Color theory
A practical guide to harmonious color combinations
Harmony gives a palette a relationship. It does not remove taste; it gives taste something to push against.
Choose the relationship first
Analogous palettes stay close on the wheel and usually feel continuous. Complementary palettes create tension. Triadic palettes distribute attention. Monochromatic palettes trade hue variety for control over lightness and saturation.
None of these relationships is automatically good. They are starting structures that help you make a deliberate decision before the palette becomes a collection of unrelated swatches.
Give each color a job
A useful palette is not five equal voices. Assign roles: surface, support, center, accent, and ink. Let one color lead and let the others make the lead easier to understand.
If everything is loud, nothing is an accent. If everything is pale, nothing anchors the composition. Harmony becomes useful when it is paired with hierarchy.