Purple is a versatile and popular colour that can be paired with a variety of other colours to create stylish and aesthetically pleasing colour combinations. When choosing colours to go with purple, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind.
Complementary Colours
Complementary colours are colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel. For purple, the complementary colour is yellow. Purple and yellow provide high contrast when placed next to each other, which creates a bold and dynamic look.
Yellow brings out the warmth in purple, while purple accentuates the brightness of yellow. Different shades of purple and yellow work well together, from pastel shades like lilac and lemon to deeper hues like amethyst and gold. Purple and yellow are commonly used together in interior design schemes and fashion outfits.
Analogous Colours
Analogous colours are groups of colours that sit next to each other on the colour wheel. For purple, this includes red-violet, blue-violet, and red-purple shades. Using analogous colours creates a harmonious and soothing colour palette.
Some examples of analogous colour combinations that work well with purple include:
| Purple and Red-Violet |
| Purple and Blue-Violet |
| Light Purple and Pink |
| Dark Purple and Burgundy |
Using different shades and tones within the analogous colour scheme creates depth and visual interest. Analogous colour palettes are commonly seen in websites, paintings, interior decor, and graphic design.
Split Complementary Colours
The split complementary colour scheme uses a colour and the two colours adjacent to its complementary. For purple, this includes yellow-green and yellow-orange.
Split complementary colour combinations provide a good balance between contrast and harmony. The split complementary colours are far enough apart on the colour wheel from the main colour to provide contrast without being jarring.
Some examples of split complementary schemes that work well with purple:
| Purple, Chartreuse Green, Peach |
| Purple, Lime Green, Coral |
| Lavender, Spring Green, Melon |
This colour scheme offers plenty of versatility in hue, tone, and saturation to create varied palettes. It is a popular choice for graphic design, abstract art, textiles, and even floral arrangements.
Triadic Colours
Triadic colour schemes use three colours that are evenly spaced around the colour wheel. For purple, this includes red and green.
The contrast between these colours creates a vibrant, energetic look. Triadic colour palettes are intrinsically unstable, but that tension can be used creatively to grab viewers’ attention.
Some examples of triadic colour palettes with purple:
| Purple, Scarlet, Chartreuse |
| Eggplant, Crimson, Lime |
| Lavender, Ruby, Forest Green |
Triadic colours are commonly seen in avant-garde art, graphic design, fashion, and other creative industries where visual dynamism is desired.
Monochromatic Colours
A monochromatic scheme uses different tones, shades, and tints of one colour. For purple, this means using lighter and darker variations of purple like lilac, lavender, plum, amethyst, and so on.
Varying the tones and saturation of purple creates a cohesive yet versatile colour palette. It can range from bold to soft depending on the shades used.
Some examples of monochromatic purple schemes:
| Pale Lavender, Lilac, Deep Purple |
| Wisteria, Orchid, Eggplant |
| Thistle, Mulberry, Plum |
Monochromatic colour palettes promote harmony and visual cohesion. They are popular in minimalist interior design, high fashion, and meditative spaces.
Neutrals
Neutrals like white, black, gray, beige, and brown go well with virtually any colour. Pairing purple with neutrals can create a stylish, elegant look.
Some examples of purple and neutral colour combinations:
| Pale Purple and White |
| Purple and Gray |
| Lavender and Beige |
| Eggplant and Black |
Neutrals allow the purple hue to take centre stage while providing flexibility to coordinate with a range of styles. Purple and white is a popular wedding colour scheme, while purple and black has an edgy, gothic feel.
Shades of Green
Green is located next to purple on the colour wheel, making shades of green excellent colour partners for purple. Greens add vibrancy and naturalness to purple tones.
Some green and purple combinations include:
| Lilac and Sage Green |
| Orchid and Moss Green |
| Grape and Olive Green |
| Wisteria and Jade Green |
The contrast between the cool purple tones and earthy greens creates an energizing, harmonious balance. Green and purple colour schemes lend themselves beautifully to interior design, event decor, gardens, and boutique hotels.
Metallic Colours
Metallic colours like gold, silver, bronze, and copper pair splendidly with different shades of purple. The warmth of the metallics complements the cool tones of purple.
Some examples of purple and metallic colour pairings:
| Amethyst and Rose Gold |
| Purple and Bronze |
| Grape and Pewter |
| Lilac and Silver |
Metallic accents add shine, luxury, and visual interest to purple palettes. These colours are popular in interior design, jewelry, makeup, and high fashion. Dark purple and gold is a particularly regal combination.
Blue
Blue is located next to purple on the colour wheel, so shades of blue tend to pair beautifully with different purple hues.
Some examples of blue and purple combinations:
| Periwinkle and Lavender |
| Royal Blue and Amethyst |
| Navy and Plum |
| Cornflower Blue and Lilac |
The cool blue tones complement the warmth of purple to create a soothing, harmonious palette. Blue and purple are ubiquitous in logos, branding, wedding themes, and more.
Pink
Pink is purple’s complementary colour, which means they naturally pair well together. Different shades of pink and purple create cheerful, feminine colour palettes.
Some examples of pink and purple pairings:
| Pale Pink and Lavender |
| Hot Pink and Grape |
| Blush Pink and Wisteria |
| Fuchsia and Amethyst |
The colour synergy between pink and purple makes them ideal for floral themes, girls’ bedrooms, and boho chic inspired spaces.
Conclusion
In summary, purple pairs beautifully with a wide range of colours like yellow, pink, blue, green, neutrals, metallics, and different purple tones and shades. Complementary, analogous, triadic, split complementary, and monochromatic schemes all work well with purple.
The key is choosing colours that complement purple based on the overall look you want to achieve. Vibrant contrasting colours promote energy and drama, while analogous hues create harmony. Purple is a versatile base colour that provides plenty of possibilities for stylish and aesthetically pleasing colour combinations.
