Why do blue and orange look good together?

Continuing the series of posts with suggestions on how to match colors, today I will talk about blue and orange, also known as a Complementary Combination.

Why do blue and orange look good together?
Why do blue and orange look good together?

This duo go by this name because they are opposite colors in the color wheel. In case you’re wondering, other traditional sets of complementary colors are red and green and yellow and purple. 

SO WHAT IS CONSIDERED “BLUE” AND “ORANGE”?

Technically we consider blue every color that goes from baby blue to midnight or navy blue.

We also consider orange any color that goes from light peach to a shade of brown. 

Besides the value (dark x light), we also contemplate the temperature and the intensity of the color, which means that there is a blue and an orange for everyone.

This is very comforting to know, isn’t it?

In the photos below you’ll see different shades of blue and orange that can be found in the stores right now.  

3 TIPS ON HOW TO MATCH BLUE AND ORANGE

Tip 1: ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK 

You can see in the photo with the blue denim dress that you don’t need to be super colorful to wear color combinations. As you can see, if you want to make a more positive impression, go for dark orange sandals. They’ll look much more interesting than a black one, for example.

Tip 2: STYLING HACKS I PERSONALLY USE TO ENHANCE MY LOOK

As I mentioned in other posts, because of my complexion I look good in most of the oranges. Since there are cooler blues that I like and aren’t the best for me, I try to wear either an orange necklace or earrings. If not, makeup can help as well: choose an orange blush and lipstick. I swear that makes all the difference! 

Tip 3. ACCESSORIES ARE OUR BEST FRIENDS

If you have an orange top or blouse that you don’t really like or think it doesn’t fit you, try doing the opposite of what I do. Accessories are always super helpful, so why don’t you add a pair of blue earrings or a blue necklace to your outfit?

Just make sure it’s not too delicate otherwise it won’t stand out.

Color combinations can be a little tricky, I know. So if you need to up your styling game and you’re a tri-state area resident (NY, NJ, CT), book an in-person Color Analysis right now.

Why do blue and orange look good together?
Why do blue and orange look good together?


Disclosure: Keep in mind that I link products and companies based on their quality, my personal opinion, my experience and professional expertise. Some of the links in my posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a small commission. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Orange and blue are a naturally perfect pair. They are fire and water, yin and yang. As opposites on the color wheel, they are considered complementary, which means that when you put them next to each other, they enhance one another, making blues appear bluer and oranges, well, oranger.

Advertisement

Video of the Day

That's why we humans are so dazzled by sunsets, with their washes of glowing oranges and blues. Courtnay Tartt Elias of Creative Tonic Design says she always thinks of sunsets when pairing these colors. She notes how the shades of a sunset can vary so much, "from brilliant oranges and blues all the way to pale tangerine and sky."

Any of these shades can work in a room design, from a bold electric blue living room with an orange sofa, to a quieter rust-wallpapered bedroom with pale blue headboards. The reason each combination works, however, is important to consider. Though orange and blue are complementary, it still takes an attention to undertones, balance, and scale to pair them successfully. Orange is particularly tricky because at its brightest it can be quite an attention hog if not offset effectively. Luckily, a couple of design rules can help you confidently pair these two vibrant colors.

Advertisement

How to Create Orange and Blue Color Schemes

Why do blue and orange look good together?

Image Credit: Hunker in Partnership With Acme Real Estate

Why do blue and orange look good together?
See More Photos

First, match your orange and blue tonally to create balance in your room design. Think jewel tones with jewel tones, pastels with pastels. Second, decide which color will be more dominant in the space. The 60-30-10 rule is a classic in interior design for figuring out how to balance your color palette. The dominant color gets used for about 60% of the room (walls, large furniture, and/or rugs), the secondary color gets 30% (say, smaller furniture pieces, drapes, maybe an accent wall), and the accent gets 10% (throw pillows, wall art, etc.). Thinking about the vibe you want for your room can help you decide whether to go bright or muted, and whether to let the orange or blue dominate.

Advertisement

As for an accent color, Tartt Elias said this is a place to experiment, if you'd like. She loves looking to nature for inspiration, and sees green as an obvious choice. "Look outside," she said. "The sky is blue, the sun is orange, and grass is green." If they go together in nature, she argues, they'll work in your room.

Again, consider undertones as you choose your accent color — but don't be afraid to try an out-there choice. For example, if you've chosen jewel-toned blues and oranges, you could choose a tonally similar green, such as emerald, and play it safe. But according to Elias, you can also think about creating some visual tension. "It might be fun to splash [on] some lime ... Not everything has to match."

Advertisement

Check out these 11 examples of color combinations for orange and blue that are beautifully balanced.

11 Color Combinations for Orange and Blue

1. Orange, Electric Blue, and Pink

Why do blue and orange look good together?

Image Credit: Right Meets Left Interior Design

Why do blue and orange look good together?
See More Photos

In this room by Courtney McLeod of Right Meets Left Interior Design, bright, saturated color creates a joyful, energetic vibe. McLeod went big with the electric blue wall paint, then complemented it with an orange sofa and bubble gum pink chair. More muted touches, like the dark hardwood flooring and sage green rug, help ground the room.

Advertisement

2. Orange, Peacock Blue, and Yellow

Why do blue and orange look good together?

Image Credit: J and J Design

Why do blue and orange look good together?
See More Photos

Blue and yellow are a classic pair. In this baby's room by J and J Design, these colors play particularly well together with orange. An orange bird print gives the soothing peacock blue wallpaper a whimsical touch. Meanwhile, the bright yellow rug provides the perfect happy pop of color.

Advertisement

3. Terra Cotta, Navy, and Brown

Why do blue and orange look good together?

Image Credit: Neelam Gurm

Why do blue and orange look good together?
See More Photos

Incorporating richer shades of orange and blue doesn't have to result in a moody, dark space. Notice here how designer Neelam Gurm offsets the darkening effects of a deep navy sofa, patterned terra cotta rug, and brown accents with the help of abundant natural light and a high white wall.

Advertisement

4. Rust, Pale Blue, and Cream

Why do blue and orange look good together?

Image Credit: Hunker in Partnership With Sonder

Why do blue and orange look good together?
See More Photos

Although orange gets a bad rap for being hard to work with, this room shows how beautifully versatile it can be. This subdued, rusty shade is calm enough for a bedroom backdrop, especially when paired with cream and earth-toned accents. The pale blue headboards provide the perfect cool complement.

Advertisement

5. Papaya Orange, Ice Blue, and Gray

Why do blue and orange look good together?

Image Credit: Justina Blakeney

Why do blue and orange look good together?
See More Photos

Balance playful orange and blue with a splash of gray. In this kitchen by Justina Blakeney, pearl gray cabinets ground a colorful palette. Their purple undertone keeps them from looking too somber for the space, and the sunburst-patterned tile backsplash provides the perfect transition into the bright papaya-colored upper walls.

Advertisement

6. Muted Orange, Slate Blue, and Black

Why do blue and orange look good together?

Image Credit: Studio McGee

Why do blue and orange look good together?
See More Photos

There's a lovely balance to this room by designer Shea McGee of Studio McGee. The slate blue cabinetry dominates the space, creating a sophisticated and moody effect, while the white walls bring in some lightness. Orange chair cushions provide a pop of warmth and brightness, while black pendant lights ground the color palette.

Advertisement

7. Peach, Turquoise, and White

Why do blue and orange look good together?

Image Credit: Creative Tonic Design, Courtnay Tartt Elias

Why do blue and orange look good together?
See More Photos

Here, again, is this lovely powder room designed by Courtnay Tartt Elias. The sweet sherbet-colored vanity plays perfectly off of the wallpaper in pastel blue-green, orange, yellow, and white. Notice how the marble tile and white ceiling provide some rest for the eye, preventing any sense overwhelm. For a more saturated take on this color pairing, combine teal with a bright orange, like tangerine.

8. Orange, Blue, and Gold

Why do blue and orange look good together?

Image Credit: Ann Lowengart Interiors

Why do blue and orange look good together?
See More Photos

It's hard to resist a moody blue. In this space, designer Ann Lowengart chooses a rich shade, then layers on texture and pattern, pops of red and orange for warmth, and gold accents for shine and sophistication. The wood paneling creates a sense of formality that could make the room feel cold were it not for elements like a lit fireplace and upholstered seating inviting us to settle in.

9. Burnt Orange, Blue, and Wood Tones

Why do blue and orange look good together?

Image Credit: Kelly Wearstler

Why do blue and orange look good together?
See More Photos

Kelly Wearstler is a legend for a reason. The Peacock Bar, pictured here, is all the proof we need. The high-level pattern play at work in this space is indeed masterful. But at its heart, what Wearstler is working with is a simple color palette of red-oranges, deep blues, and wood tones that you could translate into your own vibrant kitchen or dining room.

10. Peach, Powder Blue, and Lavender

Why do blue and orange look good together?

Image Credit: Madre Dallas Design

Why do blue and orange look good together?
See More Photos

Lavender with peach and blue? In a living room? It's not an obvious choice. But Madre Dallas Design makes it sing. You'll recall the old trick of keeping your whole color scheme unified with a consistent tint or tone — in this case, pastel. Meanwhile, the traditional Hollywood Regency aesthetic and formal furniture placement help give the sugary palette a refined vibe.

11. Orange, Blue, and Kelly Green

Why do blue and orange look good together?

Image Credit: Blakely Interior Design

Why do blue and orange look good together?
See More Photos

Crisp, clean, and preppy is how we'd describe this coastal space by Blakely Interior Design. Bright white plays down the bright Kelly green ceilings and subtly patterned primary blue rug, while orange piping, accent pillows, and flowers are layered as warm accents. The overall feeling is that of a fresh summer's morning. Grab your flip flops and head out to catch some rays.

Colors That Go With Orange and Blue

Why do blue and orange look good together?

Image Credit: Sabbe Interior Design

Why do blue and orange look good together?
See More Photos

To recap, orange and blue go together like the best of friends. They complement each other's differences, and elevate one another, as demonstrated in this living room by Sabbe Interior Design. Bring in accent colors to enhance the party and neutrals to make sure it doesn't get too rowdy. (Especially if you're using bolder shades, you'll want to bring in other colors to give the eye a needed break.) Here's our list of colors that pair well with orange and blue: