Colors That Go With Orange
Striking contrasts and subtle hues to punch up your space.
Modern home design uses colors strategically to create abstraction, to introduce refreshing contrasts, and to convey a strong aesthetic. Orange is a great color choice for modern interiors because it can be retro, contemporary, vibrant, or subtle– it all depends on the shade and the other color choices in the space. Read below to discover all the colors that go with orange and how to pair them in your space.
Sleek Black
Elevate modern interiors with an orange color combo like black and rust for a high-contrast look with Scandinavian notes. Black goes well with all shades of orange but particularly with vibrant shades like this one (think: bright orange, royal orange, burnt orange, and blood orange) because they evoke a stark contrast with sleek black details and warm up dark tones. Enhance orange and black interiors with gold accents like the pendant lights pictured above.
Pro Tip:
Learn more about how high-contrast aesthetics are valued in Scandinavian homes in our guide Scandinavian Style Decorating: 11 Ways to Achieve the Look.
Crisp White
You won't have to think about what color goes with burnt orange or any shade of orange for that matter when you match orange home decor and furnishings with refreshing shades of white. Pair pure white with pale orange or peach for a minimalist approach. Opt for a warmer shade of white like cream or ivory to complement yellow-orange or red-orange tones, or keep things laid-back with cool shades like pearl or snow white to complement rust, bronze, or terracotta.
Pro Tip:
Check out 14 Ideas for Decorating With White to learn more about best practices for using cool and warm white tones in your home.
Stone Gray
Ground bold orange tones with stone gray accents to reflect the look of natural clay against smooth rock. Gray includes notes of two complementary colors for orange: blue and purple. This makes gray a great neutral to pair with orange when you want something lighter than black but more muted than stark white. Use stone gray to complement bright orange shades like tangerine, papaya, or pumpkin, or feature both light and dark shades of gray with shades of rust or burnt orange.
Bring warmth to modern interiors with an orange and brown color scheme. Stick to a pared-back aesthetic with beige and light orange shades, or create a bold contrast with dark brown against gold or honey orange. Enrich your space with deep shades of brown like chocolate or hickory paired with rust, bronze, red-orange, or burnt orange.
Embrace a bohemian color scheme with purple, which people don’t always realize is a color that goes with orange. Actually, purple and orange pair well because they both have hints of red. Create boho vibes with rich indigo and red-orange or burnt orange shades. Relax bright tangerine orange’s punch with light lavender, lilac, or mauve to elevate a modern interior.
Craft a complementary orange and green color scheme to mimic the natural look of greenery and earthy clay. Pair an orange sofa made of buttery-leather upholstery with relaxed green accent chairs. Ensure a cohesive look by sticking with either light or dark shades of each color. Complement burnt orange with emerald, forest, or olive green shades. Keep things light and fresh with bright orange and lime green, or opt for muted minimalism with peach and sage green.
Pro Tip:
Incorporate shades of brown into rooms with an orange and green color scheme to create balance.
Warm up your living room with an orange and red color scheme. Using the right shades of each, you can make a statement without overpowering the space. Make light orange pop when paired with deep cherry red, or bring out redder hues of burnt orange or rust with shades of red like burgundy, merlot, berry, or crimson for a less obvious contrast.
Refine your modern aesthetic with an orange and navy refresh. Although part of the blue family, navy has darker undertones, so it adds color while remaining on the neutral side. For the best results, pair navy blue with shades of orange with dark undertones or redder hues like blood orange or burnt orange. Create striking contrast by going with apricot or coral shades for an orange-pink fusion that stands out against navy.
Curate comfort with warm colors that go with orange like yellow. Because yellow paired with red makes orange, it’s an excellent complementary color for orange interiors. Channel a retro mid-century modern aesthetic when you pair red-orange and burnt orange with shades of marigold, honey, gold, and mustard yellow. Brighten up modern interiors with lemon yellow to complement tangerine or papaya orange. Anchor orange and yellow color schemes with staple neutrals like beige, cream, and brown.
Make an artful statement when you fuse modern interiors with shades opposite on the color wheel. Orange and blue go so well together because of their differences. Orange represents happiness, energy, and vibrancy, while blue represents relaxation, stability, and natural elements (think: blue skies and cool water). Ultimately an orange and blue contrast helps to balance bright, energizing hues with laid-back, restorative colors for a well-rounded room that both inspires and calms. Juxtapose sunburst orange with rich sapphire or azure blue to mimic the blue-orange hue of fire or a sunrise over the ocean. Introduce subtle contrast with sky or powder blue paired with light orange, peach, or salmon.
Consider pink when deciding on an orange color combo. Pink's ability to be warm and laid-back or vibrant and bright makes it a fun pairing with shades of orange. Make the contrast subtle when you pair pastel or rose pink with coral, peach, or apricot, or create a bold statement with bright orange paired with hot pink, fuschia, or magenta. For the best results, use orange and pink together as accent colors for a neutral space.
Find out more about colors that go with orange and how to match them in our guide: Decorating With Orange: Tips + Refreshing Color Combinations.
Ready to design a balanced color palette with orange decor?
