Comprised of three colors next to each other on the color wheel, analogous color schemes create a balanced look. Here are a few rooms for inspiration.
Whether you crave a bold, vibrant look, or something more muted and modest, analogous color schemes are beautiful and dynamic. For an energetic look, choose colors with a high saturation and intensity. For a subtler aesthetic, lead in with one dominant color and choose analogous accents in understated hues.
In this charming chamber, blue-violet, violet, and red-violet combine for a playfully coquettish look. Like a private boudoir retreat, this design is full of mystery and romance.
To achieve this aesthetic in your home, choose deep-purple walls and accents in analogous shades of blue and blue-violet. Add wood details, mosaic tiles, decorative mirrors, and candles for extra romance.
While shades of violet and red-violet create a sultry, dramatic look when paired together, cooler analogous hues deliver a calm, collected look.
In this restful reading nook, dominant shades of green, blue-green, and blue combine for a tranquil, peaceful vibe. Gray floors, white backgrounds, and neutral accents of blonde wood provide visual balance and contrast.
If you have a hankering for more heat in your life, hop on a one-way flight to the Mediterranean. In this room, eye-catching tones of yellow-orange, orange, and red evoke feelings of Spanish-countryside charm.
To spice up your décor, choose a bold paint color (like mustard-yellow) on the walls, and add accents of red and orange throughout. For additional contrast, consider a complementary accent shade (in this case, blue) to offset one of your analogous colors.
In this lofty living room, bold is the name of the game. Not for the faint of heart, analogous hues of orange, yellow-orange, and yellow combine into this audacious, spirited scheme.
To pull off this look in your home, choose brightly colored furniture and wall accents, unique art, and a patterned throw rug in an analogous shade. Consider neutral wood accents to add visual variety.
In this cozy bedchamber, violet, blue-violet, and blue blend together for a soothing, serene look. Bold jewel tones of red and blue are equalized by shades of tan and white checkered throughout the patterned bedspread.
To achieve this look in your bedroom, paint your walls deep-blue and choose a comforter and pillows in analogous shades. The beauty of this design lies in its fluidity: if you wish to choose a different analogous color scheme in the future, or even a complementary one, simply switch out your pillows and comforter for a fresh look.
In this lavish living room, blue, blue-violet, and violet combine for a rich, luxurious look. Opulent crown molding, uniquely pattered curtains, and a smattering of materials and textiles combine for a modern spin on an Old Victorian look.
Accents of blue, yellow, and red also form a subtle, triadic color scheme (more on that in a future post). To achieve this look in your home, mix and match patterns and textures for maximum multiplicity. Consider a vibrantly colored throw rug, a leather chaise longue, a chandelier, and distinctively patterned curtains.
Which of these analogous color schemes would you try? (My favorites or #1 and #6.) Cast your vote below!
And if you’ve got stories of your own about choosing the right color schemes, and working with the color wheel, please tell us all about it in the comments section of this post.