Quick Answer
Orange and teal are two vibrant colors that complement each other well when used together in fashion, interior design, graphic design, and more. The warm orange tones balanced with cool teal tones create a striking and eye-catching color palette.
The Meaning and Psychology of Orange and Teal
Orange is an energetic, warm, and vibrant secondary color. It shares qualities of red and yellow and evokes feelings of excitement, enthusiasm, and warmth. Orange has symbolic meanings of creativity, freedom, success, and balance. In design, orange commands attention without being as overpowering as red.
Teal is a cool, calming blue-green secondary color. It shares qualities of blue and green and evokes feelings of renewal, sophistication, wisdom, and tranquility. Teal symbolizes open communication, clarity of thought, and spiritual grounding. In design, teal has a stabilizing effect paired with brighter warm colors.
When combined, the passionate warmth of orange balances with the cool tranquility of teal. This creates a bold and visually striking color palette with uplifting and invigorating effects.
Complimentary Color Theory
Orange and teal are considered complementary colors on the color wheel. Complementary colors sit opposite each other and create maximum contrast when combined.
| Color | Hue |
|---|---|
| Orange | Located between red and yellow at around 30 degrees on the color wheel |
| Teal | Located between green and blue at around 180 degrees on the color wheel |
Complementary colors accentuate one another’s intensities. When placed side-by-side, orange appears even warmer, brighter, and more energetic next to the cool tranquil teal.
Using Orange and Teal in Fashion
In fashion, orange and teal make a bold color pairing for attire, accessories, and beauty looks.
For clothing, orange and teal work well together in prints and patterns. An orange dress or top paired with teal pants or skirt makes a vibrant outfit. For accessories, orange shoes, belt, or bag pop against a teal outfit background.
In make-up, orange eyeshadow, lipstick, or blush looks modern and edgy contrasted with teal eyeliner or nails. Orange and teal ombre hair is also an eye-catching option for beauty.
During summer, orange and teal are perfect for bathing suits and beachwear. In fall and winter, they add exciting pops of color to darker wardrobes.
Using Orange and Teal in Interior Design
In interior decorating, orange and teal make a striking color scheme for walls, furniture, textiles, and accessories.
Painting one wall orange or teal in a room makes a bold accent wall. Other ways to incorporate the palette include:
– Teal sofa with orange throw pillows
– Orange rug and teal curtains
– White walls with orange and teal art
– Teal kitchen cabinets with orange bar stools
Orange dining chairs around a teal table also makes a vibrant dining space. For bedrooms, use orange and teal in bedding, pillows, and artwork.
This color scheme is energizing for living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, and other social spaces. Use it more sparingly in relaxing spaces like bedrooms.
Using Orange and Teal in Graphic Design
In graphic design, websites, logos, presentations, advertisements, and more come to life with the orange and teal color scheme.
Websites often use orange for call-to-action buttons to capture attention against a teal background. The vibrance of this palette also suits creative industries like action sports, arts, and entertainment.
For logos and branding, orange and teal together convey a fun, energetic, and youthful image. This works for athletic brands, amusement parks, toy companies, and children’s services.
In advertisements, orange is eye-catching for headlines and focal points against a teal backdrop. PowerPoint presentations also benefit from orange text and elements over teal backgrounds.
Popular Combinations with Orange and Teal
While orange and teal pair beautifully on their own, adding complementary neutrals and accent colors can provide more depth, contrast, and visual interest.
Popular neutral tones to incorporate include:
| Color | Adds |
|---|---|
| White | Crisp, clean contrast |
| Beige | Warm, earthy contrast |
| Gray | Sophisticated, modern contrast |
| Black | Bold, dramatic contrast |
Popular accent colors that look great with orange and teal include:
| Color | Adds |
|---|---|
| Yellow | Bright, cheerful contrast |
| Purple | Royal, mystical contrast |
| Pink | Feminine, whimsical contrast |
| Lime Green | Vibrant, tropical contrast |
These combinations provide endless possibilities for stunning and creative orange and teal color schemes.
Outfit Ideas with Orange and Teal
Here are some chic outfit examples to inspire you to incorporate this color duo into your wardrobe:
Casual Orange and Teal
– Orange t-shirt with teal jeans
– Teal tank with orange cardigan
– Orange sneakers and teal baseball cap
Fashionista Orange and Teal
– Orange mini dress and teal heels
– Flowy teal maxi skirt with orange belt
– Teal blazer over orange camisole and white jeans
Edgy Orange and Teal
– Orange moto jacket with teal tank and black leggings
– Orange beanie with teal hair
– Teal booties with orange laces
Formal Orange and Teal
– Strapless orange dress with teal shawl
– Teal suit with orange blouse
– Orange heels and teal clutch
Interior Design Ideas with Orange and Teal
Make a design statement in your home with these orange and teal decor ideas:
Living Room
– Teal sofa with orange and white patterned pillows
– Orange area rug
– White walls with orange and teal abstract art
Dining Room
– Teal dining chairs with orange seat cushions
– Orange pendant light over teal dining table
– Teal buffet cabinet
Bedroom
– White and teal bedding with orange throw blanket at foot of bed
– Nightstand and headboard painted teal
– Orange lamp
Bathroom
– Subway tile shower surround in white, teal and orange
– Teal walls
– Orange towels and bath mat
Kitchen
– Orange bar stools at teal kitchen island
– Teal appliances
– Orange utensil crock on countertop
Tips for Decorating with Orange and Teal
When using orange and teal in home decor, keep these tips in mind:
– Use orange in moderation since it is the brighter, bolder color. Too much can feel overwhelming.
– Add plenty of neutral whites, grays, tans, and blacks for balance.
– Incorporate orange and teal through accessories like pillows, art, rugs, and decor items rather than huge furniture pieces.
– Try different shades like burnt orange, peach, and salmon paired with light or dark teal.
– Add texture with natural elements like wood, rattan, stone, and plants for contrast.
– Use teal to create a relaxing oasis in bedrooms, bathrooms, and offices.
– Reserve orange for energizing spaces like kitchens, dining rooms, and kids’ rooms.
Conclusion
Orange and teal is a vibrant complementary color pairing that packs a punch. Contrasting the passionate warmth of orange with the cool tranquility of teal creates stylish possibilities for fashion, interior design, graphic design, and more.
This bold duo makes a lively statement when used in moderation alongside neutral tones and accent colors. So do not be afraid to add some energizing orange and calming teal into your palette for a look that is exciting, elegant, and totally eye-catching.
