What Is a Complementary Color to Blue

sunny light blue and orange kitchen

Credit: Lisa Romerein

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 complementary color schemes.

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Burnt Umber + Pacific Blue

dining room with patterned blue and orange chairs and curtains

Credit: Anthony Masterson

In this neutral dining room, the fabric elements set the tone and color scheme. Burnt-orange fabric on the slipper chairs brings out hints of orange in the window treatments. A rich shade of blue further ties the elements together. The warm tones of orange continue in rich wood flooring and a farmhouse dining table.

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Cherry + Emerald

modern living room with red couch and green rug and chair

Credit: Nathan Schroder

Pure jewel tones give this white bedroom major glamour. A cherry red sofa at the foot of the bed accents a 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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Powder Blue + Tangerine

farmhouse white bedroom with orange and blue accents

Credit: Brie Williams

In this bedroom, neutrals dominate the surfaces, but powder blue accents 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 bedroom feel inviting.

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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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Wisteria + Butterscotch

tan bedroom with magenta and gold accents

Credit: Brie Williams

A magenta bench matches the shades of purple seen on 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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Light Blue + Orange

sunny light blue and orange kitchen

Credit: Lisa Romerein

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Lilac + Mustard

purple and yellow sitting room with glass table and round mirror

Credit: Robert Brantley

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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Peach + Turquoise

orange sitting room with blue painting and chair

Credit: Brian McWeeney

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 ups the interest. A bright blue abstract painting becomes the focal point on the orange walls.

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Pink + Sage

bedroom with green and red flowered wallpaper and canopy bed

Credit: Laura Moss

This romantic 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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Fuchsia + Goldenrod

living room with mustard yellow couch and floor length pink curtains

Credit: Richard Leo Johnson

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

coral and blue warm sitting room

Credit: Adam Albright

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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Mauve + Gold

purple and gold dining room with chaise lounge

Credit: Gordon Beall

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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Brick + Teal

spanish style bedroom with red and blue décor

Credit: Anthony Masterson

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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Dusty Purple + Chartreuse

brown wallpapered bedroom with yellow bed and purple curtains

Credit: Werner Straube

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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Red Orange + Royal Blue

white loft room with blue and red color scheme and giant plant

Credit: Marty Baldwin

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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Lavender + Amber

eclectic pink, blue, and yellow midcentury sitting room

Credit: David A. Land

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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Coral + Seafoam Green

sea foam bedroom with pink and white accents

Credit: Greg Scheidemann

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

pale green, pink, and yellow sitting room

Credit: Kimberly Gavin

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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Mullberry + Chartreuse

foyer with magenta wall and green dresser

Credit: Kritsada Panichgul

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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Hot Pink + Spring Green

gray living room with pink and green accents

Credit: Gordon Beall

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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Raspberry + Mint

pink wallpapered bathroom with green accents

Credit: Edmund Barr

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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Chartreuse + Royal Purple

blue green bathroom wallpaper

Credit: John Bessler

Deep purple and soft sage green make a pretty pair as floral wallpaper. Pops of bright chartreuse on hand towels and dried hydrangeas brighten the look. Natural finishes, including a wood vanity, stone flooring, and linen window treatments, temper the colorful powder room color scheme.

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Blush Pink + Sage Green

Pink shuttered doorway kitchen

Credit: Will Hopkins

For a cottage-style complementary color scheme, incorporate soft shades of green and pink. Here, blush-colored shutters open to reveal the home's kitchen, including a display of green vintage dishware. Fabric skirts on the base cabinets pick up the pink with casual stripes.

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Orange + Blue

blue bunk beds with orange and grey accents

Credit: Dana Gallagher

For a no-fail complementary color scheme, turn to orange and blue. The vibrant hues are perfect for a shared children's bedroom and can be softened with warm gray walls and crisp white accents. Here, orange repeats on bedding, wall art, and throw pillows, contrasting a powder blue bunk bed.

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What Is a Complementary Color to Blue

Source: https://www.bhg.com/decorating/color/schemes/complementary-color-schemes/