The main complementary colors for tan are shades of purple, violet and lilac. Pale purple is pretty with lighter tans, while darker plums and eggplants complement deeper, brownish tans. Blue-purples like periwinkle also make bold tan color schemes.

Earthy tones like olive green, cinnamon, and deep amber beautifully complement tan for a sophisticated look. Bold accent colors such as red, orange, and deep green create a striking statement when paired with tan. Neutrals like cream, olive green, and lavender effortlessly enhance the subtlety and richness of tan.

Complementary colors are two colors placed together to create the strongest contrast. On the color wheel, tan is a neutral color so blue works best as a complementary color for tan. White is the ultimate neutral color that compliments a tan. Beige and shades of brown are good choices too.