Orange is often considered the color of creativity and optimism. It brings warmth and an inviting atmosphere to any room. From the fiery tones of vermilion to soft peachy hues, it offers a wide variety of shades that can feel daring or serene, depending on how it’s used.
However, finding the right pairing for this vibrant hue can sometimes feel like a challenge. Enter green – its complementary nature makes it the perfect companion for orange. This may seem like an unexpected color combination, but green offers a sense of calm and grounding that balances the energetic warmth of orange, creating a dynamic but harmonious feel. Together, this color combination for rooms evokes a sense of vitality and nature, making them ideal for creating a bold yet balanced interior.
When it comes to room color ideas, orange and green may not immediately spring to mind as a natural pairing. However, whether used in kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, or dining areas, orange and green have the potential to transform your home into a place of creativity and balance. From deep earthy tones to soft pastels, the possibilities are as vast as your imagination. Here’s how you can incorporate this dynamic color trend into your home via a variety of clever combination techniques.
1. Muted pastels
For a subtle and calming approach, pairing soft peachy oranges with muted, sage-like greens can create a serene, dreamy atmosphere. These shades work beautifully for bedroom color ideas or living room color ideas where you want to foster relaxation while still introducing a bit of warmth.
When exploring colors that go with green, consider painting your walls in a soft green tone and adding peach accent color ideas through textiles, such as an apricot throw blanket or pale pink cushions.
For added texture, consider wallpaper ideas with delicate green motifs that don’t overpower the space. This combination also works well with softer, organic materials like linen or cotton.
'Orange and green is actually quite a natural pairing, certainly if one thinks of the world of flora,' explains Shauna Dennison-Taylor, the Creative Director at Penny Morrison. Think African marigolds or Californian poppies. Both green and orange pigments contain yellow, which means they sit together better than you would imagine.'
'While green room ideas on their own can create one of the most calming and restful schemes adding orange can bring a bit of interest and a pop of colour to an interior. The warmth of orange also balances well with the coolness of green, creating a subtle contrast.'
2. Rich and earthy tones
Deep, earthy oranges paired with dark olive greens are perfect for creating a rich, inviting atmosphere.
This combination works well in kitchens or dining areas where you want the space to feel grounded and cozy, yet stylish.
'Orange and green are one of my favorite colour combinations to use in my personal home,' says Jen Bienvenu of J. Bienvenu Interiors. 'Pairing fabrics and paint is are quick way to introduce these colors into your home. But also consider the orange tones in other materials like copper and terracotta.'
For example, when looking at what colors go with orange, you could use terracotta tiles or copper kitchenware alongside deep forest green walls or accents, creating earthy, nature-inspired vibes.
3. Vibrant and bold
For those who are feeling brave, using a bright, bold orange paired with a vivid green can bring a sense of energy and playfulness to a space.
'Orange and green as a colour pairing might seem challenging at first, but it's actually a brilliantly vibrant and sophisticated combination when done right,' says Sean Symington, Cotswolds-based interior designer.
This combination is a fantastic modern decorating idea in more contemporary spaces or areas where you want to make a statement, such as a living room or a home office. A brightly patterned rug or a piece of artwork featuring both colors can serve as your anchor piece, and you can build the rest of the room’s design around it, as Sean explains.
'The absolute best approach to introducing this colour combination is to find a fabric, rug, or artwork that already incorporates both orange and green together. This is my go-to strategy for any tricky colour pairings. A beautiful print that features both colours immediately validates the combination and gives you a perfect blueprint for how these shades can work harmoniously.'
Interior designer Alex Kieth from Otta Design shares how this combination can come to life in a more specific context: 'Our client fell in love with the headboard fabric and from this, we took inspiration for the colour scheme. This is a guest bedroom, so not used on a regular basis, so we had scope to be bolder with both the colour palette and use of pattern. The green scrolling fern wallpaper envelopes the space, but at the same time feels fresh and contemporary, and the orange bed throw is the perfect foil and works so well tonally.'
This shows how a combination of rich orange and green can create a bold but balanced atmosphere, even in a room dedicated to rest and relaxation.
4. Soft and subtle with neutral accents
If you prefer something a little less intense, softer hues of orange paired with a neutral green (like sage or soft pistachio) create a light and airy vibe. This pairing is perfect for spaces like kitchen color ideas or bathroom color ideas, where light and freshness are key.
You can incorporate this combination through soft fabric choices like pastel green kitchen towels and an orange soap dispenser, or use soft green shades for walls and orange accents through artwork or small decorative items.
Having a neutral base, on the floors or walls, prevents things from feeling overstimulating. This approach offers a fresh, modern feel while still keeping the color palette gentle and approachable.
Introduce this dynamic duo into your home with smaller accents
This darling clementine orange vase with dainty green handles is seemingly plucked from the coveted glassware stores of Murano. A wonderful addition to an spring tablescape or as a little smile inducing bedside table accessory.
A wonderfully chic way of introducing the warmth or rust orange and muted green in the way of artwork. This wall art would look tasteful in any room of the house, particularly as statement making features on an otherwise blank wall.
This stunning retro inspired porcelain plate set is utterly timeless and distinctive. They make for an inspired wedding or anniversary gift or to bring some color into your daily life.
Simple block prints on textiles are a wonderful way of weaving in subtle hints of color through smaller accents. The orange in this print is a gorgeously deep color that doesn't pop too much - a very grown up combo.
How can you not fall head over heels in love with this joy sparking tulip design? Perfect for a garden room or kitchen, or even in a floral inspired bedroom.
Your bedroom will be the coziest space in the house with this dark olive green flannel duvet cover. Paired with a simple accents of warm marigold orange on a throw or pillow!
Orange and green, when used thoughtfully, can transform a space by evoking a sense of vitality, creativity, and balance. Whether you’re after a soft, pastel tone or a rich, earthy combination, these colors can adapt to any room and design preference.
By carefully selecting complementary shades and incorporating textures and materials, you can create interiors that feel both lively and grounded.
For more fresh color inspiration for 2025, explore our round-up of the latest paint trends taking the world of interiors by storm.
