Unique Color Combination: Orange and Blue

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 was watching Project Runway recently when one of the designers was chastised for making the mistake of putting blue and orange together in a single outfit. The judges felt like these colors just were not complimentary. While I understand their point of view, I have to confess that there was something wildly appealing to me about this odd color combination.

Would I go out on the town wearing blue and orange together? I'm not sure that I could pull it off without looking ridiculous. However, I do think I could easily combine these colors in my home to make a really unique feeling for the house.

The thing about using such bold colors is that you have to take some time to get it right. Play around with it. Figure out which other colors should be introduced into the mix to tone down the brashness or highlight the potential softness in this color combination.
modern living room by maison21
by maison21
by maison21
A great way of introducing such bold colors into a room is to make them your statement pieces. The orange fire stove and the blue globe really stand out in a pleasant way in this mostly white room.
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Alternatively, one of the colors could make up the bulk of a room's design while the other color provides the accents. In this case, a peach-toned orange is the main color and it makes those blue lamps really pop.
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Orange and blue combined together alone can be a bit too bold for many people. Add in black and you get a little bit of a Halloween feeling. However, add in white as well and you get a really modern interesting feeling. The unique headboard is an added bonus to the great color selection on this bed!
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This is probably the best example yet of how these two colors can truly compliment each other. If you can find an upholstery or curtain that works both colors into a single design then you have a great starting point for decorating the room.
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Here's another example of using pillows to pull off this color combination. I love how the pillow design is replicated in the rug, even though the coloring is not, helping to streamline the whole look. The curtains really finish the room off nicely.
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You can use little collections to put these colors together. Books with blue and orange covers could be paired together on a shelf, for example.
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The pale, almost grey-ish blue, of the wall here is a perfect choice for showing off the bolder orange coloring of the framed art and the side table.
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That faded blue antique cabinet is a wonderful statement piece. It's pulled into the room with a matching blue rug. The orange chair in between them makes this space a more interesting one to look at.
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Consider changing the color of your walls to match this new color combination. Of course, you don't want garish bold walls but a tinge of either color into a white wall would make a big difference in pulling the whole room together.
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contemporary living room by Amoroso Design
by Amoroso Design
by Amoroso Design
If it's too much to think about painting a whole room in these colors then definitely think about the power of the accent wall. Use the other color to decorate the rest of the room.
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Comments

I kind of love that combination! It does remind me a little of Syracuse, but you're right - with the right tone and mix of colors it totally works...
2 years ago ·
sensoc14 says:
i saw that comment on project runway, and i agree with you -- orange and blue can work!
2 years ago ·
I love this combo, especially turquoise and orange and the light blue and orange!
2 years ago ·
As an artist, I find that one of the colors need to be dominant. The complementary color should be an accent. Orange and Blue are complementary colors. Yellow and Purple, and Green and Red are too. One of the principles which is a must to follow: they should be the same value. Like Pink and Limegreen, and Deep Red and a Dark Forrest Green. Both are different values of the same color complements. If this is unfamiliar language to you, get a color wheel and study the terminology, because color theory applies to everything from fashion, to interior design, to landscaping, to cooking, to art. Although the effect of color is right brain emotional, the manipulation of it is left brain science.
Aloha from Hawaii, Thomas Deir
www.thomasdeir.com
2 years ago ·
rpkenia says:
Those project runway folks must have had silly for breakfast -- blue and orange are compliments of each other on the color wheel, and so of course can look outstanding together!
2 years ago ·
lara_jane says:
As the last two comments pointed out, orange and blue are EXACTLY complimentary! Surely the PR people know this, as it's something totally basic; I think my son learned it in first grade! haha! Nothing odd or crazy about the combo at all!

I'm also in the minority of people who LOVE orange. It's so punchy and vibrant!
2 years ago ·
heartaday says:
The first thing I thought of when I saw the "blue and orange" title was project runway and so I was delighted when I saw this was inspired by that episode. Yeah, I think they need to get their eyes checked. I couldn't have pulled off those pants but I know people who could. And yes, I thought I would like a whole room in those colors.

I'm an artist, too, (with a degree, even). In my mind if it pleases you, that's enough. There are too many rules in the world as it is. I like to make art with bright, bold colors. In fact...I think I'll go off to make something equally dominant orange and blue right now!
2 years ago ·
maison21 says:
thanks so much for including my work in your line up! i agree with the other comments about orange and blue being complimentary colors that ALWAYS work great together. in fact, i am a firm believer that when used right, there isn't a color combo* on earth that isn't pretty- nature thinks nothing of throwing together any color of the rainbow together in the most unlikely of combinations, so why should we humans impose arbitrary rules?

*my exception might be red and green- depending on the shades used, it really can scream "christmas!" ;-)
2 years ago ·
mzcriz says:
I missed the Project Runway episode, but my first thought on seeing the introductory sentence was "Wha?" I thought it was well known that orange and blue complement each other. Maybe it's my Caribbean upbringing, but many color combinations that seem completely normal and beautiful to me seem outrageous and tacky to others. I love the combination of orange with turquoise or cobalt, especially when tempered with white.

I am planning to redo my bedroom in those colors: walls the blue of a Tiffany box, white coverings for my simple black iron 4-poster bed, pillows and other accents in orange and in a black and white African-influenced print , bamboo shades and white or sand-colored curtains at the windows. Only my husband and I have to like it, and I think we will.
2 years ago ·
smoore123 says:
Blue and Orange are complimentary last time I checked
5 months ago ·
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