Falling somewhere between green and blue, teal is a timeless color that evokes sophistication when used in interior spaces. A bold color that can often command lots of attention, the key to decorating with this hue successfully is to master your color pairings.
And so, we asked interior designers and color experts for all their decorating with teal advice. Below, we’ve rounded up the winning teal color combinations to ensure a stylish look. Whether you want to lean into a dramatic look or ground teal with quieter tones, these expert ideas will have you covered.
‘Teal is super versatile, it’s bold and dramatic and it pairs well with a variety of colors,’ says interior designer Nadia Watts. ‘Teal is a strong color, it’s rich and has lots of depth which enables it to pair well with other bold and bright colors.’
The best colors to pair with teal
So what are the colors that go with teal? From warm pinks to darker shades, there are endless color combinations for teal. Below, we’ve rounded up 11 favorites to steer you in the right direction with your room color ideas.
1. Light neutrals
(Image credit: Cohesively Curated Interiors, Carina Skrobecki Photo )
For a clean and classic look, you can’t go wrong with toning down the vibrancy of teal with light neutrals such as beige, taupe, and gray. These soft tones will ground teal and help create a timeless, calming space.
In this kitchen designed by Cohesively Curated Interiors, teal is introduced through the wall tiles and kitchen cabinets, balanced by the natural wood tones throughout the room.
‘This kitchen is Benjamin Moore’s Sea Glass,’ explains Emily Ruff, Owner and Principal Designer at the design studio. ‘It is the perfect light blue-green color that brings impact to the space while not feeling overwhelming. The light blue-green of the cabinets plays nicely with the teal blue tile wall and is a great balance to the warm wood tones of the island, floors, and exterior door.’
2. Dark colors
(Image credit: Bert & May)
If you’re looking to make more of a statement, consider pairing teal with darker colors. From dark brown, charcoal gray, and even black, teal works well with the darkest and most dramatic colors to create a moody scheme that boasts a feeling of grandeur.
Not for those who like a light and airy scheme, these color pairings are for you if you love deep grounding shades that create a warm and cozy feel – perfect for fall and the colder months.
Make sure your teal pieces are dominant though. In this fabulous living room the couch, footstool, and ottoman are large enough to take the darkness of the chocolate brown walls and ceiling – balance in interior design is key.
3. Rich, warm-toned colors
(Image credit: Alexandra Kaehler, photography Aimée Mazzenga)
Teal works well with saturated warm tones to create energetic and uplifting spaces; providing balance to the coolness of teal. From warm pinks to yellows, opting for these warm and vibrant hues is a failsafe way to create enough contrast from teal and create a visually interesting room.
In this living room designed by Alexandra Kaehler, the dominant teal colors are contrasted with a vibrant fuchsia, a stunning color combination that adds plenty of warmth.
‘I love teal paired with a fuchsia, the richness is a perfect contrast to the bright, airiness of the blue-green color,’ says Alexandra.
4. Olive green
(Image credit: Sarah Storms, photography Aimee Ryan)
Rather than using your teal color pairings to create contrast, why not embrace colors that sit close to one another on the color wheel to create an analogous color scheme?
In this bedroom, interior designer Sarah Storms of Styled by Storms created a maximalist feel with plenty of interesting patterns and textures, tied together with a mix of teal and olive green. Although unexpected, these hues work together to create a relaxing feel throughout the room.
‘I love mixing teal with green,’ explains Sarah. ‘I love the mix of the yellow undertones of green and how they play off of teal.’
5. Yellow
(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)
If you adore teal and really only want a hint of color to contrast against its depth, then have a look at yellow. It will add that pop of vitality and lift the scheme to no end.
‘A sumptuous mix of green and blue, teal is a standout shade that works wonders in the home. A rich statement shade can revive a dull room, whilst a more calming alternative will create a relaxing oasis. If you’re dealing with a dark-toned teal, consider accenting the space with muted pink, coral, or yellow. These will bring out the warmer undertones of teal and add visual interest to the room,’ advises Helen Shaw, Director of Marketing and color specialist at Benjamin Moore.
You could then add in a third accent of apple green in the form of bedding, this trio of colors in this modern bedroom creates a scheme that is both stylish and fresh.
6. White
(Image credit: Olive & Barr)
There’s nothing fresher than teal and white, it’s uplifting and ideal if you have a smaller space as the white will help to lighten and brighten dark corners.
‘When working with teal as an accent color, we would always recommend counteracting the more vibrant hues with a neutral shade, for example, white. A wonderful kitchen color combination; these two sophisticated colors work perfectly together to create a balanced scheme.
The rich undertones of teal add depth and character, whilst the white can help to ground the space, putting teal in the spotlight whilst avoiding overwhelming the space with too much color,’ says Al Bruce, founder of Olive & Barr.
7. Metallic tones
(Image credit: Brad Ramsey Interiors/Zeke Ruelas)
If you can’t decide on another color, or feel it might not work, then consider adding a metallic or two instead. Brass drape rails and a chandelier will break up a color-drenched room and there’s no reason you can’t introduce a chrome too.
‘Most of the home is white, crisp, and neutral and so we wanted to juxtapose that with a cocoon-like dining space, bathed in color. That meant we had to find a rich color that was also not jarring,’ says Brad Ramsey, principal and founder of Brad Ramsey Interiors.
‘I thought a white ceiling would take away from the jewel box feel of the space and make it feel disjointed. Keeping all of the tones in the room the same accentuates the black and white hide rug, dining table, art and brass accents.’
8. Peach
(Image credit: YesColours)
A variation of pink and green, this color combo is a winning one for sure. Emma Bestley, creative director and co-founder of YesColours explains, ‘Capturing the perfect blend of warmth and coolness, peach and teal will work harmoniously together to create a soothing contrast, ideal for bathroom spaces. A perfect balance of comfort and vibrancy, these two shades can be used across the walls, floors, and skirting to create an inviting interior scheme.’
This bathroom is a good example of how you can introduce an accent color without it being in the room. Painting your woodwork in a color can frame a space and this peachy doorway does that perfectly. You could introduce it in the bathroom with matching towels and accessories.
9. Orange
(Image credit: MDI Luxury Design, Julia Lynn Photography)
For a high-impact scheme, refer to the color wheel to create a complementary color scheme. In the case of teal, orange is its complementary color, sitting opposite it on the color wheel.
‘Orange is a warm, energetic color, while teal is a cool, calming shade,’ explains designer Margaret Donaldson of MDI Luxury Design. ‘Together, they create a balanced look.’
‘Teal and orange work well in both modern to eclectic settings. The contrast is bold enough to make a statement, yet the intensity of the colors can be adjusted to suit different aesthetics. This combination attracts the eye and adds depth to a space, making it visually stimulating without being overwhelming.’
10. Deep teal and pink
(Image credit: Maren Baker Design, photography Michael Kaskel)
If you’re decorating with a darker variation of teal, much like the wall color in this children’s room, pairing it with a raspberry pink is a winning combination.
‘I like teal and pink together, like we did in this little girl’s bedroom,’ says the interior designer Maren Baker. ‘It was a deeper teal paired with a deeper raspberry color, so it was feminine but not too sweet.’
11. Hot pink
(Image credit: Nadia Watts Interior Design, Nick Sargent Photography)
If you’re drawn to maximalist decor ideas, why not take inspiration from this colorful living room designed by Nadia Watts Interior Design? The dark teal walls and sofa are contrasted with the attention-grabbing hot pink artwork, creating a dramatic and playful look.
‘I love pairing teal with hot pink, it’s the perfect punchy color combo,’ says Nadia. ‘The hot pink stands out against the deep teal and allows both colors to really shine. If you are using teal, you are not afraid of color, so bring it on.’
Although bold, it’s clear that teal is a color that pairs with plenty of other tones. The right pick will depend on the overall style you want to achieve – from dramatic to timeless. Whichever color pairing you’re drawn to, you can experiment with bringing in your additional color through smaller accents first to get a feel for what works in your space.
link