5 Color Combos to Add Contrast to Your Room

Have you ever stepped into a cacophony of color? A room with so much going on in every pattern and shade that it made your head spin? That's what we would call a clash of color. Let's admit it: Neutrals are easy because they don't really "clash." Everything flows together - but while convenient, it can get a little boring.

This post is going to discuss five different color combinations that will add contrast to your room with color theory in mind for a harmonious end result. (We write this with the assumption that you already have a neutral and/or harmonious base color in your room.)

Pink & Yellow (Tetradic colors)

Mustard is having a moment, people! If you keep up even remotely with design trends, you'll notice that pink and mustard are often paired together. Pink is fairly common in a shade of blush or powdery pink. It softens the rich vibrancy of yellow. But, if you crave a high-energy space, you could just as well choose a more vivid shade of pink or adjust that of yellow. Fuchsia and butter yellow, maybe?

Lavender & Turquoise (Triadic colors)

A soft purple with a jolt of vibrancy, lavender will tame the brightness of turquoise. When decorating, consider making lavender more of the base color, and allow turquoise to accent and echo throughout the space.

Mint & Burnt Orange (Analogous colors)

In this pairing (a variation on the analogous colors of green and orange - analogous means that three colors sit next to each other on the color wheel), the arrangement can go either way. Making mint your base color (or 30 percent of the 60-30-10 rule) will keep things upbeat and light, punctuated by the burnt orange. Flip the arrangement and you'll have moodier, more intense setting that is relieved by the pops of mint.

Coral & Periwinkle (Complimentary colors)

Variants of indigo (blue) and orange, Periwinkle is cool but feminine, while coral is warm and inviting. Though both bright, their warmth (or lack thereof) provides the needed contrast to create a visually interesting decorating scheme. Keep the 60-30-10 decorating rule in mind, as the majority color will set the mood for your room.

Orange & Purple

Purple is not a common color, perhaps due to the fact that when the color comes to mind, we think of a rich, royal hue. And that's intense! However, there are many shades of purple that are less extreme. Take, for instance, Jam or Mulberry. True to their names, they are shades of purple that lean more towards red, providing warmth to the color palette. Grape brings in a dusty quality, while Lilac offers a vibrant punch. Pair purple with shades of orange such as Cantaloupe for a pastel theme, Sandstone, Clay, and Yam for earthier tones, Marigold and Honey for a pop bordering on yellow, or Tiger and Tangerine for something firey.

Should my window treatments be the dominant or secondary color?

The answer is more dependent on personal preference than it is a formula. However, here are some guidelines that can help in the decision-making process.

We keep talking about the 60-30-10 rule because it's good! It ensures balance between your colors so that they don't overwhelm each other. The 60 percent will obviously be your "base" or dominant color, with the two remaining acting as accents in their lesser capacities.

When it comes to your window treatments, color can go either way. You can have them in your base color, giving a final unifying touch, or you can order them in one of your secondary colors to add a little contrast or texture to the design. It can also help to visually break up your space.

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