Unique Color Combinations: Purple + Yellow

Kathryn
I work as a blogger for businesses although I do a variety of different types of writing. I particularly enjoy writing about all aspects of design and creativity. I think that your home should reflect your personality and that it should change as you change. More about me at www.kathrynvercillo.com and http://diaryofasmartchick.com.
I work as a blogger for businesses although I do a variety of different... More »
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I remember when I first learned about the idea that colors could clash with one another. I was reading some sort of beauty book as a pre-teen and learned that colors like purple and yellow just don't go together. I was baffled because to me that color combination was gorgeous. For a long time, I believed that I just had bad taste. Then, as I got older and more comfortable with my own sense of style, I decided that these two colors can actually go together in a way that doesn't clash at all.

Since that time, I've tried playing around with this unique color combination. What I've discovered I like best is a very bright yellow with a very deep purple. However most people who try this color combination seem to like the more muted, pastel versions of the two colors together.

It doesn't matter which ones you like. It just matters that you explore your own sense of style. Playing around with colors like these that are traditionally said to clash can teach you a lot about your own design preferences. Have fun!
living room by Susan Diana Harris Interior Design
by Susan Diana Harris Interior Design
by Susan Diana Harris Interior Design
I love the way that the purple and yellow rooms here are separated by such a cool window. It makes each color separate and yet they complement each other well in the shared space.
Private Comment
A really interesting way to make this color combination work is to incorporate one color into the home's design and choose the other color for bold artwork. That's what we see here with a purple exterior enhanced by a purple set of dining chairs and then a bold piece of yellow-only artwork on the walls.
Private Comment
Here's another example of yellow art on purple walls. I like this one even better because the designs are just so unique and interesting! This really jazzes up the more neutral colors of the rest of the room.
Private Comment
modern bedroom by HILIT
by HILIT
by HILIT
Choose one item in the house to do in purple and yellow. A bed is a great choice to start with since you can easily change out your sheets and blankets if you decide that you don't like the color combo. I'd choose a brighter yellow instead of this green-hued chartreuse but that's just me.
Private Comment
A purple rug makes a really bold statement in a room. Pair it with yellow-hued furniture for a unique look. I'd go with something more yellow than this but this ecru shade works for people who want a design that's a bit more modest than what I'd select.
Private Comment
Wallpaper Favorites
If I could change all of the black design touches in this room to a luscious purple then I would truly love this space. I think the little touches of each color here would really make for a creative but sophisticated room.
Private Comment
There are two things that catch my eye here. First is the wallpaper which is purple on a yellowish background. However, what intrigues me more is the purple frame above the yellow frame. Decorating with the colors using great photo frames would be a subtle but fun way to try this color combination.
Private Comment
Here's a great idea - choose really bold doors in one color, add a white trim and then paint the walls around the area a great shade of purple. Colorful but since the colors don't bleed into one another it's got a great sense of refined style as well.
Private Comment
contemporary by Susan Diana Harris Interior Design
by Susan Diana Harris Interior Design
by Susan Diana Harris Interior Design
Want to get really interesting? Add another bold color to the space, such as the orange that we see here. It takes some design guts to do something like this but done right it can really work!
Private Comment
If a room filled with just purple and yellow is a bit too much for you then you're in luck. That's because there are a lot of colors in the spectrum that lie between these two bold colors. Include some pinks and copper coloring and you can create a sophisticated look that is still a little bit bold.
Private Comment
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Comments

lorraine says:
Opposite colours on the colour wheel are called complimentary (yellow and purple) and the not only compliment each other, but give a wow factor. So you could choose any two colours that are opposite and get the same effect, like blue and orange for example.
2 years ago ·
You actually have a good eye because they are complimentary colors - look at a color wheel! See also blue and orange and red and green (think Christmas!).


Teri Koss, Design Studio
2 years ago ·
If you like purple and yellow together you must check out this house, originally featured in Canadian House and Home Magazine. It's one of my all-time favorites - it converted me to yellow - and a brilliant example of this color combo. I included one of the pics but the links below (my blog post about it - from a very long time ago - and the original article) have more.

http://fourwallsandaroof.com/2009/05/31/could-i-do-yellow/
http://www.houseandhome.com/design/gallery-emily-walkers-charming-home
2 years ago ·
i like the black and white bedroom, it looks amazing.
2 years ago ·
wonderful taste in the color combination
2 years ago ·
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