Blue is a versatile colour and a firm interior designer favourite. Here's how to incorporate blue into your home's decor.
Blue is the world’s favourite colour and it is not surprising. The first thing that comes to mind when you mention blue is the colour of the sky and sea. Just staring at a clear blue sky gives one a sense of tranquillity and peace.
Blue bedrooms and bathrooms
Image: Anne Roselt
As blue has strong links to water it is the ideal colour for bathrooms where you can create a cool spa-like atmosphere. The cool and calming qualities of blue also make it the perfect colour for bedrooms. It provides a relaxing space where one can retreat to after a stress filled day.
Lighter blues like Sky Blue reflect light creating a feeling of space and making a room seem larger than it is. Sky blue is a good colour to use on walls and/or ceilings of small rooms or rooms without windows to prevent a boxed in feel.
Another favourite blue for bedrooms is Duck Egg Blue. Having a warm undertone, Duck Egg Blue is often preferable to some light blues which can have an icy feel to them. Duck Egg blue together with neutrals makes a wonderful combination for a relaxing bedroom.
To combat the coolness of blue, introduce some accessories in blue's complementary colour - orange. This will balance and enhance the scheme. While orange is the complementary colour to blue on the colour wheel, red and yellow also look great with blue and can be introduced to add warmth.
Natural colours and textures like wool, wood and sisal will not only add warmth but also interest to a blue scheme.
Darker blues create an elegant look in a space. Deeper blues are a great choice in the bedroom if you suffer with headaches, insomnia or asthma, as the energy from blue is known to help with this. When it comes to children's rooms, parents often consider blue for a boy’s room but the qualities of blue make it ideal for a boy or girl. If your little girl loves blue don’t deprive her of it.
Blue living rooms, studies and offices
Use blue for a cool and relaxed look
If you are looking for a cool and relaxed living room, consider introducing blue. Popular blue schemes include a beach theme and a French provincial look. For a brighter blue, look no further than Morocco for inspiration.
Remember some blues are warmer than others, for a warmer blue select a blue that has a warm/yellow undertone.
Blue, especially deeper blues work well in a home office or study because blue is said to enhance learning, open the mind and promote clear thinking. Warm up the scheme with warm accessories and lighting.
Deep blue painted as a feature wall can give a living or dining room an elegant atmosphere but you don’t need to paint your walls blue to bring in the relaxing and calming qualities of blue. It is possible to introduce the wonderful qualities of blue into your fabrics, furnishings and accessories. If blue is your favourite colour consider painting your front door with it.
For more information on the blue and its benefits see Colour Sense