Lavender is a versatile color that can complement a variety of colors and styles. When decorating with lavender, it’s important to consider the undertones and shades you want to pair it with. Here are some of the best color combinations that look great with lavender.
Soft neutrals
Lavender pairs beautifully with soft neutral shades like cream, ivory, light gray, and taupe. These muted tones allow the lavender to pop while also creating a soothing, cohesive look. Try combining lavender with:
- Creamy whites – Add lavender accents to white furniture or bedding for a romantic vibe.
- Light grays – Use light gray as a subtle backdrop to make lavender decor really stand out.
- Ivory – An ivory sofa or rug grounds a room while complementing lavender’s soft hue.
- Taupe – Taupe has a subtle warmth that brings out the rosy undertones in many lavender shades.
To make sure lavender doesn’t look washed out against neutrals, opt for shades with obvious purple undertones rather than pale variations.
Pastels
For a spring-inspired look, pair lavender with other light pastel colors like peach, mint, baby blue, or soft yellow. Pastels have a delicate, romantic vibe that works perfectly with the whimsical feel of lavender. Try coordinating lavender with:
- Peach – Peach adds a pop of warmth and femininity.
- Mint – Cool mint green helps lavender feel bright and refreshing.
- Baby blue – Pale blue has a similar faded, vintage look as many lavender hues.
- Butter yellow – A touch of creamy yellow brings lightness against the purple tones.
When mixing pastels with lavender, opt for a monochromatic look using different shades of purple alongside the secondary colors. This creates visual interest while ensuring the overall palette remains soft and cohesive.
Jewel tones
While lavender commonly gets paired with other light hues, it can also look beautiful alongside deeper jewel tones. The contrast of a bold, saturated color against lavender’s muted purple tone creates an eye-catching look. Try coordinating lavender with:
- Royal blue – A dark, inky blue has striking contrast against pale lavender.
- Emerald green – The lushness of emerald green helps ground light lavender shades.
- Sapphire – The vivid brightness of sapphire blue makes an energetic pairing with lavender.
- Ruby red – A touch of ruby red adds warmth and vibrancy when combined with lavender.
When pairing lavender with jewel tones, stick to shades with a soft luminosity so they don’t overwhelm the lighter purple hue. Dusty sapphire and faded ruby work better than bold primary versions.
Metallic accents
Metallic accents are a great way to add visual interest when decorating with lavender. The sheen of metals creates eye-catching contrast against the flat matte finish of lavender. Try incorporating:
- Rose gold – The pinkish hue of rose gold picks up on lavender’s rosy undertones.
- Antique brass – The muted warmth of antique brass feels timeless against lavender.
- Pewter – Cool pewter has an elegant look alongside light purple shades.
- Silver – Bright polished silver pops against soft lavender colors.
Use metallic accents sparingly to avoid overpowering the subtle tranquility of lavender. Small touches like rose gold table legs, a pewter photo frame, or an antique brass floor lamp provide just enough contrast.
Earth tones
Although highly contrasting earth tones may overwhelm lavender, softer muted versions can make stylish combinations. Subtle terra cotta, olive, mocha, and slate tones create an organic mood that complements lavender’s natural flower origins. Try pairing lavender with:
- Terra cotta – Washed-out brick red has rustic appeal next to lavender.
- Olive green – Dusky olive picks up on lavender’s subtle gray undertones.
- Mocha – A faded coffee color adds a hint of coziness to lavender decor.
- Slate – Weathered gray-blue slate feels soothing and natural with lavender.
When combining earth tones with lavender, opt for sun-faded and mineral-washed versions rather than bold saturated shades. This ensures the colors blend instead of clashing.
Vivid brights
While high-energy brights require finessing, they can create fun lively combinations with the right lavender shades. Pairing lavender with zesty citrus colors, pinks, or even deep plums can feel modern and playful. Consider:
- Lime green – Vibrant lime green exudes energy when combined with light airy lavender.
- Tangerine – Bold tangerine orange makes a summery pairing with soft floral lavender.
- Fuchsia – Vibrant fuchsia pink creates a lively feminine look next to lavender.
- Eggplant – Deep eggplant purple packs a punch but ties in as an edgier lavender variation.
When using bright vivid colors with lavender, counterbalance them with plenty of white space and neutral tones. This ensures the overall look remains fresh instead of overwhelming.
Rich purples
Different shades of purple always complement each other beautifully. Creating a monochromatic lavender color scheme allows you to play with lighter and darker values for depth and interest. Pair lavender with:
- Pale lilac – Light airy lilac provides subtle contrast next to bolder lavender.
- Wisteria – Bluish wisteria tones pick up the cooler facets of lavender.
- Orchid – Vibrant orchid amps up the energy level next to soft muted lavender.
- Eggplant – Deep sophisticated eggplant makes lavender feel light and ethereal.
A monochromatic lavender scheme is easy to balance while still providing enough color variation. Use lighter tints as your base then layer in bold accents for contrast.
Conclusion
With its versatile hue, lavender complements a wide range of color palettes. Soft neutral backends allow the purple tones to take center stage while pastels create a delicate feminine feel. For bolder looks, jewel tones, vivid brights, and rich purples provide striking contrast. Regardless of your style, experiment with different lavender color combinations to find your perfect match.
