"Harmonious" Colors

Some colors just seem to go together. If you've got an eye for those harmonious color choices, you can pick them out manually. Otherwise, here are some pages that will do it for you.

There's a huge list at
http://veerle.duoh.com/index.php/blog/comments/colors_part_ii_the_color_calculator/

with lots of different color pickers. These are basically color wheels for colors that go together, usually using different (selectable) methods to choose colors. I went through the entire list are here are my favorites:
Best: http://wellstyled.com/tools/colorscheme2/index-en.html#
OK: http://www.sessions.edu/ilu/#/
Simplest: http://www.colorschemer.com/online.html

Another technique that I have found to work well is to grab colors from a pleasing photograph. Here's a quickie on using colors from good pictures of nature:
http://www.boxesandarrows.com/view/natural_selections_colors_found_in_nature_and_interface_design

And a quote:

"Thanks for the comments… on the topic of background colors… Cool colors (blues, greens) work well as backgrounds because they recede. Have a small room in your house that you'd like to make seem bigger… use a light blue. Got a big room you'd like to make more cozy… go with a warm color like red (warm colors come forward.) Color psychology also plays a role here. We associate blues with the sky and oceans (lots of depth in both), hence its calming effect and associations with depth and dependability.

Some color characteristics:

Red: Vibrant, passionate, love, war. A very strong and attention-grabbing color, red is charged with emotions.

Violet: Regal, sacred, sensual. In deep shades, violet is luxurious. When lightly tinted, it is aromatic and spiritual.

Blue: Cool, dependable, sophisticated, sky, water. Blue is full of depth, constant yet dynamic.

Green: Fresh, relaxing, earth. Green is very balanced and calm, a natural color.

Yellow: Sun, energy, warmth. Yellow is welcoming and full of life, a happy color.

Orange: Strong, vital, hot. Orange is the warmest of colors, a healing and playful hue."