What Colors Go With Copper?

Brigid Levi
by Brigid Levi

Incorporating copper as a design element is a trend that stands the test of time. If you’re thinking of using copper as an accent, you may wonder what colors go with copper?

Copper is a red-tinted metal that gives warmth to a space while also providing a sense of luxury and elegance. As such, it’s suited for any room in the home.

Copper works wells with many colors ranging from neutrals, like beiges and browns, to jewel tones, like emerald green or cranberry. The colors you choose influence the room’s style. If you choose warm shades to complement the copper, then you create an instantly inviting space. On the other hand, pairing copper with cool shades creates a sleek, contemporary aesthetic.

You can make copper work with almost any color to create a cohesive style that’s unique to you. In this article, we’ll discuss the colors that go with copper so you can make an informed style decision.

What Colors Go with Copper?

The beauty of copper is that it goes with just about any color. For a bold and elegant look, pair copper with jewel tones. For a warm and inviting space, use copper accents with neutral colors. Cool tones like shades of blue or gray create a calming space and balance the boldness of copper.

Similar to jewel tones, warm tones provide an elegant aesthetic when paired with copper. However, you have to choose warm tones carefully. Certain shades have a tendency to clash with copper.

Additionally, copper pairs nicely with other materials such as wood and marble.

Copper and Jewel Tones

Jewel tones are colors that resemble precious gemstones like rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. They tend to have a high color saturation that makes them bold and dynamic. Jewel tones include colors like emerald green, teal, magenta, sapphire blue, imperial purple, cranberry, and citrine.

Jewel tones create a royal and elegant aesthetic, especially when paired with copper. For an intense, luxurious look, paint your walls with a dark jewel tone like sapphire. Add copper accents like light fixtures and furniture legs.

If you want to add more depth to the design, choose a third color like another jewel tone or a dark neutral, such as charcoal gray. Use this third color on your soft furnishings like throw pillows, curtains, or area rugs.

Another elegant pairing is emerald green and copper. The deep green really allows copper to shine. This pairing works well with amethyst or dusty rose as a third contrasting shade.

Copper and Neutral Colors

Neutral colors provide a backdrop that’s…well, neutral. They have minimal personality to allow accent colors and showpieces to take the focus.

Both light and dark neutrals pair beautifully with copper. Light neutrals like beiges and ivories provide a laid-back style while copper accents give hints of glamour. In contrast, pairing copper with dark neutrals like black, mud brown, or slate gray gives a sleek and contemporary aesthetic.

To really allow copper to stand out, be sure to choose neutrals that are light or dark enough to contrast with the copper. Otherwise, you can achieve a tonal look by pairing copper with a tan. This is a sophisticated contemporary style that uses copper as a highlight rather than the central focus.

For a clean and classic pairing, go with copper and white. Using copper accents in a white room provides warmth and richness. For a minimalist aesthetic, use copper as your only accent shade. Or add another color like gray to give the room more depth.

Copper and Cool Tones

I have to admit I’m a huge fan of cool tones. They evoke a sense of peace and calm no matter where you use them. Cool tones contrast beautifully with a warmth of copper, bringing balance to your space.

Certain shades of blue, gray, and green are cool tones that pair well with copper. To create an elegant and airy aesthetic, consider pairing copper with mint green, pale gray, or sky blue.

Turn your bathroom into a spa-like getaway by using cool tones with copper accents like light fixtures or even a bathtub. Or you can pair a dark cool tone like navy blue with copper. This is a classic pairing that exudes luxury and drama.

Forest green is another dark cool tone that, when paired with copper, brings richness to a room. For a modern look, add elements of dusty pink as a third color option.

Copper and Warm Tones

Warm tones like reds and browns aren’t everyone’s first choice to pair with copper. If you choose the right shade, though, then it can create a beautiful and inviting style. Rich red tones like merlot, burgundy, and terra cotta bring an underplayed sense of luxury that the jewel tone-copper pairing provides.

Pairing copper with paler warm tones can be done, but you have to choose wisely. It’s best to go with rich or dusky colors instead of bright and sunny. Think mustard rather than lemon. Some warm browns that go nicely with copper include cinnamon, caramel, and taupe.

For a warm and inviting space, paint your walls in dark warm tones and add light furniture with copper accents. This color scheme is especially effective in bathrooms and bedrooms, offering a relaxing and luxurious atmosphere.

Copper and Wood

In addition to colors, copper pairs nicely with other elements like wood. Wood and copper pairings are perfect for rustic and natural styles.

When paired together, the natural warmth of both copper and oak complement each other beautifully. Swap out your old handles with copper on oak cabinets for an instantly upgraded look. This will give a decidedly modern aesthetic to your kitchen.

Because wood and wood stains often come in neutral colors, you’ll want to follow that rule—choose a wood that’s either light or dark enough to allow the copper to stand out.

Copper and Marble

The copper and marble pairing trend is on the rise. It’s a beautiful look that’s common in home offices and kitchens. It’s a bit more interesting than simply pairing copper with white because of the unique veining in marble.

The color of marble veining varies. For a more sleek and modern look, pair copper with classic gray-veined marble. Because copper and marble have become such a common pairing, some marble is manufactured with copper veining. This combination adds more color and puts copper at the forefront of the design.

Both copper and marble are materials that bring a sense of luxury to any space.

What Colors Look Good with Copper in a Kitchen?

The answer to this question really depends on the aesthetic you want in your kitchen. For a clean, modern look, pair copper accents with white walls and cabinets. Many homeowners love the white kitchen look. Adding copper accents like handles, light fixtures, and faucets brings balance and warmth to the starkness of a white kitchen.

A big kitchen trend pairs navy cabinets with white walls and marble countertops, accented with copper. This could also work with other dark cool tones like forest green.

Rich warm tones paired with copper accents create a high-end feel. Think merlot walls, dark wood cabinets, and copper accents like range hoods.


Related Questions

Do Copper and Purple Go Together?

Purple can be a difficult color to utilize in design. However, the right shade of purple can pair beautifully with copper accents. For example, imperial purple is one of the jewel tones that work with copper. Additionally, eggplant and copper make a beautiful pairing.Even though purple is usually considered a cool color, it has its warm color moments. Steer clear of purples that are too bright, or they’ll clash with copper.


Do Copper and Teal Go Together?

Teal is another jewel tone that pairs nicely with copper. When used as an accent, copper brings a mysterious contrast to teal. Copper elevates the fun and vibrant nature of teal, bringing a touch of elegance to the space

Brigid Levi
Brigid Levi

Brigid Levi is a wife, mother, and freelance writer who enjoys a good DIY project and creating beautiful spaces within her home. From cleaning and organization hacks to home decor ideas, she loves helping people in their quest to turn a house into a home. Her hobbies include pretending to be Joanna Gaines while updating her home with her husband and performing in local theater productions.

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