White is a neutral color that goes with almost anything. However, there are a few colors that tend to clash with pure white. Understanding color theory can help determine which hues pair well with white and which ones to avoid. In this article, we’ll examine what colors clash with white and provide tips for creating harmonious color palettes.
Primary Colors That Clash With White
The primary colors on the color wheel are red, blue and yellow. Of these three shades, pure bright red and yellow often clash with stark white. Here’s a closer look at how these primary hues interact with white:
Bright Red
Bright, clear red paired with bright white can create too much visual contrast. Placed side by side, the red may appear jarring and overwhelming when combined with crisp white. This is especially true for cool whites that have a blue undertone. The simultaneously warm and cool contrast is visually distracting.
However, softer reds with a more pink or orange undertone can work nicely with white. Pastel reds and shades like salmon, rose, coral and brick don’t clash as strongly with white.
Bright Yellow
Bright, clear yellow can also clash with bright white. Side by side, the contrast is very high, which strains the eyes. Soft or buttery yellows work better with white. Lemon and mustard yellow are especially discordant when paired with white.
Secondary Colors That Clash With White
The secondary colors on the color wheel are purple, green and orange. Of these hues, pure bright versions of purple and green sometimes clash with stark white. Here’s a more in-depth look:
Bright Purple
Similar to red, vivid purple paired right next to bright white can seem overly contrasting to the eye. However, soft lilacs, lavenders and mauves coordinate more seamlessly with white. Pastel purples and shades with pink or blue undertones are better options than pure bright violet.
Bright Green
Clear, grassy greens often appear too bold against bright white. However, muted sage greens, seafoam greens, and olive greens pair nicely with white. Dark forest greens also work well as an accent color. Just avoid placing fluorescently bright greens directly next to white.
Tertiary Colors That Clash With White
The tertiary colors on the color wheel are made by mixing primary and secondary shades. These include colors like orange-red, red-purple, yellow-green, etc. Of these, bright citrus orange and lime green most frequently clash with white:
Citrus Orange
Vivid orange with a strong yellow undertone tends to look jarring and mismatched when paired with crisp white. Softer peaches, corals and apricots coordinate better. Deeper oranges with a redder undertone are also a safer choice.
Lime Green
Bright, acidic greens made with a lot of yellow often clash with stark white. Muted sage greens, jade greens and forest greens are more harmonious alternatives. Always lean toward greens with blue undertones rather than yellow undertones.
Brown Tones That Clash With White
While brown is considered a neutral, some shades of brown clash with white:
Yellow-Undertone Browns
Browns with too strong of a yellow or orange undertone, like mustard browns, often look dirty and discolored against white. Stick to wood browns, mocha browns and other shades with red or blue undertones instead.
Green-Undertone Browns
On the other end of the spectrum, olive and green undertones in browns can also sometimes clash with white. Avoid pairing stark white with army greens, khakis and other shades with obvious green/yellow undertones.
How to Create Harmonious Color Palettes With White
Now that we’ve covered specific colors that tend to clash with white, here are some general tips for pairing white with colors successfully:
- Stick to low-saturation, softer hues rather than vivid primaries.
- Pastels work especially well with white.
- Colors with blue or gray undertones are safer than yellow/orange undertones.
- If using a bright primary shade, make it more of an accent rather than 50/50 with the white.
- Add texture, patterns or divider lines when bright colors meet white.
- Use warmer antique whites rather than stark bright whites.
- Add a third “bridge” color between the white and bright color.
It also helps to understand different whites. Here’s a quick overview:
Different Types of Whites
| White Undertone | Description |
| Warm white | Creamy off-white with yellow/peach undertone |
| Cool white | Crisp white with a blue undertone |
| Natural white | Slightly grey, mineral-looking white |
| Antique white | Distressed white with warm yellow/brown undertone |
Warm antique whites tend to be the most versatile, as they contain undertones shared by other colors. This helps them harmonize more easily. Crisp cool whites with blue undertones pair best with other cool, low-saturation colors.
Color Combinations That Complement White
Here are some recommended color combinations that look beautiful with white:
Monochromatic
Using different shades, tints and tones of white or off-white is always a safe, elegant option:
- Cream + antique white + oatmeal + pearl
- Snow white + vanilla white + white duck + seashell
Analogous
Analogous colors sit next to each other on the color wheel. Analogous palettes with white feature soft pastel tones:
- Baby blue + lavender + white
- Mint green + sage + white
- Peach + pink + white
Triadic
Triadic color schemes use colors evenly spaced on the color wheel. These vibrant pairings just need the right balance:
- Coral + white + seafoam
- Pale yellow + white + sky blue
- Lavender + white + sage
Tetradic
Tetradic palettes are made of two sets of complementary colors. The contrasts can be gorgeous with white as a neutral:
- Rosy pink + navy + white + mustard
- Brick red + periwinkle + white + moss green
Neutral
In addition to off-whites, pair white with other soft neutrals like grays and browns:
- White + dove gray + taupe
- Eggshell + charcoal + white
- Ivory + brown + flaxen white
Conclusion
Although white goes with practically any color, pairs best with soft, low-saturation hues. Avoid placing it side-by-side with vivid primaries and secondaries. Stick to pastels, neutrals and colors with blue undertones for harmonious palettes. With the right balance, however, white can work with any color beautifully. Keep these guidelines in mind when decorating and coordinating your wardrobe. Be creative and enjoy all the possibilities white provides!