Wash away the old and bring in the new season with a beautiful new colour scheme inspired by the oceans, mountains and rivers. From soft watery tones that will calm a bedroom to vivid inky indigo that will make a bathroom dramatic, click or scroll through to check out these tips to transform every room...
Take a tip from your favourite TV designers and tap into the new powder blue shade created between HGTV and the high-end paint Sherwin Williams. This cool, airy blue called Aleutian is their colour of the year for 2022 and its red undertone bridges the gap between the warm and cool tones we are bringing into the home.
Transform an open-plan living room into a relaxed seaside scene with a calming palette of sandy neutrals and sun-bleached white, offset with waves of deep ocean blue. Accessorise the coastal colour scheme with weathered wood and wicker for a relaxed and airy feel.
Said to evoke the deep blue tones of the evening sky, classic blue makes a perfect colour choice in the dining room – especially when entertaining. Here, curvaceous velvet statement dining chairs stand out and look ultra-chic. Bring in flashes of amber using smoky glassware to create a vibrant and contemporary table setting.
This saturated, rich electric blue works equally well in a contemporary or period setting. Try it on this year's hottest decorating trend, panelled walls, to create a striking snug that feels energised and yet sophisticated. It's got a lot of green in its base, so if you are feeling brave try pairing it with emerald for an unexpected colour combo.
If your living room is already decorated with neutrals, accessories are the easiest way to add atmosphere with blue. This monochrome living room has been transformed into a stormy and dramatic scene with blue, black and grey scatter cushions and dramatic large-scale artwork on the wall pulls the tones and pattern together.
A fusion between classic Scandinavian and Japanese minimalist looks, Japandi is a brand new trend. Throw a harmonious blue tone into the mix and the results are stylish and calming. Here, Japanese-style panelling and windows create a subtle but linear backdrop for socially arranged and inviting blue furniture. It's ultra zen!
If the thought of getting a blue kitchen seems a bit risky, you can bring in a dash of blue with tiles (or flooring, or even a statement ceiling). These fish scales tiles have been paired with pink grouting in a sleek neutral kitchen, creating a dramatic feature that doesn't dominate the space.
Make the floor the feature, with a refreshing combo of fresh white and blue! A shiny vinyl floor that echoes Moroccan-style tiles is vibrant and decorative. The white walls, bed frame and bed linen keep the room light-filled and bright, while inky blue soft furnishings and accessories pull out the rich hues of the exotic statement floor.
Make your home office a place for concentration with smart blue furniture. Paint a wall the same blue as the furniture so storage blends in perfectly. A white blind will screen glare but not compromise any light, while classic wood-effect flooring will warm the space and look smart.
Update your kitchen with dark cabinetry. Shaker-style kitchens look super sophisticated when painted midnight blue. Swap handles for brass cup drawer pulls for a luxe touch, and feature blue enamel pendant lights above the kitchen island for Downton Abbey tradition and drama.
Sitting opposite each other on the colour wheel, orange makes a fabulous and fun partner with blue. The strong contrast looks ultra vibrant painted on this kitchen island against navy blue cabinetry and plush velvet bar stools. Plenty of lush greenery adds a tropical twist. Just gorgeous!
Vintage-style furniture upholstered in powder blue velvet transforms this living room into a retro-plush living space. The dramatic navy feature wall makes gold the additions pop and look super opulent. A swirly blue patterned carpet continues the retro glamour.
Transform your living room into the ultimate chillout zone with subtle shades of grey and bold blue accents. Team matt grey and white walls and drop in a low-level corner sofa. A mix of cobalt blue and denim cushions, as well as a colour block paint stripe, pick out a built-in rug effect in a statement carpet. Lean monochrome art against the wall to finish the relaxed style.
Give your living room an industrial edge with a dark denim coloured sofa and a smart blue storage unit. The wood warms the space and an exposed brick wall adds texture, giving the space a loft feel.
Instead of painting a whole wall, you can create more of an impact with a modern and striking half-wall block effect. Measure and prep the walls with painter's tape to create a crisp straight line and then create a contrast combining a deep blue tone with a soothing neutral such as cream or pebble grey. Complete the scheme with furniture made from natural materials for a relaxing coastal-style room that doesn't feel themed.
Blue is a restful shade, and so perfect for a calming bedroom. Balance out the saturated colour with white woodwork and natural wood flooring and then temper the effect with bed linen and soft furnishings in grey and white shades.
Blue decorating schemes look sensational in contemporary kitchens. Ice blue wall cabinets make a refreshing backdrop in this large and chic kitchen while the darker island and sink unit creates an on-trend, two-tone effect. Team with black window frames, crisp white walls and charcoal-coloured worktops to finish the edgy and striking statement.
Teal blue in the bedroom creates an opulent look that harks back to grand old houses. This vibrant wallpaper features flamboyant peacocks perched on floral branches and is inspired by designs from the 1870s, reminiscent of traditional Chinese silk. A bright lamp in a zingy citrus colour picks out the shades in the wallpaper, and the luxurious teal velvet bed proves you can layer the tone beautifully.
Add a moody statement in the living room with draped fabric in dip-dye blue shades that echo ocean waves. Hang them as a backdrop to smokey blue velvet furniture and bring in driftwood-style accessories to finish the abstract coastal scene.
Turn a small bedroom into a smart retreat with blue additions that work well together. Panelled walls make a fresh backdrop for a refined statement bed upholstered in marine blue velvet. Complete the tailored look by dressing the bed in crisp blue and grey check bed linen.
A room with high ceilings and plenty of light will allow for a layered palette of blue in the bedroom. Here, walls and shutters are painted an indulgent petrol blue for a dramatic yet streamlined look. Wallpaper behind the bed features a leafy green palm print over an indigo backdrop to create a stormy tropical vibe. The upholstered headboard adds an air of luxury for a truly dreamy sleepspace!
An inky blue sofa will anchor a living room to make a strong and striking statement. Balance out the dark injection with stone walls, whitewashed floors and a grey rug, and add a hint of lustre with metal accessories such as this reflective pendant light. Match full-length curtain fabric to the comfortable seating for a perfectly polished finish.
You don't have to make a room monochrome to use blue beautifully and create a strong visual impression. This bright white space is defined by colourful objects that can be replaced such as the light blue stacking chairs and rainbow rug. The light blue tones are picked out by the only flash of permanent colour; a mood-boosting powder blue feature wall.
Swapping bedding is the simplest way to bring blue into the bedroom. For a classic look, layer up pretty florals with lupin blue backgrounds to create a seasonal and inviting space. If you are able, a lick of matching blue paint on one wall will make the colour a firm feature and cocoon the room.
All that is needed in this charming bedroom is an occasional chair and statement pillow in buttercup yellow to break up the block colour of these stylish and practical blue fitted wardrobes. Attention to detail makes a difference too; the metallic handles and painted radiator make a stylish finish to this well-thought-out bedroom.
A cooler blue tone is perfect for rustic schemes, especially when used with a delicate pattern. These statement bathroom tiles featuring trailing florals in cornflower blue make the perfect country style statement teamed with pale blue wooden panelling and a classic white washstand.
Mural wallpaper can be a cost-effective way to add character to any room. This striking blue landscape of Japanese trees and mountains expands the sense of colour and space in a neutral grey living room. This wall effect is surprisingly much less of a commitment than paint as many murals peel off as easily as they go on.
Rooms with glorious period features like sash windows and high ceilings deserve a luxurious look, so make a bold statement with a dramatic dark blue. Here, top-to-toe botanical tumbling foliage looks amazing on this bathroom feature wall, and the placement of the tiles is practical for withstanding splashes.
'Royalcore' is having a real moment thanks to our current obsession with the British royal family and King Charles' Coronation. It's even made an impression on this year's interior trends. Deep and luxurious, royal blue takes its name as this pigment was derived from the semi-precious stone Lapis Lazuli, so only the very wealthiest could afford it.
Add movement and drama to your home with an ombré feature wall. This fabulous watercolour paint effect is created with shades of aqua and indigo blue, blending them together with textured brushstrokes that remind us of diving into the ocean. Stunning!
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