What Colors Go With Red? – The Complementary Color of Red

What colors go with red? Red is such a nostalgic color tied to so many events, holidays, and emotions. Chances are that you have some other strong emotion or connotation come up when thinking of the color red. Valentine’s day, Christmas, love, hate, passion, all of these are synonymous with red. Such strong emotions connected to a color tend to make it a difficult color to incorporate into interiors. However, by taking color theory and color psychology into consideration, you will soon come to realize that just as with any color, there are many colors that complement red, which can elevate an interior without having to look tacky or themed.

Red Color Combinations

It is important to consider color theory when discerning what colors go with red. Color theory takes into consideration where each color sits on the color wheel in relation to other colors. Color theories that will be discussed below include complementary colors, split complementary colors, monochromatic colors, triadic colors, analogous colors, and square colors.

For the examples below, a version of pure red will be made use of, which has the hex code #FF0000. This example of red is considered pure red, as it is a very bright shade of red that isn’t noticeably cold or warm in its hue. It is important to note that for each hue of red, the results of these color theories will differ. Play around with this fact by experimenting with different shades of red, and you will notice the different conclusions which can result in very interesting color combinations.

Complementary Color of Red

When wondering what color matches with red, it is best to take a look at the complementary color of red. The complementary color of red sits directly opposite red on the color wheel. So, what is the complementary color of red? In the case of the pure red example used below, a very bright, neon green is its complementary color. If this color combination looks familiar, it is most probably because we see it during the holiday time, specifically over Christmas. These two colors are very attention-grabbing and are used frequently for marketing purposes. People also tend to immediately relate these two colors to their strong positive and negative meanings: right and wrong, as well as stop and go.

Be careful not to make use of these colors in their most saturated hues when it comes to interior design, like below, as they are extremely straining on the eyes, which is also why we see these colors when going for our annual eye tests.

Split Complementary Colors of Red

Split complementary colors sit on either side of a color’s complementary color. Because green is red’s complementary color, a very bright lime green, and light turquoise can be seen as the split complementary colors of the specific hue of red used below. This color combination can create interesting designs when playing around with their saturation. Make use of a toned-down hue of one of these colors and implement the other two minimally in their brightest tones to create a proportionally color-balanced interior space.

Triadic Colors of Red

As the name suggests, triadic colors form a perfect triangle on the color wheel with 60-degree angles, and the center of the color wheel also being the center of the triangle. Because red is a primary color, even without drawing the triangle we instinctively know that its triadic colors are blue and yellow, which complete the primary trio. With the specific shade of red used below, sky blue and middle-toned yellow form part of the triadic colors. 

Again, use these colors minimally when combined, as they can be very straining when used in their most saturated forms.

Monochromatic Colors of Red

When a line is drawn from a specific color code to the center of the color wheel, all the colors that sit along this line are each other’s monochromatic colors. This color combination works great where any color is concerned and successfully creates interest in an interior without the overuse of different shades and tones of colors.

Analogous Colors of Red

Analogous colors are those that sit along the same length analog all around the color wheel, forming another circle. Analogous color combinations tend to be very satisfying, especially when arranged in order, as they create an ombre effect. This is a great color combination to make use of when wanting to introduce more than one color, without creating too much contrast between the different colors to ensure that the design of the interior is cohesive. Analogous colors also usually share the same undertones, whether they be cool or warm. 

In the case of the pure red used below, its analogous colors lean more toward warm undertones. 

What Colors Go With Red?

What colors go with red? Now that the theory of the color red is out of the way, it is time to look at the emotional parts and consider the symbolism and annotations that people have made with red throughout history. The symbolism of red is no surprise, as these are all emotions that we relate to red all too well: love, hate, passion, fear, fire, and danger. Red is one of the colors that have the most polarizing connotations, especially concerning love and fear.

As a natural pigment, red is rich in history, considering that it can be traced all the way back to ancient Egypt. We can see red used throughout history, including in ancient Greek murals as well as in Byzantine clothing. Historically, the bright red hue has always signified wealth, status, and vitality as well as evil.

Studies have shown that the color red has a few physical effects on the body. These effects include raising the body’s blood pressure and temperature, as well as increasing the viewer’s appetite. This is why we see the color red often used in restaurants, specifically in the fast-food industry. 

Don’t let this fact deter you from making use of red in the kitchen, as its energizing properties make it a great color to introduce in the kitchen, whether it be as subtle as possible, or making use of it as the entire backdrop of your kitchen.

Taking the above characteristics of red into consideration, red is best used in rooms where the objective is to create an energetic, warm, and inviting atmosphere. Consider making use of red in rooms such as the study, kitchen, and living room. Red is also great to use for details including baseboards, window frames, and even front doors. Below we will be taking a look at specific shades of red that go with various specific colors while taking color theory and connotations in mind. Experiment with these color combinations by adjusting the shades or hues, according to the look you want to achieve for each room.

Soft Red and Greige

If earthy tones describe the interior of your dreams, yet you have a close connection with the color red, then this color combination is perfect for you. Greige is the perfect subtle neutral paint color for your walls that isn’t doesn’t have a distinctive warm or cool undertone, which is a good thing. 

Opt for a soft red to go with the greige that also isn’t overly warm or cool, like the color below.

Red and Green

Green and red are an obvious match, seeing as green is the complementary color of red. It is important to note that these colors do not necessarily have to be implemented in their most saturated hues to be considered complementary. On the contrary, making use of more subtle hues of both of these colors makes for interesting and unexpected color combinations.

Red and Mustard

Combining a warm yellow, like mustard, with red results in a very warm and inviting atmosphere. This combination of colors works well in a living room setting, where red is used as the backdrop color and mustard is introduced through soft furnishings and décor elements. 

The inverse can be a great color palette for a kitchen, as long as you keep in that red tends to trigger hunger, so this might not be the best option for serial dieters. 

Red and Orange

Orange is an analogous color of red, which means that it sits close to red on the color wheel, and both radiate warm undertones. This is a great combination if you want to make a statement while visually warming up a room. Stick with a neutral, white background and use these two colors through furniture and décor elements for that pop of color.

Red and Pink

The combination of red and pink is often seen as a controversial color combination, as most people are prone to dislike seeing these two colors purposely used together. However, if the correct tones are used, red and pink can create a very energetic, soft, and warm environment. If you want to incorporate red differently into your interior, try combining very bright red furniture pieces against blush pink walls. 

Don’t overdo it with the red in this case. Choose one or two big furniture pieces. 

Red and Blue

Another very classic color combination for red is navy blue. This is such a popular color combination among people that we can see this combination used regularly when it comes to country flags. Take note that although red and blue look great together, they are both primary colors, which means they can be particularly loud when used together. The solution to this is to make use of a neutral buffer color like white to break the visual harshness of these two colors when used together. Another option is to make use of one of these colors subtly in the form of textiles or small décor pieces.

Red, Black, and White

Red combined with black and white is such a timeless and classy color combination. There are many scenarios and rooms where this color combination can be implemented successfully, such as a dining room, kitchen, and formal living room. 

Make use of black and white as your backdrop colors and introduce pops of red with your big furniture pieces. 

Red and Cream

Pairing bright red with cream is a very contemporary way of introducing red in an interior setting. It is important to use cream instead of stark white, as white tends to be cooler-toned and can look very harsh against a bright color such as red. Cream warms up the color pallet and ties everything together beautifully. This color combination works well when red is used for a focal wall, with cream trims and window and door frames.

There are countless colors that go with red. With the knowledge of the color theory behind red together with its perceived connotations, hopefully, this inspires you to introduce red in any interior, whether it be to add some warmth with a muted red, or if you are feeling daring and want to make a statement with bright red.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Color Matches With Red?

There are a few colors that go well with red, especially when it comes to interior design.  Among these are the following colors: forest green, mustard, orange, blush pink, navy blue, black, white, cream, and greige.

What Is the Complementary Color of Red?

This is the color that sits directly opposite red on the color wheel. In the case of pure red, a very bright, neon green is the complementary color. Make use of this color combination sparingly, as it can be very straining on the eyes.

What Colors Go With Red Walls?

The colors you should combine with red walls depend on whether you want to highlight the red wall or if you dislike the wall and want to hide it as best possible without painting over it. If you want to highlight the red by making it stand out even more, make use of a bright shade of red’s complementary color, which is green. Other colors that look good against red are blue, orange, and pink. If you don’t like the red wall you have to opt for a color that draws the attention away from the red, instead of towards it. Colors that will succeed at this task include purple and yellow.

What Colors Work Well With a Red Sofa?

Depending on the exact shade of red of the sofa, red is quite the attention-grabbing color, which makes a red sofa the focal piece of the room. To complement the red sofa, add colors like navy blue and green. Green can easily be incorporated in a natural way using indoor plants. Other colors that go with red include orange, black, white, and cream.