How to Choose Stunning Color Combinations: Expert Tips for Artists, Crafters, Florists, and Fashionistas

Are you an artist looking for the perfect palette, a crochetier seeking harmonious yarn colors, or someone simply trying to pair clothes that look great together? Choosing the right color combination can often feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be! By understanding a few basic color schemes from the color wheel, anyone can effortlessly create beautiful, balanced designs.

In this blog, we’ll explore 7 easy-to-understand color schemes and provide plenty of examples, so you can confidently pick colors for your next project, whether it’s a painting, a crochet piece, or a floral arrangement.

1. Complementary Color Scheme

This scheme uses two colors that are directly opposite each other on the color wheel. Complementary colors create a strong contrast and make each other stand out.

Examples:

• Crimson Red and Sage Green

• Royal Blue and Warm Orange

• Lemon Yellow and Violet Purple

• Deep Teal and Coral Pink

• Forest green and Peach

These combinations are great for making bold statements, like a vibrant painting or a striking outfit.

2. Analogous Color Scheme

Analogous colors are next to each other on the color wheel, creating a harmonious and pleasing look. This scheme is perfect for creating a calm and unified design.

Examples:

• Sky Blue, Aqua, and Seafoam Green

• Sunset Orange, Amber, and Golden Yellow

• Lavender, Lilac, and Soft Pink

• Olive Green, Moss Green, and Lime

• Navy Blue, Denim, and Teal

This scheme works well for nature-inspired projects, such as floral arrangements or landscape paintings.

3. Triadic Color Scheme

A triadic scheme uses three colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel. This creates a vibrant and balanced look.

Examples:

• Scarlet Red, Golden Yellow, and Sky Blue

• Magenta, Turquoise, and Mustard

• Cobalt Blue, Tangerine, and Fern Green

• Coral, Mint Green, and Navy

• Cherry Red, Powder Blue, and Lemon

Triadic color schemes are great for crochet projects, where a playful and lively color palette is desired.

4. Split-Complementary Color Scheme

This scheme is a variation of the complementary scheme. It uses one base color and two adjacent colors to its complement. It offers high contrast without being as intense as the complementary scheme.

Examples:

• Navy Blue, Coral, and Peach

• Olive Green, Lavender, and Soft Pink

• Burnt Orange, Teal, and Aqua

• Burgundy, Sage, and Blush Pink

• Plum, Mustard Yellow, and Sky Blue

This scheme is perfect for pairing clothes or designing vibrant yet balanced bouquets.

5. Monochromatic Color Scheme

Monochromatic color schemes use different shades, tints, and tones of a single color. They are soothing and easy on the eyes, creating a cohesive look.

Examples:

• Light Blue, Baby Blue, and Navy

• Blush Pink, Rose, and Burgundy

  Mint Green, Seafoam, and Emerald

• Pale Yellow, Lemon, and Gold

• Light Grey, Charcoal, and Black

This scheme works well for minimalist designs and projects with a clean, modern aesthetic.

6. Square Color Scheme

The square color scheme uses four colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel. It offers a diverse range of colors while maintaining balance.

Examples:

Purple, Red, Green, and Yellow

Teal, Orange, Maroon, and Olive

Sky Blue, Rose Pink, Mustard, and Plum

Navy, Coral, Lime, and Lavender

Mint, Scarlet, Violet, and Gold

Square schemes are fantastic for vibrant, eclectic designs where you want a mix of warm and cool tones.

7. Tetradic (Double-Complementary) Color Scheme

Tetradic schemes use two pairs of complementary colors, creating a rich and dynamic palette. It’s best used when you want a variety of colors that still look cohesive. To create tetradic colours, choose a base colour. Find the complement of the base color directly across the colour wheel, this will be your second color.   From the base color, move 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise on the color wheel to select the third color. Find the complement of this third color directly across the wheel. This will be your fourth color.

Examples:

• Coral, Teal, Gold, and Lavender

• Navy, Peach, Olive, and Burgundy

• Aqua, Rust, Plum, and Mint

• Royal Blue, Marigold, Forest Green, and Rose Pink

• Violet, Lime Green, Red, and Cyan

This scheme is ideal for complex designs, like detailed paintings or multi-colored crochet blankets.

How to Choose the Right Color Combination: Helpful Tips

• Start with a Base Color: Choose a color that you love or one that fits the purpose of your project. For example, if you want a calming vibe, go for blues or greens; for energy, try reds or oranges.

• Consider the Mood You Want to Create: Each color evokes different emotions. Warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) create a sense of energy and excitement, while cool colors (blues, greens, purples) give a feeling of calm and relaxation. Decide on the mood you want your project to convey and select colors accordingly.

• Test with Small Swatches: If you’re unsure about a combination, try it out on a small area first. This works well for painters (use a canvas corner), crochetier (make a small swatch), or even when pairing clothes (lay them side by side).

• Follow the 60-30-10 Rule: For home decor or fashion, use the 60-30-10 rule: 60% of the dominant color, 30% of a secondary color, and 10% of an accent color. This creates a balanced and pleasing look.

• Use Online Tools for Inspiration: Websites and apps like Adobe Color, Colors, and Pinterest can help you experiment with different color schemes and find combinations you love.

• Take Inspiration from Nature: Look around you—nature offers some of the most beautiful color combinations. Think of the soft hues of a sunset, the bright colors of a flower bouquet, or the varied greens of a forest.

  
  

Final Thoughts

Understanding color schemes is a powerful tool for anyone working with colors, whether you’re designing a room, painting a canvas, or planning a crochet project. With the examples provided, you’ll be able to confidently mix and match colors to create stunning, harmonious combinations.

Ready to take your color choices to the next level? Subscribe to our newsletter for more tips, follow us on Instagram for daily inspiration, and visit our online shop to discover handmade, eco-friendly decor that’s designed with these color schemes in mind. Let’s bring more color into your life, mindfully and beautifully!