Cool cheat sheet for color combinations

The correct combination of colors is one of the most important components of any work that claims to be “high quality”. That s why we decided to share a cheat sheet with which you definitely won t miss when choosing a color palette for your next project.

Scheme No. 1. Complimentary combination

Complementary, or complementary, contrasting colors are colors that are located on opposite sides of Itten s color wheel. Their combination looks very lively and energetic, especially with maximum color saturation.

Scheme No. 2. Triad – a combination of 3 colors

A combination of 3 equally spaced colors. Provides high contrast while maintaining harmony. This composition looks quite lively even when using pale and desaturated colors.

Scheme No. 3. A similar combination

A combination of 2 to 5 colors next to each other on the color wheel (ideally 2-3 colors). Impression: calm, inviting. An example of a combination of similar muted colors: yellow-orange, yellow, yellow-green, green, blue-green.

Scheme No. 4. Separate-complimentary combination

A variant of a complimentary color combination, but instead of the opposite color, neighboring colors are used. A combination of a primary color and two additional ones. This scheme looks almost as contrasting, but not so intense. If you are not sure that you can use complementary combinations correctly, use separate-complementary ones.

Scheme No. 5. Exercise book – combination of 4 colors

A color scheme where one color is the main one, two are complementary, and one more emphasizes accents. Example: blue-green, blue-violet, red-orange, yellow-orange.

Scheme No. 6. Square

A combination of 4 colors equidistant from each other. The colors here are dissimilar in tone, but also complimentary. Due to this, the image will be dynamic, playful and bright. Example: purple, red-orange, yellow, blue-green.

Combinations of individual colors

• White: goes with everything. Best combination with blue, red and black.
• Beige: with blue, brown, emerald, black, red, white.
• Grey: with fuchsia, red, purple, pink, blue.
• Pink: with brown, white, mint green, olive, gray, turquoise, pale blue.
• Fuchsia (dark pink): with gray, yellow-brown, lime color, mint green, brown.
• Red: with yellow, white, brown, green, blue and black.
• Tomato red: blue, mint green, sandy, creamy white, gray.
• Cherry red: azure, gray, light orange, sandy, pale yellow, beige.
• Raspberry red: white, black, damask rose color.
• Brown: bright blue, cream, pink, fawn, green, beige.
• Light brown: pale yellow, creamy white, blue, green, purple, red.
• Dark brown: lemon yellow, blue, mint green, purplish pink, lime color.
• Reddish brown: pink, dark brown, blue, green, purple.
• Orange: blue, blue, lilac, purple, white, black.
• Light orange: gray, brown, olive.
• Dark orange: pale yellow, olive, brown, cherry.
• Yellow: blue, purple, light blue, purple, gray, black.
• Lemon yellow: cherry red, brown, blue, gray.
• Pale yellow: fuchsia, gray, brown, shades of red, yellowish brown, blue, purple.
• Golden yellow: gray, brown, azure, red, black.
• Olive: orange, light brown, brown.
• Green: golden brown, orange, salad, yellow, brown, gray, cream, black, creamy white.
• Salad color: brown, yellowish brown, fawn, gray, dark blue, red, gray.
• Turquoise: fuchsia, cherry red, yellow, brown, cream, dark purple.
• An electrician beautiful in combination with golden yellow, brown, light brown, gray or silver.
• Blue: red, gray, brown, orange, pink, white, yellow.
• Dark blue: light purple, blue, yellowish green, brown, gray, pale yellow, orange, green, red, white.
• Purple: orange, pink, dark purple, olive, gray, yellow, white.
• Dark violet: golden brown, pale yellow, gray, turquoise, mint green, light orange.
• The black versatile, elegant, looks in all combinations, best with orange, pink, salad, white, red, lilac or yellow.

Source: decor-design