What Colours Go With Teal? Palettes for Every Room
Teal sits between blue and green, which makes it bold but surprisingly easy to live with. The colours that go best with it are mustard, burnt orange, blush, cream and charcoal, plus brass and warm wood. Pair teal with one warm accent and plenty of soft neutral, and it will look rich rather than loud.
Below: eight colours that go with teal and where to use them, the combinations to avoid, and how to bring teal into your wall art.
Prints for this look
The colour palette
#CC5500
Colours that go with teal
- Mustard and ochre. The best-known teal pairing. Warm yellow makes teal glow, and the two together feel cheerful and a little retro. Use mustard in cushions, a throw or a print.
- Burnt orange, rust and coral. These sit opposite teal on the colour wheel, so they are its complementary colours. The contrast is strong, so keep the orange to small areas.
- Blush pink. A softer warm partner. Teal and blush feel fresh and modern, and work well in bedrooms.
- Cream and warm white. The calm base for most teal rooms. Cream softens teal walls, and warm white keeps woodwork crisp.
- Charcoal and grey. Teal and grey is a classic, quieter colour scheme. Choose a warm grey, or use charcoal for depth on a sofa or rug.
- Brass and gold. Metallics look rich against teal, especially dark teal. Try brass lamps, handles and mirror frames.
- Natural wood and tan leather. Warm materials balance teal's coolness. Mid-century wood furniture and teal are a natural fit.
- Navy and deep green. An analogous palette: teal's neighbours on the wheel. Layering them gives a deep, moody room without clashing.
Teal green, teal blue and dark teal
Teal varies a lot, so check which way yours leans before choosing partners.
- Teal green, with more yellow in it, suits ochre, olive, rust and natural wood.
- Teal blue, with more blue in it, suits grey, navy, blush and crisp white.
- Dark teal, almost petrol, suits cream, brass, burnt orange and camel. It makes a cosy backdrop for art with light backgrounds.
Colours that don't go with teal
- Pure bright red. The contrast is harsh. Choose rust, coral or burnt orange instead.
- Lime and acid green. They make teal look dull and the room feel busy.
- Turquoise and aqua beside dark teal. Different blue-greens at different depths can look like a mismatch. Keep to one teal and vary the neutrals.
- Stark white everywhere. Teal against bright white can look clinical. Warm white or cream is easier on the eye.
How to use teal in wall art
Use the 60-30-10 split from our decorating rules: about 60 per cent neutral or teal on the walls, 30 per cent in furniture and textiles, and 10 per cent accent. If your walls are neutral, a teal print can be the accent. If your walls are teal, the art should carry the warm accent, such as mustard, orange or blush.
On teal walls, choose prints with cream or sand backgrounds so they stand out. On white or cream walls, a print with a large area of teal brings colour in without painting. Mid-century shapes, Japanese-style landscapes and bold abstracts all suit teal.
Above a sofa, aim for art about two thirds the width of the sofa, with a gap of 15 to 25 cm above the sofa back.
Browse our teal and blue-green wall art, or add a complementary accent with burnt orange prints. For room ideas, see teal bedroom ideas and teal living room ideas.
Sizes at a glance
| Size | Centimetres | Inches | Works for |
|---|---|---|---|
| A4 | 21 x 29.7 | 8.3 x 11.7 | Shelves, desks, small gaps, sets of 3 |
| A3 | 29.7 x 42 | 11.7 x 16.5 | Hallways, side walls, pairs |
| A2 | 42 x 59.4 | 16.5 x 23.4 | Above a sideboard or small sofa, the anchor of a gallery wall |
| A1 | 59.4 x 84.1 | 23.4 x 33.1 | Above a standard sofa or bed |
| A0 | 84.1 x 118.9 | 33.1 x 46.8 | Large walls, open-plan rooms, statement pieces |
All our A sizes fit standard off-the-shelf frames, and every print is made to order on museum-grade matte paper.
