Best Color Combinations
The right color combinations in design can set the mood, guide people’s perception, and improve the look of a design. Picking the right set of colors can help you achieve great results in decorating, designing, and fashion. Selecting colors that are both different and similar helps make a design eye-catching and expressive.
To design effectively, you need to know which colors complement each other and how they fit together. In the following sections, we’ll share color combinations that can help spark creativity and lead to smart and attractive designs.
Whether you're a beginner designer or a seasoned professional, you know firsthand the incredible impact of color.
The use of color in design can make a simple setup stand out and become much more impactful. If you’re new to the field or are already experienced, having knowledge of how to mix colors well is very important for achieving great visual and emotional results. This guide shows how classic and modern color combos can boost your designs and help you express your message successfully and with style.
First, let's look at color theory and the color wheel
Good use of color in design relies on the principles of color theory. At the center of color theory is the color wheel, a display that shows colors according to their relationships to each other. This means red, blue, and yellow are the primaries, colors made from combining two primaries are called secondaries, and when those are combined with primaries, you get the tertiaries. A designer can use the color wheel to create schemes that use pairs, three-color groupings, or multiple colors chosen by how closely they are to each other.
Color theory
Color theory focuses on making sure colors in a design blend together in ways that look good and feel right to the viewer. It outlines how different colors interact, what effects they have on people, and how they can be mixed to communicate certain thoughts or feelings.
The color wheel is the key part of color theory, which includes:
Primary colors: You cannot make red, blue, or yellow from any other combination of colors.
Secondary colors: Mixing two main colors can give you green, orange, or purple.
Tertiary colors: They are formed by combining a primary color with the easiest neighboring secondary color (red-orange is one such example).
Color theory covers a variety of color schemes, which are:
1.Lending contrast and boldness to another color (opposite on the color wheel)
2.Analogous to each other by sitting next to each other and feeling comfortable together
3.Triadic organization is where the three colors are equally spaced and still appear vibrant and balanced.
4.Designs in which the main colors are all close in hue and create a sense of unit
Color wheel
It displays how different colors are related by their color properties. It informs designers, artists, and creators of the way colors mesh and the best pairings they can use.
The wheel often falls into three different main categories.
Primary Colors : All other colors are made from the basic trio: Red, Blue, and Yellow.
Secondary Colors : Green, Orange, Purple are made by mixing two primary colors.
Tertiary Colors : Red-Orange, Yellow-Green, Blue-Purple, etc. are made by combining a primary color with its next-door secondary color.
The color wheel helps to show how groups of colors work together, such as:
When you use two complementary colors that are opposite each other, such as blue and orange, there is a lot of energy and strong visual contrast.
Analogous colors are found next to each other, so a blue next to a blue-green, and a green next to a blue-green, creating a pleasing and relaxing palette.
Triadic Colors are spread out equally on the color wheel, providing vivid and balanced color combinations, for example, red, yellow, blue.
To create dynamic and complex effects on screen, you can implement Split-Complementary and Tetradic schemes.
Using the color wheel gives you a better idea of which colors to pick for any project.
26 beautiful color combinations that'll inspire your next design
From bright colors that stand out next to each other to colors that go well together, here are 26 great color combos that might help you with your next design, with both timeless picks and brand-new trends.
Classic color combinations
1. Blue & pastel pink
The mixture of Blue & Pastel Pink makes for a spellbinding contrast. Blue symbolizes confidence, calmness, and dependability, whereas pastel pink fanfields with sunshine, youthful feelings, and a charmed mood. Together they combine professionalism and femininity just right, so they work well in branding, fashion, and modern web design.
Hex Codes:
Blue – #0000FF
Pastel Pink – #FFD1DC
2. Dark charcoal & bright yellow
Using Dark Charcoal & Bright Yellow makes the space look trendy and attractive. The dark tones of charcoal balance out the powerful and energetic yellows. Using these colors together catches the audience’s attention and looks stylish, making it perfect for brands, signs, and designs that have to be both eye-catching and professional.
Hex Codes:
Dark Charcoal – #333333
Bright Yellow – #FFEB3B
3. Light red & yellow
Light Red & Yellow make a bright and lively pair that injects lots of cheerfulness. Light red evokes warmth and excitement, while yellow is filled with life and joy. Used together, they help create playful and summery effects with visuals that grab the eye.
Hex Codes:
Light Red – #FF6F61
Yellow – #FFEB3B
4. Cherry red & off-white
Cherry Red & Off-White work together to create a contrast that is striking and elegant. The sharp and passionate cherry red inspires action and leads people to feel vibrant and confident. Since off-white is neutral and mild, it brings out the classy and professional side of any branding, fashion, or setting, making it suitable for trendy and upscale looks.
Hex Codes:
Cherry Red – #D2042D
Off-White – #F8F8F0
5. Baby blue & white
Together, Baby Blue & White are refreshing, clean, and give a sense of peace. The color baby blue makes people feel calm, trusting, and gentle, while white brings in purity and simplicity. The two make a pleasant and comfortable combination, ideal for baby items, health and medical brands, and calm websites.
Hex Codes:
Baby Blue – #89CFF0
White – #FFFFFF
6. Dark blue & light blue
Putting Dark Blue & Light Blue together makes a professional and compatible color combination. Dark blue means you can trust someone, feel safe, and have respect, while light blue gives off a calmer and friendlier feeling. This monochromatic look is good for company branding, tech products, and things that need to show depth but also be a bit soft and gentle.
Hex Codes:
Dark Blue – #003366
Light Blue – #ADD8E6
7. Sky blue & bubblegum pink
Sky Blue & Bubblegum Pink are a joyful and lively combination of colors. If you paint your room sky blue, it will feel serene, while bubblegum pink will give it a playful and sweet feel. As a combination, they give off an exciting and fresh feel that suits both children’s products, clothing, and branding.
Hex Codes:
Sky Blue – #87CEEB
Bubblegum Pink – #FF69B4
8. Cherry red & bubblegum pink
When paired with Bubblegum Pink, Cherry Red gives off a bold and lively effect. Cherry red makes an exciting color for any makeup look, while bubblegum pink has a fun, sugary effect. The combination is eye-catching enough for fashion and beauty brands, as well as for designs aimed at young people.
Hex Codes:
Cherry Red – #D2042D
Bubblegum Pink – #FF69B4
9. Forest green & moss green
There is a natural and earthy quality to the mix of Forest Green & Moss Green. The color forest green is strong and stable, and moss green is kinder and more fresh. The combination reminds us of nature and suits eco-friendly brands, designs inspired by nature, and products designed for outdoor activities.
Hex Codes:
Forest Green – #228B22
Moss Green – #8A9A5B
10. Midnight blue, royal blue, & burgundy red
Midnight Blue, Royal Blue & Burgundy Red make up a really rich, dark, and bold group of colors. Midnight blue looks fancy and a bit mysterious, while royal blue is strong and sure of itself. Burgundy red feels rich and full of energy. Together, they make up a team that works well together and can add sophistication and strength to branding, fashion, or products meant to look upscale.
Hex Codes:
Midnight Blue – #191970
Royal Blue – #4169E1
Burgundy Red – #800020
11. Terracotta red, light beige, & muted teal
Combining Terracotta Red, Light Beige & Muted Teal brings a warm, earthy, and balanced feel to the room. The use of terracotta red gives a country feeling and adds warmth, beige keeps the room light and neutral, and muted teal helps cool down and soothe the space. Using these together works well for interiors, hip branding, and a natural type of lifestyle.
Hex Codes:
Terracotta Red – #E2725B
Light Beige – #F5F5DC
Muted Teal – #5E8B7E
12. Pastel olive green & salmon pink
The combination of Pastel Olive Green & Salmon Pink brings out a pleasant, modern, and sometimes retro look. The olive green main color is earthy and solid, while the additional salmon pink color adds warmth and congeniality. The matching of these two colors is perfect for modern designs, fashion, and branding.
Hex Codes:
Pastel Olive Green – #B5B35C
Salmon Pink – #FF9999
13. Deep periwinkle & soft lilac
Deep Periwinkle & Soft Lilac make a combination that radiates romance and peace. The dark bluish-purple shades of deep periwinkle create a soothing atmosphere and are more masculine. Meanwhile, soft lilac is lighter and more feminine. It goes beautifully with wellness branding and is also great for wedding themes or for a whimsical, elegant style.
Hex Codes:
Deep Periwinkle – #6A6DB0
Soft Lilac – #E6CCF5
14. Salmon pink & soft peach
The combination of Salmon Pink & Soft Peach creates an atmosphere that feels comfortable and welcoming. The energetic salmon pink contrasts with the delicate nurturing effect of soft peach. They go well together and help create a sensation of sweetness and comfort, just right for skincare companies, springy designs, or ‘girly’ looks.
Hex Codes:
Salmon Pink – #FF9999
Soft Peach – #FFDAB9
15. Seafoam green & light blue
Seafoam Green & Light Blue make a relaxed and easy-going color scheme. Seafoam green feels like a fresh start and brings something from nature, while light blue helps you feel calm and clear-headed. Together, they give off a calm beach feel and are great for spa branding or simple, peaceful designs.
Hex Codes:
Seafoam Green – #93E9BE
Light Blue – #ADD8E6
16. Teal & light green
Teal and light green together look calm, bright, and have a feeling of being outside in nature. Teal adds more color, gives a balanced feel, and makes the room seem more trendy, while light green makes the space seem fresher and full of life. This contrast brings to mind growth, peacefulness, and creative details, making it suitable for eco-friendly companies, modern houses, and anything to do with health or well-being.
Hex Codes:
Teal – #008080
Light Green – #90EE90
17. Dark green & light gray
Dark Green & Light Gray create a sophisticated and grounded color combination. Dark green symbolizes growth, stability, and elegance, while light gray adds softness, neutrality, and modernity. Together, they form a timeless, professional palette ideal for corporate branding, minimalist interiors, and eco-focused design.
Hex Codes:
Dark Green – #006400
Light Gray – #D3D3D3
18. Cranberry red & bubblegum
These two colors join forces to bring out boldness and sweetness at the same time. The bold color of cranberry red adds feeling and elegance, while cheerful bubblegum pink makes a room come alive with energy. The rich and colorful look of these two pairs well with fashion, makeup, and branding that wants to be noticeable and warm.
Hex Codes:
Cranberry Red – #9E0031
Bubblegum Pink – #FF69B4
19. Deep blue, orange-red, & yellow-orange
A triadic palette made up of Deep Blue, Orange-Red, and Yellow-Orange combines vitality and energy. Blue brings with it feelings of trust and stability, whereas orange-red and yellow-orange convey a cheerful, lively atmosphere. The combination fits perfectly for brands in sports, lively advertising, and projects that need bold colors.
Hex Codes:
Deep Blue – #003366
Orange-Red – #FF4500
Yellow-Orange – #FFAE42
20. Mauve, dusty rose, & soft blue-gray
A combination of Mauve, Dusty Rose, & Soft Blue-Gray brings out a delicate, refined, and attractive appearance. Mauve will give your room a quiet purple mix with warmth, dusty rose brings in a charm, and soft blue-gray will provide a sense of calm. This look is popular for weddings, for use in businesses with a feminine look, and for interior designs that are cozy.0
Hex Codes:
Mauve – #E0B0FF
Dusty Rose – #DCAE96
Soft Blue-Gray – #A9B2BC
21. Dark reddish brown, taupe, & light peachy brown
This combination of Dark Reddish Brown, Taupe, and Light Peachy Brown gives a warm and welcoming look to any space. Deep reddish brown adds a strong and rich look, while taupe calms things down and peachy brown adds a soft touch. Using this mix creates a pleasant atmosphere in homes and businesses and makes branding more rustic and natural.
Hex Codes:
Dark Reddish Brown – #5C2F1D
Taupe – #8B7E74
Light Peachy Brown – #D7B49E
22. Dark navy blue, bright scarlet red, & light lemon yellow
Dark Navy Blue, Bright Scarlet Red, & Light Lemon Yellow are all considered bold, energetic, and form a well-balanced triadic palette. Dark navy blue represents trust and power, bright scarlet red is for excitement and passion, while light lemon yellow gives off a fresh and optimistic impression. The mix of their colors brings life and excitement, which is useful for using in branding and marketing.
Hex Codes:
Dark Navy Blue – #001F54
Bright Scarlet Red – #FF2400
Light Lemon Yellow – #FFFACD
23. Teal blue, light blue, & light gray
A cool and sophisticated feel results from using Teal Blue, Light Blue, & Light Gray together. Teal blue stands out, light blue helps the eye relax, and light gray balances the imagery. When used together, they help create a modern, new-look combo suitable for tech, health, and simple designs.
Hex Codes:
Teal Blue – #367588
Light Blue – #ADD8E6
Light Gray – #D3D3D3
24. Deep navy blue, bright red, & pale pink
Using Deep Navy Blue, Bright Red, & Pale Pink achieves a beautiful balance. Stable and sophisticated navy blue, enthusiastic and dramatic red, and gentle and cozy pink are all possible with this color palette. The result looks great for stylish clothing, creative branding, and impressive party decorations.
Hex Codes:
Deep Navy Blue – #001F54
Bright Red – #FF0000
Pale Pink – #FADADD
25. Dark chestnut brown, burnt sienna, & soft cream
Dark Chestnut Brown, Burnt Sienna, and Soft Cream combine to make a palette that is both rich, warm, and inviting. Thanks to dark chestnut, the frame is deep and filled with earth, burnt sienna adds warmth and comfort, and soft cream balances everything out with a soft, light touch. This mix works wonderfully in comfortable spaces, for fall decor, and for natural company brands.
Hex Codes:
Dark Chestnut Brown – #5D3A1A
Burnt Sienna – #E97451
Soft Cream – #FFF5E1
26. Dark charcoal, deep rust, & sky blue
This information is vital for fostering growth in all areas of mental, social, emotional, physical, and language development. A dark charcoal color makes a space look more mature, rusty brown brings closeness and a sense of nature, and sky blue calms and refreshes any area. This mix is ideal for modern branding, outdoor gear, and fun and lively design.
Hex Codes:
Dark Charcoal – #333333
Deep Rust – #B7410E
Sky Blue – #87CEEB
Conclusion
To make your design attractive and powerful, you must select the right combination of colors. Using color theory and the color wheel, designers are able to build palettes that help convey the intended emotions and messages. In any case, a color palette needs to be balanced and should match the purpose of your design.
Choosing the right colors can help with branding, user experience, and create the right atmosphere for any project. Try playing with different colors, lightness, and darkness to achieve an original and unique painting. Overall, knowing how to use colors together increases creativity and helps keep designs expressive and remembered by the viewer.
