Early Colors of Spring: Are They Warm or Cool Colors?

Here we are once more, on the verge of a new spring! For many people, it’s their favorite time of year, that special time of year that feels like a rebirth or truly fresh start. Nature that has been resting for months and recharging her batteries in the depths of winter and spring is the coming-out party! 

Spring colors and color palettes are subjects I’ve gleefully covered before, but I wanted to touch upon a question I often hear from clients and friends alike. While the classic spring color palettes and arrangements are familiar in people’s minds, the question has come up on whether the colors of spring are meant to be warm or cool, or is it the striking contrasts between them that draw our attention? Which color tones work best for spring? Is it better to air on the cooler side with airy blues, greens, greys, and whites? Or is it more advisable to go with warmer yellows, pinks, oranges, and reds? Wait a minute, aren’t both used in spring color palettes? It is a season of contrasts in many ways; I’m eager to explore this further with you. 

Season of contrasts? These colors seem like warm, happy colors from when they first emerged from the snowy landscape to when the garden beds are in full bloom! I will share where that contrast comes in and how this is the best season for it!

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The Colors of Spring – It’s about saturation and contrast; here’s how:

Spring colors are synonymous with levity, freshness, airiness, joy, and whimsy. Spring is a time for celebration and light-heartedness, a joyous return to the outdoors, and a rebirth for nature. Colors that are “heavy,” intense, or serious don’t work as well alongside the light-hearted colors of early spring. Surprisingly many spring colors are as delicate as they are appealing. It’s one of the only times when the brittle colors of winter contrast beautifully against the budding crocus and brilliant daffodils, which are the first flowers we see at this time of year. 

• Color Saturation

For a quick reminder on what color saturation is, think about it in terms of color intensity or “purity.” Colors that are heavily statured are vivid, bright, loud, and dominating next to any less-saturated surface. 

Heavily saturated colors can create a strong contrast between themselves and lighter colors nearby. Less saturated colors, like pastel colors, work much better as our visual reminders of spring color palettes we’ve enjoyed in the past. Remember, pastel colors are low-saturation colors intended to be soothing and non-obtrusive; this is why pastels work so well as spring colors – they directly reflect our best emotions and memories associated with a beautiful spring day!

Warm vs. Cool Colors

Warm vs. cool colors, alongside the contrasts in saturation, is where spring is one of the most inspiring times of the year! The whites and grays of winter are the perfect backdrops to the sweet lavender pinks and light greens that introduce us to spring! The delicate flowers in off-whites, delicate pinks, or warm yellows contrast against the strikingly cool blue sky behind them. 

If you are looking to create a color palette to bring in the beauty of spring, don’t worry so much about the warm or cool tones in your spring color collection, be more concerned about the colors’ saturation and the colors being just right. A true collection for this time of year might include soft grays against light pinks, muted gray-greens against playful purples, include contrasting colors of both warm and cool colors, and the color palettes will work together beautifully!  

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Warm and Cool Colors – complementary partners for spring

How do you create the most beautiful color palettes of early Spring? Embrace the ways warm and cool color combinations that complement each other wonderfully. 

You may not have realized it, but some of the most sought-after spring color arrangements are complementary colors sitting across from each other on the color wheel. For example, yellow and blue are primary and complementary colors readily identified with spring! They work beautifully with one another, and when a light robin’s egg-blue is paired with a light duckling-yellow, it’s hard not to immediately think of spring and all the joy that comes with it! 

Another example of a spring color arrangement that works by complimenting one another is purples and greens. As I’ve noted in the spring color suggestions, light-mint greens and purples like periwinkle work well together and have become very popular with homeowners. Picture walking into a study or great room with soothing green walls, white trim, and periwinkle accents everywhere – all of this levity is grounded with some dark-stained wood furniture, just lovely! The colors of nature are all working together; it’s a win-win!

What Colors of Spring Do You Enjoy?

Please share with me what colors of spring you enjoy most! Whether naturally occurring colors in the wild or arrangements you’ve created in your home, I’d love to hear what inspires you to awaken energy and love during spring!