“Although most clients want to live with furnishings that are predominately neutral, the introduction of teal pillows enlivens any room,” says Sheldon.
21 Beautiful Colors That Always Pair Well With Teal
Ashley Knierim has over a decade of experience in writing, editing, and content strategy. She held positions at Time Magazine, AOL, and JPMorgan Chase. She is also a home décor and DIY enthusiast who spends her free time decorating (and redecorating) her home.
Updated on Jun 08, 2021
Teal is one of those shades of blue that can feel daring and a little unexpected. A blend of green and blue, teal is a bold color that feels like a punchier, sassier version of blue. Though we think it can make any room shine, it can feel intimidating to introduce into your home. The good news? There are endless colors that work wonderfully with teal—you just have to take care to pair it right.
Before you start to pair colors with teal, it’s important to understand exactly what the color teal is. Is it a blue? A green? Designer Kimberley Seldon says it’s a bit of both.
“When it comes to teal, we are evenly divided along pretty deep lines. One half the world sees teal as blue-green and the other insists it’s green-blue,” she says. “The good news is, both sides are right because color is always subjective. What you see is what you get.”
When in doubt, consider colors with similar undertones to your favorite shade of teal. Richer, deeper shades of teal pair perfectly with bold greens while bright, medium shades of teal are great with blues or cool neutrals.
Meet the Expert
- Kimberley Seldon is a designer, writer, TV personality, and founder of Kimberley Seldon Design Group.
- Tracy Morris is a designer and the founder of Tracy Morris Design in McClean, Virginia.
If you’re looking for a bit of inspiration to work teal into your home, here are 21 colors that are easy pairings and will create a rich, bold palette for any room.
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Teal + Gold + White: Chic & Unexpected
A lighter shade of teal may seem too childlike to bring into your room, but the truth is that when paired with more sophisticated hues like gold and white, it becomes incredibly chic.
“Virtually any version of teal looks great with white as its backdrop,” explains Seldon.
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Teal + Brick: Contemporary & Loft-Like
If you have a lot of rich, natural tones like brick or walnut, teal can act as a great pop of color in the otherwise masculine room.
“Teal enjoyed feverish popularity during the 1950s and 60s, so it was a natural choice for this downtown loft with a mid-century vibe. I used a dark teal on the walls (Benjamin Moore Knoxville Gray) and then paired it with Danish modern dining chairs and a dark walnut dining table,” Sheldon says of this contemporary space.
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Teal and purple outfit inspo
First, let’s understand what teal and purple are. Teal is a blue-green hue that reminds us of the ocean, while purple is a mix of blue and red that conveys sensuality and luxury. When you mix teal and purple, it creates a bold and eye-catching color combination that oozes sophistication and energy. It’s no wonder why these colors are often used in bohemian and tropical designs.
To make these colors work together, you need to consider vibrancy, how dark the shade is and what kind of look you are after.
A dark teal perfectly complements deep, rich shades of purple. That makes for a lush combo that can have an ethnic vibe if you choose clothes with bold patterns, or can come off minimalist if you stick to plain color-blocking.
On the other hand, lighter shades of teal look stunning with lighter purples in the 60s retro pastel aesthetics.
It is important to make sure that the hues you choose are of the same intensity so that they can blend well with each other. You can also try adding a third color, such as white or gray, to create balance.
Etsy: VastraAvatar, teal embellished clutch
Princess Polly purple satin mini dress
Princess Polly, long blue dress
Etsy: SenamonBoutique, Japanese knot bag
Etsy: bridalspain, Japanese knot clutch in velvet
IG @allegrafranziska
When it comes to pairing clothes, you can never go wrong with a teal blazer with a purple dress or vice versa. If you’re feeling a little daring, try a teal top matched with printed purple pants, or a purple blouse with a teal skirt. If you’re not too keen on colored clothes, you can always accessorize. A teal scarf with a purple dress or a purple purse with a teal outfit can show off the duo without being too brazen.
Teal and purple in the design of interiors
Another way of showing off the teal and purple combo is by using home décor. You can paint your walls teal or purple and add complementing pillows or throws. They will fit in with both warm and cool colors. Additionally, you can pair a teal rug with purple sofas or add purple accent pieces to your teal walls. Your home will look chic and exotic, especially during the summer months.
Now that we’ve answered the question, does teal and purple go together? It’s obvious that with the right tones and careful pairing, these colors can create an extremely refreshing and vibrant look. Teal and purple are daring, fabulous, and not for the faint of heart. When you use them, you’re making a statement that says you’re ready for anything. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find the combination that works best for you. Life is too short for boring colors.
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