What Colors Go With Red? – The Complementary Color of Red

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Evoking feelings of energy, power, and love simultaneously, this fierce and passionate hue is the color of fire and blood, and of sunsets and sunrises. Red simply demands attention and cannot be ignored, standing as a symbol of courage and strength. Join us as we come to terms with the expansive variety of colors that go with red. However, to take full advantage of this alluring color, we first need to take a closer look at the many shades that are found within red itself!

What Color Is Red?

As is immediately apparent upon observation, the color red is a vibrant and striking color that ignites the soul and envelopes the senses, bringing up feelings of both excitement and desire within the observer. From the fiery glow of the sunset to the deep, rich tones of fine wine, this is a color that is as rich in symbolism and meaning as it is in variety and use. Each shade is able to hold its own story and significance, as scarlet, a fiery shade that brings a sense of fun and joy, or maroon, a much deeper and subdued red that possesses an air of elegance and sophistication.

No matter where you look, each shade of red is its own masterpiece, inspiring us with its raw beauty and abundant depth.

As you may be able to gather through your own observations, the many shades of red add up to create a symphony of emotion and meaning, with each being unique and captivating in its own way. From the soft, delicate blush of pastel red to the luxurious ruby, each shade possesses its own story and significance. For instance, scarlet, a shade of red with plenty of energy and vibrancy, evokes feelings of power and strength. Similar to the glow of rising embers, this color has been seen to represent energy and vitality. Often associated with courage and determination, this is a color that grabs anyone’s attention. Because of this, it has been used in a variety of industries such as art, fashion, and design as a tool for both expression and communication.

On the other end of the spectrum, we have maroon, a significantly richer and far deeper shade that holds with it a sense of luxury and elegance.

Commonly associated with luxury and wealth, the deeper tones represent a sense of depth and maturity. Within interior design and fashion, maroon brings a sense of refinement and class. With such a rich tapestry of shades and hues to choose from, it is safe to say that red’s catalog is bound to please. Whether you are looking to create an alluring outfit that turns heads for miles, create a captivating painting that draws your audience in, or even an interior space that comforts your guests with ease, red is always the easy choice. Now, with a firm grasp on the color red and its many counterparts, let us take at the many colors that go with red to combine into your designs.

Complementary Colors of Red

In an effort to grasp what colors go with red that you can then utilize in your own designs, in this case, the color being red, you should first come to terms with its different complementary colors. This would include not only red’s complementary color, green, but also its split complementary color, monochromatic, triadic, as well as analogous colors too.

Red Complementary Color

As previously mentioned, the complementary color of red would be cyan, the salt to its pepper. Opposite one another on the color wheel, they are able to create a rather striking contrast when combined into a single design, a contrast that is both bold and beautiful.

Imagine, for a moment, a lush, red rose against the backdrop of a clear blue sky. The combination can be truly breathtaking. However, it is not always about how these two colors work together, it is often more about the emotions that they are able to evoke within the observer. With the passionate fire that brews within red being paired with the inviting and rather refreshing qualities of cyan, these shades somehow create a harmonious balance that keeps us mesmerized.

While there is a tension that can be felt with such a combination, it can provide skilled hands with a dynamism that can make any design feel exciting and elevating at the same time.

As such a combination is able to evoke feelings of warmth and serenity, while sparking the imagination and igniting the senses, it may be perfect for room design, fashion statements, and even a piece of art. Both bold and beautiful, the frenetic yet elegant dance between red and cyan is sure to leave your audience with a lasting impression.

Red Split Complementary Colors

Another way to decipher what color matches with red, you can look at its pair of split complementary colors. This would relate to the two colors that can be found on either side of green, red’s complementary color. In this instance, we would be looking at the combination of vivid blue and spring green.

In an interesting turn of events, these three colors create a visual that is as soft as it is vibrant, coming together into a dance of liveliness and intensity that is truly captivating to behold. With the mystery and depth that can be found within the deep vivid blue being paired with the fresh hues of spring green that infuse a sense of growth, it creates a harmonious balance. This balance is contrasting yet highly complementary to the colors found within the mix, and is sure to add vibrancy and energy to any design.

Red Triadic Colors

Another fascinating way to combine red with other colors is to look at its triadic colors. This relates to a color scheme that focuses on a single dominant color, with the other two being evenly spaced to serve as accent colors. This can create a lively color palette, no matter which colors you use. In red’s case, the triadic color pairing would include blue and green.

This makes our triadic colors the three primary colors that make up the pigments within our own eyes.

By pairing the calming tones of blue as a soothing counterpoint to the warmth of red, along with the lush and verdant hues of green, this combination creates a dynamic combination that is both striking and balanced. With its bold and harmonious presence, this color combination is sure to make your designs stand out in any environment.

Red Monochromatic Colors

If you ever decide to use red in a monochromatic color scheme, you may find that it creates a cohesive and dynamic visual experience. Ranging from softer orange-red hues to  deeper shades, each shade provides its own sense of liveliness and energy. Red’s monochromatic palette is a powerful tool when used to create impactful designs, whether it be for visual arts, fashion, or even interior design. This color exudes confidence and power, and when used with thought and consideration, it can be truly mesmerizing to witness.

Red Analogous Colors

One last way to find colors that match with red would involve you taking a peek at its analogous range of colors. These are colors that can be found sitting directly beside red on the color wheel, namely magenta pink and flush orange.

The playful and feminine shade of magenta pink is reminiscent of bubblegum and cotton candy, adding a sweet touch to the boldness of red.

On the other hand, flush orange is a warm and inviting shade that is able to evoke feelings of joy and comfort. With its sense of enthusiasm and excitement, it makes for a great pairing to accentuate red’s similar qualities.

What Colors Go With Red?

If you are looking to go outside the above-listed criteria of colors that match with red, then you should ensure to keep the following in mind. Your partnering hue should straddle the line between being just as striking as red itself and being subdued to allow red’s true qualities to shine. This can help you achieve a more balanced look, while still giving you enough space to get as creative as necessary.

By looking at golden yellow, this warm and inviting color is able to add a touch of positivity to offset red’s boldness. This combination creates a lively and dynamic palette that is able to draw in your audience’s attention that is sure to bring up a sense of confidence and awe.

Alternatively, matching red with a light shade of soft blue, you may be surprised by how well its soothing traits are able to balance out the more aggressive tendencies of red.

By creating a rather playful and inviting combination, this may serve as the perfect addition to any design that requires a sense of levity.

However, if you are looking to attain a bold yet exquisite combination, red and charcoal may be right up your alley. While the fiery red may evoke a sense of passion and vitality, charcoal instead exudes a cool and refined sense of style. Together, it creates a visually captivating contrast that remains as dynamic as it is harmonious. As charcoal provides a sense of balance and grounding to the palette, red adds just the right amount of color and energy, making the pair perfect for bold statements while maintaining a sense of refinement throughout.

Similar to golden yellow, however, we have a blend of red with tawny orange, an exceptionally warm and vibrant combination that can be used to make your designs appear more inviting to the eye. Thanks to tawny orange’s invigorating friendliness, and with our shade of red infusing a sense of excitement and energy, this pairing simply exudes feelings of warmth and liveliness.

Although, if you are instead looking for a flair of elegance in a timeless manner, the combination of white and red simply screams modern simplicity at its finest. In contrast to red’s fiery personality, white is able to provide a crisp balance that exudes feelings of purity and innocence. As the epitome of elegance and refinement, this may just be the perfect pairing for those who are looking to create a sophisticated and timeless aesthetic within their works.

Closing off, there is a nearly endless supply of colors and specific shades that pair well with red. However, it is important to find color matches with red that are able to elevate the boldness and intensity of this alluring hue. As each color holds its own range of associated emotions and visual experiences, you should never forget to remind yourself of the goal and themes of your specific design, as well as what emotions you wish to bring out of your audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Color Matches With Red?

There are countless different color pairings that go well with red. By looking at red’s analogous, triadic, complementary, and split complementary colors, you will find a range of hues that include magenta pink, spring green, cyan, sky blue, and far more. Each of these colors creates the perfect balancing act when contrasted against red’s bold appearance.

What Are Some Common Uses of Red in Art and Design?

In art, red is most commonly used as an accent color, as it possesses an enhanced ability to add drama and emotion to a piece. In design, however, red can help to grab your audience’s attention and create a sense of increased energy and allure.

What Emotions Are Reds Most Commonly Associated With?

As a result of the passion that this shade is imbued with, red has become closely associated with a variety of heated emotions over the course of recorded history. However, red has been most closely linked with feelings of love, anger, passion, rage, and danger.

Is Red a Good Color for Branding?

Red is an excellent color for branding. With its associations with excitement, passion, and boldness, red has been used as a primary color in branding and marketing campaigns for many decades. In fact, it has even been discovered that simply observing the color can spark hunger and cravings within the observer, leading to its prevalence in color schemes used by fast food chains across the globe.

Duncan van der Merwe( Color Theory Expert, Video Editor )

Duncan graduated with a diploma in Film and TV production from CityVarsity in 2018, after which he continued pursuing film while taking on a keen interest in writing along the way. Since having graduated, he began working as a freelance videographer, filming a variety of music videos, fashion and short films, adverts, weddings and more. Throughout this, he’s won a number of awards from various film festivals that are both locally and internationally recognized. However, Duncan still enjoys writing articles in between his filming ventures, appreciating the peace and clarity that comes with it.

His articles focus primarily around helping up-and-coming artists explore the basics of certain colors, how these colors can be paired with other shades, as well as what colors are created when you mix one with another. All while relating these shades to historically significant paintings that have incorporated them into their color palette. As a lover of the arts himself, he takes great interest in the Renaissance era of paintings, an era that has directly inspired many of his favorite films.

Learn more about Duncan van der Merwe and about us.