Colors play a key role in interior design, influencing the atmosphere, optical impressions, and the well-being of the inhabitants. One of the most interesting color schemes is complementary contrast. Properly combining complementary colors can give a space a dynamic, harmonious, or dramatic character, depending on the proportions and context.

What Are Complementary Colors?

Complementary colors are those that lie opposite each other on the color wheel. They enhance each other and create a striking contrast. Example pairs include:

• Blue and Orange
• Red and Green
• Yellow and Purple

When placed next to each other, these colors appear more intense and attract attention, while when mixed, they create muted shades of brown or gray.

How to Use Complementary Colors in Interior Design?

The Principle of Dominance and Accents – One color should dominate, and the other should appear as an accent.

Examples:

• Navy blue walls + orange pillows
• Light green sofa + red pillows
• Yellow accents in the form of lamps or curtains against lavender walls

This ensures the interior remains harmonious, and the colors don't overwhelm.

Complementary Colors in Different Interior Styles

• Modern and Industrial – Graphite or dark blue paired with orange through furniture or brick.
• Classic and Glamour – Purple fabrics and gold accents.
• Boho and Scandinavian – Soft green walls with red decorations.
• Rustic – Brick walls with bottle green and wooden elements.
• Minimalist – Dominant neutral color (e.g., white) with subtle contrasting accents, such as turquoise chairs against light gray background.

Impact on Interior Perception

• Brightening the Space – Pastel blue with a peach accent visually enlarges the room.
• Creating Depth and Dynamics – Turquoise walls and copper accessories add elegance.
• Increasing Coziness – A warm combination of olive green and brick red makes the space feel more inviting.

Additional Inspirations for Using Complementary Colors

• Kitchen: White or gray cabinets with navy accents and orange details, e.g., plant pots.
• Bedroom: Muted purple walls with soft gold or yellow accents in the form of lamps and textiles.
• Bathroom: Turquoise tiles with copper fixtures.
• Home Office: Green walls with mahogany desk and red accessories, such as books or decorative frames.

Common Mistakes in Using Complementary Colors

• Too Intense Contrasts – Saturated colors in large amounts can overwhelm. It’s essential to introduce neutral elements, like white, gray, or beige backgrounds.
• Lack of Proper Proportions – Follow the 60-30-10 rule: 60% dominant color (walls), 30% complementary color (furniture), and 10% accents (decorations, lamps).
• Inadequate Lighting – Colors may look different in natural and artificial light, so it’s advisable to test them in different lighting conditions.

What Materials Best Highlight Complementary Colors?

The right materials can further emphasize the effect of complementary contrast. In modern interiors, glass and metal beautifully highlight the intensity of colors, for example, blue walls with copper accessories or orange accents against cool graphite. In rustic style, wood and brick enhance natural color combinations, such as bottle green and brick red. Soft fabrics, such as velvet or satin, intensify the elegance of contrasting duos, such as purple and gold in glamour style. Copper, often used in furniture handles or lamps, works excellently with green and turquoise, creating striking yet harmonious combinations. Ceramic tiles in complementary colors can become an eye-catching decorative element in kitchens or bathrooms, highlighting the intensity and character of the interior.

Summary – How to Effectively Use Complementary Colors?

1. Choose one color as the dominant and the other as the accent.
2. Match the palette to the interior style – muted shades for elegant setups, saturated ones for modern spaces.
3. Pay attention to balance and proportions to avoid chaos.
4. Test colors under different lighting conditions before making a final decision.

Complementary colors are an excellent tool in interior design – when used correctly, they make a space functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Plan the Perfect Color Palette for Your Interior

Choosing the right colors is a key element of successful interior design. If you want to ensure that your space is harmonious and stylish, use the Cerames color simulator.

This intuitive tool allows you to:

• Choose a color in three ways – you can use the color wheel, pick a shade from your own photo, or get inspired by a gallery of ready-made designs.
• Discover color harmonies – you can check the names of selected colors and ready-made color schemes, such as complementary, triadic, tetradic, analogous, or monochromatic colors, along with their shades, lightness, and tones.
• Freely match colors – compare different schemes and discover harmonious combinations that will work best for your interior before committing to a specific color.

With our color simulator, you can create a beautiful, cohesive, and aesthetically pleasing space.