Complementary colors are color pairs that are opposite each other on the color wheel. When placed next to each other, they create the strongest contrast for those two colors. Complementary color harmony is a color scheme that combines complementary colors in a design. Using complementary colors together can create vibrant, high-contrast designs that attract attention. In this article, we’ll discuss the basics of complementary colors and complementary color harmony.
What are Complementary Colors?
The color wheel is a visual representation of color hues in a circular format. It’s a useful tool for understanding color relationships. The color wheel contains primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. Primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. Secondary colors are created by mixing two primary colors, such as purple, green, and orange. Tertiary colors are created by mixing primary and secondary colors.
On the color wheel, complementary colors are any two colors opposite each other. For example:
| Red | Green |
| Yellow | Purple |
| Blue | Orange |
These color pairs have the highest contrast with each other due to their different hues. When complementary colors are combined, they essentially “complete” each other.
Properties of Complementary Colors
Complementary color pairs have the following special properties:
– High visual contrast – When complementary colors are placed next to each other, they create a vibrant look with strong visual contrast. This contrast helps elements stand out.
– Mutually intensifying – Complementary colors make each other appear more intense, saturated, and vibrant when paired together.
– Color temperature balance – One color in a complementary pair is warm (red, yellow, orange) and the other is cool (blue, green, purple). This provides visual balance.
– Harmonious and pleasing – Though high in contrast, complements tend to look pleasant together. The balance between warm and cool colors is harmonious.
These unique properties make complementary color harmony interesting and useful for design.
Examples of Complementary Color Pairs
Here are some common complementary color pairs:
| Color 1 | Color 2 |
|---|---|
| Red | Green |
| Yellow | Purple |
| Blue | Orange |
| Violet | Yellow-green |
| Orange-red | Cyan |
Any two colors opposite each other on the color wheel can make a complementary pair. But these examples are common complements that work well in designs.
Benefits of Complementary Color Harmony
Using complementary colors together has the following advantages:
– Creates eye-catching contrast – The high visual contrast draws attention and makes things stand out on the page or screen. This contrast is useful for call-to-action buttons or headlines.
– Adds visual interest – The vibrancy of complementary colors makes designs more visually stimulating. They add excitement compared to monochromatic palettes.
– Conveys energy – Complementary color schemes feel energetic, lively, and dynamic. This fits active, playful, or high-energy brands well.
– Balances warm and cool colors – Having both a warm and cool color provides balance and visual harmony.
– Simplifies color selection – Choosing complementary pairs guarantees colors that work together well. More color combinations are possible but harder to balance.
Tips for Using Complementary Color Harmony
Here are some tips for working with complementary color harmony effectively:
– Use complements in small to medium doses – Don’t overdo it. Using complements sparingly helps keep them eye-catching.
– Adjust saturation to control contrast – If the contrast is too jarring, desaturate the colors a bit. Less saturated complements still complement but with lower contrast.
– Add a neutral third color – Adding a neutral color like white, black, or gray creates a triad harmony. The neutral color softens the high contrast of complements.
– Watch light vs. dark contrast – Don’t put light complements on dark backgrounds and vice versa. The contrast will be too harsh. Keep value in mind.
– Use one color as an accent – Use one complementary color for headlines or actions, and the other as the background. This makes the accent pop.
– Divide areas into complementary colors – Use complements to visually divide sections or areas of content or graphics from each other.
Complementary Color Harmonies to Try
Here are some recommended complementary color harmonies that tend to look great together:
| Color Scheme | Color 1 | Color 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue & Orange | Deep blue | Bright orange |
| Purple & Yellow | Royal purple | Bright lemon yellow |
| Red & Green | Bright red | Lime green |
| Pink & Teal | Hot pink | Seafoam teal |
| Red-orange & Cyan | Vermillion | Vivid cyan |
These color pairs offer bold, vibrant complementary harmonies. They are great combinations to start with. Once you’re comfortable, get creative and make your own complements!
Complementary Color Harmony in Design
Complementary color harmony is useful in all types of visual design:
– Graphic design – Complements make eye-catching posters, social media graphics, infographics, and more.
– Logo design – Many iconic brand logos use complementary colors. They convey energy and vibrancy.
– Web design – Websites use complements to make buttons, banners, and highlights stand out.
– App design – Complements work on both light and dark background apps to highlight icons and controls.
– Print design – Magazines and brochures use complements in titles, pull quotes, and callouts.
– Photography – Complementary color filters and editing creates bold, dramatic photos.
– Interior design – Complements can liven up any indoor space with colorful accent walls or decor.
– Fashion/apparel – Complementary outfit pairings really make clothing and accessory colors pop.
– Painting – Artists frequently use complements in dynamic abstract or pop art color palettes.
Anywhere strong color contrast is desired, complementary color harmony can deliver. Use this versatile scheme in your next design project.
Finding the Complement of Any Color
You can find the complement of any color using the following methods:
– Color wheel – Find the color on the wheel, and the complement is directly across from it.
– Online color tools – Many websites have complement finding tools. Input a color and they identify the complement.
– Mixing complements – Mixing equal parts of complementary colors makes brown. This can help identify unknown complements.
– Guesswork – With practice, you can visually guess close complements based on temperature and hue.
– Color theory diagrams – Some color theory resources diagram complements clearly. Use them as a reference.
With a color wheel or color picker handy, you can easily find the complement to any color. Study and memorize common complements for quick recall.
Common Questions about Complementary Colors
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about complementary color harmony:
Why do complementary colors look good together?
Complements look pleasing together because they create visual balance. The contrast makes them stand out, but the mix of warm and cool colors maintains harmony.
Do complementary colors go well together in a room?
Yes, using complementary colors in interior rooms or exteriors creates lively, engaging spaces. Just use them thoughtfully in accents, artwork, textiles, and decor. Don’t overdo it.
What colors complement red?
On the color wheel, green is directly opposite red, so it’s red’s complementary color. Teal and blue-green are also considered complements of red.
What are complementary colors to orange?
The true complement to orange on the color wheel is azure, a light blue. Commonly used complements of orange include various shades of blue like navy, royal blue, and sky blue.
Are purple and yellow complementary colors?
Yes, purple and yellow are complements. Yellow is opposite purple on the color wheel, and pairing them together creates striking contrast.
Why do complementary colors complement each other?
Complementary colors have contrasting hues which allow them to stand out against each other. But they also balance warm and cool temperatures which creates harmony. This combination is pleasing to the eyes.
Conclusion
Complementary color harmony is a useful scheme for creating vibrant, stimulating designs. Combining complementary color pairs makes elements stand out while maintaining visual balance. To use complements effectively, remember to use them sparingly, adjust saturation, and add neutral colors as needed. When thoughtfully executed, this high-contrast color scheme makes designs really pop.
