Perfect Pairs: 8 Colour Palettes That Won't Let You Down
Can't decide on a colour scheme? These foolproof choices feel both timeless and fresh
Lisa Frederick
15 May 2014
Houzz Contributor. After journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications and websites such as Houzz, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.
Houzz Contributor. After journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately... More
I have a love-hate relationship with paint swatches. Thumbing through racks of them at my local home improvement centre gives me a jolt of excitement and a frisson of panic. The sheer volume of potential palettes overwhelms me. Citron and turquoise? Eggplant and khaki? Kelly green and daffodil yellow? ‘Forget it’, I inevitably conclude. ‘I’ll just paint everything white.’
Lately, though, I’ve decided to take it easy on myself. Instead of doing laps around the colour wheel or settling for neutrals, I’m narrowing my options down to simple, classic palettes that are practically impossible to mess up. If, like me, you find yourself feeling somewhat paralysed by the possibilities, take a look at these eight schemes for inspiration.
Lately, though, I’ve decided to take it easy on myself. Instead of doing laps around the colour wheel or settling for neutrals, I’m narrowing my options down to simple, classic palettes that are practically impossible to mess up. If, like me, you find yourself feeling somewhat paralysed by the possibilities, take a look at these eight schemes for inspiration.
1. Yellow and blue
Like salt and pepper or toast and jam, these hues make a perfect pair. It’s hard to find two shades of either one that don’t work together; as primary colours, they share an uncomplicated, elementary quality that keeps them in sync. Most people think of yellow and blue as traditional, and they are, but you can spin them into transitional or contemporary territory by choosing tailored lines and subtle patterns like the ones shown here.
Like salt and pepper or toast and jam, these hues make a perfect pair. It’s hard to find two shades of either one that don’t work together; as primary colours, they share an uncomplicated, elementary quality that keeps them in sync. Most people think of yellow and blue as traditional, and they are, but you can spin them into transitional or contemporary territory by choosing tailored lines and subtle patterns like the ones shown here.
2. Black and white
Need I even mention this one? It’s dramatic, sophisticated and as classic as you can get. In any room, in any amount, it’s absolutely fail-safe and you can mix in dabs of whatever accent colour appeals to you. Click here to see this palette carried throughout an entire home.
Need I even mention this one? It’s dramatic, sophisticated and as classic as you can get. In any room, in any amount, it’s absolutely fail-safe and you can mix in dabs of whatever accent colour appeals to you. Click here to see this palette carried throughout an entire home.
3. Pink and green
Why does this perennially preppy combo strike such a chord? Well, think about nature; pink flowers atop green stems, blooming from shrubbery, surrounded by foliage. If you want to make pink and green appear subdued, try layering two or three saturated, slightly dirty shades of each colour, as shown in this bedroom.
Why does this perennially preppy combo strike such a chord? Well, think about nature; pink flowers atop green stems, blooming from shrubbery, surrounded by foliage. If you want to make pink and green appear subdued, try layering two or three saturated, slightly dirty shades of each colour, as shown in this bedroom.
4. Navy and white
A starched white shirt covered by a navy blazer never goes out of style and neither does a navy and white room. With this pairing, it’s easy to default to the nautical approach (stripes, boats, white linens). But this living space turns convention on its ear; navy walls set off by crisp white millwork and a painted coffee table, with an oversized rug that ties the scene together.
A starched white shirt covered by a navy blazer never goes out of style and neither does a navy and white room. With this pairing, it’s easy to default to the nautical approach (stripes, boats, white linens). But this living space turns convention on its ear; navy walls set off by crisp white millwork and a painted coffee table, with an oversized rug that ties the scene together.
5. Yellow and grey
Like the odd couple of the colour spectrum, these two hues couldn’t be more different, yet they complement each other perfectly. Ebullient yellow helps sombre grey to lighten up, while grey calms yellow down and keeps it from bubbling over. It’s a win-win arrangement.
Like the odd couple of the colour spectrum, these two hues couldn’t be more different, yet they complement each other perfectly. Ebullient yellow helps sombre grey to lighten up, while grey calms yellow down and keeps it from bubbling over. It’s a win-win arrangement.
6. Red and beige
This combination bears a certain similarity to yellow and grey; one has a big personality, while the other is more reticent. What makes them such natural partners is the warm undertones they share. Temper a bold stroke of red with a swathe of beige to create a rich and inviting but mellow space.
This combination bears a certain similarity to yellow and grey; one has a big personality, while the other is more reticent. What makes them such natural partners is the warm undertones they share. Temper a bold stroke of red with a swathe of beige to create a rich and inviting but mellow space.
7. Orange and blue
They’re opposites on the colour wheel and paradoxically that means they go together well. If you can’t abide the thought of a vibrant tangerine and cobalt room, go quieter. This serene living area is awash in pale turquoise and soft coral; diluted versions of orange and blue that make no less of an impact for their restraint.
They’re opposites on the colour wheel and paradoxically that means they go together well. If you can’t abide the thought of a vibrant tangerine and cobalt room, go quieter. This serene living area is awash in pale turquoise and soft coral; diluted versions of orange and blue that make no less of an impact for their restraint.
8. Chocolate and lavender
‘Really?’ you’re thinking. Yes, really. Sweet, pale purple and rich chocolate bring out the best in each other. The key is to keep the lavender from getting too bright; a chalky pastel shade works best and looks luminous against deep brown. A lavender feature wall was all this cosy space needed to bring it to life.
TELL US
What’s your favourite duo, and how have you used it? Let us know in the comments section below.
‘Really?’ you’re thinking. Yes, really. Sweet, pale purple and rich chocolate bring out the best in each other. The key is to keep the lavender from getting too bright; a chalky pastel shade works best and looks luminous against deep brown. A lavender feature wall was all this cosy space needed to bring it to life.
TELL US
What’s your favourite duo, and how have you used it? Let us know in the comments section below.
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I painted one wall in my living room and my kitchen Olive Branch Green. The rest of the rooms surrounding it are painted Bavarian Cream. I have Burgandy leather furniture. It looks really good, but I am tired of the yellowish cream color on the other walls...What other colors could I paint the main walls? My house faces north and south.