What Colors Go With Red and Blue

It's Official: These Are the Best Colors That Go with Red

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Whether it's a power lip, a perfectly ripe Macintosh apple, or the bottoms of some super-fancy heels, the color red means business. Interior designers and color psychologists tend to say that this warm, fiery shade commands attention and exudes excitement. However, incorporating red into your home decor is sometimes easier said than done. Too much red has been said to increase heart rate, and while I'm not sure I buy that, it's definitely a high energy hue that isn't always right for certain spaces. Keep red to a minimum though, and it'll barely make a design dent.

Fortunately, pairing red with another color (or two!) can bridge the gap between subtle and statement. From moody blacks and bold blues to warm, sun-kissed complementary tones, the options that work with red are virtually endless—you just need to know where to start. Read on for some smart ways to decorate with this unapologetically loud color.

Red, Navy, and White: Classic Combination

There's a reason dozens of flags are red, white, and a deep, navy blue. According to interior designerTara McCauley, the combination just works. "Red, white, and blue is a classic combination, but as red and blue are both primary colors, when put side by side, the effect can be quite loud," she says. "I think a more sophisticated combination is primary red and a deep navy blue. "

Want to keep your room from veering into Flag Day territory? McCauley encourages you to keep it simple. "A graphic pattern like stripes might steer this color combination in a very obvious Americana direction, but sticking with a solids—and focusing on the interplay of matte and glossy textures—keeps things from looking too 'on-theme,'" she says.

Red and Turquoise: Bold and Beautiful

Consider red and turquoise the perfect combination for people who want to embrace their bold streak. These two vibrant shades are loud on their own but somehow, they neutralize each other when styled together. The end result with this pairing? A colorful room that's surprisingly soothing. "The tertiaries all look great with red," adds interior designer Fran Keenan. "It feels spunky and helps red relate to a coral reef, turquoise sea combo." Case in point: This Midwestern Victorian dining room, which feels quirky with its subtle, sea-colored chairs and red floral wallpaper. White trim and accents will help break up the intensity of these two power hues.

Red and Green: Joyful, Not Jolly

Since red and green are complementary colors, it's only natural that they'd pair nicely in your home. This Brooklyn space uses varying shades of green to keep the combination from feeling like a holiday card. If you're looking for an easy way to bring this color combination into your space, designers Janelle Hughes and Kim R. Williams of KJ Design & Mortar Styling recommend embracing your green thumb.

"By selecting more than one plant type, it helps ensure the contrast created by the greenery is not too jarring," the duo says. "Red and green can create levels of high contrast, depending on their level of saturation."

Red and Oranges: Subtle Warmth

Sometimes, the best design moments come when you choose a lane and stay in it. "Light waves are measured based on their energy and wavelength, and red is special because it has the longest wavelength and the least amount of energy," Hughes and Williams share. "As a color, it really represents the story of two extremes! That is part of the reason why we love to let red shine by pairing it with colors that are close in the color spectrum, including orange."

For a cool, modern vibe, combine red with various shades of orange and touches of neutral hues. With its bright tangerine cabinetry, pinkish-peach walls, and pops of navy and gray, this Barcelona home feels warm and welcoming—not overwhelming.

Red and Beige: Rustic Charm

Looking for a way to tame red's fiery quality? Add some beige to the mix. "We like to pair [red] with warm neutrals to bring some balance to the strong hue," explains Elizabeth Rees, founder of wallpaper company Chasing Paper. Admittedly, beige gets a bad rap for being boring on its own. When paired with red, however, it can offer the right amount of contrast. Plus, it's more soothing than a crisp, bright white. For example, the subtle texture from this oversized map rounds out the look of the red walls in the above bedroom, almost transporting you to the French countryside.

Red and Purple: Moody Maximalism

Located on the opposite ends of the color spectrum, red and purple aren't the first two colors you'd think to put together. According to Elizabeth Sesser, associate at Ike Kligerman Barkley, this unlikely duo can deliver quite the punch, though. It all boils down to choosing the right shades. "Make sure that these colors are in the same tone range," she says. "I would use this combination as accents on neutral ground so they can really stand out."

In this renovated Victorian, the tomato walls and reddish purple area rug complement, not compete with, each other. That's because they have relatively the same saturation, so the look is balanced when you put them into the same space.

Red, Black, and White: Retro Classic

Black, white, and re(a)d all over is more than a riddle. Turns out, it's a reliable color combination that oozes a sweet, retro attitude. "I really love the combination of white, black, and red," Sesser shares. "It's a classic combination that really allows the red to pop. It's also fail-proof—any tone of red will work with white and black."

Contrary to this age-old riddle though, red doesn't need to be "all over" to make a statement. Take a cue from this Chicago house tour and put an exclamation point on your room with a cherry-colored bench. A few pops of red can be enough, particularly if you chose one larger item to focus on.

Red and Blush: Modern Romance

Often, pink and red rooms can feel like you're living inside a Valentine's Day card. If you want to give this color combination a cool, modern edge, trade in the bubblegum pink for a subtle blush or millennial pink. In this eclectic Australian abode, the blush acts as a neutral ground, so the red sectional can be the center of attention.

Red and Light Yellow: Sunny Statement

Let's face it: Subtlety is not yellow or red's strong suit. Since they're on the same end of the color spectrum, however, these two colors can actually play nice with each other. "Hues of red and yellow draw on the colors of sunshine, bringing warmth and energy to this living room without overwhelming one's senses," explains interior designer Marika Meyer. "Offset [these shades] with neutral tones of beige and white." By incorporating softer shaders of each color, this Austin abode is sweet and soft—not a jarring eyesore.

Wine Red, Glossy Black, and Gold: Opulent Elegance

Treat your home to a luxurious look with a deep, wine-inspired red and glossy, black pairing. "Deep reds can be tricky, depending on how much of a purple hue shows through," explains designer Kendall Wilkinson. "Here, the purple has been downplayed and contrasted rather than intensified. The Bordéaux tone and black painted cabinet pair nicely, and the red almost becomes neutral in this pairing."

Kelsey Mulvey

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Kelsey Mulvey is a lifestyle editor and writer. She has written for publications like Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, Wallpaper.com, New York Magazine, and more.

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