What Colors Go With Orange? – The Best Accent Colors for Orange

The color orange always brings a sense of joy and warmth into a room. The color is also fun and creative, but it can become overstimulating if used incorrectly. Orange is one of those colors that can be challenging to design with, but done properly, it can add just the right amount of enthusiasm and enjoyment. Some colors go with orange, and understanding what colors go with orange, you can create the perfect orange color scheme.

How to Choose Colors That Go With Orange

When looking at the basics of color theory, you will learn that orange is a secondary color. This means it is made by combining equal amounts of your primary colors yellow and red. Orange, like red, is made to stand out, and a bold orange can convey both excitement and warmth. There are also various shades of orange you choose from lighter to darker or bolder options.

When trying to decide on a color combination, it is best to check a color wheel. This will show you all the colors and help you to find out what colors go with orange. When referring to a color wheel, you should notice orange sitting between red and yellow. These colors are also considered warm and take up one side of the color wheel. The other side will consist mainly of your cool colors such as blue and green.

When studying the color wheel will help you to determine the best colors that go with orange. By taking note of where each color can be found, you can find the various color combinations that will work. However, when dealing with orange décor, it is best to use it as an accent color because it can become overstimulating in larger amounts. Let us move on to some of the color combinations for orange.

Below you will also see an example of colors in a table, which displays the hex code and other types of color codes. The hex code is a way of identifying colors and consists of letters and numbers with a hash in front. The two other color codes are for those who do web designing and need to print items.

Complementary Color to Orange

Our first color combination is known as complementary colors. When these two colors are placed alongside one another, one color tends to make the other color stand out, meaning it creates a contrast. In this case, if you find orange on the color wheel, and you follow a line that moves directly opposite orange, you will find blue. So, for example, if you have a blue couch, an orange cushion would be quite eye-catching, and it produces a more balanced look. If you are looking for more than just two colors for a contrasting color scheme, you can have a look at split complementary colors.

This includes your orange, but instead of the blue directly opposite, you choose the two colors that are found on either side of blue, which would be blue-violet and blue-green. 

Analogous Colors

The analogous colors are those colors that have similar characteristics and can be found close to each other, or even right next to one another. These colors always work well with each other and offer a more harmonious pairing.

Triadic Colors

This color scheme is another way of creating a group of colors that provide great contrast. These are placed at an equal distance on the color wheel, forming a triangle shape. When using these colors, they can become overpowering if used in equal amounts. This is why the main color should be selected, while the other two become accent colors for orange. 

You can also choose softer colors to help subdue the combination and provide more of a balanced look.

Monochromatic Colors

This type of color combination also provides a harmonious look but uses only variations in a single color. This would mean you take the orange and then use lighter or darker shades of this one particular color. When applying this color scheme in a room, it creates a more streamlined look and you do not have to worry about any colors clashing.

Square and Rectangular Color Schemes

Square color schemes are colors placed at an equal distance from each other like the triadic colors but in a square form. Again, these colors form a contrast and should be used carefully, in a similar fashion to your triadic colors. Whenever there are more than three colors in a color scheme, it becomes more challenging to combine them, so you need to properly understand how to work with these colors to create a balanced and cohesive look. Rectangular or a tetradic color scheme, also has four colors evenly spaced, but it contains two pairs of complementary colors. 

This is quite a vibrant choice and requires good planning when used in the design. The following colors represent a tetradic color palette.

What Colors Go With Orange?

Now that you have a basic idea of how to choose colors that go with orange, we can take a closer look at more ideas as to what colors go with orange. You can choose color schemes that have anything from two to four colors, or even more. However, two or three are a little easier to work with.

You might think orange décor could be too much, but there is more to the color than a single option. There are a few ways you can subdue the color, or even use it like you would a neutral color. There are numerous shades of orange from a beautiful burnt orange to a softer more neutral orange. Some of the easier orange colors to work with besides burnt orange include sienna and terracotta.

An orange color scheme can be an option for any room in the home, even the bedroom, and bathroom. For example, orange is said to stimulate the appetite, so what better room to have the color orange in, than the kitchen. The color also represents a lot of healthy foods and spices like carrots, oranges, and other citrus fruits as well as pumpkins and paprika. So, if you want to bring some warmth, fun, and energy into the home, orange can do it for you.

Neutrals and Orange

Neutral colors have a way of toning down bolder colors and creating a softer look. For example, a bold orange couch against a white wall. The orange brings in a splash of color without being overpowering. This color combination is great for a living area, but you can also use it in spaces like the kitchen or even the bedroom.

Other neutral colors that can work well with orange include beiges and tans.

You can also go from bold to earthier shades of orange for a more rustic appeal. If you are happier with a more neutral color palette, orange can also be used similar to neutral colors. Some examples are burnt sienna and ochre. These colors work well with soft greens, warm browns, and pale blues, to create a natural and comfortable look.

Orange and Cream

Cream is another neutral color that can go well with orange as it has a yellowish undertone. When using this color combination, it can produce a balanced look, which can be used in most rooms in the home. If you choose to paint the walls orange, cream accessories can still bring in warmth but will help to dampen the effect of the bolder orange color. By adding another color like olive green or other browns, you can create a nice autumn color scheme.

Orange and Gray

Gray is an easy color to work with and there are numerous shades of gray you can choose, along with shades of orange. Orange is a stimulating and playful color, while gray is more sophisticated. To add more depth of color, choose more than one shade of gray for your color scheme. 

When deciding on the shade of orange, you can go bold, or choose a more subdued or muted orange. 

Orange and Browns

Earthy colors, in general, tend to work well with each other. Shades of brown also bring in warmth, since various brown colors can be seen as shades of orange and can create an inviting and relaxed feel to a room. You can also experiment with adding other neutrals into the orange décor combination.

Orange and Black

Black might be a color that some find intimidating to use, but combinations with black can create a bold and more dramatic look. Using black as one of your accent colors for orange can help to make the orange color stand out more vibrantly. 

To produce a more cohesive look, use black and orange sparingly and try to bring in a third shade or color, for example, beige. 

Adding Color to a Neutral Room

As mentioned, the complementary color to orange is blue, and adding this to orange décor can create a more lively feel to a room, especially if it is predominantly neutral tones. You can also add blue and orange to the walls, which really makes the room colorful and can be a good idea for a kids’ bedroom. You can also use various shades of blue as well as green or yellow.

What Color Matches Orange Walls?

The easiest way to bring orange into the home is through accessories, like throws, cushions, vases, rugs, or furniture. These are easy to change if you feel you want something different in a month or two. However, selecting and painting walls is a bit more permanent, although not impossible to change. 

Let us have a look at a few ideas and what color matches the orange walls.

Creating an Orange Accent Wall

Maybe painting all the walls in a room orange seems too much, but you still want to use it? Instead of going all out with all the walls, paint only one wall and create an accent wall. You can choose a vibrant orange or a more earthy orange and surround it with more neutral tones like white or cream. You can further bring in more orange colors by adding other items or accessories. You could also go for a patterned look that contains orange, which is an even more subtle way of introducing the color.

Pink, Red, and Violet

You might not think pink and orange go together, but it can create a fun and bold combination. Pink can go with orange walls and makes a playful option for a girls’ bedroom. Red is another color that could work with orange; however, you need to find the correct shades of each color and you do not want to overdo it. Consider orange walls with accents of red and other more neutral tones. 

Violet and purple are both vibrant and luxurious colors.

Turquoise and Orange

This combination is fun and can elicit feelings associated with sunny beaches. Again, you need to try and match the shade of turquoise to the shade of orange you have on the walls for the best results. If using a more neutral orange, you may even consider bringing in turquoise couches or furniture. Otherwise, you can bring in the turquoise color through accessories like vases or throws. A splash of green can also work with orange walls. Orange, green, and brown combinations make a good fall color palette.

How to Choose an Orange Bedroom Color Scheme

Orange is an energetic color, and you might think it is a bad choice for a bedroom. However, selecting the proper orange décor can create a cozy and inviting bedroom setting. One of the first recommendations is to create a two-color wall combination so that the orange color does not overwhelm the space. You can also apply the colors you choose in various proportions, for a more balanced look. One main orange color and one or two accent colors for orange. Here are a few more tips you can think about before choosing colors.

Position of the Room

Think about the position of the room, this could have an impact on the choice you make. Depending on the position, the light can differ if it faces different directions. This means there is either more or less light entering the room. 

Colder rooms, or rooms that get less light can do with warmer colors.

Accessorizing With Orange

An orange headboard can look quite stunning against a white wall. You can then bring in more orange elements from throws to pillows and rugs. You can layer different shades and bring in different patterns and textures.

What Is Your Sleep Pattern?

You can personalize the colors you use in the bedroom. Do you like to go to bed late or are you more of a morning person and wake up early? If you are a morning person, you might want to consider a bolder orange color that is more energizing. 

On the hand, you might want to use a more subdued or darker shade of orange that is more calming.

Use Orange Pastel Colors

Soft pastel colors can make a calming and welcoming color palette. You can then include beige, white, and deeper brown colors into the mix. This color scheme is more neutral-based and creates a soothing, warm, and inviting room that is completely in harmony. This color scheme would be perfect for an ensuite bathroom. 

Orange is a warm and uplifting color that can inspire creativity and brings a fun element to a space. To get the most out of orange décor ideas, you need to understand what colors go with orange, so you do not overwhelm the senses. By creating the best orange color combinations, you can help bring an engaging and joyful feeling to a room.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Colors Go With Orange?

Orange is a warm and welcoming color and there are quite a few colors that go with orange. First, different shades of orange for a monochromatic look, or try using blues and greens. Neutral colors like white, brown, cream, and beige work well. Purple can also add a pop of color next to orange. When it comes to what color matches orange walls, then some of these are your go-to accent colors for orange.

What Is the Complementary Color to Orange?

When you have a look at the color wheel, this should show you what color sits opposite orange. You will find that the complementary color to orange is blue. When these two colors are placed beside each other, they create a contrast, and each color makes the other stand out.

Can You Use Orange for Upholstery?

If you do not want orange walls, then try adding in an orange couch or armchair. Bolder shades of orange color can bring in a more lively element, while more muted tones can easily work into a neutral color scheme.