Farrow & Ball, Habitat, Mylands
Blue is one of the most versatile colours to use in the living room, and lends itself to a multitude of design styles. It spans a cooling spectrum, from pale sky blues that pair wonderfully with crisp whites, to plush green-toned peacock blues that work with velvet and brass, to deep inky grey-blues that create moody and sophisticated design schemes.
In colour psychology, blue represents stability, harmony, and peace. The ultimate shape-shifter, blues can be youthful and bright, they can conjure images of the Mediterranean, or provide a calming backdrop for moments of relaxation.
‘Gone are the days when blues were seen as too cold to use,’ says Sarah Keady, House Beautiful’s Style and Interiors Director. ‘Dark, inky hues are now the go to for communal areas like living rooms and kitchens – its cocooning but also wonderfully dramatic.’
A blue living room doesn’t necessarily mean wall-to-wall colour. You can use clever paint techniques to colour skirting boards and window frames, create an eye-catching blue gallery wall, and introduce complementary shades of peachy pink or sunny yellow.
If you’re considering a living room makeover in the near future, read on for 16 ways to decorate with every shade of blue…
