Red, White, & Blue A few accents go a long way in this classic color combination. A painted floor, punchy upholstery, and a striped accent pillow are just enough to play up nautical appeal or patriotic pizzazz without overwhelming a space. When pairing reds and blues, choose shades with comparable saturation to prevent one color from dominating the scheme. Natural materials, such as wood and brick, soften the intensity of the colors.