Fresh greenery and colorful blossoms make springtime a welcome sight after a long winter. This color combination features bright shades of green and coral that will make your design pop. These types of colors are perfect for a spring or summer event poster or an advertisement that wants to communicate a fresh, youthful feeling.

Red and blue are common colors for branding, and for good reason. Red says “confident and powerful,” while blue says “calming and trustworthy.” This color combination offers a little bit of both, with slightly muted shades that aren’t overpowering. The brick red adds a burst of extra color to the more conservative blues while still keeping a professional look.

Desert landscapes are full of complex shades of brown, purple, and red, and so is this color combination. For an unexpected color combination that is toned down, try this combination of plum and reddish oranges.

Iceland’s natural beauty is legendary, and this color combination finds inspiration in its dramatic contrasts. The warm, grayish undertones of the top two colors contrast nicely with the cooler greens. The range of lighter and darker shades makes it easy to combine any two or three of the colors and have them still complement each other.

Monochromatic color combinations (made up of the various tints, tones, or shades of one color) are extremely versatile. While this combination may not qualify as monochromatic according to the technical definition, it creates a similar visual effect. With a color as versatile as blue, this combination could be used just about anywhere.

If you have a brand or need a design that emphasizes natural or green-friendly qualities, greens and browns are a logical choice. This color combination brightens things up with a splash of lime green for emphasis.

Another winner for any brand looking to emphasize its eco-credentials. This moody color combination of watery shaded greens has a subtle sophistication.

Bright colors have undeniable eye-catching power. This primary color combination is ever-so-slightly muted, giving the palette a muted sunset effect.

Crisp turquoise hues set off bright yellow and bubblegum pink for a color combination almost reminiscent of Easter candy. You can also leave the pink out and opt for the aqua shades and yellow for a bright, clean combination.

The bluish shades at the top and bottom of this selection have gray undertones. This muting makes them almost neutral—a great foundation for playing with more daring tones like the lime green.

The almost neon shades of blue and green balance out the more conservative colors and add a bright freshness that gives the color combination some kick. This kind of scheme might work well for a fitness brand or any design that needs to balance a businesslike feel with an energetic vibe.

This landscape of sea and stone features warm and cool colors in bright and subdued shades. The beachy, mellow color combination brings to mind relaxing island vacations. This is one example of how we can associate color with certain places, moods, or emotions.

These earthy colors are rustic, evoking woodsy autumnal feelings. This color combination would be perfect for anyone looking to add a rugged or down-to-earth touch to their brand.

Contrast warm grays with cool, glacial blues for a dynamic color combination. Blue and gray can be an understated combination, but the icy brightness of the blue here brings more visual energy. Try these lighter, brighter hues rather than opting for navy and dark gray if you want to add some vibrancy to your designs.

Much like the image, this color combination brings to mind the first moments of spring and the newly emerging flowers, buds, and berries.

This color combination is a perfect example of the power of contrast. The strong, bright hues of the yellow and orange are balanced by the indigo and navy tones, creating an overall effect that is graphic and powerful.

The muted shades in this color combination have a vintage vibe. Light aqua and gold were popular in interior and graphic design in the 1950s and ’60s, but that doesn’t mean this combination looks dated. These colors have seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years along with mid-century modern design style.

Nothing says liveliness more than these varied citrus hues. Orange, yellow, and lime green are the perfect choices if you want a color combination that suggests freshness and vitality.

The colors that are seen across the sky as the sun sets and moves toward twilight come in a wide range of peaches and blues. This color combination creates a soft and sophisticated palette that will make any design unique.

A color combination so tropical you can almost feel the warm breeze on your skin—these warm colors will add a youthful energy and vitality to your next design.

Think of changing leaves and the various shades of brown, red, orange, and green of the foliage. Use this color combination to create a design that is appealing and cozy.

This color combination balances out bright red with soft brown, yellow, and green. This combination can be used to create designs that are bright and fun while the fresh, natural tones keep it soothing.

This color combination has an outdoor feel to it, like a summer baseball game or a field of sunflowers. This combination uses bright primary and secondary colors, with a slightly muted orange that lets the blue-yellow end of the spectrum be visually dominant.

Pairing black and white with bright, crisp shades of green makes for a modern color combination that is sophisticated without being too serious. Instead of pairing red or blue with your black and white, freshen things up with some green.

This is a classic color combination. Neutral navy and ivory play off the red and peacock blue in this combination.

Food evokes feelings of hunger and mouth-watering cravings. Edible goods are an obvious inspiration for restaurants and food producers. They can also be used strategically to stoke the appetite of your viewers for whatever it is you’re designing.

Neutral color combinations like these shades of gray and tan are versatile and can be paired with almost anything. This color combination can have different effects based on how it’s used. It can give an upscale and sophisticated effect, like the branding for a luxury hotel, if it favors the grays. Otherwise, it can create a calming and comfortable feeling, like a neighborhood coffee shop, if you use more of the brown and taupe.

Bold but not overly bright, this color combination is eye-catching and cheery while remaining sophisticated.

Orange is often associated with energy—and what's more energetic than these two complementary orange tones? The off-white and pear green colors balance the color combination, creating a fresh feel.

This color combination is pure nostalgia. It evokes memories of warm summer afternoons, hanging out in the backyard, and just enjoying the day.

An effective color combination doesn't need to use extremely different colors, as this combination demonstrates. The different shades of blue are perfectly balanced and conjure the trustworthiness blue promotes.

This cheerful color combination of reds, oranges, and yellows will perk up any design. It looks juicy, like a melting popsicle or a summer spritz. Yellow and orange have been shown to increase the heart rate and make viewers hungry, so this color combination is great for advertising food.

Calming, spa-like greens and blue—great by themselves—look a little more lively with a splash of raspberry as an accent color. Add a brighter or bolder accent color to a more restrained selection to liven up a color combination and give it a little extra interest.

This happy blend of colors doesn’t take itself too seriously. This color combination is perfect for summer advertisements or children’s designs. A combination like this one will make it clear where the fun is at.

Shades that have a full range of light to dark make it easier to apply a color combination to a design. There’s enough contrast that you can choose a background color, a text color, and an accent color or two just from these four.

Applications for a pastel color combination can be a little more limited. They will be common in designs for spring, infants, and sweet shops. Pastel colors generally come across as pretty and delicate, so you’ll want to make sure your design calls for a similar mood if you want to use a color combination like this one.

A bright color combination that has been slightly shaded with the inclusion of black or gray into each color base. It will be easy to make elements of your design stand out with this color combination without creating too many contrasts in your design.

Citrus shades of orange are juicy and appetizing. This color combination includes an off-white for contrast and shades on both the yellow and red sides of orange, so your designs will be distinctive and easy to read.

Red and green are one of three pairs of complementary colors on the traditional color wheel. These colors combine to make a striking, high-contrast impression that can be a little jarring if you don’t use them carefully. They can also easily become Christmasy when used at full saturation. These reds and greens have been balanced and toned down for a fresher twist on a complementary color combination.

With a neutral white and soft brown paired with brighter warm colors, this color combination is eye-catching. If you let the neutral hues dominate your design, the red pepper and onion will make perfect accent colors.

A black background, in this case slightly softened, makes neon brights pop. Designs using this color combination will draw attention and stand out.

Full saturation red, orange, and yellow are offset by a softer warm purple. The purple grounds the rest of the color combination and brings sophistication to an otherwise popping, bright design. It’s also perfect for adding text or emphasis.

Warm grays with a pop of golden yellow is a color combination you’ll sometimes see in interior design and home décor. It’s primarily neutral, and the warmth of the grays feels calming and inviting. A pop of yellow adds some cheerfulness and energy for an overall combination that’s refined without feeling stuffy.

This monochromatic green color combination adds contrast with a bright, clean white. The pastel light green also contrasts well with the darker emerald. With this combination, you can give your designs a dynamic effect while the monochrome base keeps things harmonious.

Reminiscent of winter berries and bare branches against a snowy sky, this combination of colors would make a great alternative to your traditional Christmas or holiday palettes. The rich reds paired with violet-tinged grays feel festive but stay sophisticated.

Appetizing and retro, each of these colors uses a touch of yellow to make the combination harmonize.

Who says brown has to be boring? Add some red and violet undertones, and you have a full, rich color combination that—like these chocolate cupcakes—feels a little decadent.

Yellow draws attention, and this green-tinted yellow stands out beautifully in a design with the more muted green, brown, and gold shades.

You can mute red and combine it with softer neutrals to create a dynamic effect that isn’t too jarring.

The salmon and lapis in this color combination contrast brightly against each other. Soft purple-brown neutrals make a perfect backdrop for any design. This combination is great for giving a sophisticated pop of brightness.

Bright primary red can be aggressive, so this combination mutes it and adds some warm neutrals to balance it out.

Color can communicate place and environment. Taking inspiration from colors around the world allows you to communicate emotions to your audience by association. You can use the feeling of a relaxing seaside vacation or a dynamic modern city to communicate through design.

Sun-softened plaster, sea, and sky—this color combination is relaxing and aspirational, great for designs that want to evoke a desire for time away and days off.

White, black (or, in this case, very dark navy), red, and yellow are a very common combination. But the saturation here makes this combo unexpected and exciting. If you’re looking for a bold color combination that makes a strong, eye-catching statement in your design, this color scheme is easy to apply.

Another more monochromatic design, these earthy tones are warm and sophisticated.

Bone and coal are softer than a true black and white. The tinted shades of yellow and blue make for excellent accents for a design that needs to make information obvious.

These blackened greens create a gradient, like fog coming down off a tree-covered mountain. The green gives your design a natural softness, while the black tint evokes strength and boldness.

Many cliff-hugging villages along the Mediterranean coast are often painted in warm pastels. You can replicate that sunny, carefree look with this selection of shades and bring a little of the Italian dolce vita to your design, creating a warm and welcoming effect.

Mustard yellow stands out brightly against deep cool tones. Use this color combination when you want to draw the viewer’s attention to a particular element or feature.

This monochrome color combination of blue-tinged greens forgoes a black or white at either end of the spectrum. The individual elements of a design using this combination may not stand out, but the design as a whole will be eye-catching in any environment you place it in.

Lively green brings some visual interest and a natural touch to a more stark combination of neutrals.

These vibrant hues look like they belong in a candy store, and they’re sure to give a design some youthful energy. Make sure you’re going for a loud overall effect in your design. Like the graffiti they’re inspired by, these colors are out to make a statement.

Soften a primary palette by tinting it with white to create a faded but colorful combination.

Dark blue and gold is a timeless combination that you’ll see on everything, from swanky party invitations to elite schools and sports teams. To add a little class to a design, try this combination of hues. If you can manage to get your design printed with gold foil accents, even better.

Each of these shades has a soft gray-purple touch that makes for a design that harmoniously blends each element.

Warm brick stands out against a teal and white background. Great for creating bright, friendly designs that pop.

This color combination uses the basic three printer ink colors—cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (abbreviated CMYK). They make a striking combination on their own, similar to the neon and illuminated signs of a big city at night.

Powdery colors with a tint of white help this color combination blend nicely, while the contrasting warm and cool hues give you space to create accents that stand out.

Raspberry red and a softer combination of blues create a crisp, fresh combination that would look good in bright sun and ocean air.

Sun-faded stone and faded red and yellow create a natural feeling for any design.

Charcoal and darker tinted contrasting colors mean this color combination contrasts but stays classy and sophisticated. This combination is good for any design that wants to be taken seriously without being boring.

Blue and gray always work nicely together, but the addition of a light coral pink gives this combination a little extra sparkle and increased visual interest.

Italian for lunch, anyone? Some of the things most often associated with Italian cuisine—wine, rich tomato sauce, fresh handmade pasta—all make an appearance in this color combination. Use it to add warmth and flavor to a design. The inclusion of a creamy neutral shade balances out the combination. You can use cream as a background or base color and one or more of the others as tasteful accents.

Haze with a grayish-blue gradient creates a relaxing and understated color combination. You can swap out background colors in a design to create multiple different materials from this combination, like announcements for the upcoming season’s shows at a museum.

This combination is urban and bold. The fire engine red creates contrast against diverse shades of gray.

This combination exudes softness, warmth, and comfort but with a blue note that gives some freshness to your design.

A creamy white combined with muted yellow-greens feels fresh and natural.

Color combinations inspired by the everyday spaces and objects around us are easy to use to create feelings of familiarity and harmonize with our surroundings.

This image shows how bright turquoise can create a distinctive background for a design with a range of shades to use to grab attention in the foreground.

Black, gray, and white are easy-to-use colors. But add some cobalt blue, and those neutral shades become a backdrop for a modern, attractive color combination that could work for any design style, from corporate to trendy.

A soft color combination with a highlight of orange to create contrast and accent the areas you want to draw the viewer’s eye to.

Red and blue are classic pairings with basic black and white, but a deeper red and brighter turquoise blue give a fresh twist to a familiar combination.

Neutral doesn’t need to be boring. With a hint of purple, this combination can feel industrial or steampunk.

Warm and cool together always make it easy to create designs where elements stand out from each other. Soften the whole effect by tinting each color with a little bit of white.

Industrial colors like this deep red and metal-inspired grays and blacks create designs that inspire viewers to take them seriously.

This warm and cozy color combination features muted oranges that won't overwhelm your audience. It imbues your design with softness and harmony.

This color combination is fun and playful. Bright blues and oranges contrast sharply, making your design eye-catching and energetic.

If you want a combination that says tradition or trustworthiness, look no further. These classic hues, inspired by metallics, will add a touch of class to your design.

Reminiscent of colors you might see decorating a beach house, this color combination looks nautical, sun-faded, and vintage. The hues included here won’t box you into a certain style or overwhelm your design.

Brick red is warm and attention-grabbing, but like a brick wall, it can also create a supportive background for glossy blacks and whites in a design.

Soft, warm neutrals balance beautifully with green shades of stone and sage. This can be used to create a fresh design that is gentle and non-aggressive.

Neon red plays off three earthy, muted tones. This color combination is perfect if you'd like to emphasize one element of your design with neon red while letting the rest of the shades play supporting roles.

Rich jewel-like tones of red, gold, and neutral speak to calm sophistication and luxury.

Dark wood, leather, old books—things you might find in an English pub or the library at a prestigious university. If your design could use some sophistication, try out this color combination of rich browns plus a lighter, smoky neutral shade.

Create a design with this color combination that contrasts sharply between soft natural tones and a bold dark element.

The ever-popular millennial pink finds balance here with cheerful blues. This would be a great color combination to use to communicate a hip, modern feeling.

Onyx, taupe, and oceanic blend in both the image and the inspired color combination. The bright pop of orange brings the design to the next level, giving a high-impact effect.

Child-friendly and fun without being garish, these colors are cheerful while staying soft and understated.

Bold shades with a little bit of quirk create an artsy effect in any design.

This color combination blends a little gray with its colors. The resulting effect is fresh and modern while remaining soft.

Bright and fun, this palette will draw the eye in any design.

Soft purple hues create an impact that is almost monochrome but with the warmth in mauve and coolness in dark bluish gray to increase the contrast of the elements.

Gold does the work of accenting softer blues and grays here. This color combination can be used in more serious contexts while still giving an inviting bright element to your design.