What Goes with ___?

You have a favorite color, but it seems just a little too bold for your walls. Or you’ve chosen a palette to work with, and now it needs… something.

Not sure where to go from here? Consider these approaches:

Utilize the Color Wheel

Those who’ve taken a middle or high school art class may recall the basic color wheel, made up of 12 unique slices. Two colors across from each other are considered “complementary;” three colors in a row are “analogous.” Half the wheel’s colors are considered “warm,” the other half “cool.” While it’s the not the end-all be-all for color coordination, it’s a fairly accessible resource. (For a refresher, you can find more about the wheel and color theory here.)

Using two primary colors - in this case, yellow and blue - is one way to employ color theory. Including a neutral tone, like this sisal rug or a classic white, can help offset the bolder hues in your design.

Analogous colors are located side-by-side on the wheel. These hues in the blue, green, and yellow families exemplify how you can mix and match colors in a modern way. (Wallpaper design by Spoonflower.)

Leave it to the Pros

Overwhelmed by the possibilities? Choose a textile or art piece which includes the color you’re looking to feature, and work the rest of your decor around other hues within the design. This can remove some of the guesswork from decision-making.

Pulling a few colors from a bold patterned wallpaper or fabric, can help that “pop” continue throughout the space without overwhelming the eye. (Fabric design by Rifle Paper Co.)

Stick with a Classic

Or when in doubt: choose black and white. This timeless combination goes with so many colors – including tropical hues, pastels, and nearly everything in between.

For more ideas and color schemes, visit my Pinterest page!