8 Unexpected Color Combinations

Dove and Vitamin C

All-over grey can be cool and restful, but an office space also needs to offer moments of inspiration. Use hot orange accents painted inside open shelving, to spice things up.

Try this color combo:
Mythic Paint
Foggy Coast
131-2

Valspar
Orange Fruit
2011-1

Jade and Coral

Offset a highly decorative wall with a clean-lined modern sofa for maximum impact. Zing it up even more by upholstering it in a vivid, block color. It's all about the contrast!

Try this color combo:
Behr
Mosaic Tile
520D-7

Valspar
La Fonda Fireberry
1010-1

Acid and Storm

Neon brights don't have to be full-on to make a statement. Add just an occasional accent of color to instantly give edge to an otherwise safe scheme.

Try this color combo:
Behr
Sunny Summer
S-G-380

Valspar
Mountain Smoke
6004-213

Bubblegum and Eau de Nil

Give girlie pink much-needed cred by working it in grown-up fabrics and intricate pattern. Tone it down, but keep things interesting, with eau-de-nil walls.

Try this color combo:
Behr
Watermelon Pink
1208-6

Mythic Paint
Evesham Vale
062-3

Clover and Putty

Full-on green is too intense on its own for a personal space, so limit it to recesses and use a contrasting putty shade on the projection for skin flattering bathing.

Try this color combo:
Martha Stewart
Picnic Ocean
MS294

Martha Stewart
Newsprint
MS210

Magenta and Lime

Give a mod, two-tone wallpaper reason for being by anchoring it with a slick piece of modern furniture that picks up on an accent note.

Try this color combo:
Behr
Raspberry Pudding
1108-7

Mythic Paint
Chinese Chartreuse
074-6

Indigo and Coffee

Use texture to add an extra layer to a duo-tone scheme. Combining a neutral rough-plaster effect with a glossy surfaces in rich shades fuses functionality with luxe.

Try this color combo:
Farrow and Ball
Drawing Room Blue

Martha Stewart
Trench Coat
MS123

Violet and Plaster

Set woodwork and walls apart by taking your lead from fabric. Anchor the look with deep-colored accent pieces and textured accessories.

Try this color combo:
Mythic Paint
Royal Iris
005-6

Seaside Retreat
Idyllic
SR111

From Living, Etc.