Natural color palettes are color schemes that are inspired by things found in nature. They utilize colors seen in plants, stones, animals, landscapes and more to create aesthetically pleasing color combinations. Natural palettes can bring a sense of calm, warmth and organic beauty to designs. In this article, we’ll explore what natural color palettes are, look at some examples, and discuss how to use them effectively.
What Are Natural Color Palettes?
A color palette refers to a selection of colors used together in a design. Natural color palettes specifically use hues pulled from things found in the natural world. This includes:
- Earth tones like greens, browns and neutrals inspired by landscapes, soil, trees and rocks.
- Oceanic colors like blues, greens and neutrals based on seas, lakes and other bodies of water.
- Colors from flowers, plants and vegetables, like bright pinks, oranges, greens and purples.
- Warmer tones like tans, browns and red clay colors seen in deserts.
- Colors from animals and insects such as coral, turquoise, olive green and taupe.
The key distinction of natural color palettes is that the colors mimic things found in nature. They don’t necessarily match them exactly. The hues are picked to evoke a natural feel while still creating an appealing color scheme.
Benefits of Using Natural Color Palettes
There are several benefits to using natural color palettes:
- Calming effect – Since the colors remind us of things found in nature, they can have a soothing, calming effect.
- Timelessness – Natural schemes don’t go out of style as quickly as trends. The colors have enduring appeal.
- Welcoming feeling – Natural tones are often warmer, inviting and friendly.
- Organic look – The colors add a natural, earthy look and feel.
- Focus – Natural palettes allow other elements like content or photos to take center stage rather than bright, bold colors.
Overall, natural color schemes add beauty and balance to designs in a subtle, sophisticated way.
Examples of Natural Color Palettes
There are endless possibilities for natural color palettes. Here are a few examples inspired by different aspects of nature:
Forest Palette
Dark and medium greens reminiscent of pine trees and lush vegetation. Accented with brown, tan and a pop of bright mossy green.
Sunset Palette
Warm pinks, oranges, golds and yellows inspired by the colors seen at dusk. Goes from light to dark.
Ocean Palette
Different shades of blues and greens as seen in tropical oceans. May include touches of tan, gray and black as well.
Flower Palette
Vibrant reds, oranges, pinks, purples, yellows and greens based on colors in wildflowers and plants.
Gemstone Palette
Jewel-toned colors seen in different types of gemstones and minerals. Could include emerald greens, sapphire blues, amethyst purples.
Autumn Palette
Warm browns, oranges, reds, yellows and neutrals reminiscent of fall leaves and harvest colors.
Tips for Creating a Natural Color Palette
Here are some tips for making your own natural color palette:
- Pick a specific natural inspiration like stones, flowers, water, etc. Focus the palette around that.
- Collect physical objects like leaves, flowers or gems and arrange them into color groups.
- Look at photos of nature scenes and make note of colors that catch your eye.
- Choose a neutral base like tan, gray or brown then accent with 3-4 nature-inspired colors.
- Use soft, muted shades to create an earthy feel. Or vibrant brights for boldness.
- Limit the palette to 4-6 colors for balance. Too many colors can feel busy.
- Use a color wheel to find shades that complement each other.
- Aim for a mix of darks, lights and medium tones for contrast.
Don’t be afraid to experiment until you find a combination that appeals to you!
Using Natural Color Palettes in Designs
Here are some tips for effectively using natural color palettes in your designs:
- Use your boldest shade sparingly to draw attention, like in headlines or buttons.
- Make text easy to read by ensuring enough contrast between text and background colors.
- Incorporate texture and natural materials like wood grains, plants, stones to complement the colors.
- Use colors from the palette in images and graphics, like a flower photo whose colors match your scheme.
- Apply palette colors consistently across different elements for cohesion.
- Consider tone and mood. Bright, warm hues convey energy while muted cooler hues are calm and relaxing.
Using the 60-30-10 ratio is a good rule of thumb: 60% dominant color, 30% secondary color, 10% accent color. This creates balanced, harmonious designs.
Examples of Natural Color Palettes in Use
Here are examples of business materials and branding using natural color palettes effectively:
| Company | Colors Used | How It Enhances Branding |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor clothing and gear brand | Browns, greens, blues, tan | Connects to hiking, camping, nature theme |
| Flower shop | Pink, green, lavender | Bright, cheery, matches floral theme |
| Gardening store | Greens, browns, terracotta | Earthy outdoor feel |
| Beach resort | Light blue, tan, sea green | Calls to mind oceans and sand |
As you can see, when used strategically, natural color palettes can help reinforce a brand’s message and identity.
Tools for Creating Natural Color Palettes
Here are some helpful tools for generating nature-based color schemes:
- Adobe Color – Online color wheel with themes including Earthy, Leaves, and Sunrise/Sunset
- Coolors – Online palette generator with nature inspired palette examples
- Picular – Mobile app that generates color palettes from your photos
- Pinterest – Search nature color palettes or themes like “autumn colors” to find inspiration
- Canva – Design tool with premade natural color palette templates
These tools provide great jumping off points for creating your own nature-based palettes. You can tweak them as needed to find the perfect shades.
Conclusion
Natural color palettes take their hues straight from the calming, beautiful colors found in nature. The best natural palettes utilize soft earth tones, vibrant flower colors, oceanic blues and greens, and organic neutrals to create a sense of calm and tranquility. They bring the outdoors inside through considered use of color.
Next time you’re seeking color inspiration, take a look at the world around you. Nature produces the most stunning color combinations imaginable. Try replicating them with your own natural palette for a timeless, pleasing effect.