Quick Answer
Orange is a bold, energetic color that can be challenging to pair with other hues. The best curtains to pair with orange walls or furniture are earth tones like brown, tan, cream, and light green. Neutrals like white, gray, and black also complement orange well. Avoid pairing orange with other bright colors like red or pink, as this can be overwhelming. Consider lighter shades like peach, coral, or melon to add a pop of color without clashing. The undertones of the orange should also guide color pairing – warmer oranges look best with browns, tans and reds while cooler oranges pair nicely with grays, blues and greens. Most importantly, stick to 2-3 colors in the room and use texture and patterns to add visual interest. Curtain style, length and material should enhance the overall look and feel of the space.
What Colors Go Well with Orange?
Orange is a fun, bold color that brings energy and excitement to any space. However, it can be tricky to find the right complementary colors for orange walls, furniture or decor. Here are some of the best colors to pair with orange:
Earth Tones
Shades of brown, tan, beige and cream work beautifully with orange. Earth tones are natural colors that create a warm, grounded look. Try:
– Light or medium brown
– Camel or khaki
– Sand or beige
– Cream or eggshell
These muted tones allow the orange to pop while still keeping the overall palette neutral. Wood furniture and accents in an orange room root it with organic texture and color.
Greens
From sage to olive green, most greens pair nicely with orange. Green is opposite orange on the color wheel, creating a harmonious balance. Cooler greens work especially well with the vibrant warmth of orange. Try:
– Moss or sage green
– celadon
– Mint or seafoam
– Pale olive green
Greens with blue undertones rather than yellow are most complementary to orange hues. The combo evokes citrus fruits and feels energetic.
Blues
While warm oranges look best with earth tones, cooler oranges pair well with light blues. Try soft powder blue, duck egg blue, sky blue or periwinkle. Darker shades like navy can also work nicely with orange for a bold contrast. Use blues sparingly to keep the look from becoming overwhelming.
Grays and Blacks
Clean and modern, black and white provide an elegant backdrop for orange. All shades of gray, from light dove to charcoal, also complement orange beautifully. Use gray and orange together for a minimalist contemporary vibe. Crisp white bedding and black furniture frames allow bright orange accents to stand out.
Neutrals
Off-whites, creams, tans and other neutral colors are easy to pair with orange. They act as quiet backgrounds that let the orange shine. Try:
– Ivory or cream
– Light taupe
– Pale gray
– Soft yellow
Use neutral solids or subtle prints on walls, curtains, rugs and upholstery paired with orange pillows, lamps and other pops of color.
What Colors Clash with Orange?
While many hues complement orange elegantly, some color combinations are jarring and discordant. Avoid pairing orange with other bright, bold colors that compete for attention. Colors to avoid include:
– Bright red, fuchsia or magenta
– Hot pink
– other bright oranges
– Royal or cobalt blue
– Kelly green
– Neon hues
Too many bright colors together create visual chaos. For example, pairing a bright orange sofa and hot pink pillows can feel loud and overwhelming. Similarly, two shades of orange that are too close in hue and intensity can be garish. Stick to one bright focal point and use more neutral supporting colors.
Pastels like lavender, mint and buttery yellow can also clash with orange if the values are too similar. Both orange and pastels have high intensity and value. Combining them diminishes the vibrancy of each color. If using pastels with orange, pick a lighter, desaturated orange or deeper, muted pastel shades.
In general, complementary shades, whites, blacks, earth tones and neutrals work best with orange. Limit other competing colors and stick to 2-3 hues in a room for unity. Vary texture and pattern instead of color for visual interest.
How to Choose Curtains to Match Orange
The color of your curtains can make or break a cohesive orange color scheme. Here are tips for selecting curtains that work with orange walls, furniture and decor:
Pick 1-2 Complementary Colors
Avoid the temptation to match the exact orange in your space. This can look monotonous. Instead pick one or two colors from the complementary palette to repeat in your curtains. For example, use creamy ivory curtains with brown earth tone accents to match an orange sofa. Or do forest green curtains with sandy tan shades to complement a terra cotta dining room.
Stick to Solids or Subtle Prints
Solid curtains or simple stripes and patterns keep the focal point on any orange item in the room. Busy floral curtains compete with bright orange upholstery and diminsh the effect. For patterned curtains, make sure the background color complements the orange while the print stays understated.
Consider Sheer Curtains
Sheer curtains muted the brightness of orange while still letting light through. Pair sheer white, beige or green curtains with solid orange drapes in a bold print. The sheer layer creates a filtered effect that softens the vibrancy.
Vary Textures
Add dimension by varying textures and fabric weight. For example, hang breezy linen curtains with chunky wool throw pillows. Use velvet drapes and a cozy Berber rug. Mixing mattes and sheens creates depth and sophistication.
Pay Attention to Undertones
Warm rustic oranges pair best with earth tones while bright citrusy orange works with cool grays and blues. Adjust curtain colors to flatter the exact orange shade in the space. Don’t just default to beige – tailor your palette.
Set the Right Mood
Sheer white curtains impart an airy vibe while cozy tan drapes feel laid back. Bold patterns make a statement and solids recede. Make sure your curtains match the room’s overall aesthetic, whether modern, traditional, minimalist or eclectic.
Following these guidelines helps you choose curtains that enhance instead of fight with the existing orange. Curtains should harmonize with the orange elements without matching exactly.
What Types of Curtains Work with Orange?
In addition to color, the style of your curtains impacts how they coordinate with orange. Consider these curtain types and textures:
Linen or Cotton
Natural fiber curtains have great texture and easily fit casual aesthetics. For orange dining rooms or living spaces, solid linen or cotton curtains provide an unfussy complement. Opt for medium-weight fabric that drapes nicely.
Velvet
Plush velvet curtains in earth tones, cream or gray convey elegance. The richness contrasts nicely with bright orange while the color ties the scheme together. Use floor length velvet curtains in formal spaces.
Sheer
Light and airy sheers muted orange without hiding it. They allow the orange hue to show through while softening the glow. Use sheer white, taupe or beige curtains to make intense orange palatable.
Voile
Similar to sheer, voile fabric is lightweight and semi-transparent. Voile curtains filter sunlight and create movement from breezes. Ivory and cream voiles pair romantically with terracotta orange.
Silk
Lustrous silk or faux silk provides an ultra luxurious complement to orange decor. The opaque, draping fabric conveys elegance and sophistication. Choose solids or subtle jacquard patterns.
Textured
Add interest with nubby, woven or embroidered curtain fabric. Textured curtains showcase craftsmanship against smooth modern orange furniture. Rustic, heavily textured styles complement bold southwest orange hues.
The curtain fabric sets the tone just as much as the color. Combine orange with textures and patterns you love – there are so many beautiful options to try!
Conclusion
Orange is a fun, cheerful color that introduces vibrancy and personality into a room. But its brilliance can be tricky to decorate around. Stick to a few complementary colors like earth tones, whites, blacks and blues. Vary textures and patterns instead of matching the orange exactly. Sheer, linen, velvet or textured curtains in neutral tones work beautifully with orange walls, furniture and accents. Most importantly, choose curtain fabrics and colors that enhance your space instead of competing. Thoughtful coordination showcases the orange you love while creating a stylish, cohesive look.
