When decorating with the neutral colour beige, it can be helpful to know what colours complement it best. Complementary colours are those located directly across from each other on the colour wheel, creating a striking contrast when placed side-by-side. This contrast can make the colours really stand out and add visual interest to a space. Choosing complementary colours is an easy way to make a beige room or outfit pop. Let’s explore some of the top complementary colour options for beige.
Blue
One of the most popular complementary colours for beige is blue. The cool tone of blue contrasts nicely with warm, earthy beige. Different shades of blue work as complements depending on the exact shade of beige. For lighter beiges, bright blues like cobalt, royal, or electric blue make a vibrant pairing. Dusty blue and navy also complement tan and taupe shades of beige. No matter the shades, blue and beige always look crisp and eye-catching together.
Blue and beige is a flexible colour combination that works in any room. In living spaces, try pairing a robin’s egg blue sofa with beige walls or adding navy and white striped pillows to a neutral couch. In bedrooms, blue bedding and artwork pops against beige walls. In bathrooms, tan tile and grout coordinates with blue fixtures and towels. You can even wear blue jeans and a beige top for a chic complementary outfit. Just remember lighter blues with lighter beiges and darker blues with darker beiges for maximum contrast.
Green
Green is another primary colour that complements beige beautifully. With green’s natural, earthy tones, it blends seamlessly with beige’s organic vibe. Green comes in a wide spectrum, from vivid lime to deep hunter green. Lighter greens like sage, seafoam, and pistachio complement pale beiges like cream and champagne. Meanwhile, olive, forest, and emerald green match well with deeper beige hues like tan, mocha, and taupe.
When using green with beige, aim for a 60/40 or 70/30 colour ratio, with beige taking up more space. Too much green may overpower the subtle beige palette. Great ways to incorporate these two colours include green and beige striped rugs in living rooms, sage green kitchen cabinets with beige countertops, beige walls with green artwork, or combining olive pants with a taupe top.
Purple
Purple makes for a slightly more unexpected complementary colour for beige. However, these two hues contrast beautifully together. Soft lavender works with pale beiges, while deeper jewel tones like amethyst and plum complement richer tan and taupe shades. Keep the purple accents small in scale compared to the beige base for the most pleasing aesthetic.
Some stylish ways to use purple and beige together include lavender pillows on a neutral sofa, a taupe dress with an amethyst necklace, or beige kitchen cabinets topped with deep purple quartzite counters. Purple flowers like lilacs and violets also pop nicely against beige backdrops. Just keep in mind that too much purple can overwhelm beige’s quiet nature.
Yellow
YELLOW is another primary colour that complements beige beautifully. With yellow’s cheerful brightness, it injects energy into beige’s soft, subtle nature. Both light and dark yellows work well with beige. Softer buttery yellow, lemon, and chamomile match lighter beiges like cream and ivory. Meanwhile, bold oranges, golds, andmustards complement deeper beiges like mocha, rust, and taupe. Use yellow as accents against larger beige backgrounds for the most pleasing color balance.
Some ideas for combining yellow and beige include lemon throw pillows on a neutral couch, goldenrod kitchen stools with cream cabinets, or accessorizing a tan outfit with a mustard handbag. Yellow flowers like daffodils and sunflowers also bring a bright pop of color to beige gardens and tablescapes. Just be careful not to overdo the yellow, or it may overwhelm the softer beige palette.
Red
Red makes a dramatic, energetic complement to beige’s mellow personality. The stark contrast between these two colours really makes them stand out. Cooler reds like cherry, crimson, and burgundy complement lighter beige shades, while warmer reds like rust, brick, and coral match darker beiges like taupe and tan. Use red sparingly against larger beige backgrounds for best results.
Some ideas for coordinating red and beige include cherry throw pillows on a tan couch, beige kitchen cabinets with a crimson microwave, or accessorizing a cream dress with coral jewelry. Red tulips and poppies also pop against beige gardens and table settings. Just take care that the red does not dominate the beige when using this bold color combination.
Pink
Soft pink is a feminine complement to beige’s neutral palette. They create a soothing, romantic color combination. Paler pinks like blush, ballet slipper, and petal go best with lighter beiges, while feisty fuchsia and magenta match deeper mocha and tan shades. Use pink as an accent in mostly beige spaces for optimal balance.
Some ways to use pink and beige together include adding blush pillows to a neutral sofa, pairing cream kitchen cabinets with a fuchsia kitchenaid mixer, or wearing a taupe pant-suit with a petal pink blouse. Flower pairings like peonies, roses, and carnations in beige planters are also gorgeous. Just keep the pink touches minimal so they don’t dominate the beige base.
Orange
Vibrant orange makes for a cheerful, energetic complement to laid-back beige. However, being careful with the shades used is important, as orange can sometimes clash with beige’s tan undertones. Stick to lighter tangerine and peach shades with pale beiges, and deeper oranges and terra-cotta with darker beige. Use orange sparingly as beige’s wingman.
Some ideas for combining orange and beige include peach colored curtains with beige walls, terra-cotta garden stools on a tan patio, or wearing a cream dress with a tangerine necklace. Orange flowers like marigolds, poppies, and chrysanthemums in beige planters also put this color combo on display. Just be mindful not to let the orange overwhelm beige’s calm personality.
Brown
While beige is technically a shade of brown, going with a deeper brown provides enough contrast to be a complementary color. Darker chocolate browns, coffee browns, and chestnut browns pair nicely with light to medium beige shades. Keep the beige as the dominant color and use rich browns as accents throughout the space.
Ideas for combining brown and beige include chocolate throw pillows on a tan sofa, coffee colored barstools with cream kitchen cabinets, or accessorizing a camel outfit with chestnut boots. Just be careful not to use brown hues that are too similar to the beige, as you want enough contrast between the colors.
Grey
Cool, sleek grey makes an attractive complement to beige’s earthy warmth. Light greys like silver and ash complement pale beiges, while charcoal and slate match up well with deeper tans and taupes. Use grey as accents against wider beige backgrounds for best results.
Some ways to pair grey and beige include silver throw pillows on a neutral sofa, taupe kitchen cabinets topped with sleek grey-veined quartzite, or accessorizing a tan outfit with an ash grey scarf. Grey foliage like eucalyptus and olive branches also pop against beige backdrops. Just be careful not to use grey shades too similar to the beige, or they may just blend together.
Black
Crisp black provides the sharpest contrast against beige’s soft, neutral nature. Use black sparingly to really make it stand out against the beige background. A little black goes a long way and can look elegant and sophisticated paired with beige.
Some options for combining black and beige include black and white throw pillows on a tan sofa, black kitchen stools against cream cabinets, or wearing camel pants with a fitted black t-shirt. Black accents like picture frames, vases, lamps, or ottomans also pop nicely on beige walls and furniture. Just take care that the black does not visually overpower the beige in the space.
White
Clean, bright white acts as a beige lightsaber – it makes the beige visually pop. Being tonally similar but with higher contrast, white trim along beige walls and ceilings helps accentuate their dimensions. White furnishings and decor against beige backgrounds also creates definition.
Some stylish ways to use white with beige include white throw pillows on a tan sofa, white kitchen cabinets with beige granite countertops, accessorizing a cream outfit with white jewelry, or displaying white blooms in beige planters and vases. Alternating cream and white striped rugs, pillows, and towel sets with beige in bathrooms, bedrooms, and living spaces keeps the palette visually interested.
Metallics
Shimmering metallics like gold, silver, bronze, and copper make eye-catching accents against beige backdrops. Metallic finishes and accents lend a glam vibe when paired with beige’s earthiness. Stick to metallics as accents like frames, vases, jewelry, pillows, or small decor items against wider beige spaces.
Some beige and metallic pairings to try include gold throw pillows on a cream sofa, copper kitchen hardware against taupe cabinets, silvery-grey mirrors and artwork on beige walls, bronze vases on tan sideboards, or accessorizing a neutral outfit with gold jewelry. Just take care that the metallics don’t take over the space and dwarf the beige entirely.
Patterns
While solid colors work beautifully with beige, patterns can also complement it nicely when done thoughtfully. Small-scale repeating prints in complementary colors bring visual texture and interest to beige’s solid, neutral expanses. Geometric prints, ikat patterns, stripes, animal prints, florals, and plaids all pair attractively with beige.
Some pattern pairing ideas include blue and white geometric pillows on a beige couch, a cream, navy, and tan striped area rug in a living space, leopard print dining chairs around a beige table, floral shower curtains in a taupe bathroom, or ikat print drapes in a bedroom with beige walls. Just be sure the patterns are petite in scale compared to the beige spaces they inhabit.
Combination Pairings
While single complementary colors pair beautifully with beige, you can also combine a few complementary shades for a more complex, dynamic look. Some pleasing beige color combinations include:
- Pale blue, lavender, and light green with cream
- Navy, emerald, and gold with tan
- Coral, yellow, and turquoise with ivory
- Purple, red, and orange with taupe
- Pink, sky blue, and lime with champagne
When working with color combinations, vary the quantities – use mostly beige as the base color with the complements mixed in as accents for best results. You can also layer different prints in the complementary colors, like florals with stripes and geometrics for lots of visual interest.
Choosing the Right Complements
Ultimately, the best complements for beige depend on the exact shade of beige and the overall aesthetic you want to achieve. Here are some tips for selecting harmonious color palettes:
- Lighter beiges like cream, ivory, and champagne look best with lighter, brighter complements like soft blues, light greens, pinks, yellows, and pale purples.
- Mid-tone beiges like taupe, stone, oatmeal, and tan pair well with more saturated colors like emerald, sapphire, violet, coral, and mustard.
- Darker beiges like mocha, rust, chestnut, and brown work with deep, dramatic complements like burgundy, plum, navy, chocolate, and slate.
Whether you want an energetic color scheme or prefer a more soothing vibe, beige can be dressed up beautifully with the right complementary colors. Trust your eye and explore with swatches until you find a winning beige color combo. The possibilities are endless!
Conclusion
With its adaptable, subtle nature, beige complements a wide spectrum of colors from vivid primaries to earthy neutrals. Finding the right complements depends on the particular shade of beige and overall look you wish to achieve. Lighter beiges sing with soft pastels, while darker beiges harmonize with deeper, richer hues. Always use beige as the foundational color and add in complements thoughtfully as accents. When in doubt, turn to classic combinations like blue and beige or green and beige. With the right complementary colors, beige transforms from plain to stunning with visual interest and personality.
