Teal and Mustard: How to Use This Colour Combination at Home

Teal and mustard are one of the most reliable colour pairings in interiors. Teal is a cool, deep blue-green that feels calm and grown-up; mustard is a warm, earthy yellow that brings energy and light. Together they balance each other, which is why the combination appears in everything from mid-century living rooms to modern boho bedrooms.

Why the Combination Works

Teal sits on the cool side of the colour wheel and mustard on the warm side, so each makes the other look richer. Both are also slightly muted rather than bright, which means they feel sophisticated rather than loud, and they sit happily alongside wood, rattan, brass and natural linen.

Get the Proportions Right: 60, 30, 10

The easiest way to use two strong colours is the 60-30-10 rule:

• 60% neutral: walls and large furniture in warm white, stone, beige or soft grey.
• 30% main colour: usually teal, through curtains, a sofa or a rug.
• 10% accent: mustard, through cushions, a throw, a runner or a lamp.

You can swap the roles. A mustard curtain with teal cushions feels sunnier and more retro; teal curtains with mustard cushions feel calmer and more tailored.

Room by Room

Living room

Hang teal curtains to frame the window, then add two or three cushions in mustard or a pattern that combines both shades. A neutral sofa lets the colours do the work. Finish with a mustard throw over one arm.

Bedroom

Teal is a soothing bedroom colour, especially with blackout lining. Keep bedding pale and bring in mustard through a pair of 45 x 45 cm cushions and a lumbar in front of the pillows.

Dining room and kitchen

A mustard or ochre runner on a dark wood table glows in the evening, while teal napkins or crockery pull it together. In the kitchen, a short sill-length curtain in a teal and mustard print adds personality without overwhelming a small space.

Home office

Teal helps a workspace feel focused; a single mustard cushion on the chair stops it feeling cold.

Colours That Go With Teal and Mustard

• Warm white and cream: fresh and simple.
• Terracotta and rust: warm and earthy. See our terracotta curtains.
• Blush pink: soft and unexpected.
• Charcoal and black: dramatic and modern.
• Natural wood and brass: the perfect finishing touches.

Patterns to Try

Teal and mustard suit geometric, mid-century and abstract prints, as well as botanical and tropical leaf designs. If you choose a busy pattern for the curtains, keep cushions to plain textures or a smaller-scale print in one of the same colours.

Shop the Look

Explore teal curtains, mustard curtains, abstract curtains and abstract cushion covers. Not sure about sizes? Read our curtain size guide and cushion size guide.

Frequently Asked Questions