The Two Colors HGTV's David Bromstad Would Almost Never Use Together In A Home

Selecting colors that complement each other is important in home design. When shades clash, even in the most subtle way, they can ruin the mood and harmony in a living space. To prevent this from happening, designers rely on the color theory, a science-backed guide to mixing colors without causing a visual mess. HGTV star David Bromstad — who has been very vocal about his novel design and styling preferences, even if some of his advice may be deemed controversial — has experimented with countless combinations over the years. But if there's one pairing that he would never use on a project, it would have to be orange and tan.

"My least favorite color combination would probably have to be orange with some sort of like tan. Not a fan. They are two conflicting warm colors," he told Good Morning America, adding that while he loves all colors, "they are so warm and so close together on the color wheel but not in a good way." Bromstad's hot take about the color combination actually makes sense since both shades live in the warm spectrum. Without enough contrast, the result of their pairing can feel flat, dated, or visually heavy on the eye. As a result, instead of enhancing one another, orange and tan may blur together, creating a lack of depth and definition in a room.

While combining orange and tan may be risky, these two colors can actually shine when paired with the right companions. David Bromstad acknowledged this in the same interview, saying he likes both colors when matched with the right tones. "Orange with gray? Gorgeous. Orange with white or black? Wonderful... Tan can [also] be gorgeous. Tans with pinks, tans with cornflowers, tans with whites — wonderful. It just depends [on the combination]," he said.

Aside from the ones Bromstad already mentioned, orange works well with different shades of blue since they can balance its vibrancy. It also pairs nicely with green for a fresh, modern twist. On the other hand, tan thrives as a versatile shade. As one of those neutral colors that relaxes the eye, it can combine well with a wide range of tones, including sage, yellow, gold, dark blue, and more. Instead of competing for attention, it lets these colors shine while adding a touch of contrast and sophistication.

Do note that pairing these different colors doesn't have to be limited to paint. You can choose one as the color of your walls and the other for your statement furniture, accent pillows, or any wall or floor decor. Don't limit yourself to just two colors as well. Remember: Color combinations can transform your home's interior. Mixing and matching orange and tan with other tones that truly complement them will create dimension and prevent your space from looking flat.