There are many considerations when deciding if two colors match or not. Some key factors include the undertones of each color, the purpose behind the color pairing, and color theory principles like complementary colors. Brown and royal blue can potentially work well together, but the specific shades used make a big difference. Looking at color meaning and psychology is also useful context. Overall, brown and royal blue can complement each other nicely in many settings with the right tones chosen.
Defining Brown and Royal Blue
Brown is an earthy, neutral color that can range from yellowish-browns to reddish-browns. It has a grounding, natural effect and is often associated with dependability. Royal blue is a rich, jewel-toned shade of blue that has hints of purple. It looks elegant and formal.
There are warm, cool, and neutral undertones to consider in both brown and royal blue:
| Warm Brown Tones | Cool Brown Tones | Neutral Brown Tones |
|---|---|---|
| Golden brown | Ash brown | Mocha |
| Chestnut | Taupe | Khaki |
| Cinnamon | Driftwood | Beige |
| Warm Royal Blues | Cool Royal Blues | Neutral Royal Blues |
|---|---|---|
| Royal blue with purple | Royal blue with green | Bright royal blue |
| Indigo royal blue | Teal royal blue | Medium royal blue |
| Navy royal blue | Periwinkle royal blue | Pale royal blue |
Pairing brown and royal blue is often about balancing warm and cool tones. But going for two neutral browns and blues works as well.
Color Theory Considerations
There are a few essential color theory principles that come into play when pairing brown and royal blue:
Complementary Colors
Complementary colors sit opposite each other on the color wheel. They create maximum contrast and vibrancy. Brown is an earth tone that doesn’t appear on the standard color wheel, but its complementary shade is blue. Royal blue has a violet undertone, making it the complement to the yellow-orange undertone of brown.
Split Complementary
This scheme uses one color plus the hues on both sides of its complementary color. For brown, this would mean royal blue along with a yellow-green and red-violet color.
Analogous Colors
Analogous colors sit next to each other on the color wheel and offer low contrast. Pairing an earthy brown with a muted blue, teal, green, or even purple provides an analogous palette.
Triadic Colors
Triadic color schemes use three hues evenly spaced around the color wheel. Royal blue, brown, and a peach shade are examples of a triadic trio.
So royal blue and brown can work as complements, split complements, or triadic colors depending on the specific shades used.
Color Meaning and Psychology
The color meanings and psychological effects of brown and royal blue also shed light on how they interact:
Brown
– Grounding, earthy, stable
– Reliability, durability, simplicity
– Comforting, nurturing, wholesome
Royal Blue
– Sophistication, trustworthiness, authority
– Calming, orderly, focused
– Royal, elegant, graceful
Brown brings warmth and comfort while royal blue offers cool confidence. Brown grounds the vibrancy of royal blue. At the same time, royal blue adds modern flair to brown’s earthiness.
Applying Brown and Royal Blue
With the undertones, color schemes, and meanings considered, here are some specific ways to pair brown and royal blue effectively:
Warm brown + Cool royal blue
A golden brown paired with a green-leaning royal blue offers an energizing complement. Think café walls in warm brown with a blue accent wall.
Cool brown + Warm royal blue
Combine an ash brown with a purple or navy-based royal blue for a retro modern look. Vintage brown leather furniture would suit a room in this palette.
Matching neutrals
A neutral medium brown and mid-tone royal blue is easy on the eyes. Use different textures like matte and glossy paint for visual interest.
Nature palette
Earthy browns and blues make an organic palette, perfect for bedrooms or spas. Try a driftwood brown with a watery teal blue.
Masculine scheme
Deep chocolate browns have a luxurious masculine vibe when combined with bright royal blue accents like throw pillows.
Feminine palette
Soft cameo pinkish browns go from girly to glamorous when mixed with a pale icy blue. Add metallics for shine.
Analogous colors
Stick to shades of blue, green, teal, purple, and brown for a harmonious analogous palette. Think sage green walls with a brown sofa and royal blue rug.
Office setting
In a professional office, rich brown walnut furniture and details pops against serious royal blue walls.
Benefits of Brown and Royal Blue
Though an unexpected pairing, brown and royal blue offer several benefits:
Versatile – Earthy browns complement most colors and royal blue is easy to mix and match too. This versatility allows you to use them in diverse spaces.
Gender-neutral – While brown leans masculine and blue goes feminine, together they create a gender-neutral vibe. This makes them suitable for any room.
Timeless – As classic neutral and primary colors, brown and royal blue have sustained popularity across decades and styles. Their longevity prevents a dated look.
Distinctive – This color duo stands out from common pairings like blue and green or brown and tan. The contrast gives brown and royal blue a unique flair.
Relaxing – Although they pop against each other, these are bothrestful hues. Their calming properties make them perfect for bedrooms and spas.
Uplifting – The optimism of royal blue balances the seriousness of brown. This creates an uplifting mood.
Confidence – Sophisticated royal blue and reliable brown exude confidence. This bold mix boosts the impact in modern, dramatic spaces.
Potential Challenges
Brown and royal blue can work beautifully together, but there are a few potential challenges to consider:
Too much contrast – If the shades are overly warm and cool, the contrast may be harsh instead of striking. Stick to a split complementary or analogous palette.
Improper balance – Use brown as the larger neutral base and royal blue as the accent. Too much royal blue can be overwhelming.
Wrong undertones – A greenish royal blue may clash with warm brown tones. Select undertones carefully.
Dark and gloomy – Both browns and blues can read as dark. Use plenty of light and metallics to add luminosity.
Dated look – Some shade combinations like orangey-browns and purpley-blues can seem retro in a bad way. Keep the tones modern.
Boring neutrals – Plain beige-browns and basic light blues might be blah. Seek out richer, more vibrant shades.
No contrast – Matching a medium neutral brown and mid neutral royal blue can look flat. Add texture through glossy and matte finishes.
Best Practices for Combining Brown and Royal Blue
To use brown and royal blue successfully, keep these best practices in mind:
– Determine the overall mood you want to create – elegant, retro, rustic, modern, etc.
– Select shades of brown and blue that complement each other based on undertones and color theory principles.
– Use brown as the foundational neutral and royal blue as the accent color.
– Add metallic touches like silver and gold to tie the palette together.
– Incorporate varying textures and glossy/matte contrasts for visual interest.
– Balance darker shades with plenty of light through windows, lamps, and sconce lighting.
– Use brown for larger pieces like sofas, beds, and cabinets paired with royal blue accessories.
– Start with small splashes of royal blue through pillows, art, and decor before adding it to walls.
– Anchor rooms with brown floors and use royal blue rugs or wall accents.
– Mix in analogous colors like teal, purple, peach and green for more harmony.
Home Spaces for Brown and Royal Blue
Every room in your home offers an opportunity to use the brown and royal blue combo:
Living room – A chocolate leather sofa pops against a bright royal blue accent wall.
Bedroom – Earthy brown walls calmed by a royal blue duvet cover and curtains.
Bathroom – Cool brown stone or porcelain tile with royal blue towels and shower curtain.
Dining room – Royal blue buffet or hutch against mocha colored walls warmed up with wood trim.
Kitchen – Royal blue backsplash tile energizes light brown cabinets and granite counters.
Home office – Espresso brown desk and built-ins made sophisticated with a royal blue area rug.
Kids’ room – Whimsical royal blue bookcases or a mini table against reliable brown walls.
Entryway – Ground the space with brown floor tiles and a bench cushion, illuminated with a royal blue front door.
Every room can benefit from the cozy yet contemporary vibe created by pairing brown and royal blue.
Furniture and Decor Considerations
Beyond just walls and accent pieces, brown and royal blue work beautifully on all types of furniture and decor:
Sofas and chairs – A royal blue sofa or accent chair pops against brown walls. Brown leather sofas add coziness to rooms with royal blue details.
Beds – Make a bedroom soothing with brown wood headboards, footboards, and side tables combined with vibrant royal blue bedding.
Tables – Dining tables and kitchen islands look stylish in warm natural brown woods paired with royal blue upholstered seating.
Storage – Add a retro modern feel to a room with glossy brown cabinets and dressers accented by satin brass hardware and royal blue decor.
Lighting – Fun royal blue pendant lights spice up a kitchen or dining space with brown cabinetry. Table lamps in glossy brown provide perfect illumination.
Rugs and pillows – Royal blue rugs add pops of color to brown floors. Brown pillows ground sofas and beds dressed in royal blue.
Art and mirrors – Hang brown framed mirrors or art prints with touches of royal blue in the image over royal blue accent walls.
The contrast of cool and warm, shiny and matte, and smooth and textured creates visual appeal. Brown and royal blue furnishings and decor complete spaces in stylish harmony.
Conclusion
Brown and royal blue may seem an unexpected combination, but they can complement each other beautifully. The earthy warmth of brown offsets the cool vibrancy of royal blue for a look that’s modern and grounded. Choosing shades with complementary undertones in a split complementary or analogous palette creates the most cohesion. Touches of metallics add shine while glossy and matte textures provide depth. Use brown as the foundational neutral and royal blue as an invigorating accent. The result is a highly livable palette that’s simultaneously contemporary and classic. With the right tones and balance, brown and royal blue come together to suit almost any space and style.