There is something truly luxurious when it comes to the color teal, many versions of royalty have favored this color for the richness of its beauty, and adorned themselves in lavish silks from all over the world that had been dyed by the pigments that we know to make the color teal. These pigments. Teal is a color that can be described as a combination of blues and greens, similar to that of cyan but is darker. It is compared to the color turquoise. However, turquoise is lighter. There are many shades of teal, which is what we will be addressing in this article. Let us explore some facts about the color teal.
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The Origin of Teal
The color teal is believed to be named after the markings on a freshwater duck, in the early 20th Century. The color can be found on the duck’s head and wings. Eventually, the Eurasian Teal duck was named after the color we are all familiar with today. The different shades of teal have been popular throughout history. It is the foundation of the Plochere color system and was used by interior designers in the 1950s, which enabled them to incorporate the color teal in more ways than originally imagined.
The Plochere color system includes 1456 colors within its collection. These colors are organized accordingly, similarly to the original color wheel. They are made up of 26 colors that make up the base of the system. All of the colors within the Plochere color system are made by mixing these 26 base colors with a “systematic pigment mixture”.
Teal colors were used on some of the first web pages in 1987, which many of you might remember, but many may not. Either way, Teal has been an iconic color within the marketing industry. Crayola created a crayon named Teal blue from 1990 to 2003, which became a favorite amongst children who loved coloring in anything to do with the ocean. The color teal can be found in different country flags, like Sri Lanka, because of the proud energy that it gives off, and as we have said, royalty across the globe have been huge fans of this color, and nobles would adorn themselves with this color.
It has represented sports teams, for example, the Charlotte Hornet basketball team, and the Jacksonville Jaguars football team. That is not all! The Miami Dolphins have a variation of the color teal that they wear which is called Aqua, and another variation of teal which is known as midnight green is worn by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Teal is symbolic in different cultures. For the Tibetans, the color teal is a symbol of infinity, the sky, and the sea, which represents the polarity in our world, yet it shows how everything is still connected and related to each other. For the ancient Egyptians, teal was the color of faith and truth. The nobles in Egyptian culture would paint their faces with the color teal in ceremonious happenstance.
The Psychology Behind Teal
Teal has a tranquil and healing effect on individuals. This color strikes a feeling of independence within those who are exposed to it. The psychology of this color, that brings out such individualistic feelings, also makes one feel a sense of reliability. Those who choose to surround themselves with the subtle combination of blue and green (teal) are unlikely to make impulsive, or rash decisions that they might regret later, and they are more reserved in comparison to those who choose more bright and vibrant colors like orange. Teal represents clarity of the mind, your thoughts, and open communication, so you can freely express yourself without any internal confusion.
In some cases, the color implies the tendency to overthink and is associated with pretentiousness. It can stir up feelings of trustworthiness, making it great to use in web design, but using it too much can have the opposite effect, instigating a sense of aloofness and unreliability. Any color that is used in excess will seem overwhelming to the person viewing the artwork, webpage, or room that is painted entirely teal. We advise mixing in some neutral colors that can soothe the intensity of the color. Those who are lucky enough to be unaware, the color teal became a color that cancer survivors would wear.
This beautifully deep color is subtle, yet very noticeable, so it does the job of bringing the awareness of cancer back to the attention of others quite nicely.
Different Shades of Teal
We can compare the impact of the color teal to that of shallow waters or tropical beaches. The more vibrant light green teal can induce a clear, or invigorating feeling. We can also expect a calmer, more sophisticated feeling from the deeper shades. It is important to understand the theory of color, how it works, and how it impacts us before we look at the shades of teal names.
An Overview of Color Theory
On the color wheel, teal falls in between blue and green, and in case you were not aware, it is a tertiary color. When mixing paint to make your color teal, we advise making your perfect green first. We suggest that you start with a primary blue, then mix a primary yellow to create the green we are speaking of. By adding more blue after, you will achieve the color teal.
You can create different shades of teal by either adding white to lighten and blue or black to darken the tone.
In case you are wondering, complementary colors for any color can be found on the opposing side of the color wheel. So, for example, coral is complementary to teal, with shades of oranges and browns. Monochrome, or analogous, are also terms used to refer to colors close to or next to each other. Ultimately, the coral color, or any other beige shades, are the perfect combinations to use with the color teal, like white, pastel coral, beige or gray.
Teal Color Names
These days, there are three models we use to classify color. We refer to (RYB) the basic red, yellow, and blue, predominately used for painting. Red, green, and blue (RGB) are what we see on computers or televisions. And lastly, cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK), which we use to print color documents. We use hex codes for specific colors. A hex code is displayed as a hashtag with the preceding number. Let us look at a color chart for shades of teal. We will see the hex code, as well as other relevant codes.
Teal
Similar to that of the color cyan that is used for printing in the CMYK model. Teal is a blue-green color that is darker compared to Cyan. Cyan is mixed with dark blue to create a deep tone. This is the most common shade of the color teal that we are so familiar with. This teal is darker than the cyan we see in the CMYK color model used in printing.
You can use pinks, corals, creams, and whites to compliment this color. Interestingly enough, silver goes very well with this shade of teal.
| Shade | Teal Hex Code | CMYK Teal Color Code | RGB Teal Color Code | Teal Color |
| Teal | #008080 | 100, 0, 0, 50 | 0, 128, 128 |
Common Teal
For most people, this is the color that they think of when they hear the name, teal. This version of teal is slightly lighter than the teal color above. Common teal is the shade of teal first observed around 1817 on the Eurasian teal duck.
| Shade | Teal Hex Code | CMYK Teal Color Code | RGB Teal Color Code | Teal Color |
| Common Teal | #009193 | 100, 1, 0, 42 | 0, 145, 147 |
Darker Shade of Teal
This beautiful deep teal combines exquisitely with gold, bringing a romantic yet simple sophistication to the space. This combination inspires creativity, making it a great background for a studio space to write or make art. It might not seem obvious to some, but you should not use this color in excess.
Too much of anything can overwhelm the viewers, which we would definitely not want to do, especially if you are using it for interior design or marketing campaigns.
| Shade | Teal Hex Code | CMYK Teal Color Code | RGB Teal Color Code | Teal Color |
| Dark Teal | #014d4e | 99, 1, 0, 69 | 1, 77, 78 |
Bright Teal
This teal is highly saturated, its vibrancy is similar to that of turquoise. It works well with greens and blues. It is said that light and bright teal colors encourage creativity. If you want to add contrast to this color, you could try reddish-orange colors.
| Shade | Teal Hex Code | CMYK Teal Color Code | RGB Teal Color Code | Teal Color |
| Bright Teal | #01f9c6 | 100, 0, 20, 2 | 1, 249, 198 |
Marine Teal
Marine teal can lend itself more towards blue than green. It creates a sense of calm and adventure in space, reminding us of shallow waters, or Moroccan tiled bathrooms on an island resort.
It is vibrant and stimulating, making it a great color for your teenager’s room.
| Shade | Teal Hex Code | CMYK Teal Color Code | RGB Teal Color Code | Teal Color |
| Marine Teal | #008384 | 100, 1, 0, 48 | 0, 131, 132 |
Teal Blue
Teal blue is timeless. Extremely popular in the 1950s and 1960s. It has the ability to round off a space with a bit of complexity and drama, making it easy to incorporate it into any decor theme.
| Shade | Teal Hex Code | CMYK Teal Color Code | RGB Teal Color Code | Teal Color |
| Teal Blue | #367588 | 60, 14, 0, 47 | 54, 117, 136 |
Tropical Teal
Are you a fan of the tropics? If so, this will be a favorite of yours, for sure! Tropical teal is bold and looks good in nearly any space. Consider painting your foyer with tropical teal to make a fun and inviting, yet relaxing energy for those who enter your home, or office space.
To set a fearless tone for the rest of your house. It can work well in a modern decor space.
| Shade | Teal Hex Code | CMYK Teal Color Code | RGB Teal Color Code | Teal Color |
| Tropical Teal | #008794 | 100, 9, 0, 42 | 0, 135, 148 |
Egyptian Teal
This Egyptian teal color expands over to green on the color chart for shades of teal. You can see this color teal in Ancient Egyptian artifacts. In paintings of the Egyptian era, you can see this color used in makeup and body art.
| Shade | Teal Hex Code | CMYK Teal Color Code | RGB Teal Color Code | Teal Color |
| Egyptian Teal | #008c8d | 100, 1, 0, 45 | 0, 140, 141 |
Steel Teal
This color of teal will work in your favor when combining it with gray. It can have a calming and sometimes clinical effect to it, making it great for a laundry room. It gives you a sense of growth from the accentuated green undertone.
You can see why this color is named after steel, it has a cool metallic impression.
| Shade | Teal Hex Code | CMYK Teal Color Code | RGB Teal Color Code | Teal Color |
| Steel Teal | #5f8a8b | 32, 1, 0, 45 | 95, 138, 139 |
Mixing Acrylic Paint to Achieve Teal
The best way to experiment is to create a color palette of teal as you go along comparing the different shades. You can start with a basic teal that consists of one part green, two parts blue, and half yellow. Add white or black to get the shade you want. You can add a darker blue like, phthalo blue or prompt for a lighter blue. If you are trying to obtain a more vibrant teal, you could add some like emerald green.
Teal in Interior Design
Teal is a color that can be more outstanding or subdued depending on how it is used in the living or workspace. Teal can also add to a sophisticated and elegant color palette. Imagine a deep teal velvet couch or pillows, evoking a sense of royal splendor. Then paring it with warm neutral beige and dark woodwork to balance the cool teal shades.
The color pairs well with white and gold for a classic look. This can create a calm, relaxing atmosphere in your space.
You can use the color teal for furniture, walls, and other accessories. It is an immaculate accent color. Because of its tranquilizing effect, it can be added to a neutral setting without it feeling artificial or like it is too “in your face”. Here are a couple of combinations of teal that might inspire you as you decorate your space.
- Teal and yellow. Yellow is a complementary color to teal. Teal is easy on the eyes with the blue undertones, making yellow a great ascent to the space. You could add some interesting visual elements like a throw blanket on your sofa or a lampshade.
- Teal and green. By now, you should know that this combination is monochromatic. In color theory, these two colors go well together.
- Teal and rich brown It is a popular choice when creating a rustic look. For example, the color teal adds interest in rejuvenating the heaviness of brown furniture.
- A brighter shade of teal with navy adds more color to a space. Navy and teal make a refreshing mix of colors to incorporate into your bathroom or kitchen, depending on your preference.
- Teal and pink are a well-balanced combination. Opt for lighter shades of both colors, mixing them with white or subtle gray undertones.
- Teal and gold are known to create elegant spaces. They are both inviting colors, with the gold bringing attention to detail. A teal-painted wall, adorned with golden mirrors or paintings, is a classic look.
- Teal and orange can create a lively and electric look. Both colors are well-saturated and can bring vibrancy to the room.
- Using a classic white and black monochromatic theme, add teal for hints of color. This is great for a bathroom, and you can perfect it by painting most of the walls white and then adding an accent wall with the color teal. This wall could either be plain teal, in whatever shade variation you choose, or it could also be a wallpaper design that is predominantly teal.
- Teal and gold are a regal color combination. The hints of warm and shiny gold add to the element of royalty, and this makes a great combination for wallpaper.
Now that you have read through all of the color descriptions, and learned what the best color combinations are, you will be able to utilize this color more freely. There is an abundance of teal color names and color charts for shades of teal. You can create a teal color palette that can be used in fashion design, interior, art, marketing, and the list goes on. This color is versatile and will surely inspire you to create. We hope that you found this tutorial on the color teal invigorating with information that you can apply to your life, in whatever form you prefer. Happy mixing!
Take a look at our teal color webstory here!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Teal Colors?
When you think of the color teal, you might immediately think of the ocean, which is not entirely incorrect, particularly for the tropical beaches in various parts of the world. Teal is made by mixing more blue into your green shade, and it is often described as a darker shade of cyan, but it has a base of blue, then green is added along with white. You can find a plethora of color chart shades of teal, so you can find any variation of the color you are looking for.
Can Teal Colors Be Warm and Cool?
On the color wheel, teal falls into the cooler tones. It is not generally described as warm, but in some cases, it can depict a warmer shade. Warmth can be brought out with complementary or contrasting colors. So, if you want to pair the color with a warm combination, you might only use a small amount of it when combining it with a warm color like beige or coral.
What Colors Work With Teal?
Depending on the brightness or saturation, teal works well with a variety of colors. It works well with neutral colors and other blues and greens. The neutral being is a great combination for the color teal, especially for the working professional who wants to redecorate their office space.
In 2005, Charlene completed her Wellness Diplomas in Therapeutic Aromatherapy and Reflexology from the International School of Reflexology and Meridian Therapy. She worked for a company offering corporate wellness programs for a couple of years, before opening up her own therapy practice. It was in 2015 that a friend, who was a digital marketer, asked her to join her company as a content creator, and this is where she found her excitement for writing.
Since joining the content writing world, she has gained a lot of experience over the years writing on a diverse selection of topics, from beauty, health, wellness, travel, and more. Due to various circumstances, she had to close her therapy practice and is now a full-time freelance writer. Being a creative person, she could not pass up the opportunity to contribute to the Art in Context team, where is was in her element, writing about a variety of art and craft topics. Contributing articles for over three years now, her knowledge in this area has grown, and she has gotten to explore her creativity and improve her research and writing skills.
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