When decorating a room or putting together an outfit, it can be tricky to figure out what colors go well together. Blue, purple and green are cool colors that complement each other nicely, but it’s important to consider the shades and tones to create a cohesive look. In this article, we’ll discuss what colors go with blue, purple and green to help you make beautiful color combinations.
What Colors Go With Blue
Blue is a versatile color that goes well with many different color shades. Here are some of the best color matches for different shades of blue:
Royal Blue
Royal blue is a rich, deep shade that pairs nicely with light and neutral colors like off-white, beige, light grey and soft yellow. These colors help balance out the boldness of royal blue. Metallic accents like gold and silver also work well with royal blue.
Navy Blue
Like royal blue, navy blue looks great with lighter neutrals like white, ivory, tan and light grey. Soft sage green and peach tones complement navy blue nicely. Reds like burgundy, maroon and brick red also make striking combinations with navy blue.
Light Blue
For lighter shades of blue like sky blue, mix in fresh, vibrant colors like grass green, lime, turquoise, coral and yellow. Pastel pink, lavender and mint also blend beautifully with light blue. White looks crisp and clean with light blue.
Baby Blue
Pair baby blue with equally soft, muted tones like mauve, pale pink, buttercream, dove grey and seafoam green. Crisp white also enhances the delicacy of baby blue. Metallic silver and gold add shimmer.
| Shade of Blue | Complementary Colors |
|---|---|
| Royal Blue | Off-white, beige, light grey, soft yellow, gold, silver |
| Navy Blue | White, ivory, tan, light grey, soft sage green, peach, burgundy, maroon, brick red |
| Light Blue | Grass green, lime, turquoise, coral, yellow, pastel pink, lavender, mint, white |
| Baby Blue | Mauve, pale pink, buttercream, dove grey, seafoam green, white, silver, gold |
What Colors Go With Purple
Purple works well with a wide variety of colors from warm tones to cooler hues. Here are some color combinations that look great with different shades of purple:
Deep Purple
Pair rich, jewel-toned shades of purple with metallics like gold, rose gold and silver. Black and charcoal grey also look striking with deep purple. Lighter tones like off-white, ecru and beige help soften the darkness of deep purple.
Lavender Purple
The softness of lavender looks beautiful when combined with other pastels like blush pink, sky blue, sage green and butter yellow. Crisp white enhances lavender’s delicate nature. Grey and silver add depth and contrast.
Eggplant Purple
With eggplant purple’s pink undertones, colors with similar reddish hues work well, like burgundy, burnt orange, salmon, light pink and coral. Earth tones like tan, beige and khaki also complement eggplant nicely.
Lilac Purple
Lilac purple’s light tones pair attractively with other lights hues like mint, lemon, powder blue and peach. Black provides stark contrast and makes the purple pop. Greys and silvers enhance the ethereal quality of lilac.
| Shade of Purple | Complementary Colors |
|---|---|
| Deep Purple | Gold, rose gold, silver, black, charcoal grey, off-white, ecru, beige |
| Lavender Purple | Blush pink, sky blue, sage green, butter yellow, white, grey, silver |
| Eggplant Purple | Burgundy, burnt orange, salmon, light pink, coral, tan, beige, khaki |
| Lilac Purple | Mint, lemon, powder blue, peach, black, grey, silver |
What Colors Go With Green
Green is a versatile color that pairs well with a variety of shades spanning the color wheel. Here are some winning color combinations for different shades of green:
Lime Green
The bright, cheerful hue of lime green looks great with other vibrant colors like royal blue, orange, fuchsia and turquoise. Black, navy and charcoal add bold contrast. White keeps the color scheme fresh and lively.
Forest Green
Foreset green’s rich, earthy tones complement lighter neutrals like tan, light grey, off-white and beige. Maroon, burgundy and gold also accent forest green nicely.
Sage Green
Sage green’s soft, muted quality works beautifully with dusty pink, lavender, pale yellow and sky blue. Cream and ivory accentuate its understated elegance. Metallic rose gold and champagne add glam.
Seafoam Green
Keep seafoam green looking cool and refreshing by pairing it with aqua, light peach, baby blue and lilac. Crisp white enhances its airiness. Silver and grey bring out its subtle complexity.
| Shade of Green | Complementary Colors |
|---|---|
| Lime Green | Royal blue, orange, fuchsia, turquoise, black, navy, charcoal, white |
| Forest Green | Tan, light grey, off-white, beige, maroon, burgundy, gold |
| Sage Green | Dusty pink, lavender, pale yellow, sky blue, cream, ivory, rose gold, champagne |
| Seafoam Green | Aqua, light peach, baby blue, lilac, white, silver, grey |
Color Combinations with Blue, Purple and Green
When using blue, purple and green together, stick to shades that have similar tones and intensities. Lighter, desaturated shades tend to look best together. Here are some three-color combinations that work well:
- Baby blue, lavender purple, seafoam green
- Sky blue, lilac purple, sage green
- Ice blue, mauve, mint green
- Periwinkle blue, wisteria purple, pear green
- Powder blue, orchid purple, honeydew green
Bolder, brighter shades can also be combined with care – try a deep sapphire blue with eggplant purple and lime green, for example.
When combining all three colors in one palette, make sure there is one dominant color that makes up around 50% of the scheme. The secondary and tertiary colors should appear in smaller amounts to provide accents. This helps keep the color palette from becoming overwhelming.
Using Analogous Colors
Choosing analogous colors, which sit next to each other on the color wheel, is a foolproof way to create attractive, low-contrast color combinations. Analogous colors match well because they share common undertones.
Some examples of analogous color trios including blue, purple and green:
- Navy blue, royal purple, forest green
- Teal blue, iris purple, hunter green
- Sapphire blue, eggplant purple, emerald green
Keeping the colors in the same family creates a cohesive, integrated look. The effect is subtle and soothing.
Using Complementary Colors
Complementary color pairs sit opposite each other on the color wheel. When used together, they create high-contrast, vibrant combinations that really pop.
Some bold yet balanced complementary trios with blue, purple and green:
- Cobalt blue, fuchsia purple, lime green
- Royal blue, tangerine orange, chartreuse green
- Electric blue, magenta purple, acid green
Complementary colors intensify and energize each other, so they’re best used in small to medium doses to avoid becoming overwhelming.
Using a Color Wheel
A color wheel is a valuable tool for identifying colors that work well together. The basic primary, secondary and tertiary colors provide a framework for endless color combinations.
When selecting shades to pair with blue, purple and green, consult a color wheel to find analogous, complementary or triadic matches. Online color tools like Adobe Color CC also suggest customized color palettes based on chosen hues.
Knowing where colors fall on the wheel provides guidance on which shades will mix and match seamlessly. Mastering color theory helps remove the guesswork and confusion from coordinating colors.
Considering Tones and Values
When combining colors, it’s important to consider not just their hue, but also their value and tone. Lighter tints of colors tend to pair more easily than darker shades. Matching bright vivid colors with soft pastels can look disjointed.
Aim for color combinations where tones and values are similar for a cohesive look. If you want to use darker hues, balance them out with enough lighter colors to avoid becoming gloomy.
Trying Out Sample Palettes
If you’re still unsure what works well with your chosen blue, purple and green shades, assemble some sample color palettes to test out combinations:
- Paint small swatches of potential colors on paper or cardstock
- Cut up pieces of fabric in different colors and arrange them together
- Use an app like Design Seeds or Pictaculous to build digital color palettes
Evaluate the sample palettes at different times of day and in different lighting. See which combinations make each color pop while still staying balanced. Go with what pleases your eye.
Adding Neutrals
Don’t be afraid to add neutrals like white, black, grey, tan or cream to your color schemes. These softer non-colors act like buffers between brighter shades, creating separation and breathing room.
Sprinkling in neutrals helps make vivid color palettes feel more wearable and laid-back. Try light grey with royal purple and teal blue or creamy beige with eggplant and sage green for a sophisticated look.
Conclusion
Blue, purple and green are an adaptable color trio that can be mixed and matched in many pleasing ways. Keeping hues within the same tonal family will yield beautiful, cohesive results. Complementary colors can add exciting contrast when used thoughtfully. Whatever combination you choose, consider the overall balance of tones and values for the most successful look. Don’t forget to have fun experimenting to find your own perfect color palette!
