the accent pillows. Shades of tan and brown provide the perfect backdrop for the rich accent colors.

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Raspberry + Mint

Pairing complementary colors like red and green doesn't always require a scheme with pure tones. Using variations of the basic colors can lead to a unique and bold color combination. This bathroom's raspberry and mint palette proves that red and green tones don't always scream "Christmas."

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Dusty Purple + Chartreuse

Warm purple curtains contrast beautifully with a tufted chartreuse bedframe and headboard. A patterned bench with sleek acrylic legs gives the bed an elegant finish. Bright white accents contrast well with the wallpapered walls and lofted ceiling.

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Coral + Seafoam Green

A deliberate choice to contrast the tone and saturation of colors in a palette can lead to a surprising complementary color scheme. In this bright bedroom, the pairing of bright coral and pastel seafoam green livens up white bedding and neutral furnishings.

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Eggplant + Dandelion

The warm undertones of purple and yellow make a cozy pair in any room. The eggplant paint color inside the shelves and on the window treatment match the depth of the dark gray walls and couch. Bright golden yellow accents lighten the look.

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Brick + Teal

Make deciding on a color scheme easy with pure colors (hues not tinted with black or white). Directly across the color wheel from each other, blue-green and red-orange make for a perfect contrast in this southwestern-inspired bedroom. The natural tones add to the room's rustic vibe.

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Lavender + Amber

This living room uses complementary colors purple and yellow in gray undertones to create a subtle color scheme. The pale walls make a yellow chair and abstract wall art pop. Neutral furniture throughout the rest of the space allows the complementary scheme to shine.

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Red Orange + Royal Blue

A pair of bright colors balances a space with natural elements. Surrounding this blue sofa cushion with natural tones and accents of red-orange allows the cool color to pop. The combination of solid and patterned color accents add interest to the minimalist space.

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