Choosing the right color combination is important, because you don’t want to set the wrong mood and you certainly don’t want a color combination that is off-putting or confusing to the eye.
We briefly explain the science behind choosing the right mix of colors, and then give you 120 beautiful color combinations including:
Bright color combinations
... and so much more. Let's jump right in!
The science of combining colors
Believe it or not, there’s a science to creating good color combinations and it’s actually not complicated to grasp. All you need is the color wheel, and an understanding of five different combination styles that each has its own place in your bag of tricks.
Complementary color combination
Complementary refers to a two-color combination design where the colors are opposite from each other on the color wheel. The two colors complement each other through their contrast, which allows each color to stand out.
Monochromatic color combination
Monochromatic refers to a combination of different shades, tones and tints of the same color, by adding black, white or grey to the original color. A monochromatic color combination is traditional and subtle.
Triadic color combination
Triadic colors refers to a 3-color combination that forms a perfect triangle on the color wheel. There’s not as much contrast as there is with complementary colors, but there’s enough to let each color do its thing.
Analogous color combination
Analogous is another 3-color combination, this time colors that are adjacent to each other on the colour wheel. With this color combination, it’s best to make one color dominant and use the others as accents.
Tetradic color combination
Tetradic refers to a 4-color combination where the colors are placed in a perfect square around the color wheel (essentially two pairs of complementary colors). To achieve balance with so many colors, it’s best to keep one color dominant and use the rest as accents.
Color combination based on nature
Sometimes nature knows best. If you find a good color combination that appears somewhere in nature, chances are it’s a winning combination, as you can see from the examples in many of the examples that follow.
Nature and Wildlife Inspirations
1. Sunset Glow
Shutterstock/Mark Harpur It’s hard to beat the spectacular color palette that a sunset creates. In this color palette, the fiery orange of the sun setting on a beach in Mexico adds a stunning contrast to the subdued purple of the sky and reflection on the sea. It’s a good color combination to use when you want to add vibrance to your designs.
2. Purple Skies
Shutterstock/Vincentiu Solomon This is the perfect dark and light color combination. The eye-catching image was taken in Cima d’Asta in Scurelle, Italy and features a range of purple tones and black edges, creating a subdued and sultry tone. The defined white streak of the shooting star adds a contrast to the softness of the colors in this palette, a perfect sultry combination.
3. Restrained & Cool
Unsplash/Jeff King Another dark and light color combination, this collection of dark ash grays and grayish blues creates a color palette that is restrained and cool. The darkness of this scene in Kula, United States is relieved by the shades of red in the centre, the touch of green in the foreground and the blue sky in the background. This color combination is perfect for a somber design theme.
4. Pebbled Grays
Unsplash/Jeremy Cai The pebbles strewn across in various shades of gray, brown and black create a rough yet restrained texture in the foreground while the foamy water in the background adds a soft contrast to the scene. This beautiful color combination is versatile and can be applied for a wide range of projects, ideal for website design.
5. Flaming & Fiery
Unsplash/dade72 The white hot rays of the sun highlight the flaming and fiery sand colors in Monument Valley. The golden sand shimmers in the blazing sunlight while the few stone sculptures provide some relief to the otherwise stark landscape. This good color combination is ideal for bold and warm designs.
6. Cool River Blues
Unsplash/Leo Rivos-Micoud This color combination pictured in Tsunan, Japan, is a classic example of a monochromatic color scheme. Every element, from the flowing and swirling waters to the rocks in the background feature different shades, tones and tints of aqua blue. It’s the perfect color scheme to use when you’re after a cool color combination.
7. Moss Watery Greens
Flickr/Moyann Brenn The color combination featured in the little waterfall of Cascate Del Monte Gelato in Italy, perfectly encapsulates the dramatic contrasts found in nature. The varying shades of green, from mossy green to dark bottle green add a certain coolness to the brilliant blue shades and the subdued patch of brown. This beautiful color combination is perfect for any daring and bold project.
8. Earthly & Natural
Flickr/Moyann Brenn The contrasting interplay between the brown rocks and green trees makes for a stunning natural scene in Bryce Canyon in Utah. In a brown and green color scheme, this color scheme is both natural and earthly. This color combination makes for a warm palette in any design.
9. Bold & Strong
Flickr/Paul Bica
The use of primary colors in this shot of Napali, Hawaii, gives the image a bold and strong appearance. Applying the primary colors of red, blue, yellow and green adds for a unique touch to your designs. The primary color wheel is often used in business branding for a reason – they are often perceived by consumers as representing confidence and trust.
10. Bright & Fresh
Flickr/Mirai Takahashi A row of pretty dark pink flowers atop long light green stalks is reminiscent of the new beginnings that spring brings. The color combination is feminine yet bold. Taken in Hitachi Seaside Park, Japan, this image features the perfect color combination for a fresh and bright color combination.
11. Floating Ice
Shutterstock/Shaiith Varying shades of cool, glacial blues dominate this shot of stunning icebergs floating on the lake in Iceland. With this choice of colors, nobody can mistake the message you are trying to convey in the shot. Use this monochromatic color scheme when you want to express visions of minimalism, peace, serenity or icy coolness.
12. Vivid Sunlight
Shutterstock/Creative Travel Projects This combination of vivid colors breaks the all-white that typically dominates winter scenes. The dark, dramatic oranges and yellows of the sun set in the background give this winter scene in Ukraine a fantastic energy and vitality, perfect for any bright project.
13. Spring Blooming
Shutterstock/Andrew Mayovskyy The carpet of pink blooming rhododendron flowers adds a bright, colorful touch to an otherwise subdued background in the Carpathians. It’s a perfect palette of colors when you want to illustrate ‘the calm after the storm’ for a light design feel.
14. Frosty Winter
Shutterstock/elen_studio The sparkly white of this frosty winter scene adds a cool touch to the image. As it is, the choice of colors and effects in this winter scenery in a city park adds the perfect magical touch to any of your projects.
15. Autumn Glow
Shutterstock/Sunny Forest Nothing says autumn better than golden and rust colored leaves. The light color combination that makes up this autumn landscape has almost every color of the season - rust, gold, brown, green and yellow. Choose from these colors for your next project for bright color combinations.
16. Coral Tones
Shutterstock/Brian Kinney Shot in the Red Sea in Egypt, a medley of vibrant colors brings this underwater scene to life beautifully. The deep, rich blue waters in the background act as a beautiful foil to the range of bright colors in the foreground. This rich color combination is perfect for any creative project.
17. Oak & Ash
Shutterstock/let ideas compete Even a pile of fallen leaves can make for a great color combination. Fallen leaves in a range of browns interspersed within oranges, greens, reds and yellows makes for a shot that is rustic and colorful. Give your rustic projects a touch of color with this gorgeous palette.
18. Peachy Roses
Flickr/jay
Looking for an impactful color palette? This color combination features a bright mix of greens and warm reds, providing a great energy to your project. The playoff is perfect for a fresh touch to any design that is natural and bright.
19. Pretty & Pink
Unsplash/Mona Eandra Are you looking to add a feminine touch to your designs? A bunch of flowers colored in various shades of pink is unmistakably feminine. A light color combination of various pink shades will help you add a bright touch to your designs.
20. Shades of Green
Flickr/Reflected Serendipity The different shades of green found in this plant in Oasis, Sussex adds a refreshing and calming touch to any project. This fresh foundation is a great color combination for any bright and clean design.
21. Subdued & Subtle
Flickr/Juan Rabiano The foaming waterfall creates a starkly dramatic contrast to an otherwise subdued and subtle scene. The Autumn season is evident in this color combination with shades of brown, orange and yellow.
22. Shades of Blue
Shutterstock/Annmarie The medley of light blue petals with their strong blue outline gives the shot a look that is cool and prominent. This dark and light color combination is perfect for a design project in which you want to make a strong impact.
23. Vibrant & Fresh
Shutterstock/allstars A bouquet of tulips features a color palette with a variety of vibrant yellows, purples, reds and greens. If you want to achieve a look of summer freshness in your next project, choose any combination of colors from this palette or use them all!
24. Sunny Yellow
Flickr/Sara McLeod
These flowers feature multiple shades of yellow that add a sunny and bright feel to any design. Use this light color combination to add a burst of energy to your project. You may choose to combine it with the darker yellow and orange tones to add contrast to your designs.
25. Forest Greens
Shutterstock/Ruslan Ivantsov Looking for colors that will help emphasize your environmentally friendly mission? A color palette consisting of leafy greens and woody browns will help you achieve this vision. Include only dark greens and browns if you are going for a subdued look. Add a touch of lime green to the design if you want to brighten things up a notch.
26. Fiery Oranges
Flickr/albadros1 This spectacular color combination of bright yellows and fiery oranges reflects the colors of the sun setting on a bright and cloudless day. Use this color combination for your design projects if you want to add an energetic and bold touch.
27. Spring Pastels
Shutterstock/Anna-Mari West The bouquet of spring tulips in pastel shades depicts grace and femininity. The vintage vase and background in different shades of light blue adds to the pastel palette. Choose this light color combination if you want your design project to evoke a sense of femininity and grace.
28. Bold Purples
Shutterstock/Roxana Bashyrova Crisp purple hues compliment each other beautifully in this superb monochromatic image of spring lilac violet flowers. The lighter shades of purple act as a perfect counterfoil that highlight and accent the deeper, darker violet tones.
29. Tropical
Shutterstock/Fotozotti Tropical colors are showcased beautifully in this colorful wedding bouquet of summer flowers. The combination of oranges, pinks and greens is unmistakably tropical and the wooden container gives the entire scene a look that is rustic and colorful.
30. Pink Blossom
Shutterstock/iravgustin Pink blossoms herald the beginning of spring. Applying this color palette to your designs is a great way to add softer shades of pink that suggest femininity. Browns sprinkled within the sea of pink blossom will give more character and depth to an otherwise all-pink scheme that can be overpowering.
31. Asian Inspiration
Shutterstock/Evgeny Atamanenko A black ground interspersed with scarlet creates a vivid two-toned dark color combination that is stark and stunning. This is the perfect color combination for your branding needs and adds a dramatic contrast that is sure to get any customers attention.
32. Shell Shades
Shutterstock/Olleg Are you looking for a bright color combination? The soft off-whites, pinks, beiges and purple colors of these shells are versatile and can be used for a light and soft touch to your design projects.
33. Mother of Pearl
Shutterstock/Lost Mountain Studio The shimmering peach and light green pearls on a mother of pearl shell is an opulent choice of colors. Use this color scheme for a design that suggests elegance, sophistication and luxury - a magical touch for any project.
34. Blossom
Shutterstock/pavelgr This all-pastel color scheme is soft and gentle. Pastel shades work wonderfully for designs that aim for a refreshing touch. This color combination is perfect for invitations to special events and baby showers.
35. Mushroom Browns
Shutterstock/bikeriderlondon Are you looking to add an organic touch to your designs? Earthy browns and greens can be a great way to bring out natural color combinations in your project. Add a darker color for contrast to make your color palette pop from the page.
36. Dandelion
Shutterstock/Brian A Jackson Are you looking for a dark color palette for your next design? This color combination adds a darker touch to any project. The combination of browns, greys and blacks can be a great dynamic to your website, blog or business card design.
37. Classic Color Wheel
Shutterstock/Super Prin The combination of deep, rich blues complemented by vibrant yellows, fiery red and specks of green creates a rich color palette that exudes happiness, energy and exuberance. This rich color combination is a great choice for your branding and design needs.
38. Leopard Print
Shutterstock/Ondrej Prosicky The leopard-like combination of the orange, yellow and black colors are commonly seen in fashion for color schemes such as that of shoes. However, Leopard prints are also extremely eye-catching on their own and this color combination can be used for other purposes such as to complement a rainforest conservation site or perhaps a logo for a zoo program.
39. Butterfly Tones
Unsplash/Boris Smokrovic The exotic colorations of the butterfly with its varying shades of yellow, from a soft to a bright tinge contrasts effectively with the pale, blue from the opposite end of the color circle. This is a wonderful color palette to use for an outdoor scenery to add a gentle tone of happiness.
40. Lime Greens
Flickr/Rushen The vivid green of the frog is almost the same color of the leaf that it has settled upon. The difference between the two is the contract in the slight change in shade that affects the textures. This is a perfect example of how to use textures to create drama in a scene composed of one color scheme.
41. Light & Airy
Flickr/Ricky Kharawala What do you imagine when you think pink, airy and light brown? I can imagine a nice warm cappuccino sitting right in front of me. The light brown froth, the little white, pinkish heart shape, smoothly integrated into image creates a soft sweetness.
42. Cool Tones
Unsplash/Steven Diaz The medley of cool tones with the smoky grey veil gives the shot a sense of peace and serenity. The soft brown, seen in the monkeys, adds little blobs of color to an otherwise monochromatic color scheme. It’s a great choice of colors when you want to depict quiet solitude or even mystery.
43. Starlight
Flickr/Jonatan Pie Purple and white is a match made up in heaven. More specifically up far out in space. With the black from the arctic fox's eyes you got the darkness of space, the purple is one of the many colors you see in nebulas and the white is the speckles of stars. It's a perfect palette for a lovely composition of space!
44. Crisp & Fresh
Unsplash/Boris Smokrovic This is an absolutely gorgeous and versatile combination of colors. The brilliant orange dominates the shot and is highlighted by shimmering green and the kingfisher’s long brown beak. This combination works well together and creates a crisp and clear finish to the imagery.
45. Golden Locks
Flickr/Caleb Fisher The golden browns of this color scheme creates a lovely sense of peace and serenity to the imagery. The varying shades starting at a soft pink tone to the darker brown shadow creates charm without unnecessary contrast and color domination.
46. Monkey Business
Unsplash/Quentin DrIndonesia