Quick answer
Orange and green can be a striking color combination when done right. Both are secondary colors on the color wheel, meaning they complement each other well. The warm and energetic orange balances out the cool and calming green. This color scheme works best when the orange is more dominant. Be careful not to use clashing undertones and keep the palette cohesive. Overall, orange and green have great visual contrast and can be paired creatively in interiors, fashion, graphic design, and more.
Evaluating orange and green
When evaluating any two colors for a good mix, there are a few key factors to consider:
1. Position on the color wheel
The first thing to look at is where the colors fall on the color wheel. Colors that are opposite or 90 degrees away tend to complement each other nicely because they share no common hues. Orange and green fit this criteria, with orange being a secondary color made of red and yellow and green being secondary made of blue and yellow. This makes them visually striking together.
2. Warm vs cool undertones
Orange is a warm color that evokes heat, sunshine, and energy. Green is cooler, conjuring up nature, renewal, and tranquility. This contrast of temperature can create nice balance. However, specific shades matter – a spring green will clash with a terra cotta orange due to competing warm undertones. Stick to a true orange and true green.
3. Dominance
When pairing any two colors, usually one should take visual precedence over the other to avoid a jarring effect. For orange and green, orange tends to stand out more to the human eye. Using more orange than green helps the combo feel cohesive.
4. Personal preferences
Color pairing always comes down to personal taste. Some people simply don’t like certain color combos regardless of the “rules”. It’s important to take into account your own color sensibilities. If you viscerally react against orange and green together, the pairing likely won’t work for you specifically.
Working with orange and green
If you determine orange and green meet your criteria for a good pairing, there are effective ways to use the colors together:
Decide on light vs. dark
The first decision is whether your color scheme will be light or dark. A sunset orange and sage green says summery and spring-like. Earthier mustards and forest greens create an autumnal or traditional vibe. figure out the overall feeling you want.
Watch undertones
As mentioned earlier, pay close attention to the specific shades chosen. A golden orange pops against a true medium green. But add a lime green and suddenly the combo feels dated. Be intentional about finding the right undertones.
Use orange as the accent
Orange is the attention-grabber, so let it be the accent. Green can form the backdrop or base, with strategic punches of orange to create focal points. Too much orange risks sensory overload.
Transition with neutrals
Bridges of neutral colors help orange and green blend seamlessly. Crisp whites, warm taupes, rich blacks, or earthy browns ground the pairing. Use neutrals in between the orange and green areas.
Repeat colors throughout
Repeat your chosen orange and green hues throughout a space. Seeing the color pairing in different spots creates unity. The colors will start to feel like they belong together.
Orange and green in interiors
Some of the most striking use cases for orange and green are in interior design palettes. Here are some ideas:
Living room
In a living space, use green on larger surfaces like walls. Then introduce vibrant orange through decor accents like pillows, art, flowers, and chairs. This keeps the backdrop calm while allowing moments of energetic color.
Kitchen
For kitchens, green cabinetry or an island form the foundation. Complement with copper, apricot, or carrot orange tiles, bar stools, cookware, and table decor. Neutral countertops and backsplashes bridge the two colors.
Bedroom
In sleep spaces, opt for muted green and orange hues. Try a soothing sage green headboard with peach and cream bedding. Add some terracotta lamps or art on the walls. Keep the colors desaturated for a relaxing atmosphere.
Home office
Make a home office lively with grass green walls and orange desk accessories. Black office furniture will ground the space. Add patterned throw pillows and rugs to tie everything together dynamically.
Kids’ rooms
For children’s spaces, let their preferences guide color choices. Try a neutral room base with green toys, books, art supplies, bedding, and clothes accented by orange decor details, storage, curtains, and more.
Using orange and green in fashion
Orange and green offer plenty of fun in fashion as well. Some tips for incorporating this color pairing in your wardrobe include:
Make orange your pop color
Use green as a neutral base color then add orange shoes, jewelry, scarves, or jackets as pops of contrasting color. Keep orange accessories minimal.
Try color blocking
With simple color blocking, you can wear both colors prominently. Try an orange top with green pants or skirt. You can also do an orange dress with green jacket or green top with orange skirt.
Go for pattern mixing
Mixing prints with orange and greenColorful patterns like floral, plaid, or abstract in the two colors can interplay nicely. Add some coordinating neutrals to keep it from going overly busy.
Echo colors in details
For a more subtle effect, choose one dominant color and echo the other in smaller details like stitching, buttons, or lining in pieces that aren’t overpowering.
Add a neutral base
Build outfits starting with neutrals like white, tan, gray, navy, black or brown as a solid base. Then weave in orange and green accents carefully for main pops of color.
Using orange and green in graphic design
Orange and green offer lots of possibilities in graphic design as well:
Juxtapose colors
Placing the two colors side-by-side or overlapping creates visual excitement. Use bold blocks of each shade for maximum energy.
Use neutrals as spacing
Separate the bright colors with chunks of white, black, or gray. This allows the eye to rest and refocus.
Make orange the accent
Let green dominate brand colors with orange used to attract attention where needed, like call-to-action buttons or logos.
Use patterns or textures
Combine colors through engaging patterns or interesting photographic textures. This makes the color pairing feel integrated.
Apply colors to imagery
Using the colors on imagery helps them feel connected. Tint nature photos green and city images orange to create unified themes.
Example color palettes
To see orange and green in action, here are some specific palettes that use the colors effectively:
Vibrant contrast
| Orange | Green |
This high-contrast palette juxtaposes warm bright orange against cool light green for maximum pop.
Retro
| Orange | Green |
Slightly desaturated shades give this palette a fun, retro 1970s aesthetic.
Earthy
| Orange | Green |
Deep, moody hues create an earthy, organic palette perfect for fall.
Pastel
| Orange | Green |
Soft, light versions of the colors offer a spring-themed, feminine palette.
Conclusion
In the right context, orange and green can be a powerful and eye-catching color pairing. Their positions on the color wheel mean they naturally complement each other well when used intentionally. Orange and green work best when the warmer orange takes visual precedence over the cooler green. Keep hues cohesive by avoiding clashing undertones and include bridge neutrals where needed. With the right balance, this energetic combo can be incorporated beautifully into designs of all kinds. There is lots of creative potential in this secondary color blend.