To Create a Winning Color Palette, See What Colors Go With Copper!

Although my focus is colors (being a color expert), I enjoy exploring all materials and strategies that fall under the design umbrella. A subject I don’t often discuss in my writings is metals. Metals can do wonders for the interior and exterior, especially when beautiful, alluring, and pure earth metals are purposefully highlighted. Enter copper. I find ways to sneak copper-related suggestions into design/color strategies here and there, but I thought it was about time copper and the colors that go with it got their spotlight! 

In this blog, I will discuss what makes copper so alluring and unique, how it can be used in design, and what colors complement it to get the best results. 

What Is Copper? A Metal? A Color?

Copper is a metal and a naturally occurring element, with the symbol Cu on the periodic table. Civilizations have used and sought out copper for many millennia. Copper is known for its high conductivity, so engineers sought it as a necessary material for electrical wiring and other applications. One of its many features is that it is highly malleable, so it can be bent and molded to fit many different shapes and sizes without breaking.

Copper is, of course, renowned for its beauty. It has a reddish-orange hue and can develop a greenish patina over time. Think of the Statue of Liberty or copper gutters/rainspouts on older homes; this transition to a delicious green color occurs when copper oxidizes. 

What is also unique about copper is that it is as much a metal as it is a color. It can be a rich, shiny metallic material or simply a saturated color that blends rusty oranges, reds, browns, and even earthy pinks together as one easily recognized hue! Whether it’s copper as a color or in its pure metallic form, people are attracted to its warm, timeless glow. 

Copper Accent Pieces That Look Spectacular

The warmth of copper’s undertones makes it a standout material. Unlike the cooler sheen of metals like silver or chrome, the way copper refracts light is like a soft, warm glow. There are places in the home that are perfect for the eye-catching pop of copper’s sheen and gradients of warm-colored patina. 

I recommend adding copper pieces into areas that work well with warm, contrasting colors, such as the study, bar, or kitchen. A cozy kitchen may be the best place to highlight copper with items such as vintage coffee makers, overhead pendant lamp shades, cocktail shakers, tea kettles, and even plant pots!

Copper as a Paint Color

It’s important to remember that copper has transitioned from a pure metallic element to a working paint color in the design world. Various paint companies try to capture copper’s desirable warmth by mixing hues of pink, orange, brown, red, and so on, working to recreate a little of the magic that is copper. Some are more successful than others with this, but I recommend trying copper paint in areas like the bedroom, specifically accent walls. It can create a luxurious/cozy atmosphere, especially when balanced with other walls that are warm white or more neutral. 

What Colors Go With Copper?

Here are some of my favorite colors that work beautifully with copper:

Warm, creamy neutrals – Soft creams, light taupes, and off-whites create a calming atmosphere, perfect for casting the rich undertones of copper around your interior spaces. There’s something classic and regal about this combination. 

Deep blues and deep greens – Copper’s warmth pairs beautifully with cooler, weightier tones. The contrast between the cool, serene, deep blue and the fiery glow of copper creates a striking visual. Something about this combination makes me think of the golden age of Art Deco, like a mural you’d see in the 1920s or 30s in a hotel lobby featuring a star-filled sky. 

Green, especially earthy tones like sage or deep emerald, complements copper’s natural patina and orange-red hue. Sage green, in particular, works beautifully in kitchens and living rooms, where a calming and inviting atmosphere is the end goal. 

Charcoal gray and deep purple – For those seeking a minimalist, industrial vibe, pairing copper with charcoal gray or a near-black purple creates a bold contrast. The darker tones provide a strong backdrop that allows copper accents or fixtures to stand out dramatically.

Woody neutrals, copper’s best friend! – One of my favorite color combinations is copper alongside natural elements and textures. Think of stained woods (light or dark), soft wheat tones, or even dried flowers. Adding copper to an assortment of these natural colors and textures is a win-win, as this warm, shiny metal complements every color in this palette!! 

Harvest colors! There’s an effortless harmony between a shiny copper accent piece and autumn’s rich, warm hues. Copper is like the cherry on top that catches the eye in a space adorned with burnt oranges, reds, earthy browns, and greens. It’s almost a no-brainer when arranging your harvest color palettes to include pops of copper! 

Do You Love Copper Too?

As you can see, I’m a big copper enthusiast. It just works in so many different ways; its design use is almost as malleable as the material itself! So, what do you think? Will you be adding permanent copper installation or accents to your home? Or will you only be enjoying copper this fall? Share your insights and thoughts; I love hearing your opinions!