When pairing colors for fashion, interior design, or other aesthetics, a key consideration is whether two colors go well together. Specifically, does dark orange go with green? The short answer is yes, dark orange and green can work very nicely as complementary colors. However, the specific shades and tones matter, as do the proportions each color is used in. With the right approach, dark orange and green can be bold, vibrant and striking.
General guidelines
In color theory, orange and green are considered complementary colors, meaning they are opposite each other on the color wheel. This opposite positioning creates strong visual contrast when the colors are placed next to each other. However, dark orange and green have enough similarity and overlap in hue and tone to avoid clashing. The richness of dark orange also balances nicely with the natural vibrancy of green.
Here are some general guidelines for combining dark orange and green:
- Use a burnt or rusty orange tone rather than a bright citrus orange, as the deeper orange has a touch of brown that meshes better with green.
- Pair with earthy greens like olive, sage, or mossy tones rather than brighter lime greens, which can look garish next to orange.
- Use green as the dominant color and orange as the accent. Having more green helps ground the palette while the orange pops.
- Add neutrals like tans, browns, whites or blacks to create separation between the orange and green.
- Introduce the colors gradually rather than equally so the eye adjusts to the bold combo.
Home interior design
Dark orange and green is an unexpected color scheme for a living room, bedroom, or other interior space. However, the colors can create a warm, earthy aesthetic when balanced thoughtfully. Here are some tips for incorporating dark orange and green into home interiors:
- Use burnt orange on an accent wall or on furniture like chairs, pillows, throws and poufs.
- Paint architectural elements like moldings, doors and built-ins in a muted dark orange.
- Choose a sage, olive or forest green for larger elements like sofas, curtains and area rugs.
- Add in wood tones and black accents to create natural separation between the two colors.
- Start with a small orange lamp or vase to introduce the color before adding larger orange pieces.
- Stick to a 70/30 balance, with green being the dominant color.
This living room illustrates a sophisticated use of deep orange and green for interiors:
| Element | Color |
|---|---|
| Walls | Benjamin Moore Healing Aloe |
| Accent wall | Benjamin Moore Burnt Ochre |
| Sofa | Forest green linen |
| Chairs | Deep orange velvet |
| Pillows | Orange, green, and ivory |
| Curtains | Ivory linen |
| Rug | Jute in natural tone |
| Wood tones | Medium brown coffee table |
Fashion and clothing
For clothing and fashion, dark orange and green work best when styled creatively. Matching these bold hues improperly can look garish, so take care when pairing them in an outfit. Here are some tips:
- Make one color dominant. An olive green shirt with orange accessories for example.
- Use orange for small accents only, like a scarf or handbag.
- Break up the colors with neutrals like denim, white, black or brown.
- Make sure the tones complement each other. Brick orange with mossy green reads sophisticated.
- Add texture variations, like orange knit with green satin.
- Layer orange and green thoughtfully, such as an orange skirt with green blazer.
- Use analogous shades like burnt sienna, ochre or sage so the colors are not pure orange and green.
Here is an example of a stylish autumn outfit with dark orange and different hues of green:
| Clothing Item | Color |
|---|---|
| Top | Olive green sweater |
| Scarf | Burnt orange knit scarf |
| Pants | Dark wash jeans |
| Shoes | Brown leather ankle boots |
| Handbag | Green crossbody bag |
| Earrings | Orange teardrop earrings |
Graphic design
For graphic design like websites, logos, posters and more, dark orange and green create an eye-catching color palette with visual pop. Complementary colors naturally create strong contrast for impact. However, balancing the two requires careful attention to tone, ratio and layout.
Here are tips for combining dark orange and green in graphic design projects:
- Use burnt or rust orange tones so the orange relates to the green earthiness.
- Make the green the dominant color at 60-80% of palette.
- Use plenty of white or neutral space between the two colors.
- Have green backgrounds with orange accents like buttons or headlines.
- Check designs on screen and in print to ensure good contrast.
- Avoid using equal parts orange and green unless separated clearly.
- Use darker greens like forest, avocado or olive to minimize vibration.
This poster balances the vibrant orange and green with generous white space:
| Element | Color |
|---|---|
| Background | White |
| Central image | Photo of foliage |
| Bottom bar | Dark olive green |
| Text | Black |
| Accent shapes | Burnt orange |
Conclusion
Dark orange and green can be a gorgeous color pairing with the right balance. Make sure to use burnt, rusty orange tones and earthy greens. Allow green to dominate and use orange for accents. Include plenty of natural beiges, browns, whites or blacks. With mindful proportions and combination, dark orange and green can create stylish, energetic palettes across fashion, interior design, graphic design and more.
