Choosing the right colour combination is crucial for creating aesthetically pleasing designs in fashion, interior decorating, graphic design, and more. When using the colour violet, it’s important to find shades that complement it well. In this article, we’ll explore the best colour combinations with violet and tips for styling them effectively.
Complementary Colours
Complementary colours are those located directly across from each other on the colour wheel. For violet, this would be yellow. Violet and yellow provide a vibrant, high-contrast combination since they contain no common hues. Styling violet with yellow in equal proportions creates an eye-catching, bold look. While highly contrasting, the pair remain harmonious and pleasing together. For a softer effect, try using violet as the dominant colour and yellow as an accent.
Some examples of violet and yellow colour combinations:
- Bright yellow with vivid violet
- Pale yellow with lavender
- Daffodil yellow with plum
- Mustard yellow with lilac
This pairing is a go-to for creating colour pop in graphic designs. The contrast draws attention while still feeling energetically balanced. In fashion and decor, violet and yellow provide a playful, artistic flair.
Split Complementary Colours
The split complementary colour scheme uses a base colour, its complementary, and two colours adjacent to the complement. For violet, this would be yellow as the complement, plus the adjacent colours of chartreuse green and orange.
This combination retains the vibrancy of violet and yellow, while softening it slightly with the added green and orange hues. The split complementary palette has a fun, bold dynamic without being quite as stark as a single complementary pairing. It’s easy to find harmonious shades within this palette since the colours naturally transition between warm and cool tones.
Some examples of violet split complement colour combinations:
- Violet, mustard yellow, lime green, peach
- Eggplant, lemon, moss, coral
- Lilac, goldenrod, seafoam, pumpkin
- Mauve, ochre, mint, rust
This versatile palette works well in any application where vibrancy and visual interest are desired. The possibilities are endless for combining the colours in different gradients, patterns and proportions.
Analogous Colours
Analogous colours sit directly adjacent to each other on the colour wheel. This creates a harmonious, monochromatic palette. For violet, this would include the adjacent colours of blue, magenta and red-violet. While not as contrasting as a complementary scheme, analogous colours lend a sense of visual cohesion and fluidity.
Some examples of analogous violet colour combinations:
- Violet, indigo, raspberry
- Lilac, periwinkle, crimson
- Orchid, azure, fuchsia
- Lavender, navy, wine
Choosing adjacent shades on the colour wheel (lighter, brighter, darker, dustier, etc.) creates subtle contrast within the analogous colours. This scheme is perfect for creating a specific mood or vintage aesthetic. It also makes bold violet feel more accessible in everyday contexts like interior design.
Triadic Colours
The triadic colour scheme relies on three colours equally spaced around the 12-part colour wheel. For violet, this would include violet, chartreuse green, and orange. This creates a vibrant, diverse palette with each colour providing contrast while remaining balanced.
Some examples of violet triadic colour combinations:
- Violet, lime, peach
- Orchid, sage, tangerine
- Eggplant, seafoam, rust
- Grape, olive, terracotta
The triadic palette retains some of the boldness of violet’s complementary colours, but with more nuance. While a full triadic combination can feel eclectic, choosing two of the three colours creates a simpler, split-complementary type scheme. Overall, this palette feels energetic yet harmonious.
Tetradic Colours
The tetradic scheme uses four colours equally spaced around the colour wheel. This includes the base colour, its complement, and two more complementary pairs. For violet, that would be violet, yellow, red-orange, and blue-green.
Some examples of violet tetradic colour combinations:
- Violet, chartreuse, vermillion, turquoise
- Plum, saffron, rust, teal
- Lilac, lemon, crimson, seafoam
- Orchid, gold, burgundy, mint
The tetradic palette creates a diverse, dynamic mix that still feels cohesive. It offers greater creativity and contrast than analogous or triadic schemes, while remaining harmonious. The tetradic scheme is ideal for making bold violet feel varied, modern and punchy.
Monochromatic Colours
A monochromatic colour scheme relies on different tones, shades and tints of one single hue. For violet, this would include any colours from pale, pastel lilac to deep eggplant purple.
Some examples of violet monochromatic colour combinations:
- Lavender, lilac, purple
- Wisteria, violet, plum
- Thistle, amethyst, mulberry
- Mauve, orchid, wine
Staying within a single hue creates a soothing, elegant effect. The monochromatic palette is easy to balance and style in any application, while letting the beauty of violet shine. Lightness, saturation and contrast can be built through shades of the same colour family. Overall, monochromatic violet exudes refined, artistic flair.
Best Colour Combinations for Violet
In summary, here are some of the best colours to pair with violet:
| Colour Scheme | Colours |
|---|---|
| Complementary | Yellow |
| Split Complementary | Yellow, chartreuse green, orange |
| Analogous | Blue, magenta, red-violet |
| Triadic | Chartreuse green, orange |
| Tetradic | Yellow, red-orange, blue-green |
| Monochromatic | Any tints, tones, shades of violet |
The most vibrant, contrasting combinations include violet with yellow, chartreuse green, and orange. For softer harmony, analogous colours like blue, magenta and red-violet beautifully complement violet as well.
No matter which palette you choose, consider using violet as the dominant colour for maximum impact. Let accent colours provide balance in smaller doses. Combing mattes and metallics can add visual interest. And don’t forget to explore different textures, patterns and proportions to make the colours shine.
With its regal flair and versatility, violet captivates in any colour mix. Finding its most harmonious pairings allows your violet designs to feel cohesive and polished. Whether you prefer high-contrast or muted tones, the best violet combinations let this rich, creative hue take centre stage.
Conclusion
Violet has many gorgeous complements across the colour wheel for striking yet balanced designs. Complementary yellow pops against violet for an energizing, artistic effect. Split complement schemes with green, yellow and orange retain vibrancy with more diversity. Analogous colours like blue and magenta provide violet with subtle, elegant contrast. While monochromatic violet offers refined sophistication. No matter which direction you choose, thoughtfully combining shades allows violet’s beauty to shine.
