What Paint Color Goes With Red

Elegant gold warms red and elevates plaid from casual country to refined luxury.

Pure primary red can be successfully paired with a variety of colors. When tints (levels of white), shades (levels of black) and tones (levels of gray) are added to basic red, the hue changes and opens up new color combinations.

Cool and Bright

Dazzle the eye by pairing blue-reds with bright, shocking pinks and oranges. Consider dark or dove gray along with black for a sophisticated modern look. Turquoise with crisp red has a posh, retro vibe.

Warm and Autumnal

Tomato red, blood orange red and cadmium red suit a warm palette of colors. Tobacco browns, golden yellows and dusty pinks will keep the heat of the red tasteful and pleasing. Other possibilities include olive green and warm gray.

Muted Medium

If you have a singular piece or a small amount of clear, raspberry red, choosing periwinkle, violet or aqua will add instant energy. Sage is a way to bring green into the scheme without invoking Christmas.

Nearly Nautical

The Americana combination of red, white and blue is a decorating classic. Fresh white makes red pop. Try a navy and white stripe.

References

• Color Matters: Color Theory
• Tiger Color: Color Theory