Blue interiors can be rich and regal, or soft and peaceful.  From rich and regal colors such as ultramarine or navy, to the serenity of duck egg blue, we love a blue interior.  Blue can be peaceful or dramatic, warm or cool, vibrant or soothing.

Blue color schemes are seen around the world.   However, you may not have seen blue interiors all that often in real life homes.  Many are unsure of how to use blue color schemes and may be feeling tentative about the best color to pair with blue.

Image source: JMA INTERIOR DESIGN

If you are asking what colors go with blue, you should know that there are many.  You can easily add shades of blue to a mixture of other colors.  Alternatively, you can add blue accents to a room for a bright or casual effect.  Blue is often one of the main colors in nautical or tropical decor themes and looks striking when combined with whites, greys and bright reds.

As a cool color, you can combine blue with other cool colors such as greys, or even blacks.  Add warmth by combining blue with purple.  And if you are going for the opposite color of blue, add orange.  The two colors will offset each other, adding a vibrant touch to a room.

Here are some colors that go with blue

Blue with silver


Image source: Dallas Rugs

Blue and silver add sparkle and serenity along with a touch of glamour.  The combination can create a futuristic feel to a room, but can also be classic and sophisticated.

Blue and cranberry


Image source: Robin’s Nest Interiors

When your blue color scheme is made up of hazy blues, the best color to add is cranberry.  This will give you a traditional, warm and relaxed color scheme which is great for your dining room, living room or bedroom.

Blue and bronze


Image source: Robin Hiken Interiors

If your room feels a little cool, add some bronze.  Bronze is a great compliment to blue, and will give your room an interesting, modern feel.  You could add bronze accents or even interesting light features to create a vibrant room.

Blue and white

Image source: Twist Tours Photography

If you are looking for colors that go well with royal blue, cobalt or navy, look no further than white!  This crisp, clean color will brighten up your blue color scheme, giving any room a clean, fresh appearance.

Blue and peach

Image source: Tommy Hein Architects

Peach rooms are often soft and peaceful, but by adding a touch of blue, you’ll bring your peach room alive.  Use soft blues for a gentle feel, or deeper, darker blues to add contrast.  Your room will soon feel interesting and unique.

Blue and Canary yellow

Image source: Alexandra Naranjo Designs

If you have a blue color scheme you are enjoying but you wish to add sunshine and life, you may wonder what colors you could choose.  Canary yellow makes an excellent accompaniment to a blue color scheme.  You’ll brighten up your home in no time at all.

Blue and Mint

Image source: restyle design, llc

If you have a home filled with pretty blue colors, mint will be the perfect accent for you.  Combining delicate blues and greens will give you a wonderful cottage atmosphere which is perfect for your living room or dining room.  If you’re interested in a vintage feel, mint and blue will also provide a great color combination.

Blue and wheat

Image source: STEPHANIE BRADSHAW

If you are working towards a cosy, stylish home, you may wonder what compliments blue to give a warm, soft look?  Wheat is a great color choice.  Both colors are soft and will combine well to give you a classic color theme.

Blue and lavender

Image source: Jon Andersen Interiors

If you’re working towards a home with a feminine appeal, blue and lavender make the perfect color combination.  Combining two cool colors will give you a soft, relaxing feel.

Blue and blush

Image source: Roberto Herrero

Like lavender, blush will give a soft, feminine feel to a room.  You could use blush in different combinations, and the gentle feeling this color brings will add appeal to any feminine home.

Blue and midnight

Image source: Echelon Custom Homes

If you are creating a masculine feel to your home and office, consider paring blue with deep midnight or black.  This color combination will create a deep, sensual bedroom or masculine office.

Champagne

Image source: Savvy Interiors

When looking for a color that matches with blue to give a rich warm atmosphere, think of champagne.  Champagne is more subtle than gold, but will add depth and warmth to any blue room.

Blue and teal

Although teal may be a complement of blue, it is different enough to stand out.  Combining teal and navy blue will give you a fun, retro and very youthful look which will add a modern touch to your home.

Blue and bubblegum

Image source: Erin Sander Design

If you want to contrast masculine and feminine, add bubblegum pink accents to your color scheme.  Bubblegum is a bright, fun color that goes with blue to create a playful mood.

Blue and chocolate

Add a retro touch to your home by combining blue and chocolate brown.  The contrast between the warm and cool colors will spruce up your home, creating a warm yet soothing space.

Blue and scarlet

If you wish to add a dramatic or very warm touch to a blue room, scarlet makes the perfect color.  This deep, warm red will add a cheerful, festive feel to color schemes with blue.

Blue and grass

Image source: SPACE Architects + Planners

If you are wondering ‘do blue and green match?’ you’d be surprised at how well blue and grass combine.  Combined in nature, these two colors create a fresh, organic feel that gives a crisp and interesting touch to a home.

Blue and mustard

Mustard is a current color trend that is popular in interior design.  By combining mustard with blue, you will create a warm, spicy and yet relaxing feeling in your home.  All in all, a great color combination.

Blue and coral

Image source: Andrew Roby General Contractor

Bright, fresh and feminine, coral adds a warm touch to a home.  When you combine coral and blue, you can’t go wrong.  This color combination is great for a breakfast nook, a bathroom or a patio.

Ash

If you’re looking at creating a costal home or other deeply relaxing space, combining blue with ash will create a feeling of peace and tranquillity.  These soft color combinations will create a home so soothing; you’ll never want to leave.

Blue and orchid

Image source: Gray Walker Interiors

When thinking of a blue compliment, orchid may not be your first choice.  However, blue and purple sit next to each other on the color wheel.  Both are considered to be cool colors.  If you have a pastel blue color palette and you are looking for a bold color to combine with this, deep orchid colors may be your perfect choice.

Fresh color combinations:  the classic blue and white combination

Image source: Highgate House

We so often draw on nature for our color combinations, and organic colors relax us.  It is no surprise, then, that we can be overwhelmed by too many harsh or vibrant colors, while blue and white soothes us.  Seen in the combination of bright waves, and striking sea foam, or blue skies and white clouds, blue and white is a classic combination.

No matter how color trends come and go, our classic choices stay with us.  This color choice is very versatile, and can suit a classic home as easily as a gentle sea cottage.  Blues and whites remain fresh from season to season and can easily be teamed up with warm throws or textures during cool weather.

If you are not sure which color combinations will suit your home, or are afraid to commit to current trends, this classic color combination makes a great choice.

Blues and whites in a classic living room

Image source: Schwarz Lewis Design Group, Inc.

Blue and white living rooms come in a range of different styles.  You could combine a pretty light blue with fresh whites, or use an all white backdrop with blue accents.  Perhaps the easiest blue and white color combination comes with pairing bright blue pillows, throws, rugs or ceramics with a white or neutral backdrop.

This color choice suits a range of decorating styles and furniture choices, and will remain timeless and classic no matter what life throws at us.

One handy tip to remember is the darker the blue color you use in your home, the greater the proportion of white you will need to balance it out.

Soothing but stylish bedrooms

Image source: Peter D’Aprix Photography

Creating the perfect shade of blue and white for your bedroom may feel like a challenge.  There are so many different choices out there after all!  However, your bedroom is your own private space, so you have more freedom to get creative when decorating.  In the bedroom, you’re looking to combine your personal tastes with a soothing or relaxing atmosphere.

In the bedroom, you can create soft blue feature walls combined with white linen, or combine a white backdrop with pretty blue colors.  You also have the choice of teal and navy to add pizzazz to a tranquil space.  Remember to use soft lighting to create pools of warm light which will add atmosphere.

In a bedroom, you will be working towards a soothing effect, so gentle blues are key.  Try to limit your colors and reduce the number of accents you combine with blue in your bedroom.  If bright whites don’t appeal, you could always swap them for soft, subtle greys.

Trendy kitchens

Image source: Von Fitz Design

Blue and white kitchens are versatile, and have been incorporated into a range of different styles.  From the classic home to the modern minimalist, blue and white has remained a constant color combination.  Creating a blue and white kitchen color combination will give you a soothing space to work.  In an open plan space, your kitchen will also be easily incorporated into the rest of your home.

Your kitchen color scheme is often determined by your cabinets, your choice of backsplash, the colors in your island and your blinds or ceramics.  Many kitchens will have navy blue cabinets combined with white countertops or backsplashes, but the reverse may also be true!  White cabinets may combine with a splash of cobalt mosaic.

How you incorporate your blue and white color scheme will determine the style of your kitchen. By playing with color of your accessories or ceramics, you will be able to create style updates in a classic blue and white kitchen without any major renovations taking place.

How you use blues and whites in your kitchen will also determine your style.  Crisp white cabinets combined with blue and white delft ceramics will give a classic touch, while an aqua backsplash and bright blinds will create a modern, trendy feel.

Crisp, clean bathrooms

Image source: Christine Huvé Interior Design

Blues and whites in combination make great bathroom choices.  Bright white tiles combined with an aqua splash patch and soft grey towels create a relaxing and yet vibrant space.

As large cast iron bath tubs make a comeback, and bathrooms take on a clean, crisp appearance, incorporating a blue and white color palette into your bathroom has become increasingly easier.  And doing so will give you a clean, bright, airy and peaceful space to relax while taking a long soak.

Over time, you could always add additional colors to your bathroom.  Warm towels in winter or soft greys in summer will keep your space refreshingly updated while your classic base colors remain stable and serene.

FAQ on colors that go with blue

What colors pair nicely with blue?

Blue is a super versatile color, and it pairs well with a wide range of hues. You can’t go wrong with classic combinations like blue and white, blue and gray, or blue and beige. If you want to get a bit more creative, you can try pairing blue with green, yellow, or even coral. Just make sure to choose complementary shades to create a balanced and harmonious look.

How can I use blue as an accent color?

Incorporating blue accents can add a touch of elegance and serenity to your space. You can bring in some blue throw pillows, curtains, or artwork to add a pop of color to your room. Just remember to keep it balanced – you want the blue accents to enhance the room, not overpower it.

Is it fine to mix different shades of blue?

Definitely! Mixing different shades of blue can create a stunning and dynamic look. You can experiment with light and dark blues or even play around with various undertones like green-blues or gray-blues. Just be mindful of the overall balance and make sure the shades you choose work well together.

What are the best blue shades for a calming atmosphere?

If you’re aiming for a calming vibe, then softer, muted blues are your best bet. Think powder blue, periwinkle, or dusty blue. These colors promote relaxation and tranquility, which is perfect for spaces like bedrooms or bathrooms where you want to unwind.

How do I choose the right shade of blue for my space?

Selecting the right shade of blue really depends on the vibe you’re going for and your existing color scheme. Consider the size of your room, the natural light, and the other colors in the space. You can test out different shades by applying swatches to your walls and observing how they look in various lighting conditions. Trust your gut and pick the shade that feels right for you.

Can blue be used in a minimalist design?

Absolutely! Blue can be a fantastic addition to minimalist designs. Just keep it subtle and choose a muted shade, like slate or smoky blue. You can incorporate it in small doses, like a single piece of furniture, a piece of artwork, or an area rug. The key is to maintain the overall simplicity and clean lines of the minimalist aesthetic.

How do I balance blue with other colors in my room?

Balancing blue with other colors is all about finding the right proportions. Make sure there’s a good mix of your main color (blue) and any complementary or contrasting colors. For instance, if you’re using blue as an accent, you could choose a 70-30 or 60-40 split between your main color and blue. This way, your space will feel harmonious and cohesive.

How can I use blue in a small space?

In a small space, it’s best to use blue strategically. You can either use it as an accent color or paint one wall or area with blue to create a focal point. Lighter shades of blue can also help make a small room feel more spacious, while darker blues can add depth and coziness. Just be mindful not to overwhelm the space with too much blue.

What are some popular blue paint finishes?

There are various paint finishes you can choose from when painting with blue. Matte and eggshell finishes are popular for walls, as they provide a soft, muted look. Satin and semi-gloss finishes work well for trim and doors, giving a subtle sheen that adds a touch of sophistication. Ultimately, it’s all about personal preference and the specific look you’re trying to achieve.

How do I use blue in a kid’s room?

Using blue in a kid’s room can be both fun and soothing! You can opt for brighter, more vibrant shades of blue to create a lively and energetic atmosphere, or choose softer, muted blues for a calming effect. Consider painting a feature wall, or using blue in furniture, bedding, or accessories. You could also incorporate playful patterns, like stars or nautical themes, that mix blue with other kid-friendly colors. Just make sure to keep it balanced with some neutral elements to prevent the room from becoming too busy or overstimulating.

Ending thoughts on the colors that go with blue

Blue and white is a classic color combination which mirrors nature.  Perhaps this is why it has been used around the globe in order to create both vibrant and tranquil spaces.  Different shades of blue can be combined with a range of accent colors or accessories to create a multitude of different looks.  A blue and white home will never be standard.

Blue remains a classic and popular favorite.  When asked about their favorite color, people vote again and again for blue!  Blue is the color choice of holiday makers, traditionalists, minimalists and interior designers.

When decorating with blue, remember to look at tones.  Rich navy blues will give a different atmosphere to duck egg blue.  Each color choice will determine the atmosphere of your home, alongside the colors which will pair well with your choice of blue.  With careful consideration, decorating with blue will give you a soothing yet creative looking home.

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