Colour Focus: Navy Blue & Orange

By Amy Kilvington

Content Writer at Blinds Direct

Wed 19 Jun 2019

Last updated Wed 18 Aug 2021

Navy and orange is one of this season’s biggest colour combos. While you might not consider these shades a match made in heaven, they are, in fact, a perfect pair.

The warm, uplifting tones of orange work beautifully alongside powerful, dependable navy, making for a palette that means serious business, yet still manages to be fun and inviting.

– Orange –

Orange is a transitional colour that works just as well in summery styles as it does in autumnal designs. Radiating enthusiasm and cheer, it combines the stimulation of red with the positivity of yellow, making for an active and optimistic colour that reaps great benefits when incorporated into your interior design.

The saturation of the shade of orange you choose will influence its presence in a space. For example, a deep pumpkin shade will bring warmth and depth, peach tones are more soft and delicate, and tangerine brings a fresh level of citrus flavour.

– Navy –

Perhaps the most elegant area of the colour spectrum, navy blue is a sophisticated shade that’s commonly associated with power and confidence. This colour is widely used in the forces, which again cements its authority. Like black, it can be used to ground brighter shades, offering stability in an otherwise eclectic environment.

Navy is a versatile shade that works well with many types of decor. It is a good alternative for those that desire dark walls, but are afraid of taking the plunge to black. It can also be used to effectively contrast white trims, wood and period features.

Orange and Navy Interior Design

Sitting opposite one another on the colour wheel, orange and blue are complementary in hue. And because the former is naturally punchy, and the latter cooler and more collected, the effect is perfectly balanced. This is an unexpected colour combination, but when you place your preconceived ideas aside, you’ll soon realise how well navy and orange work together.

The tone of these colours dictates the mood of a room. For a more subtle effect, select your orange in a muted shade and your navy in a warm tone that’s more indigo than Prussian. Deepen the hues for drama and sophistication; burnt orange and inky blue work especially well in more elegant, traditional settings. Amp up the saturation for the most visually stimulating effect, with shades that touch on tangerine and royal blue, respectively.

When it comes to incorporating other colours into the palette, try deep purples as an additional contrast to orange, or shades of red to continue the juxtaposition against navy. Metallic tones also work well, especially burnished gold and copper. White will always provide a clean and clear backdrop for all of your colour combinations, helping every shade to ‘pop’ that little bit more.

Get the Look

Are you looking for more orange and navy blue inspiration? Explore our full range of window blinds and home accessories here.

We also welcome our customers to take advantage of our FREE personal shopping service by contacting our Fabric Experts directly: [email protected] or 01924 848739  (8:30-4:30 MON-FRI)