Quick answer
Blue and burgundy can work well together if done carefully. Burgundy is a dark, rich shade that pairs nicely with calmer hues like blue. The key is choosing the right tones – like a deep burgundy with a soft powder blue. Avoid matching a bold, bright blue with an equally vibrant burgundy, as this tends to look garish. With some thought on shades and proportions, blue and burgundy can make for an elegant, sophisticated color combination.
The color wheel
To understand if two colors work together, it helps to look at the color wheel. Colors that are opposite each other are called complementary colors. Blue and orange, for example, are complements. These vivid opposite shades create a striking contrast when paired.
| Primary Color | Complementary Color |
|---|---|
| Red | Green |
| Yellow | Purple |
| Blue | Orange |
Burgundy is a shade of red, while blue is its own primary color. Since red and blue are not direct complements, the contrast will not be as bold. But as adjacent colors on the wheel, they can still work if the shades are chosen carefully.
Choosing the right tones
With blue and burgundy, tone is everything. Matching a pale, icy blue with a deep burgundy creates a more harmonious look. The soft blue calms down the boldness of a jewel-toned burgundy.
Bright primary colors like vibrant royal blue and cherry red burgundy tend to clash when paired. But mixing softer, more muted shades creates a subtle, sophisticated look. A navy or powder blue works better with a maroon, mulberry or wine-colored burgundy.
| Works Well | Doesn’t Work |
|---|---|
| Baby blue and burgundy | Royal blue and cherry red burgundy |
| Dusty blue and oxblood burgundy | Cobalt blue and bright magenta burgundy |
In general, the lighter the blue, the better it complements the deep darkness of burgundy. Think of the cool tranquility of blue balancing out burgundy’s fiery boldness.
Pay attention to proportion
The quantity of each color also impacts how blue and burgundy look together. If most of a space or outfit is burgundy, with just a touch of blue, the contrast is more striking. The blue pops against a burgundy background.
But too much blue compared to burgundy can create visual disharmony. The eye doesn’t know where to focus. Keep blue accents small – like a scarf with a burgundy dress, or blue throw pillows on a burgundy sofa.
| Works Well | Doesn’t Work |
|---|---|
| Burgundy shoes, blue shirt | Blue dress, burgundy shoes |
| Mostly burgundy living room with blue accents | Mostly blue living room with burgundy accents |
A good rule of thumb is an 80/20 proportion for a harmonious burgundy and blue color scheme. Up to 20% blue can nicely complement a burgundy base.
Trying different shades
From pale to navy, blue has an endless spectrum of shades to pair with burgundy. Lighter tones complement burgundy best, but there are still many deep or mid-tone blues that work. Here are some blue and burgundy combinations:
– Powder blue and maroon
– Baby blue and oxblood burgundy
– Periwinkle blue and mulberry burgundy
– Light azure blue and burgundy wine
– Cadet blue and dark burgundy
– Navy blue and black cherry burgundy
Burgundy and blue color schemes
Below are some examples of blue and burgundy used effectively in different color schemes:
Monochromatic
Shades of blue, from light to dark, are paired with shades of burgundy from wine red to deep maroon:
| Baby Blue | Periwinkle | Cadet Blue | Navy |
| Cherry Burgundy | Mulberry | Oxblood | Maroon |
Complementary
Blue and burgundy are used alongside shades of orange and green:
| Baby Blue | Coral Orange | Mulberry Burgundy | Teal Green |
Triadic
Blue, burgundy and a vibrant yellow are combined:
| Baby Blue | Mulberry Burgundy | Bright Yellow |
Analogous
Soft hues from adjacent parts of the color wheel are used, like light blue, mauve and lavender:
| Baby Blue | Mauve | Lavender | Mulberry Burgundy |
Accented Analogous
One vivid color pops against soft analogous hues, like royal purple with light blue and mauve:
| Baby Blue | Mauve | Royal Purple | Mulberry Burgundy |
Tips for decorating with blue and burgundy
When using blue and burgundy in home decor, keep these tips in mind:
– Stick to a lighter blue palette with deep burgundy for contrast
– Add metallics like rose gold and brass to link the two colors
– Introduce creams, whites or grays to provide separation
– Use textures like velvet in burgundy and linen in blue
– Add navy and burgundy stripes for a nautical vibe
– Pair a burgundy sofa with blue accent chairs or throw pillows
– Use a bold jewel-toned Persian rug to anchor the scheme
Wardrobe ideas with blue and burgundy
Some stylish ways to wear blue and burgundy:
– A chambray button-down with oxblood jeans or trousers
– A navy polka dot blouse with a burgundy circle skirt
– An indigo blazer with mulberry dress pants
– A wine-colored sweater dress with blue tights
– Burgundy loafers with cuffed light-wash denim
– A cobalt shift dress with maroon knee-high boots
– A powder blue trench over a maroon turtleneck and jeans
Conclusion
Blue and burgundy may seem like an unconventional color pairing at first. But with some careful thought on shades and proportions, the two colors can create sophisticated, elegant combinations. Stick to soft muted blues with deep burgundies. Use metallic accents and plenty of neutrals to provide separation. And limit bright primary shades of blue and red, which tend to clash. With the right tones and balance, blue and burgundy can make for very chic, complementary color schemes in both fashion and interior design.
