The Vibrant Color To Pair With Trendy Teal

If you've been on social media recently, you've no doubt noticed that teal is back in a big way. Some are trying small, sophisticated pops of a saturated version. Others are making full wall-to-wall commitments to a muted iteration. Either way, this rich, soothing jewel tone is everywhere. As an interior designer who's spent over 13 years training my eye on all things color, this makes sense, given its tranquil, earthy roots but vibrantly luxe personality. In fact, many jewel tones are trending for this same reason. They have the ability to bring elegant, impactful drama in a surprisingly approachable way. So it should come as no surprise (though maybe it does!) that one of the best colors to pair with beautiful teal is also in the jewel tone family: magenta.

You may be thinking, "Wait. Isn't teal statement enough? Do we really need to add another bright, saturated color?" And the short answer is, sure, teal can absolutely be enough as its own moment. But there's a more nuanced answer. While it may seem counterintuitive to pair two powerful hues, injecting magenta into teal interiors works beautifully to bring the space to life. The secret behind this unlikely duo is how well the jewel tones complement each other. Here's why teal and magenta (as well as its slightly more purple sibling, fuchsia) are an ideal match. 

Think about it. We've been drooling over pink and green interiors for years, so this bold twist isn't a major deviation. The pairing of warm and cool colors feels balanced and harmonious. Though two saturated hues could compete with one another, jewel tones have a wonderful ability to play nicely in a variety of epic combinations. Think about how well the analogous shades (meaning next to each other on the color wheel) of peacock jewel hues work together, from emerald green to royal blue and plum purple. Dreamy right? Well, magenta and fuchsia are just a bit further over on the wheel, making the whole spectrum a rich, jewel-toned wonderland. But with cooler teal on one end of this color train and warm magenta on the other, these shades provide a welcome contrast to balance each other out. Much in the same way that the unexpected red theory works wonders to add interest to a space, magenta plays the same role, elevating teal to another, more interesting level.

My favorite way to mix them is to play with varying intensities and depths of these shades for a more balanced, nuanced combo. Pair muted teal with bright, vibrant magenta or fuchsia. Alternatively, saturated teal looks beyond sophisticated with a magenta so dark it's tiptoeing toward oxblood. Additionally, lean into the regal, luxe quality of these jewel tones by making at least one of them a lush texture or finish, such as a velvet throw or a polished lacquer lamp. Blending these ritzy materials with more matte, humble finishes also creates a dynamic textural and sheen contrast that's always welcome.