How to Color Block

Co-authored by Kathi Burns, CPO® and Amy Bobinger

Last Updated: January 18, 2022 References

Color-blocking is a popular design trend that involves mixing solid colors to create a striking statement. If you love bright colors, it’s easy to incorporate color-blocking into your own wardrobe and home decor!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Mixing Colors

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Choose 2-3 colors that you think go well together. If you’re not sure how to pair colors, look at a color wheel. Try to either choose colors which are close together on the wheel, like orange, red, and pink, or which are directly across from each other, like blue and yellow. You can also use varying shades of the same color.^{[1]
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Pair a neutral color with a bold shade for subtle colorblocking. If using a lot of bright colors isn’t your style, try picking one bold shade and pairing it with neutral colors. This will make the bold color stand out without being overwhelming.^{[2]
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- For instance, you might mix a warm grey skirt with a top that’s bright yellow to make the yellow really pop.
EXPERT TIP

Kathi Burns, CPO®
Image Consultant
Kathi Burns is a board certified Professional Organizer (CPO) and Founder of Organized and Energized!, her consulting business with a mission to empower people to master their environment and personal image by assisting them in taking control, making change and organizing their lives. Kathi has over 17 years of organizing experience and her work has been featured on Better Homes and Gardens, NBC News, Good Morning America, and Entrepreneur. She has a BS in Communication from Ohio University.

Kathi Burns, CPO®
Image Consultant

Our Expert Agrees: The four neutral shades are black, navy, brown, and dark gray. You can use these as the base for any color-blocked outfit since one of these colors will pair with any piece you might have.

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Experiment with unexpected color combinations. Part of what makes colorblocking such a popular trend is that it opens the door to fun and unusual color combinations. Try pairing your favorite blue shirt with a bright fuschia jacket, for instance.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Colorblocking Your Outfit

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Choose colors that look good on your skin. The colors that look best on you will work best on your skin’s undertone, which is either warm or cool. Warmer skin tones look best in bold, warm colors, while cooler skin tones look better in blues and paler hues.^{[4]
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- If you’re not sure how to determine your undertone, look at the veins in your wrist. If they seem greenish, you have a warm undertone. If they are blue or purple, you have a cool undertone. If your veins appear bluish-green, you have a neutral undertone and can wear almost any color.
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Try colorblocking with pieces you already own. You don’t have to go out and buy a new wardrobe to try the colorblocking trend. Just look for shirts, pants, or accessories in solid colors and mix them together.^{[5]
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- If you already have a bright yellow T-shirt, for instance, you could pair it with a dark pair of jeans and a pair of blue sneakers to create an easy colorblocked look.
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Wear a tailored suit with a bold shirt to bring colorblocking to the office. Since colorblocking focuses on simplicity, it's a perfect trend to incorporate in your professional looks. Wearing a brightly-colored blouse or button-down shirt with your suit will give your look a pop of personality while still being appropriate for work.
- Choose your shirt based on the color of your suit and what looks best on you. For instance, if you have a navy suit, your shirt could be red, pink, powder-blue, yellow, teal, fuschia, or green.
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Wear several different shades of the same color for a striking colorblock effect. If you really want to stand out, create a head-to-toe look out of shades of the same hue. Depending on the pieces you wear, this look can work for anything from a night out to a formal occasion.
- Try wearing coral slacks, a salmon shirt, tan shoes, and pumpkin-colored accessories for a casually cool fall look.
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Choose bold accessories without embellishments. Colorblocking is all about creating clean lines to show off your color choices. Your accessories should be simple and graphic and should build on your overall look.^{[6]
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- Try pairing a purple shirt with a chunky teal necklace or wide belt to try out a trendy color combination.
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Pick simple shoes that accent your outfit. You can never go wrong with a neutral pair of shoes, but colorblocking is a chance to try out some really fun footwear. Look for shoes in bold colors, but avoid shoes which match the other colors in your outfit too perfectly, as this can look old-fashioned.
- Make a pair of blue trousers pop by finishing your look with a pair of red slip-on shoes.^{[7]
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Colorblock your nails for a subtle way to try this trend. To colorblock your nails, paint them a solid color, then let them dry completely. Next, use pieces of clear tape to divide your nail into 3-4 sections. Paint each section a different color. Carefully peel off the tape, then let your nails dry completely.^{[8]
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- When you’re creating your design, you can do a side-by-side pattern, or you can divide your nails with a diagonal or zig-zag line. Be creative!
- If you like, top your nails with a protective clear coat.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Colorblocking in Your Home

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Use colorblocking to create an eyecatching tablescape. Whether you are planning a special occasion or you just want to brighten up the dinner table, you can bring colorblocking into your dining room. Select plates, chargers, napkins, and a centerpiece in a variety of bold colors.^{[9]
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- To make your family dinner more inviting, lay down a white tablecloth, then add solid-colored plates in a variety of reds, yellows, and greens. Place a vase of flowers or a bowl of fruit in the center of the table to finish the look.
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Paint an accent wall in 2 bold shades. If you want to make colorblocking a more integral part of your interior design, try dividing a wall in 2 with painter’s tape. Paint the top half of the wall in one color, remove the tape, then let the paint dry completely. Replace the painter’s tape and paint the bottom half in another color.^{[10]
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Paint wooden furniture in a colorblock pattern. If you have an old desk, table, or dresser that could use refreshing, try painting it in different colors to bring the colorblock trend to any room in your house.^{[11]
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- For instance, if you have a dresser that you want to put in a little girl’s room, you could paint the body of it light grey, then paint the drawer faces a soft pink. Finish the dresser with some imitation crystal drawer pulls for a sophisticated take on colorblocking.
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Use brightly colored rugs to accent your colorblocked look. No matter how you’re incorporating colorblocking into your home, you can use rugs to complete your look. You can choose a rug in a solid color, or amplify the trend with a rug that is colorblocked.^{[12]
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