Blue and orange are complementary colors on the color wheel, meaning they are directly opposite each other. This contrasting color combination can create a bold, vibrant look when used together in design. However, some argue that blue and orange clash, while others think they work well together if balanced properly. So is blue and orange actually a good color combination?
Some key points we’ll cover:
- The color theory behind blue and orange
- Examples of blue and orange in design
- Tips for styling blue and orange together
- When to avoid blue and orange
- Expert opinions on this color pairing
Read on for a deep dive into the blue and orange color palette.
The Color Theory Behind Blue and Orange
In color theory, blue and orange are considered complementary colors, meaning they are directly opposite each other on the color wheel. This creates high visual contrast when placed side-by-side.
The high contrast draws attention and creates bold, vibrant designs. It also helps elements stand out from backgrounds.
| Color | Color Wheel Position |
|---|---|
| Blue | Primary – located between green and violet |
| Orange | Secondary – located between red and yellow |
Blue is a primary color, meaning it cannot be created by mixing other colors. Orange is a secondary color, created by mixing red and yellow.
When complementary colors are combined, they neutralize each other to create a grayscale color. This mixing of blue and orange helps the eye perceive both colors more vividly.
The contrasting hues also vibrate against each other, creating a dynamic energy. This makes blue and orange an eye-catching pairing.
Examples of Blue and Orange in Design
Blue and orange color combinations are commonly seen in marketing, sports, fashion, interior design, and more. The bold contrast helps grab attention in advertising and branding.
Some examples include:
- Many technology company logos like Intel, Oracle, Paypal, Flickr, WordPress
- The New York Knicks basketball team’s blue and orange uniforms
- Product packaging for items like cleaners, toys, electronics
- Magazine covers and advertisements
- Movie posters and book covers
- Restaurants and retail store designs
- Furniture and home decor with blue and orange accents
When used together on apparel, blue often represents the top or pants, balanced by orange shoes or accessories.
In interiors, blue can represent walls or large furniture like sofas, paired with orange pillows, rugs, lamps and other decor details.
Tips for Styling Blue and Orange
If you want to use blue and orange together successfully, follow these tips:
- Use them in similar proportions – don’t let one color dominate.
- Try light blue with bright orange or dark blue with burnt orange.
- Add a neutral color like white, black or gray to give the eyes a break.
- Use less saturated shades like navy blue and peach orange.
- Introduce blue and orange through patterns and prints.
- Avoid placing them side-by-side – let some space separate them.
Avoid making blue and orange equal sized stripes or blocks next to each other. This can look jarring. Instead, use one as an accent ontop of a background of the other.
Using bright orange text on a navy blue background (or vice versa) is an easy way to use this color combo effectively.
When to Avoid Blue and Orange
While blue and orange can work beautifully together, there are a few instances where you may want to avoid this color combination:
- If you want a subtle, muted color palette – blue and orange are bold.
- For young children’s products – bright contrasting colors can be overstimulating.
- In nighttime settings like restaurants or bedrooms – the vibrancy can feel disruptive.
- On people with fair, pink-toned skin – orange can clash with skin undertones.
In these situations, consider using blue with a different color like green, violet, yellow or neutral white/tan. And swap orange for red, pink, yellow, gray or brown.
Expert Opinions on Blue and Orange
Design experts have varying opinions on whether blue and orange work well together. Here’s what some color professionals think:
| Expert | Opinion |
|---|---|
| Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute | “Blue and orange are extremely vibrant so take a light hand when combining them to avoid overwhelming the senses.” |
| Jill Morton, Color Expert and Author | “A skillful use of fiery orange against a deep blue background can be bold and dramatic.” |
| Kate Smith, Color Psychologist | “Orange and blue have a natural tension creating excitement and vibrancy.” |
Most experts agree that blue and orange offer strong visual contrast. So they can work together beautifully if combined thoughtfully. The key is balancing proportions and adding enough separation between the two hues.
Conclusion
In summary, the bold complementary colors blue and orange can create vibrant, eye-catching designs together. However, some find this color combination to be overly intense or jarring if not styled properly. The consensus is that blue and orange work best when balanced with neutral colors and used thoughtfully in similar proportions, rather than placed side-by-side. This vibrant pairing should be avoided for young children and some color skin tones. Overall, blue and orange is a fun, lively combo that symbolizes summer and creativity. Just be sure not to go overboard when pairing these two powerful hues.
