Red is a bold, energetic color that can be paired with a variety of other shades to create stylish and eye-catching color combinations. When selecting colors to go with red, it’s important to consider the undertones and intensity of the red as well as the mood you want to create. Warm, bright reds have an exciting vibe, while deeper burgundies and wines have a more sophisticated feel. The right color pairings can accentuate red’s allure and make it pop even more. In this article, we’ll explore the top color matches for different shades of red along with tips for creating harmonious red color schemes.
Colors that Go Well with Bright, Warm Reds
Vibrant, warm reds like fire engine, cherry, and tomato red have a fiery energy. They instantly grab attention and feel energetic and youthful. To avoid clashing, bright reds need colors that won’t compete but will highlight and support the red. Here are some of the best color pairs:
White: Crisp white has a cooling effect that balances out warm reds beautifully. The contrast makes both colors pop. An all-red and white scheme is classic.
Black: Like white, black contrasts strongly with red for maximum impact. Use black in small doses as an accent with bright reds. An all black and red look can be very bold and intense.
Gray: Softer grays create an elegant complement to vivid red hues. Shades like charcoal, steel, and silver gray work nicely.
Pink: Going monochromatic with shades of pink and red is an easy win. Try pairing cherry red with pale blush pink or deep magenta.
Orange: Fellow warm tones like bright orange, peach, and coral blend seamlessly with hot reds. Think vermillion and tangerine.
Yellow: Cheerful sunny yellows give an optimism to red. Mustard, goldenrod, and marigold yellows work well.
| Bright, Warm Red | Recommended Color Pairs |
|---|---|
| Fire Engine Red | White, black, gray, pink, yellow |
| Cherry Red | White, gray, pink, peach |
| Tomato Red | White, orange, yellow |
When combining bright reds with other vivid colors, be sure to use one as a dominant shade. Too many equally competing colors can feel chaotic. Use neutrals like white, black or gray to separate the colors.
Colors for Deeper Shades of Red
Darker reds like burgundy, maroon and oxblood have a moodier, elegant vibe. Deep reds pair beautifully with sophisticated neutrals. Try these color combinations:
Navy: The classic pairing of navy blue and burgundy is hard to beat. The deep blue has a grounding effect on red. Use navy stripes, accents or backgrounds behind burgundy.
Brown: Earthy browns like tan, beige, camel and mocha enrich and warm up darker reds. Burgundy and brown is a mainstay fall combo.
Gray: Charcoal gray and oxblood red complement each other gorgeously and is ideal for modern, minimalist designs.
Black: Stunning with burgundy, deep maroons or oxblood red. Makes red really stand out.
Emerald Green: The dynamic duo of emerald and burgundy pops. Jewel-toned greens pair strikingly with wines.
| Deep, Dark Red | Recommended Color Pairs |
|---|---|
| Burgundy | Navy blue, brown, gray, black, emerald green |
| Oxblood | Gray, black, emerald green |
| Maroon | Tan, beige, navy blue |
When using muted, darker reds, you can include more contrasting accent shades without overpowering the red. Jewel tones in small doses really make these deeper reds shine.
Choosing Colors for Red Based on Context
The feel you want to create can guide your red color pairings. Here are combinations tailored to different settings:
Energetic and Fun: Match bright tomato red with neon orange or lime green. Hot red and aqua blue are playful too.
Romantic: Blush pink, peach and light gray softly complement crimson red. Pastel purples also pair for a dreamy effect.
Sophisticated: Deeper wines and burgundies with navy or charcoal gray exude refined elegance.
Retro and Vintage: Mustard yellow, avocado green and burnt orange give bright reds a nostalgic spin.
Modern: Sleek grays, blacks and whites allow bold reds to stand out in a minimalist setting.
Rustic and Earthy: Tea rose reds paired with sage greens, sand and mocha browns create cozy natural warmth.
Dramatic: Combine oxblood or garnet red with black and metallic silvers or golds for an opulent look.
Holidays: For Christmas, match bright reds with forest or emerald greens. For Valentine’s Day try red with pinks or purples.
Whatever the situation, adjusting the red tones and carefully choosing coordinating colors allows you to control the mood and style. Use lighter tints of colors to soften them and make combos more harmonious. Don’t be afraid to experiment to find what works for you!
Using Red Color Combinations Together
Once you’ve settled on complementary colors, there are endless possibilities for using them creatively together.
Color blocking with solid blocks of each shade is a striking way to showcase a duo.
Ombré or gradient effects that transition from one color to another can also be very eye-catching.
Use one color as the dominant shade throughout and add pops of the secondary color for accents.
Choose one color for the background and the other for the foreground focal points.
Mix patterns and textures like stripes, florals and plaids in the two colors.
There are no strict rules, so feel free to get inventive with combining your chosen shades in different ratios and placement.
Conclusion
Red is a bold color that allows for lots of creativity when pairing with other vibrant or neutral hues. Choosing shades that complement rather than compete with red is key. Warm brights call for other energetic colors like orange and yellow plus cooling neutrals like white and gray. Deeper reds pair beautifully with sophisticated blues, greens, browns and blacks. The context and overall feeling you want to evoke can further guide your color combinations. Whether you opt for maximum contrast or harmonious tones, red’s magnetism shines through when thoughtfully coordinated with other colors. With the right combinations, red always makes a dramatic style statement.