What Color Goes With White? – 8 Pairings You Must Know

White is the perfect option if you are searching for something that goes well with all other colors. So, it should be easy to create white color combinations. However, you should choose the colors that go with white carefully, as it will have an impact on the mood or look you wish to achieve. Read further to discover our guide on what color goes with white, so that you can produce a color palette that works!

What Color Goes With White?

A popular opinion on white color combinations includes pairing it with blue, black, and red. However, a pure white can work exceptionally well with any color. A white background works the best to help showcase any color. An all-white design will seem too clinical and boring, so adding color will help to create interest and set the mood.

Is White a Color?

In the traditional sense, for example, when mixing different paint colors, white is the absence of color. In this case, black is the combination of all colors. You could then say that black is a type of complementary color to white as they do create a contrast. White and black are both known as neutral colors, making them both quite versatile when color matching. When looking at another color model, such as the one used for computer screens, instead of the absence of color, white is the amalgamation of all colors.

Pure white is seen as a color that represents cleanliness, purity, and peace. However, besides the pure white, you also get what is known as off-whites. These are different types of white that all have undertones.

The various options can include undertones that come from both the warm side and cool side of the color wheel. This means you can get white options that can have yellow or red undertones, or white colors that can have blue or green undertones. You can get white undertones that range in every color from orange to pink. Below, is an example of a pure white and a warm and cool off-white.

White Color Combinations

When using white in designs, it is important to take note of the meaning of white itself, but it is even more essential to understand the meaning of the color you pair white with. Ultimately, this color is what will set the mood. Different colors provide different meanings and do not work equally well with each other. Pure white is simple to work with, but you will need to understand color theory if you bring in off-whites and other colors. This is why there are different types of color combinations you can work with. These include some of the following.

• Complementary colors: This grouping of colors forms an eye-catching contrast and usually faces each other on the color wheel.
• Analogous colors: These colors are arranged close to each other and create a more harmonious grouping when creating a color palette.
• Monochromatic colors: A variety of colors can be created by a single hue, which can then produce a monochromatic combination.
• Triadic colors: This color combination involves three colors that also form a contrast and are visible on the color wheel as a triangular shape.

Pure white, which has no undertone, will not have a complementary color. However, white complementary colors, among the other combinations, do come into play if the white used has a certain undertone. To avoid any confusion, we will be using pure white to showcase the various white color combinations.

White and Blue

Blue is a cool and calming hue, and when paired with white, this effect is enhanced. Blue is perfect if you are looking to create a relaxing environment and is often used in bedrooms. There are many different shades of blue, with darker options offering a more sophisticated look, while pale blue is more tranquil and fun.

Navy blue and baby blue are good examples that will work wonderfully with white.

White and Red

Red is an energetic hue that is the opposite of blue but still works very well with white. Red and white can create a more exciting look that is bold, confident, and stimulating. The white can help to balance the red in a design. Just like blue, there are different shades of red, including lighter options like pink or darker options like burgundy.

White and Black

Black and white is a classic combination that is used in a variety of design projects, from creating amazing outfits to sophisticated interior designs. Black and white are the epitome of contrast and opposites. A common association or symbol most of us will recognize is the yin and yang sign in Chinese philosophy.

Of course, there are also varying shades of gray that all work well with both black and white.

White and Yellow

White and yellow can become a bit too contrasting if a deep or too bright yellow is used. However, you can consider using less yellow in a design to help balance the look. Consider using lighter shades of yellow and white to create a more appealing look. White also helps to tone down the energy that yellow provides.

To create an even more cohesive look, consider adding other colors into the mix, such as soft greens and blues.

White and Orange

Another warm color, orange goes just as well with white as all other colors. Orange is also an energetic and stimulating color, so white helps to tone it down a little but the combination still makes a statement. The orange also stands out nicely against a white background.

You can consider brighter or lighter orange hues or go for something more earthy like burnt orange.

White and Green

Green is a cool color, which makes it a calming and refreshing hue that can be used in a variety of ways. When designing a room, there are lighter greens that can be painted on the walls, or you can bring in a more vibrant shade of green as an accent color. The green and white combination provides a natural look, especially if you use natural elements like green plants. Darker greens provide a more sophisticated look when paired with white.

White and green are also quite a popular fashion combination and are often used in graphic designs.

White and Purple

Purple is seen as a cool color that is quite versatile. Lighter shades like lavender provide a more whimsical or dreamy look, while darker purples like plum provide more of an elegant and luxurious feel. White and purple create a sophisticated and clean contrast, which is often used as the color for weddings or other formal events.

White and Brown

Brown is also a neutral color, so goes very well with white. Brown is a warm, rich, and earthy color that provides a sophisticated and calming look when paired with white. There are varying shades of brown you choose, such as a lighter tan or a dark mahogany brown. Beige can also be considered a very light shade of brown. Both tan and beige are also seen as neutrals.  In the home, natural elements like wood and leather can bring brown into a space.

Brown and white also go well with a variety of other colors like green, and blue. Other neutrals like gray, black, and beige work well with brown and white.

There are a huge variety of colors that can go with white. The choice is dependent on the style, look, or mood you want to create. Do not forget that you can also get barely discernible off-whites that have certain undertones, which makes pairing the white a bit more challenging. However, white color combinations, in general, are very easy to work with.

Take a look at our “what colors go with white?” webstory here!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Complementary Color of White?

Since white is a neutral color and is not found on the color wheel, there are no real white complementary colors. However, if you are looking for a color that contrasts the most with white, then you can look at black or even navy blue.

Does Every Color Go With White?

True neutral whites can go with most colors, and the only thing to take into consideration is the style and purpose of your design. Many white color combinations are also a matter of preference. The various off-whites are something you should think about as well.

Does Gray Go With White?

Yes, gray works well with white as it is also neutral. You can combine a lighter shade of gray to create an airier space or go for a darker gray like charcoal to provide more contrast.

Charlene Lewis( Content Creator and Creativity Writer )

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.

Charlene Lewis has been working for artincontext.org since the relaunch in 2020. She is an experienced writer and mainly focuses on the topics of color theory, painting and drawing.

Learn more about Charlene Lewis and the Art in Context Team.