Color Combinations That Always Work

1. Complementary

Two colors directly opposite on the wheel - red and cyan, blue and orange. Maximum contrast, maximum energy. Use sparingly: 80/20 is a safe ratio.

2. Analogous

Three neighbors on the wheel. Calming and harmonious - perfect for nature scenes, wellness brands, and gradient backgrounds.

3. Triadic

Three colors evenly spaced 120° apart. Vibrant but balanced; favorite of vintage poster designers.

4. Tetradic / Rectangle

Two complementary pairs. Rich and varied, but tricky - pick a clear dominant color and let the others support.

5. Split-Complementary

A base color plus the two neighbors of its complement. Easier to balance than full complementary.

6. Square

Four colors evenly spaced 90° apart. Bold and busy - best with strong neutrals to anchor it.

7. Monochromatic

One hue, multiple tints, shades, and tones. Always elegant. The default mode of luxury brands.

Generate any of these from a single base color in our Color Wheel.