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  4. Decorating With Blue

Decorating With Blue

By Nicole Sforza
Updated August 29, 2014
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Silver accents in a living room
Credit: Lucas Allen
There’s no easier hue to work with than blue, in all its warm and cool tones.
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Warm Blues

Silver accents in a living room
Credit: Lucas Allen

Famously calming and peaceful, blue can have very different effects on a room depending on its temperature. Warm blues, like the shade shown here (or like denim, ocean blue, or slate blue), contain hints of red. Color experts say they advance, or come toward you, so they help make a room feel cozier. Decorators often like warm blues in social spaces, like the living room, the kitchen, or the dining room.

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Cool Blues

Living room with striped rug
Credit: Ellen Silverman

Shades known as cool blues―like cobalt, turquoise, and ice blue―have yellow in them and tend to recede, or back away, which can help a small space look bigger. Color experts explain that cool blues encourage calmness (which is nice for a bedroom) and focus (say, in a home office). Sometimes cool blues can go a little further and be cold. But in a bathroom, where you want a crisp, clean vibe, that can be a good thing.

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Cool Mix

Livingroom with blue walls, floor, furniture, accet pillows and drapes
Credit: Roger Davies/ Southern Accents/ My Home Ideas

The range of blues that pop up in this room—on the walls, the furniture, the floor—reflect the tones from sky to sea.

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Getting Warmer

Dining room with blue carpet, walls, high-backed chairs and blue-accented chandelier
Credit: Roger Davies/ Southern Accents/ My Home Ideas

A hint of green in the robin’s egg blue walls adds a warm note to a palette of restful blues.

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Simply Serene

Bedroom with blue walls accented with blue throw pillows and blanket
Credit: Robbie Caponetto/My Home Ideas

Blue walls anchor a calming neutral scheme.

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Something’s Afoot

Kitchen with blue checked ceiling, blue floor, brass hanging pots and sunflowers on island countertop
Credit: Tria Giovan/My Home Ideas

Blue works just as well—and more surprisingly—on the floor as on the walls.

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Big and Bold

Livingroom with blue couch
Credit: Ditte Isager

A large-scale bench in a deep, rich blue becomes the automatic focal point of this living room.

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Pick Your Paint

Van Deusen Blue paint
Credit: Geoffrey Sokol


Best Blue for a Living Room


Van Deusen Blue HC-156*
“It looks fantastic with rich woods, like cherry,” says Jayne Michaels, an interior designer and a co-owner of 2Michaels Design, in New York City.

To buy: $41 a gallon, benjaminmoore.com for stores.


*Quick reminder: The paint colors you see here and on the following pages might look different on your walls. Please test them out before committing.

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Best Blue for a Dining Room

Blue Ceruleum Moyen paint
Credit: Geoffrey Sokol

Blue Ceruleum Moyen 32020
“Lush and intimate, for cozy dinners with family and friends,” says Michaels.

To buy: $35 a tube, ktcolorusa.com for buying information.

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Best Blue for a Kid’s Room

Clear Skyscape paint
Credit: Geoffrey Sokol

Clear Skyscape 028-5
“A bold shade for both boys and girls,” says Michaels.

To buy: $51 a gallon, mythicpaint.com.

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Best Blue for a Bathroom

Buxton Blue paint
Credit: Geoffrey Sokol

Buxton Blue HC-149
“A clean, fresh feeling with white tile and chrome,” says Michaels.

To buy: $41 a gallon, benjaminmoore.com for stores.

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Best Blue for the Ceiling

Still Moment blue paint
Credit: Geoffrey Sokol

Still Moment FA018
“With white walls, this will make a room feel bigger and airier.”

To buy: $40 a gallon, freshairechoice.com for stores.

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Try a Piece of Blue Furniture

Ikea Billy bookcase
Credit: Ikea


Wood Bookcase

Fill with blue and white objects, as well as books, and it’s a chic cabinet of curiosities.

To buy: Unfortunately, this item is no longer available, but find other bookcases at ikea.com.

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Wrought-Iron End Table

Almidi wrought-iron end table
Credit: Geoffrey Sokol

The Almidi end table’s airy design is great for small spaces.

To buy: Unfortunately, this item is no longer available, but find a similar table at casamidy.com.

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Plastic Stool

Blue plastic stool
Credit: Geoffrey Sokol

Use one of these polycarbonate stools by Marcel Wanders for extra seating or two as low bedside tables.

To buy: Unfortunately, this item is no longer available, but find a similar stool at kartell.com.

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Velvet Sofa

Liam blue velvet sofa
  • Lush navy looks even richer against dark wood floors.
  • To buy: $3,000, mgbwhome.com.

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Wool Rug

Monochromatic Solid blue wool rug
Credit: Geoffrey Sokol

This double dose of two-toned blue measures 5 feet by about 8 feet, just the right fit for under the coffee table.

To buy: $298, shadesoflight.com.

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Or Add a Hit of Blue With an Accessory

Ceramic Tulip votive
Credit: Geoffrey Sokol


Tulip Votive

Try one on a coffee table or a pair on the mantel.

To buy: $280, Paul Kohn Design, 212-977-5050.

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Handblown Glass Decanter

Joe Cariati handblown glass decanter
Credit: Geoffrey Sokol

Place near sunshine for full enjoyment.

To buy: $795, joecariati.com for stores.

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Ceramic Table Lamp

Opium Jar ceramic table lamp
Credit: Geoffrey Sokol

An unusual blend of modern lines and pastel sweetness.

To buy: $695, 877-746-6608.

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Recycled Glasses

Recycled glasses
Credit: Geoffrey Sokol

For upgrading your morning OJ or toning down a fancy table.

To buy: $11 to $15 each, Ochre Store, 212-414-4332.

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Porcelain Vase

Omaggio striped porcelain vase
Credit: Geoffrey Sokol

Maximize the impact by packing it with short hot pink zinnias.

To buy: Unfortunately, this item is no longer available, but find a similar vase at hyggeandwest.com.

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Everything in This Slideshow

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1 of 22 Warm Blues
2 of 22 Cool Blues
3 of 22 Cool Mix
4 of 22 Getting Warmer
5 of 22 Simply Serene
6 of 22 Something’s Afoot
7 of 22 Big and Bold
8 of 22 Pick Your Paint
9 of 22 Best Blue for a Dining Room
10 of 22 Best Blue for a Kid’s Room
11 of 22 Best Blue for a Bathroom
12 of 22 Best Blue for the Ceiling
13 of 22 Try a Piece of Blue Furniture
14 of 22 Wrought-Iron End Table
15 of 22 Plastic Stool
16 of 22 Velvet Sofa
17 of 22 Wool Rug
18 of 22 Or Add a Hit of Blue With an Accessory
19 of 22 Handblown Glass Decanter
20 of 22 Ceramic Table Lamp
21 of 22 Recycled Glasses
22 of 22 Porcelain Vase

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