Some colors seem to have endless combinations (sky blue, hunter green, storm grey, etc.), while others seem to constrain your decorating scheme when using them. Many designers have found countless ways to incorporate purple into their projects, and for design enthusiasts purple is often one of those colors. This may need to start with expanding your knowledge of shades of purple. Because the word often brings to mind the classic Crayola his crayon colors (a lovely boy named Harold could go along, too).
Designer Renvy Graves Pittman says the far end of the spectrum has abundant eggplant, which Mario Buatta famously used in his work. A mid-range color, like, establishes a better base point than a true royal purple. Designer Henry Prideaux says purple is a very versatile and “sometimes regal” color, making it a great choice when designing both traditional and contemporary interiors.
“Like many creatives, we are often subconsciously influenced by nature, where there are no rules at all, when choosing key colors for schemes,” says Prideaux. “But when used in interior design, different colors enhance the mood of a space, and the specific tones you use are key in determining whether a room feels vibrant or more serene.”
Once you’ve decided on the vibe you want, whether it’s a lively place to entertain, or a soothing retreat from it all, you can make the decision to find the right shade of purple. Whether you use it in your home or lacquer your walls, it’s all about finding the right color combination to make the colors sing. We asked them to share their favorite colors that go well with purple.
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Some of our design experts shared that navy blue makes a great combination with various shades of purple. Here, Young Huh pairs plum hues with navy to enliven this light-filled living room of her Philadelphia apartment.
“I love pairing navy blues with plums and purples. This palette works really well with dark, rich wood tones and touches of gold,” says the designer.
Patrick O’Donnell, Farrow & Ball Color Consultant and Brand Ambassador, said: “This is not for the faint of heart, but the purple looks striking when paired with mid-century greens such as bancha.”
Celerie Kemble captures this look perfectly by fusing a stunning lacquered plum wall with elegant retro green dining chairs. The moody purple and bright green rooms make you feel the four seasons.
“Purple can be used as a paint color for walls that provide a backdrop or for interior architecture. It also works well when used on soft furnishings such as upholstery scatter cushions and window treatments,” says Prideaux. increase. “It’s a very versatile and sometimes regal color, making it a great option for introduction in both traditional and contemporary settings.”
Here, Prideaux uses muted purple hues to combine bright white walls, gorgeous natural stone countertops, and sophisticated countertops for a space that balances tradition and modernity. .
“For me, lavender is a neutral,” says Pittman. She finds the guest bedroom in her Bel-Air home incredibly compelling: “It’s a muted, romantic color, so it’s the color I want to use in my bedroom.”
Pittman says pale lavender walls are an easy way to bring tranquility to a guest room, but if you don’t want to make a commitment, she always opts for D. Porthold Violet linens. A pop of purple in the bedroom (bonus: they were Catherine Deneuve’s favorite). And, as is the case with this room, when it comes to pairing pastel pinks, upholstered purple furniture isn’t out of the question either.
The purple and red pairing may seem like a major design no-no, but this is exactly what Designer Noz did for the color combination of the upstairs living room of the 2022 Kip’s Bay Palm Beach Decorator Show House. It’s what Nozawa urged you to use. Growing up designers have fond memories of their local chapter of the Red Hat Society. The members of that branch wore red and purple boldly because red and purple were a flashy combination.
Outdated design notions aside, Nozawa decked out this space in flashy colors, making it a fitting space for a Palm Beach mansion, yet just the right amount of mischief. Nozawa also loves pairing lavender with earthy tones of red, green, and even brown to create unexpected combinations that balance feminine and masculine hues.
“I’m still obsessed with this palette because this purple is pastel and can complement a lot of unexpected colors,” she says. It’s just the right amount of color saturation, so it’s bold yet soft and works really well with rustic combinations.”
Here, Prideaux cleverly utilizes several shades of purple to infuse this London dining room with a sense of carefree elegance. banquet fabrics, burgundy leather dining chairs, and lilac cushions for a purple lover’s paradise.
“Generally, when I add purple to my scheme, I like to use other tones from the same color family,” says Prideaux. “Combining pale lilac with a hint of pink, mauve looks great when blended with different finishes in a room.”
This beloved Gray Walker-designed bedroom shows how creamy, muted shades of blue can be paired with nicer, richer shades of purple. Neutral furnishings make this power pair shine, while acrylic chairs add a touch of contemporary flair.
“Soft French blues create moody scenes with purple eggplant tones,” says Walker. “The softness of the blue is enlivened by the deep purple added as an accent. This color story is relaxing with an unexpected twist that lends depth and courage to the space.”
“Despite all the positive connotations of the color purple, ranging from spirituality, dignity, wisdom and truth, it is a very difficult color visually to use in an interior, and it does not blend well with the other elements of the room. It can be a problem to strike the balance—the wall color,” says O’Donnell. “Consider a more nuanced shade that falls within the parameters of dim lilac to almost blackened red.”
Here, the unexpected combination of deep, almost black purple hues and muted mauve is equally moody and energizing. O’Donnell favors deep lilac colors like Farrow & Ball’s Brassica, but bold purples like the brand’s Pelt and He Paean Black seem likely to be neutrals in his kitchen cabinets. There is something special about using , he says.
This color combination comes from a beloved guest room at the award-winning Grace Point Hotel in Turks & Caicos, designed by Young Ho. Designers use this color combination judiciously as an accent to keep the room feeling fresh and tropical, reflecting the lush surroundings without going completely neutral. It could be the perfect strategy for budding maximalists looking to incorporate more color and pattern into a room without feeling overwhelmed.
“For the Point Grace hotel room, I mixed purple with dark green and celadon. The bright taupe walls let the colors breathe, creating an airy and calming atmosphere.”
Nozawa is a big fan of deep, saturated purples that instantly bring a sense of dramatic sophistication to any room. , grays, blacks, and bright whites make for bold pops of color.
“I love gray ivory and purple like travertine and beige,” says Nozawa. “I mostly liked how he grew up too much in the 1990s, but how the grayish beige works as a complementary color in a room with wine and purple.”
A few other experts also share an affinity for pairing purple with creamy grays and beiges. I suggest finding a tone.
If you’re looking for brighter, brighter neutrals, consider glossy champagne. This works well for dark wine purples, but you can run the gamut and work with any shade you like. Here, an elegant Merlot purple serves as a welcome accent to a neutral space. .
“Champagne ivory pairs well with all shades of purple,” says Walker. “This soft neutral with a clay undertone works well with a variety of purples that can be used as a layered purple color story with a neutral base. It pairs well with lighter purples.”
Here, designer Angie Flanowski proves she’s done her job of pairing a true purple in this Austin home and using unexpected shades of green to create a memorable dining room. Neutrals are used in the rest of the decor scheme, letting the drape of royal purple shine, but Mint balances such a saturated hue with a perfect neutral.
Lauren Wicks Lauren Wicks is a Birmingham-based writer covering design trends, must-haves, travel inspiration, entertainment and more.
