Whether you’re looking to redo your bedroom while keeping your white sheets, pair a pair of pants with your favorite white shirt, or just want to add a little color to your all-white living room, you might be wondering what colors go with white.
Having a list of colors that go with white can be incredibly helpful when putting together a stylish and cohesive outfit or decorating a room in your home.
To help make finding the appropriate color a little easier, we’ve put together a guide on what colors go with white and when to use them.
Because white isn’t only neutral but also a color that reflects all wavelengths of light, it can technically go with any color on the color wheel.
Colors That Go With White
aekikuis/Shutterstock
Studies show a link between colors and emotions. And since any color can go with white, choosing which colors you want to pair with white will be more about what style or vibe you wish to create and convey.
Different colors have different impacts when paired with white, so you still want to be informed about what each color might portray. Read on to understand some of the effects of pairing popular colors with white.
1. Blue
Archideaphoto/Shutterstock
Blue is a popular color choice to go with white because it has such a relaxing and calming effect. Because blue is often seen as a “clean” color, it can also help to create an air of sophistication and serenity.
Thus, blue is a great choice if you want to create a more relaxing atmosphere in your home or want to put together a sleek and stylish outfit.
Light blue offers more of a relaxing feel, while darker shades of blue offer more of a modern and sharp look.
2. Green
Ume Illustration/Shutterstock
Like blue, green is also seen as a calming color. Green can also help to create a refreshing and lively atmosphere.
Because of these effects, green is a great choice for adding a pop of color to a room or outfit while still keeping things grounded.
This is also a great color choice if you’re looking to create a natural atmosphere, such as if you are a fan of in-home plants.
Dark green is a nice stylistic choice for bottoms when you pair it with a white top, as it comes off as authentic, easy-going, and welcoming.
3. Orange
Pixel-Stock/Shutterstock
Orange is a fun and vibrant color that can help to create an exciting and energetic atmosphere. Because orange is such a bright color, it’s best paired with white when you want to make more of a statement.
This color choice is also perfect for summertime outfits or decor, as it can help reflect the season’s warm and sunny vibes.
4. Beige
Archi_Viz/Shutterstock
Beige is a classic color to pair with white because it creates a timeless and refined look. This color choice is perfect if you’re looking to add a bit of sophistication to your outfit or home décor.
Pairing white with beige can also help to create a more neutral look that you can easily dress up or down.
Beige is a fantastic color choice if you want to create an agreeable home or an outfit that’s not too intimidating while still achieving a smart and intentional look.
5. Red
Image/Pinterest.com
Red is a powerful color that can help to create an atmosphere of excitement and passion. Because red is such a bold and strong color, it’s best to use it as a pop of color instead of a larger area within the home.
For example, you can have a red rug as a statement piece in the middle of a white room. In terms of clothing, red is a fiery color that makes people look bold, confident, and self-assured.
This color is appealing for shoes, skirts, women’s blouses, and men’s blazers.
6. Brown
Jafara/Shutterstock
Brown is a rich and earthy color that can add a level of peace, calm, and sophistication to your look. When paired with white, brown can help to create a natural and rustic vibe.
You can incorporate brown into your home through wooden tables, wooden floors, plants, and wooden art sculptures. This is also a great color choice if you’re looking for an outfit that conveys self-awareness and comfort.
7. Pink
Photographee.eu/Shutterstock
Pink is a versatile color that you can use to create different types of looks and vibes, depending on your preference.
Bright pink, light pink, deep pink, and hot pink all stimulate different emotions when you pair them with the color white.
Pink colors that go with white to create a fun, spunky, and funky vibe tend to be bright or light pink.
This color choice is lovely for a kid’s bedroom or a summer festival outfit. On the other hand, a deep, dark pink shade with white can create a more romantic and sensual feeling.
And if you want to feel sexy, hot pink won’t let you down. This color range is excellent if you want a cute or charming outfit to wear on a date or to a wedding.
8. Purple
Interior Design/Shutterstock
Like pink, purple is another color that can create different moods and feelings depending on the shade.
Lighter shades of purple, such as lavender, can help to create a dreamy and romantic atmosphere. This is a great color to use if you’re looking to add a touch of femininity to your outfit.
While deep shades of purple, such as plum, can give off a luxurious and regal feeling, this color palette combined with white is perfect for an outfit when you want to feel confident and high-class.
Pairing white with purple can also create a more vintage look, depending on the shade of purple you choose.
9. Gold
onzon/Shutterstock
Gold is a color that can add a touch of luxury and sophistication to an upscale look. When you pair it with white, you can easily convey a look of wealth and opulence.
Gold and white are perfect for a black-tie event, a lavish dinner party, or an outfit you want to feel extra confident in.
You can also use gold to add a touch of glamor to your décor. For example, your home can have gold-plated picture frames or a gold vase as centerpieces.
Colors That Don’t Always Look as Good With White
Photographee.eu/Shutterstock
While white can technically go with any color, some colors don’t go as well with white, especially if no additional colors are included in the décor or outfit.
Yellow
While a light yellow can go well with white, a deeper shade of yellow can start to look a little off.
This is because white is a very light color, and when you pair it with a deep yellow, it can start to look slightly too contrasting—and not in a visually appealing way.
If you’re going to use yellow with white, it’s best to stick to a lighter shade of yellow. And then, for your outfit or room to not look so washed out, we recommend adding additional colors to create a more dynamic look, such as blue.
Black
While black and white is a classic color combo, it’s not always the best idea to pair these colors together, especially if you’re going for a more sophisticated look.
This is because black is a very dark color, and when combined with white and white alone, the contrast is a bit too stark.
Black or white can serve as an excellent highlight or pop in a room where the other is dominating, such as a white room with a black table or black light fixtures.
However, in general, include other neutral colors in the mix while making for a better appearance, such as beige, brown, or tan.
In terms of outfits, you can pull off white and black if there’s some parallel. For example, black pants will look good with a white shirt if you match it with white shoes and vice versa.
Additionally, a black suit with a white shirt is a classic that will always look good. Still, adding a pop of color to your outfit—even if it’s just a gold watch or necklace—can upgrade the look.
Gray
Because gray is very similar to white, it can be easy to think that these colors will go well together. However, this isn’t always the case.
And because gray is such a light color, it can be easy for it to get lost when paired with white. Dark gray works well in outfits and décor, but light gray with white might look too washed out and dull.
So if you’re looking to use gray with white, we recommend going for a darker shade of gray. This will help the colors complement each other better. Otherwise, add more colors to create a look with more depth.
Things to Consider
New Africa/Shutterstock
While pairing white with another color for clothing, décor, and other purposes seems easy enough, there are some things to consider.
For Décor
- The mood you are trying to create. If you want a cheerful and welcoming feel, use lighter colors.
- The other colors in the room. Just because a color matches white doesn’t mean it will match other colors in the room.
- The amount of light in the room. A darker color will make a room feel smaller and more intimate, while a lighter color will make the room feel brighter.
For Clothing
- The occasion. If you’re wearing white to formal settings, slightly darker or deeper colors tend to go well, and lighter colors can do the trick if you’re in a more casual setting.
- The season. In the winter, using white with darker colors can help create a more cozy feel. In the spring and summer, lighter colors will give off a more airy appearance.
- The time of day. Wearing white during the day can create a very different look than wearing it at night.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you still have questions about colors that go with white, here are answers to some commonly asked questions on the subject.
What colors go with white walls?
Just about any color goes great with white walls. Some of our favorite combinations include white walls with navy blue furniture, white walls with sleek black furniture, and white walls with green plants.
If you want a unique look, you can also try pairing white walls with bold colors like orange, purple, and red.
What colors go with white and black?
If you’re going for a sophisticated feel, the colors that go best with white and black include beige, gray, and gold. Use red, pink, or blue if you’re going for a bold and striking look.
What colors go with white and gray?
White and gray are so similar that adding an additional color can make the pair more appealing. For a subtle look, you can use brown, beige, or black. Alternatively, for a striking look, try red, blue, green, or even yellow.
What color goes well with a black and white kitchen?
If you’re looking for a clean, modern, sophisticated kitchen, try adding light and dark grays, beige, tan, gold, or silver to your black and white kitchen.
Final Word
As you can see, there are many colors that go with white. White is a versatile color you can pair with almost any color.
But the color you choose for your outfit, your living space, or your website will all depend on the mood and feelings you wish to convey.