10 Times the Colour Teal Made a Room
This gorgeous jewel shade is a fantastic way to add glamour and sophistication to your space
Cheryl F
4 December 2017
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing for the UK's top interiors titles. I love shopping for quirky accessories, have a passion for rummaging through vintage stores and I'm ever-hopeful of finding that elusive perfect paint shade.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing... More
Warmer than ordinary blue, less severe than navy, richer and more opulent than grey, teal is a colour that’s surprisingly versatile and easy to live with. Used as a detail, it adds glamour and a jewel-like depth to rooms; on walls, it looks elegant and modern; on rugs, it adds an exotic edge. Take a look at these gorgeous rooms, which prove this mid-blue shade with a hint of green is an interiors trend that will stick around.
Go for a luxurious velvet sofa
There’s something about the richness of teal and the luxury of velvet that makes a glorious combination on a sofa. In this teal and grey living room, a velvet chesterfield has the structure and old-school style to add even more panache. Alternatively, choose a slouchier style for a seat you can’t wait to sink into.
In this room, the teal sofa also makes a fabulous contrast to the dark grey walls.
There’s something about the richness of teal and the luxury of velvet that makes a glorious combination on a sofa. In this teal and grey living room, a velvet chesterfield has the structure and old-school style to add even more panache. Alternatively, choose a slouchier style for a seat you can’t wait to sink into.
In this room, the teal sofa also makes a fabulous contrast to the dark grey walls.
Liven up walls
Blue-painted walls have been growing in popularity for a while now, especially in tones such as indigo and navy. If you don’t want to go too dark, teal makes a slightly lighter alternative that’s still rich, uplifting and glamorous. It also works well in contrast to wooden floors, which so many of us have.
In this living room, the owners have painted the woodwork teal, too, which adds a smart period touch.
Blue-painted walls have been growing in popularity for a while now, especially in tones such as indigo and navy. If you don’t want to go too dark, teal makes a slightly lighter alternative that’s still rich, uplifting and glamorous. It also works well in contrast to wooden floors, which so many of us have.
In this living room, the owners have painted the woodwork teal, too, which adds a smart period touch.
Add an armchair (or three)
A set of teal colour armchairs will allow you to spread the mid-blue love around your room. Here, two matching armchairs plus a button-backed velvet one wake up this light and airy space beautifully.
Shades of teal vary from sunnier turquoises to smokier grey-tinged shades, so if you’re mixing and matching, always check the different tones will work together.
A set of teal colour armchairs will allow you to spread the mid-blue love around your room. Here, two matching armchairs plus a button-backed velvet one wake up this light and airy space beautifully.
Shades of teal vary from sunnier turquoises to smokier grey-tinged shades, so if you’re mixing and matching, always check the different tones will work together.
Tie a whole room together
Teal can work brilliantly as a fresh, modern accent colour. If you’re wondering what colour complements teal, try a simple teal and white palette – it can be all you need for a super-stylish effect.
This spacious bedroom manages to pull off a number of rich blue elements – including floor-to-ceiling curtains – without going into ‘teal overload’. The key is to keep the walls and ceiling pale and to go for a rug with a delicate pattern. The muted backdrop will mean you can choose bolder tones elsewhere.
Teal can work brilliantly as a fresh, modern accent colour. If you’re wondering what colour complements teal, try a simple teal and white palette – it can be all you need for a super-stylish effect.
This spacious bedroom manages to pull off a number of rich blue elements – including floor-to-ceiling curtains – without going into ‘teal overload’. The key is to keep the walls and ceiling pale and to go for a rug with a delicate pattern. The muted backdrop will mean you can choose bolder tones elsewhere.
Give a kick to your kitchen
Teal might not be the first colour that springs to mind when painting kitchen cabinets, but this gorgeous wall of Shaker-style cupboards might prompt you to think, “Why on earth not?”
A matt teal cabinet has a quiet appeal that fits in with the current move towards artisan, hand-crafted kitchens. Go for a shade with a hint of grey to keep things calm and sophisticated.
Discover the best modern Shaker kitchens
Teal might not be the first colour that springs to mind when painting kitchen cabinets, but this gorgeous wall of Shaker-style cupboards might prompt you to think, “Why on earth not?”
A matt teal cabinet has a quiet appeal that fits in with the current move towards artisan, hand-crafted kitchens. Go for a shade with a hint of grey to keep things calm and sophisticated.
Discover the best modern Shaker kitchens
Transform a bench
A dash of teal could be the ingredient you need to make a dining room feel special. An upholstered bench and zigzag graphic rug add richness and charm to this Scandi-style space.
Combining a colourful bench with neutral dining chairs is a great way to make a dining area seem more indulgent. If you can’t find a bench like this one, it’s worth contacting a local upholsterer to see whether you could cover a plain design.
A dash of teal could be the ingredient you need to make a dining room feel special. An upholstered bench and zigzag graphic rug add richness and charm to this Scandi-style space.
Combining a colourful bench with neutral dining chairs is a great way to make a dining area seem more indulgent. If you can’t find a bench like this one, it’s worth contacting a local upholsterer to see whether you could cover a plain design.
Put the focus on the floor
A teal rug is a fantastic way to give a room extra style points, especially if everything else is fairly neutral. Don’t be scared to choose a rug that’s large, as teal is a surprisingly restful colour. Go for a weathered, vintage-look design, as these homeowners have done, for a look that’s sophisticated and upmarket.
A teal rug is a fantastic way to give a room extra style points, especially if everything else is fairly neutral. Don’t be scared to choose a rug that’s large, as teal is a surprisingly restful colour. Go for a weathered, vintage-look design, as these homeowners have done, for a look that’s sophisticated and upmarket.
Make your headboard the hero
A colourful headboard can make a bedroom appear more finished and luxurious and, with its relaxing blue tones, teal could be the perfect option. Here, the combination of velvet and the jewel-bright teal colour is a winner.
Teal also works well with contrasting shades – here, it looks great with the red rug and lamps, grey walls and navy doors.
A colourful headboard can make a bedroom appear more finished and luxurious and, with its relaxing blue tones, teal could be the perfect option. Here, the combination of velvet and the jewel-bright teal colour is a winner.
Teal also works well with contrasting shades – here, it looks great with the red rug and lamps, grey walls and navy doors.
Paint a feature wall
If you don’t want your whole room to be painted teal, consider using it on just one wall. The expanse behind the sofa adds interest and character to this living room.
A teal wall will add depth and drama to any space and it makes a fantastic foil for artwork, as this scheme demonstrates.
If you don’t want your whole room to be painted teal, consider using it on just one wall. The expanse behind the sofa adds interest and character to this living room.
A teal wall will add depth and drama to any space and it makes a fantastic foil for artwork, as this scheme demonstrates.
Bring in some pattern
If you love the idea of teal but want to use it sparingly, hunt for prints and patterns that incorporate the shade.
It looks lovely teamed with pink in this pretty wallpaper featuring blooms and butterflies – and the homeowners have completed the look by painting wooden furniture in the same colour combination.
Find out how to go bold with wallpaper
Are you a fan of teal, and have you used it in your own home? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments section.
If you love the idea of teal but want to use it sparingly, hunt for prints and patterns that incorporate the shade.
It looks lovely teamed with pink in this pretty wallpaper featuring blooms and butterflies – and the homeowners have completed the look by painting wooden furniture in the same colour combination.
Find out how to go bold with wallpaper
Are you a fan of teal, and have you used it in your own home? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments section.
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I think teal is one of those fabulous, looks great with anything colours.
Thanks for the feature