Forget classic blue and white, this complementary color combination brings drama while feeling perfectly balanced

We all know and love the most classic of color combinations – blue and white – which feels innately calming and nods to coastal decor, but sometimes this soothing duo can fail to add enough vibrancy.

And so, if you enjoy using blue in your home but are looking to create a more playful look with a bolder color combination, look no further than blue and orange. Two complementary colors (since they sit opposite one another on the color wheel), decorating with blue and orange will always work well together, achieving a balanced yet bold look.

While this can often be considered a brave color combination, much softer and lighter interpretations of each hue can work just as well as bright tones. Here, we share all you need to know about decorating with blue and orange – one of our favorite color pairings for 2025.

Why do blue and orange work well together?

Before decorating with orange and blue, it's worth understanding the principles of complementary color schemes which is what makes these two hues a go-to pairing. Below, Tash Bradley, Director of Interior Design at Lick and color psychologist gives a helpful overview:

'Complementary colors blue and orange are perfect for when you want to bring in a little drama but also need assurance it’ll look awesome in the flesh. This scheme is sometimes referred to as contrasting, but because the colors live directly opposite each other on the color wheel they are still easy on the eye.

'By their nature, complementary pairings will always contain one cool and one warm color segment, which brings in a little more visual interest. Blue is cool, orange is warm. They work well together because blue tempers orange’s intensity, and orange prevents blue from feeling too cold.

'From a color psychology perspective, blue and orange have very different characteristics. Blue is mentally calming and soothing, associated with tranquillity, and encourages relaxation and quiet self-reflection. Orange, by contrast, is physically stimulating and energetic, evoking warmth and enthusiasm, and encouraging social interaction. When used together, they balance each other out. The result is a color pairing which is harmonious through its friction.'

'There can be many outdated stigmas surrounding opposite colors, with the well-known phrase ‘red and green should never be seen’, essentially referring to complementary colors,' continues Tash. 'But by simply dialing down the intensity, you can find a far less shouty combination that is easier to live with.'

'For example, on the gentler side of things, Blue 01 with Orange 02 creates a chic, soft retro feel. Orange 02 has a joyful quality that is comforting, and a rich earthy feel due to its warm brown undertones. Blue brings a welcomed freshness,' Tash explains.

How to decorate with blue and orange

Below, we've rounded up a few interior schemes that showcase blue and orange as a color pairing. From soft variations of each hue to bolder tones, there are ways to channel this color duo successfully for plenty of interior design styles.

'This dynamic pairing brings both warmth and energy, offering a striking contrast that feels rich yet harmonious,' explains interior designer Natalia Miyar. 'By playing with different shades – from soft corals and sky blues to deep navy and burnt orange – you can achieve a range of moods, from fresh and airy to bold and dramatic.'

1. Keep things soft with sky blue and peach

'Rather than using pure blue and orange, opting for nuanced shades – such as sky blue and peach or deep navy and terracotta – adds sophistication and a sense of harmony,' says interior designer Sarah Hargrave of The Collective.

'For a serene yet visually interesting space, pair soft, muted tones like powder blue with a warm apricot or dusty peach. These variations maintain the vibrancy of the combination but soften its intensity, making it more livable. Layering in patterns – like a rug with both hues or printed throw pillows – can tie the colors together in a more fluid way,' says Sarah.

'If you’re hesitant about committing to large areas of orange, use it in accents like artwork, pillows, or other pieces of decor,' the designer adds.

2. Create an uplifting look with vibrant hues

If you're drawn toward maximalist color ideas, opting for vibrant shades of blue and orange is a great way to create an uplifting look. Here, Pittsburgh-based interior designer Betsy Wentz of Betsy Wentz Interior Design channels a light blue wallcovering, complemented by the bright orange blinds.

While both of these colors are vibrant and intense in their own right, they work to balance each other between their respective warm and cool tones, resulting in a harmonious space.

3. Go for muted tones for a traditional look

'For a more sophisticated look, choose muted or toned-down versions of each color, like dusty blue with terracotta, rather than bright primary shades,' suggests Margaret Donaldson, Charleston-based interior designer and founder of MDI Luxury Design.

'Consider using one color as the dominant shade and the other as an accent color – teal blue cabinetry with a rug including a variety of orange tones, for example, or a soft blue sofa with textiles of rust-colored pillows or a cozy throw,' the designer adds.

4. Limit the amount of orange in your scheme

Lastly, if you want to maintain a more understated look with this color combination, choose blue as the main color in your scheme, such as Farrow & Ball's Hazy which was used here, and incorporate only subtle amounts of orange to add vibrancy.

As proven by the unexpected red theory, where just a pop of red works to elevate a room, orange can similarly lift the whole space with its vibrancy, while bringing energy to balance the cool blue tones.

'For a lighter scheme, color drench with Blue 01 – painting everything from your walls and skirtings to your ceilings, and introduce orange as an accent – whether that’s through an upcycled piece of furniture painted in Orange 02 or an earthy burnt orange sofa,' recommends Tash Bradley.

If you want to go bolder with your room color ideas this year, then pairing blue with orange is a great place to start. From using a soft blue as the main color in your scheme and adding a touch of muted orange for balance; to going bolder with vivid orange tones and deep blues, you can be sure these two hues will work well with one another.