100 inspiring color

Design combinations (+
Home Learn
inspiration free color palette
generator)

DESIGN INSPIRATION

!00 inspirin) color

combinations (+ free color
palette )enerator)

Canva is the world's easiest design tool. And the

best part? It's free. Whether it's a logo or a
resume, you can create beautiful designs with
countless color combinations in seconds. No
design experience needed.

Create a design

Color is often synonymous with branding. Brands

use color combinations to communicate their
identity. Iconic color combinations can make a
brand’s materials instantly recognizable, even
without their name, logo, or product anywhere in
the design.

Table of Contents

A guide to applying color theory principles

Understanding color varieties

An overview of color combinations

Types of color combinations

Monochromatic color combinations

Complementary color combinations

Triadic color combinations

Analogous color combinations

Tetradic color combinations

Generate meaning using color combinations

Build powerful color combinations for your

brand

Use a color wheel to generate color

combinations

Use a color picker to create color

combinations from a photograph

Create a brand kit that includes your color

combinations

100 color combinations to inspire your

designs

Find organic color combinations in nature

Get delicious color combinations from food &

drink

Find inspiration in color combinations around

the world

Pull color combinations from everyday items

Design with color

PayPal uses a monochromatic blue across their

website and app. UPS has a complementary color
combination of brown and gold that makes their
uniforms and trucks recognizable wherever they
are. Google uses a bright color palette,
combining four colors—blue, red, yellow, and
green—which contrasts against the company’s
clean white web background.

Google’s iconic color palette replicated with hex codes

for web and RGB and CMYK for printing in Canva’s color
wheel tool.

As you build your brand, finding the perfect color

combinations makes your designs and materials
eye-catching, polished, and aligned with your
brand identity. Color makes a design come alive.
It can attract attention, set a mood, and even
influence our emotions and perceptions.

Creating color combinations for the multitude of

materials you need to create for your brand can
be a challenge. We’ve done the hard work for
you, giving you 100 color combinations based on
nature, food and drink, travel, and everyday
items to inspire your designs.

Below you will find examples of 100 di\erent

color combinations to inspire you. Or you can
use our Color Wheel to show you what colors
look good together:

Use the color wheel to generate color palettes for your

brand

A )uide to appl;in) color theor;

principles

Colors have di\erent properties and can be

categorized in a few di\erent ways. An
understanding of the fundamental color types
will help you to combine them to create dynamic
color combinations and e\ects.

Understandin* color varieties

The RGB color wheel is made up of primary

colors and the di\erent hues that can be created
by combining them.

Primary Colors - Red, Blue, and Yellow. The

building blocks of the color wheel—these
three colors can be mixed together in varying
ratios to create any other color.

Secondary Colors - Orange, Green, and

Purple. These colors are created by mixing an
even amount of two primary colors.

Tertiary Colors - Red-Orange, Yellow-Orange,

Yellow-Green, Blue-Green, Blue-Violet, Red-
Violet. Tertiary colors are made by mixing
unbalanced quantities of the primary colors.
They don’t have set names, so you may see
them called by more specific terms, such as
Chartreuse for Yellow-Green or Teal for Blue-
Green.

An overview of color combinations

Colors have infinite variations, and we have more

terms to talk about the intensity and quality of
those color combinations. You can play with tint,
shade, tone, and saturation to give your color
combinations more nuance.

Hue - The primary property of a color along

the RGB color spectrum.

Tint - A base color combined with white in

varying quantities creates a tint.

Shade - A base color combined with black in

varying quantities creates a shade.

Tone - A base color combined with gray in

varying quantities creates a tone.

Saturation - Saturation (sometimes called

intensity) refers to the amount of hue or
color present. A saturated image will be very
bright with full-hue colors. A desaturated
image will be in gray tones from black to
white only.

Warm vs. Cool - Warm colors are in the

yellow-red spectrum, while cool colors fall on
the blue-green-purple spectrum. Warm
colors evoke heat and active energy, while
cool colors bring calming energy like cool
water.

T;pes of color combinations

Colors take on a new impact when they are

combined with each other. Two, three, four, or
more colors in relationship to each other add
visual interest to a design by contrasting or
harmonizing. Di\erent types of color
combinations and color pairings will create
di\erent types of impact based on their
relationships along the color wheel. Check out
Canva’s colour resources for inspiration.

Monochromatic color combinations

A monochromatic color combination uses

varying tints, shades, or tones of the same base
hue. It is also a great color combo for creating a
gradient.

Monochrome designs easily create harmony, but

they may miss contrast. A monochrome color
combination can be subtle and conservative (for
example, with dark shades of blue) or bold (like a
combination of bright reds), depending on the
base shade you choose.

Complementar9 color combinations

Complementary color combinations are colors

that sit opposite each other on the color wheel.
Complementary color combinations create a
feeling of energy and vitality.

Triadic color combinations

A triadic color combination is a combination that

uses three colors in an equidistant triangle on
the color wheel. Using this type of color
combination can create feelings of peace and
harmony in a design.

Analo*ous color combinations

An analogous color combination is a combination

of two to five colors that sit adjacent to each
other on the color wheel. It creates a smooth and
pacifying feeling in a design. Designers often opt
to choose muted shades within these color
combinations.

Tetradic color combinations

The tetradic color combination includes one

primary and two complementary colors with one
additional color as an accent. The four colors are
distributed evenly around the color wheel, so no
one color is dominant over the other in a design.

Generate meanin) usin) color

combinations

Individual colors carry meaning and symbolism,

and di\erent color combinations can be used to
evoke di\erent emotions when they are used in a
design. Understanding color psychology can help
you use color strategically to emphasize the
messages you want to convey with your designs.

Red – danger, passion, excitement, energy

Pink – feminine, sentimental, romantic,

exciting

Orange – fresh, youthful, creative,

adventurous

Yellow – optimistic, cheerful, playful, happy

Green – natural, vitality, prestige, wealth

Blue – communicative, trustworthy, calming,

depressed

Purple – royalty, majesty, spiritual,

mysterious

Brown – organic, wholesome, simple, honest

White – purity, simplicity, innocence,

minimalism

Black – sophisticated, formal, luxurious,

sorrowful

Combining these colors allows you to build

nuanced color stories that communicate through
your designs. Yellow is generally a cheerful color.
However, tool manufacturers and construction
companies often use it in a high-contrast color
scheme with more serious blacks and grays. In
this color combination, yellow becomes a color
of warning and action, like a high-visibility vest
against a concrete wall.

Build powerful color

combinations for ;our brand

Once you choose the colors for your brand, you

can build color combinations for use across your
company’s materials. Create combinations for
your logo designs, posters and ads, social media
posts, and landing pages which are harmonious
with your brand colors. You can browse premade
color combination ideas for inspiration or
generate your own with Canva’s color tools.

Use a color wheel to *enerate color

combinations

The color wheel is the best tool for

experimenting with color relationships to create
harmony and contrast. Canva’s color wheel tool
allows you to select your desired color
combinations—complementary, monochromatic,
analogous, triadic, or tetradic—along the
spectrum and export the resulting combinations
for use in your designs.

A tetradic color combination

Use a color picker to create color

combinations from a photo*raph

If you are using photographs in your designs or

simply want to find color inspiration, you can use
the photographic color palette generator. Pull
inspiration from any image, whether you’re
creating color combinations inspired by art,
current color trends, nature, food, or your own
advertising images.

Upload a photograph and the tool will

automatically generate color combinations from
the existing hues in the image. This tool helps to
find the best color combination for any webpage
or ad with a photograph in it. The tool provides
hex codes so you can use this palette in any of
your designs, or you can download the resulting
palette to add to your brand kit.

Upload your brand’s photographs to the color picker to

design palettes around them.

Create a brand kit that includes 9our

color combinations

The color combinations you generate can be

included in your brand kit. Strong guidelines for
branding and design help you manage your
brand and use your visual identity strategically.
Include color combinations and detail exactly
where and how they should be used. If you have
di\erent marketing campaigns or target markets,
you can create specific variations of your brand
colors for use in those materials.

A brand kit can help keep your color scheme consistent.

!00 color combinations to

inspire ;our desi)ns

Find organic color combinations in nature

01. Fresh & Bright: petal, poppy, stem, spring

green

02. Subdued & Professional: mist, stone, shadow,

autumn foliage

03. Dark & Earthy: crevice, cloud shadow, desert,

red clay

04. Crisp & Dramatic: thunder cloud, waterfall,

moss, meadow

05. Cool Blues: deep aqua, ocean, wave, seafoam

06. Outdoorsy & Natural: forest green, grass,

lime, earth

07. Shady Foliage in Blue-Greens: blue black,

cadet blue, rain, greenery

08. Primary Colors with a Vibrant Twist: sky,

sunset, sunflower, grass

09. Refreshing & Pretty: aquamarine, turquoise,

canary yellow, pink tulip

10. Playful Greens & Blues: blue pine, new grass,

reflection, mist

11. Fresh & Energetic: blue sky, granite, pine,

fields
12. Surf & Turf: sandstone, burnt orange, sea,
lagoon

13. Autumn in Vermont: crimson, forest, rust,

gold

14. Icy Blues & Grays: overcast, warm gray, ice,

glacier blue

15. Birds & Berries: lavender gray, branch, berry,

yellow feathers

16. Day & Night: dark navy, blueberry, tangerine,

da\odil

17. Stylish & Retro: sky, sunglow, mountains, mist

18. Shades of Citrus: orange, yellow, olive green,

lime

19. Sunset to Dusk: deep purple, indigo, taupe,

blush

20. Bright & Tropical: hot pink, bubblegum,

pollen, chartreuse

21. Warm Naturals: bark, seaweed green, bronze,

goldenrod

22. Bold Berries: eggplant, strawberry, lemon

lime, basil green

23. Summer Sunflower: blue, leafy green,

sunflower, seeds

24. Modern & Crisp: deep green, white, plants,

new growth

25. Timeless & Nautical: navy, peacock blue,

ivory, candy apple

Get delicious color combinations from food &

drink

26. Neutral & Versatile: slate, ceramic, latte,

co\ee

27. Cheerful Brights: avocado, yellow pepper,

aqua blue, tomato

28. Garden Fresh: carrot, tangerine, o\ white,

pear green

29. Summer Barbeque: green, charred, toasted,

tomato

30. Berry Blues: midnight blue, indigo ink,

blueberry, periwinkle

31. Lemonade Stand: cherry red, ice, marmalade,

orange juice

32. Serene & Spa-Like: sage, honeydew, bluebell,

raspberry

33. Fun & Tropical: electric blue, banana,

watermelon, cantaloupe

34. Spicy Neutrals: cayenne, cinnamon, cream,

caramel

35. Pastels: baby blue, peach, butter,

butterscotch

36. Bold & Cultured: fig, apple red, swiss cheese,

basil

37. Sunny Citrus: citrus, grapefruit, ruby red, o\

white

38. Crisp Complementary Colors: golden

delicious, granny smith, ripe apple, red delicious

39. Warm & Rustic: mushroom, onion, red pepper,

driftwood

40. Neon Night: caviar, avocado, salmon, black

seaweed

41. Warm Jewel Tones: purple onion, ripe tomato,

lemon, spices

42. Polished & Inviting: linen, oyster, pewter,

lemon tea

43. Fresh Greens: emerald, green bean, light

green, cotton

44. Wintery Reds: berry, cherry, chi\on, smoke

45. Summer Fiesta: avocado, cilantro, lox, toast

46. Chocolaty Browns: cocoa, chocolate, to\ee,

frosting

47. Naturally Elegant: yellow pear, moss green,

umber, gold

48. Cozy & Warm: red onion, spicy, parsnip,

peppercorn

49. Violet Sunset: stoneground, lapis, salmon,

peppercorn

50. Strawberries & Cream: strawberry, papaya,

milk, granola

Find inspiration in color combinations around

the world

51. Grecian Holiday: grecian blue, sea, plaster,

coral

52. Bold & Basic: night, phone booth red, pearl,

flash

53. Vineyard Neutrals: dark, wine, clay, dusty

rose

54. Modern & Urban: sunshine, steel blue, bone,

coal

55. Misty Mountain Greens: forest, evergreen,

pine, fog

56. Sunkissed Village: terracotta, honey, biscotti,

stone

57. Sun & Sky: cerulean blue, mustard, asphalt,

shadow

58. Aqua Blues: peacock blue, deep aqua, lichen,

mist

59. Urban Oasis: leaves, bark, marble,

brownstone

60. Candy-Coated Brights: orange, fuschia,

lemon drop, blue raspberry

61. Muted & Antique: Robin’s egg blue, nectar,

tuscan red, olive

62. Classy & Timeless: midnight blue, dusk,

golden, bronze

63. Cosmopolitan: blue-gray, steel, pewter, blush

64. Cheerful & Friendly: dark teal, arctic, white

cloud, brick

65. Nightlife Neons: cyan, magenta, yellow, black

66. Coastal Sky: powder blue, clouds, sand, palm

67. Maritime Brights: saltwater, lagoon,

whitewash, raspberry

68. Vintage Charm: honeysuckle, warm gray,

putty, faded roses

69. Understated & Versatile: stormy sea, fog,

rust, charcoal

70. Arctic Sunrise: sunrise, blue topaz, cerulean,

icicle

71. Mediterranean Afternoon: currant, scarlet,

marigold, cobblestone

72. Hazy Grays: blue-green, waterway, haze, smog

73. City Sights: fire engine red, light gray, denim,

concrete

74. Retro & Relaxing: ginger, light gray, oat,

concrete

75. Green Fields: split pea, camouflage, light,

grass

Pull color combinations from everyday items

76. Distinctive & Unexpected: turquoise, cool

gray, brownish purple, orange red

77. Sleek & Modern: blue-black, cool gray, white,

cobalt

78. Orange Accent: wood veneer, sand dollar,

charcoal, orange

79. Beyond Black & White: turquoise, lipstick,

grayish white, black

80. Shabby Chic Neutrals: metal, kraft paper,

newsprint, pewter

81. Warm & Cool: faded navy, punch, ocean

breeze, warm

82. Industrial & in Control: ink, aluminum, paper,

ruby red

83. Autumn Oranges: pumpkin, cantaloupe,

cotton, hot chocolate

84. Pool Party: royal blue, pool blue, orange juice,

blood orange

85. Classic Metallics: black steel, paper, gold leaf,

silver

86. Subtle & Versatile: blue-green, minty, faded

red, oatmeal

87. Professional & Traditional: brick red, gloss

white, matte black, medium gray

88. Light & Natural: stone, sage, buttermilk,

leather

89. Shadowy & Dramatic: slate, neon red, crepe,

brown gray

90. Golden Afternoon: burgundy, oatmeal,

cinder, goal

91. Dark & Handsome: mahogany, chestnut,

leather, parchment

92. Technology Meets Nature: buttercup, silver

plate, dark, green

93. Cheerful Blues + Pink: soft pink, warm white,

bright blue, aegean blue

94. Wild & High-Impact: onyx, taupe, firework,

oceanic

95. Back to School: wood, pencil yellow, orange,

pink eraser

96. Bright & Painterly: ultramarine, watermelon,

sunshine, turquoise

97. Urban Living: soft gray, blackish, houseplant,

blue-gray

98. Retro Kitchen: mint, red, porcelain, fresh blue

99. Smoky Purples: warm gray, dark bluish gray,

beige, mauve

100. Trendy & Metropolitan: dark aqua, gold,

charcoal, gray

Find or*anic color combinations in

nature

The natural world is a great source of design

inspiration. Colors found in nature can
harmonize or contrast, but our familiarity with
the natural world means the resulting color
combinations will still feel harmonious and
organic. These color combinations can be great
to use when you want to evoke associations with
health and vitality, outdoors activities, or
environmental consciousness.

!. Fresh & Bri,ht

Image by u2tryololo via Flickr

Fresh greenery and colorful blossoms make

springtime a welcome sight after a long winter.
This color combination features bright shades of
green and coral that will make your design pop.
These types of colors are perfect for a spring or
summer event poster or an advertisement that
wants to communicate a fresh, youthful feeling.

.. Subdued & Professional

Image by Vincent D’Amico

Red and blue are common colors for branding,

and for good reason. Red says “confident and
powerful,” while blue says “calming and
trustworthy.” This color combination o\ers a
little bit of both, with slightly muted shades that
aren’t overpowering. The brick red adds a burst
of extra color to the more conservative blues
while still keeping a professional look.

3. Dark & Earth=

Image by Wolfgang Staudt

Desert landscapes are full of complex shades of

brown, purple, and red, and so is this color
combination. For an unexpected color
combination that is toned down, try this
combination of plum and reddish oranges.

4. Crisp & Dramatic

Image by Alexander Shchukin

Iceland’s natural beauty is legendary, and this

color combination finds inspiration in its
dramatic contrasts. The warm, grayish
undertones of the top two colors contrast nicely
with the cooler greens. The range of lighter and
darker shades makes it easy to combine any two
or three of the colors and have them still
complement each other.

5. Cool Blues

Image by Sunova Surfboards

Monochromatic color combinations (made up of

the various tints, tones, or shades of one color)
are extremely versatile. While this combination
may not qualify as monochromatic according to
the technical definition, it creates a similar visual
e\ect. With a color as versatile as blue, this
combination could be used just about anywhere.

6. Outdoors= & Natural

Image by PapaPiper via Flickr

If you have a brand or need a design that

emphasizes natural or green-friendly qualities,
greens and browns are a logical choice. This color
combination brightens things up with a splash of
lime green for emphasis.

7. Shad= Folia,e in Blue-Greens

Another winner for any brand looking to

emphasize its eco-credentials. This moody color
combination of watery shaded greens has a
subtle sophistication.

8. Primar= Colors with a Vibrant Twist

Image by Clint Losee

Bright colors have undeniable eye-catching

power. This primary color combination is ever-
so-slightly muted, giving the palette a muted
sunset e\ect.

9. Refreshin, & Prett=

Crisp turquoise hues set o\ bright yellow and

bubblegum pink for a color combination almost
reminiscent of Easter candy. You can also leave
the pink out and opt for the aqua shades and
yellow for a bright, clean combination.

!0. Pla=ful Greens & Blues

Image by Shandi-lee Cox

The bluish shades at the top and bottom of this

selection have gray undertones. This muting
makes them almost neutral—a great foundation
for playing with more daring tones like the lime
green.

!!. Fresh & Ener,etic

The almost neon shades of blue and green

balance out the more conservative colors and
add a bright freshness that gives the color
combination some kick. This kind of scheme
might work well for a fitness brand or any design
that needs to balance a businesslike feel with an
energetic vibe.

!.. Surf & Turf

This landscape of sea and stone features warm

and cool colors in bright and subdued shades.
The beachy, mellow color combination brings to
mind relaxing island vacations. This is one
example of how we can associate color with
certain places, moods, or emotions.

!3. Autumn in Vermont

These earthy colors are rustic, evoking woodsy

autumnal feelings. This color combination would
be perfect for anyone looking to add a rugged or
down-to-earth touch to their brand.

!4. Ic= Blues & Gra=s

Contrast warm grays with cool, glacial blues for a

dynamic color combination. Blue and gray can be
an understated combination, but the icy
brightness of the blue here brings more visual
energy. Try these lighter, brighter hues rather
than opting for navy and dark gray if you want to
add some vibrancy to your designs.

!5. Birds & Berries

Much like the image, this color combination

brings to mind the first moments of spring and
the newly emerging flowers, buds, and berries.

!6. Da= & Ni,ht

This color combination is a perfect example of
the power of contrast. The strong, bright hues of
the yellow and orange are balanced by the indigo
and navy tones, creating an overall e\ect that is
graphic and powerful.

!7. St=lish & Retro

The muted shades in this color combination have

a vintage vibe. Light aqua and gold were popular
in interior and graphic design in the 1950s and
’60s, but that doesn’t mean this combination
looks dated. These colors have seen a resurgence
in popularity in recent years along with mid-
century modern design style.

!8. Shades of Citrus

Nothing says liveliness more than these varied

citrus hues. Orange, yellow, and lime green are
the perfect choices if you want a color
combination that suggests freshness and vitality.

!9. Sunset to Dusk

The colors that are seen across the sky as the sun
sets and moves toward twilight come in a wide
range of peaches and blues. This color
combination creates a soft and sophisticated
palette that will make any design unique.

.0. Bri,ht & Tropical

A color combination so tropical you can almost

feel the warm breeze on your skin—these warm
colors will add a youthful energy and vitality to
your next design.

.!. Warm Naturals

Think of changing leaves and the various shades

of brown, red, orange, and green of the foliage.
Use this color combination to create a design
that is appealing and cozy.

... Bold Berries

This color combination balances out bright red

with soft brown, yellow, and green. This
combination can be used to create designs that
are bright and fun while the fresh, natural tones
keep it soothing.

.3. Summer Sunflower

This color combination has an outdoor feel to it,

like a summer baseball game or a field of
sunflowers. This combination uses bright primary
and secondary colors, with a slightly muted
orange that lets the blue-yellow end of the
spectrum be visually dominant.

.4. Modern & Crisp

Pairing black and white with bright, crisp shades

of green makes for a modern color combination
that is sophisticated without being too serious.
Instead of pairing red or blue with your black and
white, freshen things up with some green.

.5. Timeless & Nautical

This is a classic color combination. Neutral navy

and ivory play o\ the red and peacock blue in
this combination.

Get delicious color combinations from

food & drink

Food evokes feelings of hunger and mouth-

watering cravings. Edible goods are an obvious
inspiration for restaurants and food producers.
They can also be used strategically to stoke the
appetite of your viewers for whatever it is you’re
designing.

.6. Neutral & Versatile

Neutral color combinations like these shades of

gray and tan are versatile and can be paired with
almost anything. This color combination can
have di\erent e\ects based on how it’s used. It
can give an upscale and sophisticated e\ect, like
the branding for a luxury hotel, if it favors the
grays. Otherwise, it can create a calming and
comfortable feeling, like a neighborhood co\ee
shop, if you use more of the brown and taupe.

.7. Cheerful Bri,hts

Bold but not overly bright, this color

combination is eye-catching and cheery while
remaining sophisticated.

.8. Garden Fresh

Orange is often associated with energy—and

what's more energetic than these two
complementary orange tones? The o\-white and
pear green colors balance the color combination,
creating a fresh feel.

.9. Summer Barbeque

This color combination is pure nostalgia. It

evokes memories of warm summer afternoons,
hanging out in the backyard, and just enjoying
the day.

30. Berr= Blues

An e\ective color combination doesn't need to

use extremely di\erent colors, as this
combination demonstrates. The di\erent shades
of blue are perfectly balanced and conjure the
trustworthiness blue promotes.

3!. Lemonade Stand

This cheerful color combination of reds, oranges,

and yellows will perk up any design. It looks juicy,
like a melting popsicle or a summer spritz. Yellow
and orange have been shown to increase the
heart rate and make viewers hungry, so this color
combination is great for advertising food.

3.. Serene & Spa-Like

Calming, spa-like greens and blue—great by

themselves—look a little more lively with a splash
of raspberry as an accent color. Add a brighter or
bolder accent color to a more restrained
selection to liven up a color combination and
give it a little extra interest.

33. Fun & Tropical

This happy blend of colors doesn’t take itself too

seriously. This color combination is perfect for
summer advertisements or children’s designs. A
combination like this one will make it clear where
the fun is at.

34. Spic= Neutrals

Shades that have a full range of light to dark

make it easier to apply a color combination to a
design. There’s enough contrast that you can
choose a background color, a text color, and an
accent color or two just from these four.

35. Pastels

Applications for a pastel color combination can

be a little more limited. They will be common in
designs for spring, infants, and sweet shops.
Pastel colors generally come across as pretty
and delicate, so you’ll want to make sure your
design calls for a similar mood if you want to use
a color combination like this one.

36. Bold & Cultured

A bright color combination that has been slightly

shaded with the inclusion of black or gray into
each color base. It will be easy to make elements
of your design stand out with this color
combination without creating too many
contrasts in your design.

37. Sunn= Citrus

Citrus shades of orange are juicy and appetizing.

This color combination includes an o\-white for
contrast and shades on both the yellow and red
sides of orange, so your designs will be
distinctive and easy to read.

38. Crisp Complementar= Colors

Red and green are one of three pairs of

complementary colors on the traditional color
wheel. These colors combine to make a striking,
high-contrast impression that can be a little
jarring if you don’t use them carefully. They can
also easily become Christmasy when used at full
saturation. These reds and greens have been
balanced and toned down for a fresher twist on a
complementary color combination.

39. Warm & Rustic

With a neutral white and soft brown paired with

brighter warm colors, this color combination is
eye-catching. If you let the neutral hues
dominate your design, the red pepper and onion
will make perfect accent colors.

40. Neon Ni,ht

A black background, in this case slightly

softened, makes neon brights pop. Designs using
this color combination will draw attention and
stand out.

4!. Warm Jewel Tones

Full saturation red, orange, and yellow are o\set

by a softer warm purple. The purple grounds the
rest of the color combination and brings
sophistication to an otherwise popping, bright
design. It’s also perfect for adding text or
emphasis.

4.. Polished & Invitin,

Warm grays with a pop of golden yellow is a color

combination you’ll sometimes see in interior
design and home décor. It’s primarily neutral,
and the warmth of the grays feels calming and
inviting. A pop of yellow adds some cheerfulness
and energy for an overall combination that’s
refined without feeling stu\y.

43. Fresh Greens

This monochromatic green color combination

adds contrast with a bright, clean white. The
pastel light green also contrasts well with the
darker emerald. With this combination, you can
give your designs a dynamic e\ect while the
monochrome base keeps things harmonious.

44. Winter= Reds

Reminiscent of winter berries and bare branches

against a snowy sky, this combination of colors
would make a great alternative to your
traditional Christmas or holiday palettes. The
rich reds paired with violet-tinged grays feel
festive but stay sophisticated.

45. Summer Fiesta

Appetizing and retro, each of these colors uses a

touch of yellow to make the combination
harmonize.

46. Chocolat= Browns

Who says brown has to be boring? Add some red
and violet undertones, and you have a full, rich
color combination that—like these chocolate
cupcakes—feels a little decadent.

47. Naturall= Ele,ant

Yellow draws attention, and this green-tinted

yellow stands out beautifully in a design with the
more muted green, brown, and gold shades.

48. Coz= & Warm

You can mute red and combine it with softer

neutrals to create a dynamic e\ect that isn’t too
jarring.

49. Violet Sunset

The salmon and lapis in this color combination

contrast brightly against each other. Soft purple-
brown neutrals make a perfect backdrop for any
design. This combination is great for giving a
sophisticated pop of brightness.

50. Strawberries & Cream

Bright primary red can be aggressive, so this

combination mutes it and adds some warm
neutrals to balance it out.

Find inspiration in color combinations

around the world

Color can communicate place and environment.

Taking inspiration from colors around the world
allows you to communicate emotions to your
audience by association. You can use the feeling
of a relaxing seaside vacation or a dynamic
modern city to communicate through design.

5!. Grecian Holida=

Sun-softened plaster, sea, and sky—this color

combination is relaxing and aspirational, great
for designs that want to evoke a desire for time
away and days o\.

5.. Bold & Basic

White, black (or, in this case, very dark navy), red,

and yellow are a very common combination. But
the saturation here makes this combo
unexpected and exciting. If you’re looking for a
bold color combination that makes a strong, eye-
catching statement in your design, this color
scheme is easy to apply.

53. Vine=ard Neutrals

Another more monochromatic design, these

earthy tones are warm and sophisticated.

54. Modern & Urban

Bone and coal are softer than a true black and

white. The tinted shades of yellow and blue make
for excellent accents for a design that needs to
make information obvious.

55. Mist= Mountain Greens

These blackened greens create a gradient, like

fog coming down o\ a tree-covered mountain.
The green gives your design a natural softness,
while the black tint evokes strength and
boldness.

56. Sunkissed Villa,e

Many cli\-hugging villages along the

Mediterranean coast are often painted in warm
pastels. You can replicate that sunny, carefree
look with this selection of shades and bring a
little of the Italian dolce vita to your design,
creating a warm and welcoming e\ect.

57. Sun & Sk=

Mustard yellow stands out brightly against deep

cool tones. Use this color combination when you
want to draw the viewer’s attention to a
particular element or feature.

58. Aqua Blues

This monochrome color combination of blue-

tinged greens forgoes a black or white at either
end of the spectrum. The individual elements of
a design using this combination may not stand
out, but the design as a whole will be eye-
catching in any environment you place it in.

59. Urban Oasis

Lively green brings some visual interest and a

natural touch to a more stark combination of
neutrals.

60. Cand=-Coated Bri,hts

These vibrant hues look like they belong in a

candy store, and they’re sure to give a design
some youthful energy. Make sure you’re going for
a loud overall e\ect in your design. Like the
granti they’re inspired by, these colors are out to
make a statement.

6!. Muted & Antique

Soften a primary palette by tinting it with white

to create a faded but colorful combination.

6.. Class= & Timeless

Dark blue and gold is a timeless combination that

you’ll see on everything, from swanky party
invitations to elite schools and sports teams. To
add a little class to a design, try this combination
of hues. If you can manage to get your design
printed with gold foil accents, even better.

63. Cosmopolitan

Each of these shades has a soft gray-purple

touch that makes for a design that harmoniously
blends each element.

64. Cheerful & Friendl=

Warm brick stands out against a teal and white

background. Great for creating bright, friendly
designs that pop.

65. Ni,htlife Neons

This color combination uses the basic three

printer ink colors—cyan, magenta, yellow, and
black (abbreviated CMYK). They make a striking
combination on their own, similar to the neon
and illuminated signs of a big city at night.

66. Coastal Sk=

Powdery colors with a tint of white help this

color combination blend nicely, while the
contrasting warm and cool hues give you space
to create accents that stand out.

67. Maritime Bri,hts

Raspberry red and a softer combination of blues

create a crisp, fresh combination that would look
good in bright sun and ocean air.

68. Vinta,e Charm

Sun-faded stone and faded red and yellow create

a natural feeling for any design.

69. Understated & Versatile

Charcoal and darker tinted contrasting colors

mean this color combination contrasts but stays
classy and sophisticated. This combination is
good for any design that wants to be taken
seriously without being boring.

70. Arctic Sunrise

Blue and gray always work nicely together, but

the addition of a light coral pink gives this
combination a little extra sparkle and increased
visual interest.

7!. Mediterranean Afternoon

Italian for lunch, anyone? Some of the things

most often associated with Italian cuisine—wine,
rich tomato sauce, fresh handmade pasta—all
make an appearance in this color combination.
Use it to add warmth and flavor to a design. The
inclusion of a creamy neutral shade balances out
the combination. You can use cream as a
background or base color and one or more of the
others as tasteful accents.

7.. Haz= Gra=s

Haze with a grayish-blue gradient creates a

relaxing and understated color combination. You
can swap out background colors in a design to
create multiple di\erent materials from this
combination, like announcements for the
upcoming season’s shows at a museum.

73. Cit= Si,hts

This combination is urban and bold. The fire

engine red creates contrast against diverse
shades of gray.

74. Retro & Relaxin,

This combination exudes softness, warmth, and

comfort but with a blue note that gives some
freshness to your design.

75. Green Fields

A creamy white combined with muted yellow-

greens feels fresh and natural.

Pull 9our color combinations from

ever9da9 items

Color combinations inspired by the everyday

spaces and objects around us are easy to use to
create feelings of familiarity and harmonize with
our surroundings.

76. Distinctive & Unexpected

This image shows how bright turquoise can

create a distinctive background for a design with
a range of shades to use to grab attention in the
foreground.

77. Sleek & Modern

Black, gray, and white are easy-to-use colors. But

add some cobalt blue, and those neutral shades
become a backdrop for a modern, attractive
color combination that could work for any design
style, from corporate to trendy.

78. Oran,e Accent

A soft color combination with a highlight of

orange to create contrast and accent the areas
you want to draw the viewer’s eye to.
79. Be=ond Black & White

Red and blue are classic pairings with basic black

and white, but a deeper red and brighter
turquoise blue give a fresh twist to a familiar
combination.

80. Shabb= Chic Neutrals

Neutral doesn’t need to be boring. With a hint of

purple, this combination can feel industrial or
steampunk.

8!. Warm & Cool

Warm and cool together always make it easy to

create designs where elements stand out from
each other. Soften the whole e\ect by tinting
each color with a little bit of white.

8.. Industrial & In-Control

Industrial colors like this deep red and metal-

inspired grays and blacks create designs that
inspire viewers to take them seriously.

83. Autumn Oran,es

This warm and cozy color combination features

muted oranges that won't overwhelm your
audience. It imbues your design with softness
and harmony.

84. Pool Part=

This color combination is fun and playful. Bright

blues and oranges contrast sharply, making your
design eye-catching and energetic.

85. Classic Metallics

If you want a combination that says tradition or

trustworthiness, look no further. These classic
hues, inspired by metallics, will add a touch of
class to your design.

86. Subtle & Versatile

Reminiscent of colors you might see decorating a

beach house, this color combination looks
nautical, sun-faded, and vintage. The hues
included here won’t box you into a certain style
or overwhelm your design.

87. Professional & Traditional

Brick red is warm and attention-grabbing, but like

a brick wall, it can also create a supportive
background for glossy blacks and whites in a
design.

88. Li,ht & Natural

Soft, warm neutrals balance beautifully with

green shades of stone and sage. This can be used
to create a fresh design that is gentle and non-
aggressive.

89. Shadow= & Dramatic

Neon red plays o\ three earthy, muted tones.

This color combination is perfect if you'd like to
emphasize one element of your design with neon
red while letting the rest of the shades play
supporting roles.

90. Golden Afternoon

Rich jewel-like tones of red, gold, and neutral

speak to calm sophistication and luxury.

9!. Dark & Handsome

Dark wood, leather, old books—things you might

find in an English pub or the library at a
prestigious university. If your design could use
some sophistication, try out this color
combination of rich browns plus a lighter, smoky
neutral shade.

9.. Technolo,= Meets Nature

Create a design with this color combination that

contrasts sharply between soft natural tones and
a bold dark element.

93. Cheerful Blues + Pink

The ever-popular millennial pink finds balance

here with cheerful blues. This would be a great
color combination to use to communicate a hip,
modern feeling.

94. Wild & Hi,h-Impact

Onyx, taupe, and oceanic blend in both the image

and the inspired color combination. The bright
pop of orange brings the design to the next level,
giving a high-impact e\ect.

95. Back to School

Child-friendly and fun without being garish,

these colors are cheerful while staying soft and
understated.

96. Bri,ht & Painterl=

Bold shades with a little bit of quirk create an

artsy e\ect in any design.

97. Urban Livin,

This color combination blends a little gray with

its colors. The resulting e\ect is fresh and
modern while remaining soft.

98. Retro Kitchen

Bright and fun, this palette will draw the eye in

any design.

99. Smok= Purples

Soft purple hues create an impact that is almost

monochrome but with the warmth in mauve and
coolness in dark bluish gray to increase the
contrast of the elements.

!00. Trend= & Metropolitan

Gold does the work of accenting softer blues and

grays here. This color combination can be used in
more serious contexts while still giving an
inviting bright element to your design.

Desi)n with color

Color is just the first step. You’ll really begin to

be inspired once you create designs with these
color combinations. Experiment with how much
or how little of each color creates wildly di\erent
designs with the exact same combination.
Increase contrast to draw attention to the areas
you want to highlight.

You can start with a template to get an initial

feeling for the impact of a color combination or
start a project from scratch to slowly add colors
and experiment with di\erent combinations. As
you build your brand, you’ll develop
combinations that work and grow a color
vocabulary your whole team can use.

Are you still looking for more ways to get the

most out of your design projects in Canva? Try
these useful hacks to enhance your experience
and spend more time focusing on what matters —
color, graphics and inspiring design.

Canva is the world's easiest design tool. And the

best part? It's free. Use Canva to generate
beautiful color combinations and use them to
create high-quality brand materials. Anyone on
your team can generate brand materials using
your color palette. No design experience needed.

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