Shades of Blue: +25 Ideas and Tips on How to Use in Decoration

From lightest to darkest, the shades of blue Not only are they powerful colors, they are excellent for decorating. They were acclaimed by ancient Chinese dynasties, the Greeks and the Moors for their rarity – and singer Wilson Simonal even said they brought good luck in his 1967 hit “Vesti Azul”.

Shades of blue can be a win-win in decorating, as they form a beautiful base for interior design ideas while (it’s scientifically proven) being calming and making you relax.

However, for some people, they can seem a little intimidating and flashy. There are some rules that can be used for more harmony and, therefore, we have created some tips to help you bring shades of blue into your decor.

Different shades of blue in decoration

The effects that shades of blue will bring to your decor depend on the temperature of these colors.

Warm blues

These blue tones, like denim, ocean and slate, contain layers of red and have the ability to make a room feel more cozy. Warm blues are recommended for social spaces, such as the living room, kitchen and dining room.

Cold blues

Here we are talking about colors like cobalt, shades of turquoise and ice blue. These are tones that contain layers of yellow and can make small areas, such as the entrance hall, for example, appear larger.

These are tones that strongly stimulate calm (excellent for the bedroom) and focus (how about in the office?!). In a bathroom, they work really well too, as they give off that clean, crisp vibe.

Pastel blues

A monochromatic palette of pastel blues brings a feeling of elegance and sophistication – although it needs some variations so as not to lack personality and appear childish.

Speaking of which, try to avoid combining it with shades of pink to avoid creating a feeling of naivety in the environment.

Shades of blue for walls: which is best?

Choosing the shades of blue for your walls will depend on the effect you want to create. If your room suffers from a lack of light, it’s important to choose a warm tone on the walls to keep it cozy.

The opposite also applies. If your room receives a lot of light, you can choose cooler blue tones for balance. The same goes for shades of blue for external walls. If there is no heat, add it. If you have some leftovers, opt for a cooler shade of blue.

If we are talking about an intimate environment, like the bedroom, for example, walls in dark blue tones are more suitable to create a more relaxing environment. Painting half a wall can also be interesting to explore your personality. The combination with white is no mistake.

Shades of light blue: can you mix it in your decor?

Yes, of course it can. Light blue tones are perfect for this if combined with other similar or complementary colors. This is our secret for creating that serene tone for your bedroom or living room.

What colors go well with shades of blue in decor?

The vast majority of colors combine very well with shades of blue. However, warmer colors such as yellow, orange and red add warmth to the decor – where this feeling might otherwise be lacking.

The combination with white has the power to create a social environment, like a living room, calm and bright. In addition, shades of brown and black – and other neutral and natural colors – also enrich the color scheme.

Gray, despite bringing elegance to clothing when combined with shades of blue, in decoration can make the environment very cold. Better to avoid it.

Blue tones to create a spa in the bathroom

One of the things that many spas have in common is… yes, a bathroom in one or more shades of blue. In addition to the feeling of hygiene, these colors have a relaxing effect – due to the connection that our brains make with other elements that refer to peace, such as the sky and the ocean.

Bring these sensations into your bathroom with accent items in shades of blue or by painting the walls in one of these colors.

The recommendation is pastel tones and other shades of light blue to reinforce this calming sensation.

Now, if you want a full spa feel (and if you have a large bathroom that would accommodate this item), consider adding a chandelier. Combine your walls with dark wood furniture to make the blue stand out even more.

Dark blue tones in kitchen cabinets

Kitchen cabinet colors aren’t – or don’t need to be – what they used to be. They were shades of beige or white, but nowadays, more and more people are experimenting with bolder colors in this environment.

Try a grayish blue tone on cabinets with softer tones like white and green on other elements. They will give an elegant, luxurious and sophisticated look to your kitchen – something difficult to recreate with another color in this space.

If you need to bring more heat to your kitchen, consider using warmer metal handles, like gold or brass. Also add wood or natural stone pieces for flooring and other furniture. This will make your kitchen more welcoming.

Turquoise blue tones on the bedroom walls

If you’re in need of a color change in your bedroom, consider shades of turquoise blue. These colors added to the walls work great with neutral-colored furniture. Contrast helps create a feeling of expansion to the room.

Shades of turquoise blue offer a calming effect that, when combined with furniture in light tones, can further enhance this sensation.

It is important that all other elements are as neutral as possible so that walls in shades of turquoise blue have the prominence they deserve. If you want to play with the decoration, bring in other elements in the same tone.

Are shades of blue good for the living room?

Yes, shades of blue are some of the most popular colors for living rooms because they create a calm, elegant finish to a space that can be very busy.

Bet on combinations with indigo blue, navy blue and cobalt blue, which offer great scope for adjustments with other colors.

And bolder shades of blue, like denim or sapphire, are great for upholstery and rugs because they add depth.

So, did you like our decoration ideas with shades of blue? Take the opportunity to browse our blog and check out other tips for decorating with color!