Split complementaries can work well.... by: Charlotte
Hello
The green and maroon may not be your personal choice, but as you can't change it, don't worry, as there is lots you can do to make these work together.
Maroon is a derivative of red (whether it is a browny-red, or a violet-red - 'maroon' can be sometimes known as each).
Red is opposite green on the color wheel - called a 'complementary color'. This means it is a dynamic color combination to choose, especially for accents and focal points.
Using a maroon red together with green is known as a 'split complementary' - and works in a very similar way to a true 'complementary' red in your home (although the contrast is a little less dynamic).
There are several options you have for creating a color scheme that brings these together and meets your tastes.
I would recommend taking one color group as the main basis for your design, and use the other as the accent, for accessories, pictures, cushions, throws etc.
You can choose to go with reds as the basis of your design, which includes paler pinks and russets (if you have a brown-maroon) or pinky-violets (if you have a violet-maroon).
You can also use a combination of these red/pink/brown/orangey colors with the red/pink/violet colors, but only if you also inlcude some pure red somewhere in your design...
This scheme would be accented with the green colors in carpet, cushions and other accessories.
Your other option is to make the greens the main basis of your scheme in a similar manner - for a brown-maroon choose a combination of blue-greens. For a violet-maroon choose lime/yellow-greens - (or even mix and match between the green combinations!).
The maroon would then become the accent color in the scheme.
Of course, in a rented home, it is quite likely that you may not be able to change the color of the walls.
In this case, you can still accessorise your room primarily in your chosen base color, and add a few accessories of your chosen accent color.
Large painted canvases can help you add color to your walls in an easy and removable way, and curtains, rugs and other accessories can also be taken with you.
Of course, if you hate the color scheme full stop a large throw over the couch can leave you with only the dark green of the carpet to consider, and may prove easier for you to devise a color scheme of your own chosing with only the one color to consider...
A rug over the carpet could bring in colors of your own choosing to work with too (but still make sure they work well with the green - unless your rug is VERY large!).
Good luck with your color scheme - I hope you can work out a color combination you like and that suits your room.
