Which Color Combinations Should We Choose?

One of the key challenges in both residential painting and commercial painting is combining colors effectively. Many people aren’t sure how to blend different colors or create various color combinations. If you’re looking for the best color combinations for your home or business, follow this article to the end.

Color is a powerful tool in your hands. Through color combinations, you can breathe life into designs and projects, whether you’re a beginner or a professional. Colors evoke emotions and influence our perceptions, making them the most potent tool for design, especially in interior painting and exterior painting.

With millions of colors available, how can you choose the best color combinations for your work? In the following sections, we’ll explore color theory and review different color combinations so you can draw inspiration and use colors in the best possible way. For more expert tips and services, visit ‘Top Painters‘.

Color Combination

Why is color combination important? What exactly does color combination do? Frankly, color combination forms the basis of architectural and artistic colors. Without understanding color combinations, you can’t achieve your desired colors. Using various combinations of colors makes it easier to reach the color you want. So, let’s acknowledge that understanding color combinations and learning the principles of different color combinations is crucial.

So far, we’ve accepted that color combination is fundamental to achieving various architectural and artistic colors. However, how can different color combinations be achieved? Firstly, colors are classified into three primary categories: primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. Primary colors include yellow, red, and blue. By combining these primary colors pairwise, secondary colors are created.

For example, combining blue and red creates purple, and combining red and yellow results in orange. Therefore, combinations of primary colors form secondary colors.

Conversely, combining secondary colors with primary colors produces tertiary colors. Thus, tertiary colors are created by blending secondary and primary colors. Moreover, once you’ve created different colors, you can combine each with another to achieve the desired new color.

Best Color Combinations

Generally, there is no absolute ‘best’ among color combinations because everyone has a preference for specific colors. However, annually, some experts in the field of colors specify the best color combinations for building decoration, clothing, cabinets, and more. This is usually based on trends to neutralize the theme of the previous year.

For instance, the year following the near-end of the COVID-19 pandemic, the color of the year was announced as ‘scarlet red’. Psychologically, this color symbolizes warmth and energy to start anew. Therefore, the choice of the best color combinations can vary depending on circumstances.

Unique Color Combinations

Some color combinations add a special touch to home decor and wall painting. For example, the color of the year 2024, introduced as ‘peach’. Although this color may not have as many fans as red, blue, or pink, due to its unique and cheerful nature, it’s the best choice for the new year.

On the other hand, unique color combinations can be tailored to different tastes. However, there’s a clear example in this regard that can illustrate the concept of unique color combinations further.

In 2024, Apple introduced the color ‘Natural Titanium’ for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This color, although unique and distinctive, was often mistaken for gray, but it’s presented as an independent color. While it falls under the grayish-taupe color family, it has its own complete character. Therefore, one of the features of unique colors is their new and distinct names.

Choosing Colors

Many believe that the toughest part of color combination is choosing the desired colors. That means you must select them before blending them together. However, this also depends on each person’s preference. A color that you were a die-hard fan of in 2023 might be considered ordinary for you this year.

Therefore, choosing the right color is crucial and should be decided on a daily basis. If you know the purpose of your color combination, choosing a color will certainly become easier. Each color has its own unique meaning and significance.

Color Theory and Color Wheel

First, let’s delve into color theory and the color wheel. Understanding color theory and the color wheel helps you grasp why specific color combinations complement each other well. “Colorology” teaches us the psychological effects of each color and how our brain interprets them.

Color Theory, the Science of Using Colors

Color theory is both an art and a science of using colors. Research has shown that color has psychological effects on human behavior and thoughts.

For artists and designers, color theory comprises a set of rules and guidelines they use to create engaging color schemes to connect with users through visual designs.

Color Theory, Impact on Moods and Emotions

You’ve probably seen the color wheel before. It was first designed by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666. Newton understood how colors are perceived by the human eye and how they combine to create pleasing compositions; thus, he categorized primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.

Primary Colors: Red, Yellow, Blue

Secondary Colors: Orange, Green, Purple (these colors are created by combining primary colors)

Tertiary Colors: Red-Orange, Yellow-Orange, Yellow-Green, Blue-Green, Blue-Purple, Red-Purple (these colors are created by combining primary and secondary colors)

Our relationship with “varieties of color” psychologically and collectively throughout society, gives meaning and creates successful symbolic branding. Like red and white for Coca-Cola. For a better understanding, imagine drawing a line through the middle of the color wheel. You’ll notice a distinction between warm colors (red, orange, and yellow) and cool colors (blue, green, and purple). Warm colors typically convey energy, brightness, or life, while cool colors convey a sense of calmness.

Complementary colors are those positioned on opposite sides of the color wheel. Combining these colors creates a high-contrast effect that grabs attention and leaves a significant impact. For example: Red and Green, Yellow and Purple, Orange and Blue.

Analogous color combinations create a sense of balance and harmony. Typically, one of these colors serves as the background. For example: Yellow, Yellow-Green, and Green; Purple, Red-Purple, and Red; Red, Red-Orange, and Orange; Blue, Blue-Purple, and Purple.

Color Combination Suggestions

Royal Blue and Peach: The combination of royal blue and peach creates a harmonious balance. Peach, with its soft and spring-like hue, complements the regal feel of royal blue. The duality in this color combination is very attractive.
Charcoal and Yellow: Charcoal and yellow (or black and yellow) are one of the most versatile color combinations. Due to their high-contrast nature, they complement each other surprisingly well. This combination is highly effective for logo design or product labeling.
Red and Yellow: Another combination of vibrant colors is red and yellow. This pair of complementary colors represents happiness and excitement. This color combination is essential to bring out the vibrancy and warmth in your “interior painting” scheme.
Lime Green and Bright Blue: Lime green and bright blue convey energy and youthfulness. When these two bright colors are combined, especially for logos and fashion design, they work exceptionally well.
Blue and White: Another classic color combination is blue and white. This pairing conveys tranquility, ease, and trust, evoking the feeling of looking at a sunny morning sky. Blue and white are ideal for branding colors in the healthcare and childcare industries.
Hot Pink and Turquoise: Turquoise can be part of the softer colors that, when combined with bold and vibrant hot pink, attract everyone’s attention. These bright color combinations also represent high emotional contrast, making them very appealing to the viewer.

Continuing with a few more combinations, we hope these color combinations inspire your work:

Light Blue and Dark Blue
Sky Blue and Bubblegum Pink
Cherry Red and Soft Pink
Green and White
Yellow and Green
Beige, Dark Brownish-Black, and Yellowish-Brown
Royal Blue and Pale Yellow
Blue, Brown, and Navy
Red, Light Olive, and Light Aqua Blue