New Ways to Decorate With Shades of Blue
From pale ice blue to deep indigo, blue decor is having a moment. Here's how some of our favorite designers decorate with a whole range of watery hues.
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June 18, 2015
By:
Liz Gray
Blue-Gray: Wall Mural
Designer Meg Caswell brings contemporary flair to a turn-of-the-century dining room while still honoring the past. She keeps the original tin ceiling and adds classic elements, like wainscoting. The true showpiece of the space is a breathtaking monochromatic, blue-gray landscape mural.
Blue-Gray: Spa-Style Bathroom
Designer Patty Malone used a Caesarstone tub surround, custom laminate tub facing by Terri Robison Design and a custom area rug to create a spa-like bathroom with a blue-gray backdrop.
From:
Patty Malone
Blue-Gray: Cool Cabinetry
Designer Meg Caswell continues the blue-gray cabinetry fronts on the refrigerator for a seamless look, while beautiful trim work and molding finish off the updated farmhouse look.
Blue-Gray: Bedroom Walls
Natural fibers on the footstools and butterflies by an Etsy artist bring nature into this calm, transitional bedroom. The blue walls add a cohesive element by echoing the blue tones in the John Robshaw bedding and Pottery Barn lamps. Design by Courtney Blanton
From:
Courtney Blanton
Sky Blue: Coastal Bathroom
A blue and white color palette brings a calm, coastal feel to this traditional bathroom. White wainscoting protects the sheetrock from daily family use and also adds character to the small space. Design by Courtney Blanton
From:
Courtney Blanton
Sky Blue: Cabana-Style Cushions
Cabana stripe and solid blue fabrics were laminated before they were made into cushions in this family dining spot featured in HGTV Magazine, so they’re easy to wipe down.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Sky Blue: Vintage-Style Kitchen Island
Sky blue and buttery yellow create a vintage vibe in this kitchen designed by Sarah Richardson. The pale blue island hue creates a striking-yet-soothing focal point.
Sky Blue: Stylish Slipcovers
Airy linen slipcovers create a beachy feel in this room full of natural textures, white and warm neutrals, as featured in HGTV Magazine.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Sky Blue: Color-Coordinated Gallery Wall
The composition of art on this gallery wall is balanced, yet feels collected over time. Choose pieces in similar hues with organic shapes to make it seem cohesive without being too matchy-matchy. Design by Emily Henderson
Sky Blue: Cabinet Pulls
Designer Sarah Richardson dressed up plain white Ikea cabinets with vintage blue pulls that play off the fun floor stripe and backsplash palettes. See more of this kitchen featured in HGTV Magazine.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Robin's Egg Blue: Mod Wallpaper
Equal parts glamorous and retro, warm robin's egg blue is the perfect backdrop for the metallic wallpaper design in this contemporary guest bedroom designed by Jamie Herzlinger
From:
Jamie Herzlinger
Robin's Egg Blue: Traditional Mantel With a Twist
This dining room has traditional lines, but designer Katie Ridder transformed it with bold pattern mixing and an unexpected robin's egg blue hue on the mantel and trim.
Robin's Egg Blue: A Perfect Match for Orange
Just like the sky itself, this shade of aqua has a serene, calming presence. Pair it with soft orange accessories for a combination that will look just as at home by the shore as it does in the city. Design by Tobi Fairley
Robin's Egg Blue: Subtle Cabinet Color
Lacquered blue cabinets and a mirrored backsplash make this an elegant spot to do laundry. This hue is subtle enough to fill a whole room without being too overpowering. Design by Jamie Herzlinger
From:
Jamie Herzlinger
Robin's Egg Blue: Modern Tile
Designer Anastasia Faiella used triangular tiles in brown, white and robin's egg blue to add interest to a modern kitchen.
From:
Anastasia Faiella
Steel Blue: French Glamour
Paired with soft gray grasscloth, creamy white bedding and a sparkling chandelier, this French-inspired bedroom looks like a high-end hotel suite. Design by Rebecca Driggs
From:
Rebecca Driggs
Steel Blue: Kids' Room Glamour
Paired with white and pink, steel blue looks more grown-up and sophisticated than traditional purple in this kids' homework space designed by Brian Patrick Flynn.
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
Steel Blue: Mixed Patterns
Using one color for all of the patterned pillows makes it simple to mix sizes and shapes without making this bedroom too busy, as featured in HGTV Magazine.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Steel Blue: Soothing and Rustic
A palette of cool grays, blues and wood tones helps create a soothing space for resting in this master bedroom. Design by Design Development
From:
Design Development
Caribbean Blue: Playful Kids' Room
This bright blue wall hue is playful enough for a kids' space, but sophisticated enough to grow along with the child. Design by TerraCotta Properties
From:
TerraCotta Design Build
Caribbean Blue: Cool and Modern
Cheerful blue walls create a relaxing canvas for this modern loft living room designed by Brian Patrick Flynn.
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
Caribbean Blue: Bright Nightstand
A brown demilune table, too tall for the pint-size space, was trimmed down and spray-painted a vivid shade of blue. Design from the 2012 HGTV Green Home.
Aqua: Hip Tween Space
Using a black glass chandelier instead of a more traditional style adds funkiness to this hip tween's room. Silver, aqua and white accents balance out the heaviness of the black. Design by Sarah Macklem
From:
Sarah Macklem
Aqua: Adaptable Sofa
Designer Emily Henderson gave classic navy-and-white a modern twist by adding gold accent pieces, bold magenta and a low-slung aqua sofa DesignLoveFest blogger Bri Emery's living room.
From:
Emily Henderson
Aqua: Beachy Elegance
Beach-blue walls, sea glass-inspired accessories and aqua upholstered dining chairs give this dining room from HGTV Smart Home 2013 a casual elegance.
Turquoise: Color-Filled Kids' Room
Interior designer Linda Woodrum's ode to sea glass, the twin suite bedroom celebrates the home's coastal location. Design from the 2013 HGTV Dream Home.
Turquoise: Midcentury Mecca
A turquoise accent wall with an oversized sunburst mirror is the focal point of this tropical, midcentury apartment. Design by Gacek Design Group
From:
Richard Gacek
Turquoise: Trending Traditional
Although we typically think of turquoise and navy blue as beachy hues, this elegant dining room papered in a scrolling pattern from French company Mauny is far from appearing coastal.
Turquoise: Blue on Blue
The patchwork style of the overdyed rug mimics the graphic shapes of the turquoise accent wall in this colorful living room. Design by Gacek Design Group
From:
Richard Gacek
Turquoise: Eclectic Bedding Mix
The master bedroom from HGTV Green Home 2012 features an eclectic mix of blue hues and suzani-inspired patterns.
Turquoise: Contemporary Meets Traditional
Turquoise paint used to accent the corner of the room and a luxurious maize-colored curtain helps bridge the gap between the contemporary space and the traditional furnishings. Design by Gacek Design Group
From:
Richard Gacek
Teal: High-End Headboard
This watery bedroom proves that a high-end look can be had on the cheap. Designer Brian Patrick Flynn turned 6 yards of bargain fabric into a custom 7-foot-tall teal headboard, then matched the wall hue for a subtle, textured look.
Teal: Plays Well With Pink
An oversized, tufted teal headboard is the backdrop of this fun, eclectic kids' room, filled with DIY decorations and handmade touches. Design by Rachel Faucett
Azure: Kids' Room Artwork
A child's treasured belonging is turned into eye-catching artwork in a saturated, true-blue azure hue to add a personal touch to this kid's room. Design by Brian Patrick Flynn
Azure: New American Entryway
Designer Tobi Fairley is known for combining colors and patterns in playful, new ways. For this living room, she mixes soft cerulean blue with navy and red for a look that's both fresh and timeless.
Azure: Summer-Perfect Plaid Shade
For an unexpected touch in this kids' bedroom, an airy plaid featuring different shades of azure and navy picks up on the blues used throughout the space. Design by Brian Patrick Flynn
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
Royal Blue: Transferware Wall Art
A darker take on azure blue, this traditional hue evokes royalty. A collection of blue-and-white transferware dishes make a pretty blue focal point. Design by Charles Faudree Interiors
Royal Blue: One Little Accent
A Moroccan pouf adds a touch of royal blue to this pink-and-purple girls' room, as seen in HGTV Magazine.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Royal Blue: Classic Blue and White
Rows of blue-and-white wares are mirrored in the classic blue walls just outside this traditional dining room. Design by RMS user Tetbury
Denim Blue: Nailhead-Embellished Table
Denim blue goes global in the Ikat draperies and Moroccan-inspired side table that designer Linda Woodrum chose for the 2014 HGTV Smart Home great room.
Denim Blue: Not-So-Quiet Library
This library is a relaxing haven for two. Designers Lauren Jacobsen and Kathy Hartz of Style in 5 created a cozy environment large, soft English occasional armchairs. Denim blue accents add interest without being too bold. Photo by Terrance Williams
From:
Lauren Jacobsen
Denim Blue: Art Inspires Life
This space was created to feel welcoming, luxurious and ready for entertaining. The large-scale ocean scene unites the room's eclectic elements.
From:
Lauri Howell
Denim Blue: Spring for Slipcovers
For these stylish homeowners will spill-prone pets and kids, designer Brian Patrick Flynn slipcovered classic sofas with a handsome shade of denim blue linen.
Electric Blue: Bold Kitchen Island
The vibrant blue island adds a dramatic pop of color. The intensity of the color is softened by the stainless steel appliances and the soft gray granite countertop. Design by Terry Kenney
Electric Blue: Vibrant Boys' Room
The shared boys' bedroom features a bright blue color palette, bunk beds and a double work stations for doing homework. Design by Robert and Cortney Novogratz
Ultramarine Blue: A Little Shine
High-gloss, bright blue walls lend instant sophistication to this eclectic, pattern-filled living room. Design by Lorna Gross of Savant Interior Design and photography by Angie Seckinger
Ultramarine Blue: Blue on Blue
Using the same bright blue shade on the walls and in the shag rug makes this small dining space appear more spacious. Design by Brian Patrick Flynn
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
Navy Blue: Go Classic With Blue + White
Navy and white — few colors go together so well and, literally, never go out of the style. Image courtesy of Thibaut
Navy Blue: Bold Built-Ins
Bold accents of yellow and lime green are the perfect contrast to the deep navy built-ins. Design by Meg Caswell
Navy Blue: Classic Stripes
Bold horizontal navy-and-white stripes wake up this bedroom that's tight on square footage but big on style. Design by Brian Patrick Flynn
Navy Blue: Modern Classic
Classic color meets midcentury edge with these 1960s-inspired chairs upholstered with navy blue velvet. Design by Shirry Dolgin
From:
Shirry Dolgin
Navy Blue: Stripes on Stripes
This formal entryway doesn't take itself too seriously with a classic menswear-inspired striped wallpaper complemented by a handwoven stair runner in the same palette but with a reversed pattern (white on navy, instead of navy on white). Design by John Lyle and Mark Umbach.
Navy Blue: Playful Kids' Room
Not only does navy blue pair well with most colors, it's the perfect choice for gender-neutral spaces, like this sunny kids' room designed by Lauren Leonard.
Navy Blue: Go High-Gloss
A door painted in high-gloss navy (Benjamin Moore's Hale Navy) adds a nautical nod to this spacious vaulted attic that has been converted into a ship-shape guest room.
From:
Landing Design
Navy Blue: Moody Lounging
Paired with charcoal gray and white, this low-slung navy setee takes on a moody, nightclub vibe. Design by Brian Patrick Flynn
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
Deep Teal: Floor-to-Ceiling Blue
Deep teal walls are a bold backdrop for a whimsical floor-to-ceiling gallery wall featuring 3-D objects, family photos, kids' artwork and flea market art pieces.
Deep Teal: Creative Kids' Space
Aqua, navy and orange paired with saturated greens and reds create a visually-stimulating kids' space in this room designed by Emily Henderson.
Deep Teal: Relaxing Den
The living room's blue walls are complemented by throw pillows, the armoire and the Roman shades, creating a cozy space perfect for relaxation. Design by Patty Malone
From:
Patty Malone
Deep Teal: Furniture Imitates Art
The deep teal artwork is the first thing you notice in this living room by Emily Henderson; chairs, throws, pillows and poufs coordinate with the moody palette, as seen in HGTV Magazine.
Deep Teal: One Continuous Stripe
The stripe in the center of the custom-made teal-and-black shades is echoed in the folded throw blanket tucked in the wingback chair. Design by Jennifer Reiner and Robert White
Deep Teal: Americana Style
Swapping deep teal for traditional blue and incorporating bold wallpaper and artwork adds a designer touch to this Americana-inspired space. Design by Brian Patrick Flynn
Indigo: Just Add Pillows
A sexy, mysterious relative of the summer favorite navy blue, this deep color goes with almost anything and is a fresh alternative to black. Think of it as black that's been kissed by another color, like these deep blue throw pillows. Photo courtesy of Stacy Garcia
Indigo: Moody Bachelor Bedroom
Designer Brian Patrick Flynn wanted the wet-look paint finish to be the room's signature feature, and it shines in contrast to the white trey ceiling.
Indigo: Go Eclectic
The indigo walls in this living space highlight the unique shape of the leather Restoration Hardware chair and curved design of the side table. Keeping patterns and color subtle in the furniture allows the bold wall color to make a statement without overwhelming the room. Design by Nile Johnson
From:
Nile Johnson
Midnight Blue: Pair With Pink
Hot pink is a great way to add a feminine touch to more masculine hues, like this bedroom's blue-black wall hue.
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
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