Decorating
Colour: How to Big Up Your Home With a Bolt of Blue
From fresh, vivid turquoise to power-packed cobalt, blue is one of the hottest colours this season
Our homes should be taking their cue from the fashion catwalk this season, where smart denim, crisp chambray and patterned separates made anything blue a must-have. As with outfits, you can either go all out on fabulous wall-to-wall bright blue or pick out accessories and statement pieces that will lift a predominantly neutral scheme. Feel free to dabble with lighter shades, such as sky blue and aquamarine, or plunge feet first into the look with an eye-poppingly bright sapphire to set your spirits soaring…
Brighten up your cook space
This stylish, modern kitchen proves that indigo blue doesn’t just work for bathrooms and boys’ rooms. While most of us might have played it safe with a grey or earthy neutral against the white worktops and floor, look how much energy and personality the planes of dramatic blue bring.
And don’t forget, dark blue door fronts will also disguise mucky fingerprints and smudges, too – a boon for the open-plan family kitchen.
This stylish, modern kitchen proves that indigo blue doesn’t just work for bathrooms and boys’ rooms. While most of us might have played it safe with a grey or earthy neutral against the white worktops and floor, look how much energy and personality the planes of dramatic blue bring.
And don’t forget, dark blue door fronts will also disguise mucky fingerprints and smudges, too – a boon for the open-plan family kitchen.
Offset with pattern
A bright, cobalt blue backdrop will add masses of gravitas to a busy floral pattern. This pretty wisteria print is packed with enough colour and personality as it is, but might just lose its drama against pure white. Instead, the bright blue, tongue-and-groove panelling (right down to the skirting board) enhances the beautiful purple and green flowers – and the touches of sunny yellow adds a little flavour of spring.
A bright, cobalt blue backdrop will add masses of gravitas to a busy floral pattern. This pretty wisteria print is packed with enough colour and personality as it is, but might just lose its drama against pure white. Instead, the bright blue, tongue-and-groove panelling (right down to the skirting board) enhances the beautiful purple and green flowers – and the touches of sunny yellow adds a little flavour of spring.
Work a punchy blend
If you’re a colour fan, don’t be restricted to a single shade. Instead, let rip with an electrifying mix of turquoise, indigo and royal blue for maximum effect.
In a small, open-plan kitchen, it can be really fun to introduce a punch of bold colour to zone off different areas of the room or simply to flex your colour muscle. If this look is too bold, try the same effect with blues from the paler end of the palette.
If you’re a colour fan, don’t be restricted to a single shade. Instead, let rip with an electrifying mix of turquoise, indigo and royal blue for maximum effect.
In a small, open-plan kitchen, it can be really fun to introduce a punch of bold colour to zone off different areas of the room or simply to flex your colour muscle. If this look is too bold, try the same effect with blues from the paler end of the palette.
Build in blocks
Colour blocking is still on trend for our homes and is a tried-and-tested way to tackle a lethargic living room. You may not think it, but royal blue and tangerine are a great colour collaboration and the brave blocks of hot hue in this living room would add drama to any neutral backdrop.
If total colour blocks are too strong for your eye, try accessorising with patterned cushions and detailed art to break up the look a little.
Colour blocking is still on trend for our homes and is a tried-and-tested way to tackle a lethargic living room. You may not think it, but royal blue and tangerine are a great colour collaboration and the brave blocks of hot hue in this living room would add drama to any neutral backdrop.
If total colour blocks are too strong for your eye, try accessorising with patterned cushions and detailed art to break up the look a little.
Take it up and over
This flamboyant boudoir turns the notion of ‘white walls, colourful bedding’ on its head. This fresh, invigorating turquoise wraps the walls and ceiling in a brave bolt of blue.
The key here is to freshen the look with white furniture, bedding and paintwork and let the blue glow create a cocoon-like vibe for sleeping.
More ideas for a blue and white decorating scheme
This flamboyant boudoir turns the notion of ‘white walls, colourful bedding’ on its head. This fresh, invigorating turquoise wraps the walls and ceiling in a brave bolt of blue.
The key here is to freshen the look with white furniture, bedding and paintwork and let the blue glow create a cocoon-like vibe for sleeping.
More ideas for a blue and white decorating scheme
Overhaul one wall
I don’t think we’ll ever get tired of using a bright, coastal-inspired blue in the bathroom. Simply overhauling one or two walls in a vivid cerulean paint is enough to lift the pristine white fixtures and fittings and create a refreshing, invigorating vibe in keeping with the room’s function.
Paint is a dead easy decorating tool for the bathroom, too, and, while tiling calls for an expert’s touch, anyone can try their hand at painting a wall. Just remember to use paint that’s been specially formulated for use in the hot, humid conditions of the bathroom.
I don’t think we’ll ever get tired of using a bright, coastal-inspired blue in the bathroom. Simply overhauling one or two walls in a vivid cerulean paint is enough to lift the pristine white fixtures and fittings and create a refreshing, invigorating vibe in keeping with the room’s function.
Paint is a dead easy decorating tool for the bathroom, too, and, while tiling calls for an expert’s touch, anyone can try their hand at painting a wall. Just remember to use paint that’s been specially formulated for use in the hot, humid conditions of the bathroom.
Wow with wallpaper
Blue might be an obvious choice for a boy’s bedroom, but this subtle, patterned paper offers a really stylish alternative and could work just as well for a girl’s room.
All-over wallpaper is such a great trend to harness this season and it creates a fresher, more modern vibe than the tried-and-tested feature wall.
Browse ideas for decorating with all-over wallpaper
Blue might be an obvious choice for a boy’s bedroom, but this subtle, patterned paper offers a really stylish alternative and could work just as well for a girl’s room.
All-over wallpaper is such a great trend to harness this season and it creates a fresher, more modern vibe than the tried-and-tested feature wall.
Browse ideas for decorating with all-over wallpaper
Pep it up
Your beloved greys and neutrals might just be in need of a little spruce up this spring and bold turquoise is the perfect antidote to a monotone interior, especially when paired with gorgeous flashes of golden yellow (these two shades are great friends).
A shot of opulent turquoise can do wonders for a large open space that can look a little lost and anaemic left on its own. Pepper the separate zones with the same bolt of blue for a united look.
Your beloved greys and neutrals might just be in need of a little spruce up this spring and bold turquoise is the perfect antidote to a monotone interior, especially when paired with gorgeous flashes of golden yellow (these two shades are great friends).
A shot of opulent turquoise can do wonders for a large open space that can look a little lost and anaemic left on its own. Pepper the separate zones with the same bolt of blue for a united look.
Scatter with sea blue
If you are lucky enough to live by the beach, then ultramarine, azure, turquoise and sky blue should be top of your colour chart. Here, cool cobalt cushions echo the natural hues of the ocean beyond. Take your pick from the palette outside your window and you’ll freshen up an off-white sofa in seconds.
Blues also work incredibly well with neutral tones, such as mushroom, taupe and biscuit, for a sophisticated edge.
TELL US…
Is blue top of your colour picks this season? Share your ideas, inspiration and photos in the Comments below.
If you are lucky enough to live by the beach, then ultramarine, azure, turquoise and sky blue should be top of your colour chart. Here, cool cobalt cushions echo the natural hues of the ocean beyond. Take your pick from the palette outside your window and you’ll freshen up an off-white sofa in seconds.
Blues also work incredibly well with neutral tones, such as mushroom, taupe and biscuit, for a sophisticated edge.
TELL US…
Is blue top of your colour picks this season? Share your ideas, inspiration and photos in the Comments below.
Sometimes, all it takes is a single blast of colour to refresh a tired room. This classic monochrome palette bursts to life when juxtaposed with the retro-shaped armchair upholstered in a jewel-bright turquoise fabric.
And why not cleverly harmonise the theme with black-and-white graphic cushions that stop the chair looking like a spare part?