Analogous Colors: What They Are and How to Incorporate Them Into Your Home

Chromatics are compelling and psychological—and their impact is perhaps that much more poignant when using analogous colors. The color scheme is derived from color theory—the study of how hues connect with one another and are perceived by the human mind—and although it sounds quite scientific, it’s more straightforward than you think. And understanding it can inform the visual approach of your interiors as well.

“Understanding basic color theory is a wonderful tool for creating color schemes,” says interior designer and color expert Diana Hathaway. “The work of understanding how to combine colors is already done for you, leaving you with the enjoyable task of choosing exactly which ones suit your style and space.”

You may have heard the term “analogous color schemes” in passing, and they have found their way into well-known works of art and branding. For example, Claude Monet’s Water Lilies series is a study in analogous colors, showcasing shades of blue, green, and purple. BP, or British Petroleum, has a flower-shaped logo that contains green and yellow hues, resulting in a yellow-green analogous palette.

But what is an analogous color scheme exactly? Ahead, designers share tutorials and helpful information so you can bring these color combinations into your own spaces.

What is an analogous color scheme?

Analogous colors are best understood when referencing the color wheel, the go-to diagram in color theory that explains how hues relate to each other. Theresa Butler of Atlanta’s Theresa Butler Interiors defines an analogous color scheme as one that utilizes two or three neighboring colors on the color wheel. In fact, the word “analogous” means similar or comparable.

Sarah Hargrave, owner and principal of The Collective in Dallas, says that an analogous color scheme’s primary focus is on color harmony.

An analogous color scheme always contains a max of three adjacent colors, as Hathaway says. “Using the color wheel, any color can be translated into an analogous scheme by choosing the colors that flank it,” she points out.

In general, analogous schemes are considered soothing, easy on the eyes, and visually satisfying. They even mirror colors that can be found in nature, such as the transition from the sky to the horizon during a sunset.

It differs from other color schemes, such as complementary schemes, which includes colors that are opposite from one another on the color wheel; triadic schemes, which includes three colors evenly spaced around the wheel; or monochromatic colors that focus on variations of a single color. There are benefits to all color schemes, though analogous ones are particularly useful in creating harmony and balance in a space.

Designer-favorite analogous color schemes

As mentioned, analogous color schemes contain up to three hues that sit next to one another on the color wheel. And while the traditional diagram creates up to 12 analogous color schemes, interior designers do have certain combinations they favor.

For instance, Butler has a penchant for analogous combinations that include green, yellow, and turquoise. She also enjoys how cool colors like deep merlot, plum, and other rich purples play together.

Hargrave says that you can start an analogous color palette by getting inspired by nature, with subtle gradients like serene blues blending into a soft pastel lavender or warm golds flowing into rich oranges and deep reds.

Psychological and emotional impact of analogous color schemes

Studies have been done to determine how analogous color schemes can affect one’s psychology and mood. For instance, one 2019 study found that advertisements that include analogous color schemes induce the most positive attitudes. Another 2019 study discovered that analogous colors in a workplace can make it more “cheerful” and “interesting,” with the purple-blue color scheme creating the most positive feelings.

In short, analogous color schemes can inspire some seriously good vibes, and they have the potential to make your spaces feel even better.

What makes analogous color schemes successful?

While it’s a fairly simple process to determine an analogous color scheme on the color wheel, you may be wondering why they work so well.

As Hathaway reiterates, creating an analogous color scheme is easy, and she believes that what makes each scheme successful are “the choices made once the colors are identified.” And she warns not to take the colors too literally.

Hathaway explains, “Color wheels are invaluable for providing a framework for choosing color, but if you chose the hues exactly as depicted on the wheel, the scheme might be too intense. A successful analogous palette establishes the main color (centered between the three), then varies the shade or tone of the adjacent colors. Your scheme will be naturally harmonic, but the balance you seek is in the saturation and tone of the colors.”

Apart from your specific color choices, you may be pondering what kind of tone you want your analogous color scheme to set in a room.

Butler immediately thinks of harmony when it comes to analogous color schemes, and she loves the way that they create a visually pleasing, balanced, and cohesive look. When creating a design with an analogous color scheme, she aims to evoke a sense of relaxation. Although you can certainly choose a combination of energizing analogous colors for interiors, it might be better to use them in spaces that foster activity, like a craft studio or play room.

If you’re a stickler for a room that looks consistent and interrelated yet exudes visual interest, you can take a page from Hargrave’s book and think about her approach to analogous color schemes in her designs.

Hargrave says that an analogous scheme is “perfect for designing a room that feels connected and layered—it draws inspiration from how one hue transitions smoothly into another.”

How to incorporate analogous color schemes into a home

Hathaway actually turns to a specific rule when creating any interior color schemes, analogous and otherwise: she calls it the 60/30/10 rule.

She details, “The main color (the center color of your analogous scheme on the color wheel), is your 60% color. Choose either adjacent color for 30% of your decor, and 10% for the final color as an accent. Neutral walls and other surfaces are not part of the analogous color scheme, but should provide a pleasing backdrop. The secret is varying the division of the colors in your space.”

While this is certainly a methodical way to go about creating an analogous color scheme that prioritizes the base color, for those who want a more fluid approach, consider Butler’s process, which prioritizes feeling happiness above all else.

“I first consider the colors that bring me the most joy, then ask myself how I want a space to feel—calm, energetic, or stimulated,” she says. “Once I answer those questions, I choose one color and either pair it with two more shades of that color or two analogous colors, then dive into the design.”

Hargrave’s system seems to be a happy medium of these two approaches. She advises, “Start with a dominant hue that reflects the mood you want, such as soft greens for earthy tranquility. Use this as your base for larger elements like walls or furniture. Then, layer in adjacent colors through cushions, accessories, and artwork to create flow and harmony.”

For example, she says in a dining room drenched in a sky blue grasscloth, one could add depth with dining chairs upholstered in lavender. Or in a light blue pantry, layer in a green through wallpaper for an exciting pop without disrupting the cohesive earth-tone moment.

Hargrave adds that complementary colors tend to be more forgiving when mixing colors, since they create a look of naturally balanced contrast and can wrap in a wider range of tones. But success can still be easily achieved if you prefer an analogous palette.

She says, “For successful analogous layering, it’s important to match the intensity—whether it’s muted or vibrant—across all the shades. For example, a Kelly green pairs well with a cornflower blue but overpowers a gray blue.”

That means that when combining shades of analogous colors, bold should go with bold and subtle should go with subtle, if you want everything to look truly balanced.

Interiors featuring analogous color schemes

Showcasing florid wallpaper, this living space features a variation on one of the yellow analogous color schemes: yellow-orange. The light, creamy yellows play perfectly with the accompanying orange-tinted hues, creating a feel that’s cohesive and easy on the eyes. A striped area rug in varying shades of purple, pink, red, and cream offers contrast.

Since green and blue are next to each other on the color wheel, that makes them analogous colors, and this bedroom is a perfect study in understanding how to use the cool tones. The cobalt blue wall acts as a soothing backdrop for the modern forest green headboard, which the pillows and bed frame further emphasize.

Blue and purple are also neighbors on the color wheel. These analogous colors partner beautifully together, especially if you are aiming for a moody vibe in a space. One example is this darkly-hued living room that features shades of blue seen in the sofa, area rug, and artwork, with bursts of purple viewed through throw pillows and a velvet armchair.