Beautiful colours that go with lilac

Enter the captivating world of lilac, a delicate hue with a magical history.

A mixture of red and blue, lilac is a mid-tone that perfectly strikes the balance between coolness and warmth. The word itself comes via the Arabic “lilak”, a variant of the Persian “nilak” meaning “blue-ish”. 

It’s this sense of “between” which has lent lilac its status across design for centuries. At the mid-point of blue and red, it’s able to harmonise with a range of colourways and creates varied effects depending on the colours with which it’s paired.

For example, layer this lighter shade against deeper purples to achieve a truly regal interior design. On the other hand, pair it with creams and whites to create a soothing, neutral space. Given its washed-out, almost-grey finish, it’s a great alternative to more typical neutrals and can bring a little colour into monochrome bedroom palettes.

Let’s explore our favourite lilac colour combinations.

Neutrals on neutrals for a sophisticated, subtle palette.

Halfway between white and black, grey is ideal for establishing balance in the bedroom. But given its neutrality, it’s important to consider how you can make the monochrome pop. Lilac is a perfect partner. With subtle hints of reds and blues, it adds a light vibrancy without dominating the space.

As above, consider a block colour for your walls, either lilac or grey, and then ramp up the design in the central spaces of your room. Textures and woven materials can help create a boho decor scheme while allowing the block colours to create a gentle, soothing surround.

Credit: @afterglow.horizons

Unconventional boho vibes for a Scandi-inspired 70s palette.

Shake off convention and bring energy into your space by pairing lilac with a rich, burnt orange. Opt for a block-coloured sofa with indoor plants and prints to create a colourful, attention-grabbing interior. As in the image above, consider using white and beige neutrals to add a sense of balance to the maximalist design.

A gentle dance across the purple spectrum for a harmonious bedroom design.

As lilac is close to purple, this colourway is great for creating movement and intrigue while remaining somewhat modest. Place darker purple tones centrally to draw attention to the main features in your space. Balanced against lighter walls and accessories, this use of tonal range will attract eyes inwards, making the room feel more spacious.

What’s more, with its historic association with royalty, those deeper purples will create a sense of luxury and opulence. Maximise that sophistication by placing lavender plants around the room. As one of the most popular sleep scents, it will help reduce stress and lull you into a dreamy slumber. Scented candles or essential oils will also work as a treat.

A calm, soothing palette for a youngster’s bedroom.

The mixture of these soft shades produces a calming space, perfect for little ones. There are many playful ways to bring pale pink into the room too. Try wall stickers such as fairies, butterflies or cute animals. Moreover, use storage solutions like a cabin bed and adorn it with a light pink duvet, pink books, storage baskets and whatever else your little one enjoys having near. 

As in the image above, it’s best to opt for a lilac that’s more muted than the traditional hue, particularly when used as a base colour across the walls. This softer, more neutral approach will help the brighter-coloured accessories pop. More importantly, it’ll be more likely to match any decor changes as they grow and their interests change.

A rich and sophisticated palette for mid-century interiors.

Deep greens and purples, with hints of lilac through embroidery and cushions, can create a stunning neo-classic interior reminiscent of the roaring 20s. In such a space, balance is crucial. As in the palette above, look to create consistency by using block colours on your walls and floors while using the brighter tones in the palette for furniture and accessories. Hints of copper and chrome will help bring light into the space, while floral motifs will help ground the space.

For a more fun, youthful take, channel your inner Daphne and take on a Scooby-Doo-inspired decor scheme. Opt for flower power with green and lilac floral designs around the room. Neon green light shades will add brightness to the bedroom, helping create an uplifting bedroom for actual children or kids-at-heart.

Additionally, if bringing nature into the space is key, consider jungle-inspired wallpaper or bedding. Dot in some house plants to really emphasise the connection to the natural world. Purple shamrock, with its dark leaves and lilac petals, is a great choice.

Bringing both brightness and calm to fairy-tale-inspired bedrooms.

The empowering pink shade of magenta is similar to lilac in that it sits between warm reds and cooler shades. Here’s a summary from nixsensor.com:

Magenta is the color of universal harmony and emotional balance. Its contains the passion, power and energy of red, restrained by the introspection and quiet energy of violet. It promotes compassion, kindness and cooperation. The color magenta is a color of cheerfulness, happiness, contentment and appreciation.

Moreover, lilac and magenta are a popular combination for kids’ bedrooms. Build your little one their very own fairy-tale den where they can get lost in their stories. Hook a magenta canopy above the bed and drape fairy lights down the sides. Add to the magical theme with a lilac shaggy rug for a final touch.

Credit: @_home_atno5_

Evoke an oceanic wonderland with this maritime palette.

Create a magical under-the-sea experience in a kid’s bedroom with rich shades of turquoise and lilac. It’s perfect for a mermaid theme, and you can paint the walls in horizontal lines to mimic the waves of the ocean. Look to seashell and pearl features to evoke the idea of treasury, and add a mermaid tale blanket for a whimsical touch. 

For master suites, look to soft, pastel tones, as in the image above. Note how the subtle hues blend together to create a soothing yet elegant space. When using pastels, it’s important to bring in brighter colours too. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean pop-art colours. Bright white bedding and decorative accessories can be enough to bring contrast into the space. For an extra touch of the ocean, evoke notes of seaweed and driftwood with splashes of greenery, bedroom plants, and natural materials like bamboo and wicker.

Credit: @fringedinteriors

Sunshine vibes and subtle lilacs for a harmonious bedroom design.

Brighten your mornings with a splash of yellow in the bedroom. This most positive of colours is an energetic way to bring life into your sleep sanctuary.

Canva identifies how yellow is best paired with lilac when part of a bright, energising palette: 

Lilac is a gentle, versatile color. For a bright palette, you could contrast it with colors like orange, yellow, olive green and gray. But it also looks great with analogous shades of purple, or alongside a soft pink.

As Canva alluded to, you can also use lilac and yellow in a richer palette. In the image above, ochre and mustard yellows pair with lilacs and deep purples for a zen-like, contemplative interior.

A bright, uplifting combination perfect for bedrooms where space is at a premium.

Combine white and lilac for a light and airy feel. This bright palette is great for smaller rooms. You can even enhance the space-creating illusion by using mirrors to reflect light around the room. Directly opposite a window is often best. 

Incorporate richer tones like plums and deep reds for something a little more serious. A luxury velvet bed frame will heighten the elegance, while small notes of lilac will bring femininity to the space. Match the sumptuous velvet materials with cosy, woven blankets and a shaggy rug for extra texture.

Bring nature’s warmth indoors with this earthy combination.

Introduce earthiness into a lilac bedroom with wooden furniture. Combining the spiritual tone of lilac with grounding wood tones will bring balance to the space and create a truly natural world feel. Note how the white bedding adds energy and brightness to the earthy palette in the above image. Use contrast in a similar fashion to ensure the earthiness of lilac and wooden tones isn’t too overpowering.

A similar way to bring light into the space is through hints of metallic detailing with picture frames and lighting. Our Freya bed frame is perfect here, with statement gold tones right across the headboard and legs. Go one step further and get the set with the matching bedside table.

The colour lilac is a delicate, light purple.

When it comes to colour theory and psychology, lilac is most often defined by its connotations to springtime. Given this is when the flower blooms, the colour is often related to similar concepts, such as new love and fresh starts. In Victorian England, for example, lilac flowers were exchanged between couples at the beginning of courtship.

Perhaps more intriguingly, though, is lilac’s connection to spirituality and magic.

Stemming from the Balkan States and Persia, this flower landed in the West cloaked in mystery. Coupled with its strong, sweet-smelling fragrance, it likely brought with it connotations of Eastern spirituality and folklore.

Even today, it’s used in modern “witchcraft”, with those who believe in the paranormal suggesting it has magical properties:

In some magical traditions, lilacs are a romantic sort of flower, and are associated with playful flirtation, the blooming of new love, and short attractions. Lilacs may not bring you a marriage proposal, but if you’re looking for a short and light summer romance with no long-term ties, it’s the perfect flower to use in spellwork.

Whether or not you believe in spirituality or magic to this extent, it’s safe to say that the colour lilac evokes a sense of the mystical world. Beyond its mystic properties, it’s a subtle shade that works well across the home.

Lilac and lavender are often confused, but they do have subtle differences.

Lilac typically has a pinkish hue, while lavender leans more towards a bluish tone. Both colours are beautiful and calming, but their unique undertones set them apart, allowing each to bring unique charm to a space.

However, they are both considered cool colours. Lilac’s blend of blue and pink undertones places it on the cooler side of the colour spectrum, making it perfect for creating serene environments.

Enchanting hues close to lilac

For those who love the soothing nature of lilac, there are several similar hues to explore:

• Lavender – Slightly bluer than lilac, offering a similar softness with a cooler edge.
• Periwinkle – A blend of blue and violet that brings a touch of brightness and cheerfulness.
• Mauve – A muted, dusky purple that introduces a vintage, sophisticated feel.
• Wisteria – A pale violet shade that exudes a gentle and romantic ambience.
• Orchid – A vibrant, pinkish purple that adds a lively and exotic flair.

Each combination brings its unique charm, whether aiming for a serene sanctuary or a bold, boho-inspired interior.

Whether through elegant wall colours, sumptuous textiles, or complementary accent hues, lilac can transform any room into a dreamy haven. We hope we’ve inspired you to love the colour lilac just as much as we do.