What colors should not be used together?

Answered by Jarrod Smith

When it comes to color combinations, there are endless possibilities for creating stunning and harmonious designs. However, there are also certain color combinations that can clash and create an unpleasant visual experience. Here, I will discuss the top 10 colors that go worst together, explaining why they don’t work well and providing examples.

1. Red and Purple: These colors are both vibrant and can compete for attention. The boldness and intensity of red clashes with the deep and rich tones of purple, creating a visually overwhelming effect.

2. Pink and Bronze: Pink is a light and playful color, while bronze has a more earthy and metallic feel. When combined, the delicate and softness of pink can be overshadowed by the strong and heavy appearance of bronze, resulting in an unbalanced and jarring combination.

3. Orange and Blue: These colors are complementary, but when used in their purest forms, they can clash. The warm and energetic nature of orange conflicts with the cool and calming qualities of blue, creating a visual tension that is difficult to reconcile.

4. Silver and Yellow: Silver is often associated with a sleek and modern aesthetic, while yellow is vibrant and energetic. When used together, the coolness of silver can overpower the warmth of yellow, resulting in a combination that feels disconnected and unharmonious.

5. Orange and Green: Similar to orange and blue, orange and green are complementary colors that can clash when used in their purest forms. The boldness and vibrancy of orange can overpower the freshness and tranquility of green, leading to a visually overwhelming and unbalanced combination.

6. Blue and Pink: These colors can work well together when used in softer and more muted shades. However, when used in their purest and brightest forms, they can clash. The coolness of blue can overpower the softness and subtlety of pink, resulting in a combination that feels harsh and unbalanced.

7. Yellow and Pink: Yellow and pink are both vibrant and energetic colors, but when used together, they can create a visually overpowering effect. The brightness and intensity of both colors can compete for attention and create a combination that feels overwhelming and unharmonious.

8. Blue and Gold: Blue is a cool and calming color, while gold has a warm and luxurious feel. When used together, the coolness of blue can clash with the richness and opulence of gold, resulting in a combination that feels disjointed and unbalanced.

9. Red and Green: Red and green are complementary colors, often associated with Christmas. However, when used in their purest and brightest forms, they can create a visually overwhelming combination. The boldness and vibrancy of red can clash with the freshness and tranquility of green, resulting in a combination that feels chaotic and unharmonious.

10. Brown and Gray: Brown and gray are both neutral colors that can work well together when used in the right shades. However, when used in their purest forms, they can create a combination that feels dull and uninspiring. The earthiness of brown can clash with the coolness and neutrality of gray, resulting in a combination that lacks visual interest.

While these color combinations may not be ideal, it’s important to note that the use of different shades, tones, and textures can greatly impact how colors work together. Experimenting with different variations and considering the overall design context can help create visually pleasing combinations even with colors that traditionally clash.