Desert Color Palettes

Creating a color palette inspired by desert landscapes involves incorporating the unique hues found in these harsh and arid environments. At first glance, the terrain might look like a giant blur of tan under a blue sky, but closer inspection reveals a myriad of rich hues.

First, take a look at the sand, dunes, and barren hills that make up much of the landscape. Add in the contrasting colors created by sunsets and thunderstorms, as well as the changing colors of the sky throughout the day and night.

The bright red and orange hues of a hot day, for example, make a rich contrast with the deep blues and purples of the cool desert nights. When pulled together, these colors create a color palette that mirrors the rich landscape of the desert.

Desert at Dusk

A desert-at-dusk color palette includes hues such as pinkish-red, medium and dark brown, dark reddish-purple, and blue-gray. These are all shades of color one might see at that time of evening as the sun disappears below the horizon and the sky unleashes a canopy of stars across the landscape below.

Hex Codes

  • BB766F
  • 835F58
  • 6E3041
  • 361716
  • 4C6E8E

 

 

Desert at Dawn

The desert at dawn inspires a color palette of varying shades of tan and gold reminiscent of the sandy floor during the break of day. This palette adds a calming and peaceful ambiance and evokes images of the first rays of sunlight stretching across the barren desert floor.

Hex Codes

  • D8AD8A
  • AF835F
  • A17A5F
  • 916845
  • F9AC68

 

 

Stormy Weather in the Desert

Stormy weather in the desert showcases a color palette with varying hues of blue, gray, and brown. When combined, this palette evokes the unpredictability and power of a sudden desert storm, its turbulent skies shifting the sands to a thunderous soundtrack.

Hex Codes

  • DBDFDE
  • 5879AC
  • 694E31
  • 503F27
  • 392B20

 

 

Snow Covering the Sahara Desert

Snowfall in the Sahara is awe-inspiring, and a color palette representing this national phenomenon does not disappoint. Light and dark shades of burnt orange embody the rich hue of the sand, while cool grays portray the contrasting brilliance of the new-fallen snow.

Hex Codes

  • DEDFDA
  • BFC0BF
  • 89726A
  • 9C5630
  • B4866F

 

 

Camel and Sand Inspired Palette

A color palette inspired by a camel and sand in the desert features warm, earthy sand hues with contrasting brown and black. The monochrome palette harkens to a sense of adventure and the feeling of being free to explore the sun-kissed sands of the vast desert.

Hex Codes

  • CEC3B9
  • B8AA9D
  • 987C66
  • 5E4E4A
  • 141014

 

 

The Monument House at Joshua Tree

The Monument House at Joshua Tree inspires a harmonious color palette that blends olive green, coral, sky blue, ivory, and medium brown. This palette reflects the rugged beauty and serenity of the desert landscape, paying homage to the unique architecture and natural surroundings of this iconic desert landmark.

Hex Codes

  • 666549
  • CA6E5F
  • 4A7FB1
  • E8D5B8
  • 8C6A54

 

 

An Installation at Burning Man

A color palette inspired by an installation at Burning Man features hues such as pale taupe, dusty rose, and varying shades of gray. These colors capture the buzz surrounding the festival, reflecting the spirit of the event and the people who attend it.

Hex Codes

  • B3A290
  • 837666
  • C0B1AA
  • C7C0B1
  • D7B1A8

 

 

Slab City in California

A color palette inspired by Slab City in the California desert would feature hues inspired by the unincorporated setting where off-the-grid snowbirds flock during their migration season. This could include deep red and green paired with dusty pink and sandy yellow that captures the bohemian spirit of the desert city.

Hex Codes

  • 732C26
  • 292C2A
  • 324421
  • A68D88
  • C4A473

 

 

Green Cactus Inspired Palette

A color palette inspired by green cacti draws from the blend of lush, earthy hues of the prickly plants. The palette is perfect for nature-inspired projects regardless of the industry as the colors, which include pale yellow, dusty pale orange, brown, olive green, and black, offer a natural, calming ambiance.

Hex Codes

  • F6E16E
  • DD995B
  • 7E5C41
  • 666F0F
  • 163106

 

 

A Mirage in the Desert

A mirage in the desert inspires a color palette that creates a harmonious blend of earthy hues. Shades of sandy brown and taupe allude to the scorching desert floor while contrasting cooler tones of blue-gray hint at a mirage on the horizon.

Hex Codes

  • AA9077
  • ACA89C
  • 8E9196
  • 777B83

 

 

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