Orange is a bold, bright, and energetic color. It’s associated with warmth, vibrancy, and creativity. When used in designs, orange makes a striking visual impact and calls attention. However, orange can be hard to pair with other colors in a way that looks cohesive. Using the color wheel as a guide can help identify what colors go well with orange to create color schemes that are both attention-grabbing yet coordinated.
Understanding Color Harmony
The color wheel provides a visual representation of how colors relate to each other. It’s organized by primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. Complementary colors sit directly across from each other on the wheel. These color pairs create a striking contrast and really make each other “pop.” Analogous colors sit next to each other and create a cohesive, harmonious look. Triadic colors are evenly spaced around the wheel, forming a triangle. This color scheme also provides strong visual contrast while retaining balance. Finally, split complementary colors pair a color with the two colors on either side of its complement. This creates a less jarring contrast than using straight complements.
Finding Orange’s Complimentary Color
To find what color complements orange, you simply need to locate orange on the color wheel and look directly across to the opposite side. The complementary color of orange is blue. When placed together, these two colors create a bold, eye-catching contrast. While being opposites on the wheel, orange and blue strangely seem to complement each other beautifully. The warm, invigorating orange pops against the cool, calming blue. This color pairing is often seen in modern graphic design and makes a vibrant, lively combination.
Creating Color Harmonies
While blue is orange’s direct complement, there are other colors that also pair nicely with orange to make attractive color schemes:
| Color Harmony | Partner Colors |
|---|---|
| Complementary | Blue |
| Split Complementary | Yellow-green and Violet |
| Analogous | Yellow and Red |
| Triadic | Violet and Lime green |
As you can see, orange has versatility to be combined with both warm and cool partner colors for different looks and effects. Here’s an overview of popular orange color schemes:
Orange and Blue (Complementary)
This striking pairing offers the most visual contrast of any options. The bold orange makes the tranquil blue really stand out. Use this scheme when you want elements to grab attention and create excitement. Works well for modern, energetic designs.
Orange, Yellow-green, and Violet (Split Complementary)
This scheme takes the complementary contrast down a notch. The yellow-green is harmonious with the orange, while the violet offers subtle contrast. Provides a vibrant look that retains harmony and balance. Great for designs wanting visual interest without being overpowering.
Orange, Yellow, and Red (Analogous)
These colors naturally look good together by virtue of their closeness on the color wheel. The scheme has a warm, energetic and uplifting effect. Works well for designs wanting to convey cheerfulness and optimism. Caution to not overuse orange, as it will dominate due to intensity.
Orange, Violet, and Lime Green (Triadic)
This triangle of colors provides plenty of contrast while retaining balance. The lime green has a rejuvenating effect that livens up the bold orange. Use this scheme when you want a lively, youthful look and feel. Ideal for playful, whimsical designs.
Using White to Brighten
White has a lightening effect on darker shades. Pairing white with orange can make an impactful color scheme. The orange pops against the clean white background. This works particularly well for minimalist-style designs wanting to utilize negative space. The bold orange grabs attention against the emptiness. Using white as a neutral base also allows you to layer on shades of blue as accents for a complementary contrast. Be sure orange is dominant though, as too much blue with it can start to look patriotic.
Combining Tones and Shades
Working with different tones and shades of orange and its partner colors provides nuance and visual interest. Try coupling a vivid, saturated orange with a softer, pastel blue for a bold yet tranquil look. Or, use a pale peach-orange with a muted slate blue-gray for a sophisticated, elegant effect. Darker shades of orange pair nicely with light tints of complementary colors like blue, green and violet. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different saturations and tones together.
Using Neutral Colors as a Base
Neutral colors like gray, beige and brown make ideal backdrops for orange accents and elements. Crisp white backgrounds work particularly well as mentioned. The neutral base creates an underlying harmony and allows the lively orange to really pop and stand out. Too many bright colors together can sometimes clash and become overwhelming to the eyes. Keeping a neutral foundation provides balance for the vibrant orange to shine.
Choosing Finish and Texture
Color schemes don’t just involve the colors themselves. The finishes and textures of materials and fabrics used can influence the overall look as well. Matte orange surfaces will look more muted and earthy compared to glossy, which adds depth and richness. Combining complementary colors in different textures creates visual interest. For example, flat orange paint with a sheen blue accent wall, or a satiny orange fabric with a nubby blue throw rug. Play around with luster and texture for added dimensions.
Being Mindful of Undertones
Not all “blues” are created equal when pairing with orange. Blue paint with cool, green undertones complements orange nicely. However, a blue with too much purple will clash. Be mindful of these undertones when combining colors. Similarly, an orange with more red-yellow will look better with greenish blues than one with more yellow-red that leans peachy. Pay attention to these subtleties for more cohesion.
Conclusion
Orange is a fun, invigorating color that introduces energy and vitality into designs. But pairing it with the right complementing colors is key to create balanced, harmonious combinations versus clashing. The color wheel is a handy guide to find colors that work well with orange. Blue is its direct complementary color that offers striking contrast. Yellow-green and violet provide a softer split complementary scheme. Analogous colors like yellow and red create vibrant harmony. While triadic violet and lime green offer visual excitement. Consider tone, shade, texture, and undertones as well in your orange color schemes.
