Purple is a rich, regal color that can make a bold statement in your home or wardrobe. When decorating or accessorizing with purple, it’s important to choose accents and complementary colors carefully to create a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing look. Certain shades and textures pair particularly beautifully with purple. Read on to learn more about what colors and materials accent purple in the most effective and stylish ways.
Gold
Gold is one of the most classic accent colors to pair with rich purples. The combination of purple and gold evokes luxury, royalty and elegance. The warm metallic sheen of gold helps to both soften and enrich deep jewel-toned purples. Gold is also an ideal accent for lighter pastel purples, adding a touch of sophistication.
| Type of Purple | Gold Accents |
|---|---|
| Royal purple | Gold jewelry, gold decór accents |
| Eggplant purple | Antique gold frames, gold vases |
| Lavender purple | Champagne gold throw pillows, gold flatware |
In fashion, gold jewelry and accessories pair beautifully with purple outfits. A gold statement necklace, chunky gold hoop earrings, or stack of gold bangles adds drama to a purple dress or blouse. Gold shoes are also a stylish choice with purple apparel. For the home, lamps, frames, vases and other décor accents in antique, brushed or shiny gold all help to accent and elevate purple furnishings and decor.
Silver
Like gold, silver serves as a metallic neutral that complements and enhances purple’s richness. Cool-toned silver has a different effect than warm gold, lending a more modern, sleek feel. Silver accents help to accentuate the sophistication and luxury of purple while feeling more subtle and understated than gold.
Lighter silvers work well with pale purples like lilac and lavender, maintaining the soft pastel look. Dramatic deep purples and eggplants look beautiful alongside dark antique silver finishes. The contrast is eye-catching.
| Type of Purple | Silver Accents |
|---|---|
| Pale purple | Pewter, silver trays, mercury glass |
| Vivid purple | Oxidized silver frames, silver serving pieces |
In fashion, silver jewelry is an elegant choice to pair with all shades of purple. A silver cuff bracelet, cluster of silver rings, or dangling silver earrings can take a purple outfit from simple to exquisite. Other silver fashion accessories like handbags and shoes also accent purple outfits nicely. At home, metallic silver accents lend a contemporary, cutting-edge feel that works well with modern purple furniture and décor.
Cream
Cream is a versatile neutral shade that complements both warm and cool purple hues. Lighter creams pair attractively with pastel purples, allowing the subtle purple tones to shine through. Richer creamy neutral accents like eggshell and ecru look elegant alongside jewel-toned royal purples and deep magentas.
The softness of cream tempers and balances the richness of purple, creating a soothing, harmonious look. Creamy accents add lightness and luminosity to purple décor. Depending on the specific shade of purple, cream interiors can feel romantic, rustic, or contemporary.
| Type of Purple | Cream Accents |
|---|---|
| Pale lilac | Blush throws, cream bedding |
| Jewel-toned | Eggshell furniture, ecru area rugs |
In fashion, cream and off-white work nicely with purple as neutrals that don’t overpower the purple shades. A cream handbag, pumps or oversized sweater helps to soften and complement the look of a vivid purple dress or top. Cream also acts as an elegant, neutral foundation for jewelry pieces in purple hues.
Gray
Like cream, gray serves as a versatile neutral option for accenting purple décor and fashion. Cool-toned grays balance out rich, warm purple shades, while warm grays pair attractively with cooler purples. Gray creates an elegant, sophisticated look when combined with purple.
Deep charcoal grays work well with jewel-toned purples like amethyst and royal purple. Soft dove gray makes for a beautiful complement to pale lilacs. For a bold, high-contrast accent, go for a vivid purple combined with bright, light gray.
| Type of Purple | Gray Accents |
|---|---|
| Vivid purple | Charcoal throws, dark gray velvet pillows |
| Pale purple | Dove gray linens, light gray wool blankets |
Gray clothing and accessories also pair seamlessly with purple outfits. A steel gray handbag or pale gray pumps lend versatility and polish when paired with anything from a vivid purple sheath dress to subtle purple prints. Crisp white clothing paired with gray and purple accessories makes for a striking monochromatic look.
Green
On the color wheel, purple’s complementary color is yellow. However, purple and green also make for beautiful accent combinations. The right shades of green both contrast and complement purple in ways that are aesthetically pleasing. Deep jewel tones like emerald green or hunter green makeespecially striking accents for rich purple hues. Mint or seafoam green paired with pale purples like lilac or wisteria create fun, cheerful pastel looks.
| Type of Purple | Green Accents |
|---|---|
| Vivid purple | Emerald green candles, deep forest green pillows |
| Pastel purple | Mint linens, seafoam decorative accents |
In terms of fashion, deep purple clothing and green accessories create exciting color combinations. An emerald green handbag pops beautifully against an eggplant cocktail dress. Or, pair mint jewelry with a pale purple sweater. Green shoes like emerald pumps or mint ballet flats also accent purple outfits nicely.
Copper
For a unique, on-trend metallic accent, consider copper’s warm, rosy hue. Copper makes for an especially pretty complement to purple décor and fashion when you want something a bit different than traditional gold and silver. The red undertones in copper flatter and accentuate pinkish purple shades. But copper accents also pair nicely with cooler purples like lavender.
| Type of Purple | Copper Accents |
|---|---|
| Lilac | Copper vases, copper table accents |
| Magenta purple | Copper throw pillows, copper candlesticks |
In terms of clothing and accessories, copper jewelry like bracelets and dangly earrings help to draw out purple’s warmth. Copper heels or purses pop when paired with vivid purple dresses and tops. At home, metallic copper accents lend a glamorous feel to purple-themed rooms.
Yellow
Yellow sits opposite purple on the color wheel, making it a bold, lively accent choice. Certain shades of yellow pair more seamlessly with purple than others. Soft buttery yellows complement pale purples nicely. Bright lemon yellow makes a cheerful accent color for vivid purples. Mustard yellow accents rich, deep purple beautifully thanks to its golden undertones.
| Type of Purple | Yellow Accents |
|---|---|
| Pale lavender | Buttery yellow pillows, pale yellow vases |
| Vivid purple | Sunflower yellow poufs, bright yellow art |
| Deep eggplant | Mustard throws, antique yellow frames |
In fashion, bright yellow handbags, shoes and jewelry make fun accessories to liven up purple outfits. Pale yellow tops or dresses keep the accent crisp and subtle underneath purple jacket and coat layers. At home, use yellow as an accent in small doses to avoid overwhelming the purple base hues.
White
Bright white makes the perfect high-contrast accent for vivid purple. However, softer off-whites like ivory also complement pale purple shades beautifully. White reflects light and helps purples maintain their luminosity. It keeps the look fresh, light and contemporary.
White layered with purple creates stylish color blocking effects in both fashion and interior décor. It serves as an elegant neutral backdrop for jewel-toned purple accessories and décor statements. Use white judiciously to accent purple, as too much white can overpower the richness of purple.
| Type of Purple | White Accents |
|---|---|
| Vivid purple | Bright white vases, white photo frames |
| Pale purple | Off-white throws, antique white décor |
A crisp white blazer over a jewel-toned purple dress makes a striking fashion statement. White pumps or handbags pop against vivid purple outfits while lending versatility. At home, white accents create welcoming, airy spaces that let vivid purple furnishings and accents shine.
Blue
While shade combinations can get tricky, certain tones of blue beautifully accent purple décor and fashion when done right. Light powder blue complements pale purples for a soft, dreamy pastel look. Navy blue makes a rich accent for deeper eggplant and royal purples. Pale purple paired with bright royal blue creates fun color blocking effects.
| Type of Purple | Blue Accents |
|---|---|
| Lavender | Baby blue pillows, robin’s egg blue vases |
| Deep purple | Navy blue throws, dark cobalt frames |
In clothing and accessories, light blue denim jackets and jeans work well with pale purple tops. Deep purple dresses and skirts look elegant with navy blue or cobalt blue pumps, handbags and belts. For décor, use blue selectively to accent purple so that the overall look doesn’t get too cool and muted.
Wood Tones
Warm wood tones like oak, walnut and mahogany make gorgeous accents for purple furnishings and décor. Wood adds natural texture and warmth that complements the richness of purple hues. Light woods keep the look airy and contemporary, while dark woods feel dramatic and elegant.
Distressed, variegated wood accents work especially well with vivid purple tones. The wood’s rustic qualities temper the purple’s jewel-like vibrancy. Concrete wood lookalikes, like wood-patterned tile for floors, also pair beautifully with purple paint colors and furniture.
| Type of Purple | Wood Accents |
|---|---|
| Pale purple | Maple, birch, pine |
| Vivid purple | Cherry, mahogany, walnut |
For maximal style, pair vibrant purple clothing with wood accessories. Cherry red wood sunglasses, carved wood jewelry and purple outfits with mahogany handbags or shoes make stunning fashion statements. At home, walnut side tables, cherry wood floors and other wood accents add natural elegance to purple décor.
Black
Deep, inky black makes a bold, high contrast accent for all shades of purple. Black’s darkness intensifies the vibrancy of both pale pastel and deep, vivid purples. Especially when used judiciously, black accents frame and showcase purple in a dramatic, striking way.
In fashion, black clothing paired with vivid purple creates an exciting color-blocking effect. Black also serves as a classic neutral that doesn’t overpower purples, lending versatility. At home, black furnishings, frames, textiles and décor accessories provide definition that makes purples pop.
| Type of Purple | Black Accents |
|---|---|
| Pastel purple | Black frames, photo albums |
| Vivid purple | Black furniture, vases, shelves |
A black fitted sheath dress with purple heels makes a chic style choice. Layer black and purple jewelry for a bold fashion statement. Use black home accents sparingly to avoid looking too dark. A little black goes a long way in accenting purple.
Metallics
Shimmering metallic accents in silver, gold, copper and more lend excitement and glamour to purple décor and fashion. Metallics shine bright and reflect light beautifully, enhancing the vibrancy of purple palettes. They lend richness while also feeling celebratory and fun.
Pair bright metallics like glittering gold, rose gold or copper with deep jewel-tone purples for stunning, indulgent style. More understated metallic finishes like brushed silver complement softer pastel purples. Metallic accessories offer versatility that flatters a range of purple outfits.
| Type of Purple | Metallic Accents |
|---|---|
| Vivid purple | Gold, copper, mirror accents |
| Pale purple | Silver, pewter, mercury glass |
A glittery gold clutch and bold jewelry dazzle against vivid purple cocktail dresses. Metallic handbags, shoes and jewelry lend subtle shine to pastel purple outfits. At home, go for metallic finishes in small accents like throw pillows, frames and decorative objects to let purple furnishings shine.
Rich Textiles
Using textiles and fabrics in complementary colors, prints and textures is a beautiful way to accent purple interiors. Pairing purple with materials like velvet, silk, leather and fur adds depth and luxurious texture.
Vivid purple décor and soft, tactile textiles in accent colors create inviting, plush spaces. Colors like cream, gray and mauve lend sophistication without competing with purple. Florals, geometrics and abstract prints provide visual interest while working with purple’s palette.
| Type of Purple | Complementary Textiles |
|---|---|
| Vivid purple | Velvet, brocade, tapestry textures |
| Soft purple | Cashmere, silk, wool weaves |
Use textural accents like velvet pillows on vivid purple sofas. Adorn pale purple chairs with woolen blankets in gray tweed. Select textiles in your purple-accented space with coziness and tactile beauty in mind. Your space will feel serene and welcoming.
Patterns
Patterns and prints lend visual excitement when paired with purple décor and fashion. Florals, paisleys, geometrics, plaids and stripes all beautifully accent solid purple pieces. Combining multiple patterns creates lively eclectic looks.
Pair small-scale ditsy florals with pale purple furnishings and outfits. Lively geometrics and abstract prints accent vivid, deep purples with whimsical contrast. Keep patterns in complementary color palettes for a cohesive feel.
| Type of Purple | Complementary Prints |
|---|---|
| Pale purple | Delicate florals, ditsy patterns |
| Vivid purple | Graphic geometrics, abstract prints |
A vibrant graphic rug grounds a vivid purple accent wall or sofa. Soft florals on cushion covers warm up a pale purple armchair. When combining multiple prints with purple, vary scales for interest.
Conclusion
Purple is a gorgeous, eye-catching color that allows for many stylish accent combinations. Metallic like gold, silver and copper lend elegance and richness. Neutrals like cream, gray and wood tones provide cohesive softness. Vibrant accent colors like yellow, green and teal create exciting contrast.
Texture, prints and patterns add visual interest to purple décor and fashion. Choose accents in colors, materials, and designs you find aesthetically pleasing. Then thoughtfully combine them with different shades of purple to create spaces and outfits with depth, beauty and style. With limitless possibilities, you’
