What Are Contrasting Colors? (And How To Use Them)
Color is one of the most powerful tools you have when decorating your home, and few color techniques have as much visual impact as contrast. Whether you're choosing a bold accent wall, refreshing your kitchen cabinets, or trying to make a room feel more dynamic, understanding how contrasting colors work gives you a real design advantage.
At Packard Paint Decorating Centers, we've been helping local homeowners and contractors pick colors that work exquisitely together for over 70 years. And so our team compiled this guide on what you need to know about contrasting colors when it comes to interior design.
What Are Contrasting Colors?
Contrasting colors, also called complementary colors, are color pairs that sit opposite of one another on the standard color wheel. Because of their opposing positions, these hues create strong visual tension when placed next to each other, making each one appear more vivid and vibrant than it would on its own.
The classic complementary pairs are:
Red and green.
Blue and orange.
Yellow and purple.
What Are Classic Contrasting Color Pairs?
Let’s explore a few of the most typical complementary pairings, briefly mentioned above, to help you decide which direction suits your home and interior design style:
Red and Green
Red and green is the pairing most folks think of first, though it rarely shows up in home interiors the way it does on a color wheel. In practice, you're working with toned-down versions, such as a deep forest-green wall with cranberry or brick-red accents. This way, it feels warm and traditional rather than holiday festive.
Benjamin Moore Brick Red 2084-10 is a stunning, muted red that pairs beautifully with Benjamin Moore Black Forest Green HC-187.
Yellow and Purple
Yellow and purple are a pairing that brings energy and creativity to a space. In softer forms, including a pale butter yellow alongside a dusty lavender, this combination feels fresh and artistic without being overwhelming.
Benjamin Moore Lemon Ice 2024-70, alongside Benjamin Moore Lavender Mist 2070-60, creates a bright, cheerful atmosphere that works especially well in creative spaces, home offices, or children's rooms.
Blue and Orange
Blue and orange are the most versatile contrasting pair for interiors. Deep navy with warm caramel or burnt orange accents is a combination that feels polished and current.
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy HC-154 is a perennial bestseller that pairs beautifully with warm wood tones, Benjamin Moore Baked Terra Cotta 1202, and cognac leather in a living room or study.
How to Use Contrasting Colors on Your Walls
You can introduce contrast into a room through your wall color choices. An accent wall in a complementary color instantly changes a space's energy without requiring a full repaint. Choosing the wall that anchors the room, usually behind a sofa, bed, or fireplace, is the most common and effective approach.
You can also use a contrasting color on your trim, molding, or ceiling to create a more subtle but intentional effect. Painting window trim or door frames in a color that contrasts with the wall color frames the architecture of the room and gives it visual definition.
Find Contrasting Colors in Interior Paint Near New Castle, PA
Whether you're planning a full room refresh or just looking for the right paint color to bring a contrasting color idea to life, our team at Packard Paint Decorating Centers is here to help.
Contact us to find interior paint near New Castle, PA, and we can pull up the full Benjamin Moore paint collection to help you test complementary combinations in sample form.
Packard Paint Decorating Centers is a family-owned paint and window treatment business that has three locations and proudly serves Greenville, Hermitage, New Castle, Meadville, and Grove City, PA.