Decorating
Colour: 10 Ways to Embrace Bold Blue
One minute soothing, the next invigorating… This classic colour has real depth, as these stylish schemes demonstrate
Bold blue delivers instant impact and feel-good energy. It’s a nautical, seafaring shade that conjures images of exotic adventure and water-based bliss. It’s no surprise, then, that it’s a popular choice for bathrooms and wet rooms, but it can also work its magic in the living room, kitchen… in fact, any room in the house, freshening warm tones and adding punch to plain white.
Bold colours like this are fun, but you need to think carefully about the best canvas for each one. This collection of design ideas will hopefully give you a few ideas for using blue and help you decide how far you should go.
Bold colours like this are fun, but you need to think carefully about the best canvas for each one. This collection of design ideas will hopefully give you a few ideas for using blue and help you decide how far you should go.
Bring the beach to your home
This particular room is in a villa, but you could replicate the décor anywhere and I guarantee you’ll instantly feel as if you’re just metres from a beach. The water-inspired colour scheme and beautiful patterns create a seaside atmosphere that will have you in holiday mode in no time.
This particular room is in a villa, but you could replicate the décor anywhere and I guarantee you’ll instantly feel as if you’re just metres from a beach. The water-inspired colour scheme and beautiful patterns create a seaside atmosphere that will have you in holiday mode in no time.
Make your units work harder
Although the blue in this kitchen is muted, it still creates a striking space in which to cook and eat. Choosing bold colours for kitchen units can be stressful, as they are such a big purchase, but blue is one of the safer and more soothing options out there.
Although the blue in this kitchen is muted, it still creates a striking space in which to cook and eat. Choosing bold colours for kitchen units can be stressful, as they are such a big purchase, but blue is one of the safer and more soothing options out there.
Accessorise with colour
These cushions boost this scheme in two ways: firstly, they add a little more luxury to the bedroom – you can never have too much – and, secondly, they provide a bridge between dark and light tones. Cushions are a great way to add colour, as they can easily be substituted for fresh ones in another accent shade once it’s time for a makeover.
These cushions boost this scheme in two ways: firstly, they add a little more luxury to the bedroom – you can never have too much – and, secondly, they provide a bridge between dark and light tones. Cushions are a great way to add colour, as they can easily be substituted for fresh ones in another accent shade once it’s time for a makeover.
Make waves in the bathroom
These mosaic tiles really complement the white suite. Blue is obviously a water-inspired colour, so it makes perfect sense for it to appear here. Choosing a single shade on one wall and a watery mix from aqua to green on the other zones the shower area and gives definition to the space.
These mosaic tiles really complement the white suite. Blue is obviously a water-inspired colour, so it makes perfect sense for it to appear here. Choosing a single shade on one wall and a watery mix from aqua to green on the other zones the shower area and gives definition to the space.
Experiment with other shades
There are so many hues of blue, particularly lighter shades, that it’s worth taking your time to choose the perfect one. This pastel goes really well with brown, so the combination of the tiling and wooden panelling and storage is a winner.
There are so many hues of blue, particularly lighter shades, that it’s worth taking your time to choose the perfect one. This pastel goes really well with brown, so the combination of the tiling and wooden panelling and storage is a winner.
Don’t be afraid of the dark
Hague blue is the new black… Well, sort of. Many people hesitate to use black on large areas, such as bedroom walls and ceilings, but there are classy alternatives to that design favourite that will give a more complex and contemporary finish. Hague blue is among the most popular. Watch how it comes to life at different times of the day in different lights.
Hague blue is the new black… Well, sort of. Many people hesitate to use black on large areas, such as bedroom walls and ceilings, but there are classy alternatives to that design favourite that will give a more complex and contemporary finish. Hague blue is among the most popular. Watch how it comes to life at different times of the day in different lights.
Put accent colours in unusual places
Your pop of colour doesn’t have to be on the walls or kitchen cabinets. It can also be in the form of lighting. This blue under-unit strip casts a beguiling glow on a once plain room and adds an exciting contrast to its surroundings, just as a feature wall would.
See why you can’t go wrong with a blue and white scheme
Your pop of colour doesn’t have to be on the walls or kitchen cabinets. It can also be in the form of lighting. This blue under-unit strip casts a beguiling glow on a once plain room and adds an exciting contrast to its surroundings, just as a feature wall would.
See why you can’t go wrong with a blue and white scheme
Let the water fall
Why not make the most of your aqua theme by literally bathing in it? To have one colour feature so prominently in a small space like this is gloriously indulgent. For the ultimate in bath-time luxury, pair with luxurious flooring and flattering lighting. You won’t leave that tub for hours.
Have you decorated with blue? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
Why not make the most of your aqua theme by literally bathing in it? To have one colour feature so prominently in a small space like this is gloriously indulgent. For the ultimate in bath-time luxury, pair with luxurious flooring and flattering lighting. You won’t leave that tub for hours.
Have you decorated with blue? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
The injection of bold blue behind the sink has totally transformed the character of this kitchen. It adds a whoosh of colour to the all-white space, while also turning the splashback into an architectural feature of the layout.
Check out more statement splashbacks