Valentine Colors: Add a Personal Touch to Your Holiday Celebration!

In February, we have Valentine’s Day, a holiday that can be divisive. Some like the pink and red hearts, caring cards, chocolate, and champagne, and others do not buy into the holiday idea because they are romantic all year long!  I understand it’s not for everyone, but whether you like or ignore the holiday altogether, it does create an opportunity to design and decorate with new color schemes in the middle of wintery February. 

As a color specialist, I’m always looking for ways to inject new color-inspiration into old traditions.  Let’s discuss some Valentine’s colors that aren’t merely pink and red. 

Why Red is a Valentine’s Day Color

In France in the 1700s, red clothing, textiles, and garments were not easy to acquire. The dyes were costly and usually reserved for just the wealthy and the royals. Giving a red gift was very special because it was so hard to come by, and it was considered something you would only give your greatest love. 

This cultural understanding of red, born out of central Europe, was widely adopted around western cultures. Today, we consider red a color associated with passion, love, and energy.

Of course, red is no longer a rare novelty, but the emotions of love and passion are still synonymous with the color, making it the choice Valentine color for Valentine’s day. 

---

Learn About Nature’s Color Palettes and How Inspiring They Can Be!

---

Some Fresh Valentine’s Color Arrangements 

As lovely as red, white, and pink can be, the color palette can get played out quickly; oversaturation would be the term I’d generally use when discussing the classic Valentine’s Day hues. 

However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t celebrate the holiday without trying some other fresh and exciting color palettes! Repeating the same colors day in and day out is the antithesis of color-inspiration, so here are some of my favorite alternative Valentine colors! 

Purple and Blue

Purples and blues work wonderfully together. Although some may think the color combination would be too melancholy to be considered Valentine colors, their atmospheric effect is cheerful and relaxing at the same time. 

Royal blues and royal purples were shared among family crests throughout European countries, so the colors have a regal and refined sense. They play against each other well and are very gentle and soothing to the eyes. A romantic Valentine’s Day dinner would be perfect for a rich navy, deep violet, or even a sweet lavender table cloth adorned with light blue or even white plates and flowers and accented with burning white candles. Just lovely. 

Black, White, and Lipstick Red

Black, white, and sharp pop of heavily-saturated color is not a new color palette combo; in fact, it’s been a go-to fashion statement for decades because it’s such a captivating look. The polarizing contrast between black and white is a classic eye-catching combo, but when you add deep, rich red to the equation, the end result is like fireworks! 

If you plan on going out for a lovely Valentine’s Day dinner, a black skirt with a white top and some red lipstick will look daringly chic, with just the perfect amount of nostalgia for traditional Valentine’s color.

Lavender, Cranberry, and Creamy Yellow 

When I think of the combination of Lavender and a light yellow, it just makes my heart sing. Lavender is such an elegant and relaxing purple, and it’s nearly neutral. A creamy yellow contrasted against lavender adds a little counterbalance to the lavender’s coolness and simultaneously adds warmth and a bit of light sunshine to the color palette. Some cranberry color added to this palette adds that slight touch of traditional Valentine’s color without being too loud about it. 

Where can you arrange this color palette? I would suggest stopping at your local florist on Valentine’s Day and pick out an arrangement with these colors in mind. Fresh roses in these unexpected colors can be a great focal point in your home. Adding colors to your dining room table will look beautiful over the holiday and for the days or weeks that follow! 

Sweets for the Sweet!

You can’t talk about Valentine’s Day without including fresh flowers in the conversation; it’s the traditional way of celebrating the holiday. In our house, along with the flowers, comes a variety of sweets! Of course, there are the traditional chocolates, but why not include your sweet of choice in your chosen color palette for the day.  Just another way of putting a personal touch on your Valentine’s celebration!

What Are Your Thoughts on Valentine’s Colors?

A paint color expert should always want to hear what their clients think about color arrangements, so how do you feel about these alternative Valentine’s colors I’ve mentioned? Do you have any color palettes you prefer to use on holiday? I’d love to hear from you!