Navy + Wood Tones
A warm-toned wood butcher-block tops a striking navy blue island in this modern industrial kitchen. The dark blue cabinet color contrasts the warmth of the wood and starkness of the white coffered ceiling, subway tile backsplash, and appliances. Leather counter stools bring out the richness of the wood, while their black metal frame echoes the deep paint color.
Teal Blue + Taupe
For a warm, inviting, and elegant bedroom, opt for teal blue and taupe accents against a crisp white backdrop. Using a deep color on floor-to-ceiling window treatments is an excellent design trick that draws the eyes up and creates the illusion of an extra tall ceiling. A tufted taupe headboard adds a luxurious detail and a touch of warmth, while the plush throw pillows tie the whole space together.
Navy + Light Blue + Pink
Create a tonal look with dark navy and light blue, and brighten the pair with pops of pink for a youthful feel. Mixed patterns in the form of an area rug, window treatments, and bed linens create an eclectic aesthetic in this bedroom, giving it a collected-over-time, lived-in feel. When using bold colors, tone them down with natural elements such as a wood chair or a metal nightstand.
Dark Blue + Violet
KARYN MILLET
Dark blue and deep violet are an unexpected color pairing that makes for a moody design statement. The intriguing colors work well on textured pieces such as a soft area rug and plush throw pillows, and rich-toned materials such as brass and dark wood built-in bookcases emphasize the luxurious nature of the color scheme.
True Blue + Natural Wood Tones
Blue's cool color temperature stands out sharply against the warm finish of wood floors, furnishings, or trim. For medium to dark-tone wood finishes, choose a strong shade of blue that won't pale in comparison. In this open kitchen, deep azure cabinetry contrasts with richly stained wood floors to create a cozy and modern cooking space. Open shelving and large windows keep the dark blue cabinetry from overpowering the design.
Teal + Gray + Mustard Yellow
BLAINE MOATS
Go bold with a teal, gray, and mustard yellow color palette for a big dose of energy. The saturated teal and yellow tones add instant personality and channel the jewel tone-inspired aesthetic. Cool gray tones down the rich colors and introduces a mid-tone neutral that serves as a transition into white and wood accents.
Blue + Tan + Coral
DAVID A LAND
A trio of blue, tan, and coral makes for a fresh and modern color scheme in this cool coastal-inspired living room. Texture and a mix of various materials is a great way to bring in a single color in multiple ways—here, a braided jute rug and a rattan chair represent tan, patterned textiles and an oversized lampshade usher in the blue shade, while eclectic artwork and throw pillows infuse bright coral into the space.
Blue + Soft Red
Evoke a traditional feel with blue and soft red. For a more pared-down and understated take on this classic color combination, add plenty of white and use the two shades sparingly through patterns instead of solid surfaces. In this elegant blue bedroom, that means a pair of red throw pillows propped up on blue and white bedding and a smaller-scale blue and white print on floor length curtain panels for a subtle yet even distribution of blue throughout the space.
Royal Blue + Gray
Create a sophisticated space by pairing royal blue with a mid-tone gray. Bring in white and brass accents to brighten up the color combination while maintaining a classic aesthetic. Ground the space and bring visual balance with natural materials such as hardwood floors and rattan seating.
Royal Blue + Light Red + Yellow
ANNIE SCHLECHTER
A royal blue ceiling design, light red wall covering, and yellow seat cushions make for a bold design statement in this formal dining room. The unexpected color trio breathes a cool modern edge into this traditional space, infusing it with a playful attitude and welcoming atmosphere.
Medium Blue + Burnt Orange
JUSTIN COIT
Medium blue and burnt orange work especially well together because they are complementary colors. This cool blue almost acts as a neutral, while the bold orange shade adds fiery warmth to this modern living room. Hardwood floors and leather armchairs add to the warm orange tones, while indoor and outdoor greenery enlivens the space and provides an organic backdrop for the two colors.
Navy + White + Blush
Go fresh and modern with navy blue and soft blush accents against crisp white walls, window treatments, and bedding. An eye-catching pattern is a great way to make a color pop, and these navy blue ottomans and throw pillows do more than just provide color contrast, they introduce a detailed print into a space that’s otherwise made up of all solid colored surfaces and textures.
Moody Dark Blue + Tan + Taupe
ALI HARPER
For a toned down yet dramatic space, pair moody dark blue with a warm tan and taupe shade. A dark blue paint color on the walls or floor-to-ceiling built-ins encloses a space for a cozy feel, while light hardwood floors add a modern edge. A tufted sofa, rattan armchair, and cowhide rug add textural elements, incorporate the lighter tan and taupe tones, and add to the room’s coziness.
Powder Blue + Yellow
NATHAN SCHRODER
Create a bright and cheery space with powder blue and yellow. The two colors are a timeless match that has an optimistic energy and works beautifully in a powder room. To add depth and dimension, use one of the colors as a solid and incorporate the other through a pattern such as this traditional floral print wallpaper.
Deep Blue + Pink + Gray
For a luxurious touch of glam, take cues from this sophisticated bedroom and layer deep blue with pink and gray. Instead of simply painting the wall behind the bed in a deep blue shade, create additional visual interest with a unique wall paneling design. It sets a dramatic backdrop for soft pink accents such as the beaded chandelier, tufted headboard, and patterned throw pillows. To ground the room, an oversized vintage-style gray area rug anchors the furniture and an upholstered charcoal bench ties in the dark neutral.
Dusty Blue + Slate + Orange
EDMUND BARR
For a contemporary color scheme for your bathroom, pair dusty blue with cool slate and fiery orange shades. The warmth of the orange injects warmth and energy into the muted color palette, and if you want to achieve that without a permanent or expensive fixture, take inspiration from this modern bathroom and do so through a statement piece of art or a vase of fresh or artificial flowers.
Dark Teal + Purple
ANTHONY MASTERSON
Embrace rich jewel tones and pair dark teal with purple for a statement-making color combination. Lighten up the saturated tones with white and light neutrals, and add pops of polished brass as a nod to the jewel-inspired theme.
Dusty Blue + White + Wood
Dusty blue lower cabinets add a hint of color to this rustic kitchen, their cool undertone balancing out the warmth of the wood beams, island, and floors. Plenty of natural light floods the space to highlight the white shiplap walls that brighten the kitchen without competing with the blue cabinetry. Sometimes adding visual interest doesn’t mean bringing in a new color, but simply incorporating a subtle detail such as shiplap.
Blue-Gray + Pink + Green
For a playful interior, layer a cool blue-gray wall color with pink and green accents. The gray tone in the paint color helps ground the space and prevents it from looking juvenile, while maintaining a whimsical quality. Add interest with textured and sculptural room elements such as this sheepskin-covered ottoman and modern pendant light, but stick to a neutral color such as white to keep the space from looking cluttered.
Navy + White + Orange
A complementary color pairing of navy and orange gets a boost of brightness with crisp white in this modern bedroom. White shiplap walls and bedding provide a blank canvas for splashes of saturated orange that enliven the room and patches of dark navy blue that bring depth and contrast.
Monochromatic Blues
If you're a true-blue fan of the color, feel free to mix multiple shades of blue into a monochromatic scheme. To make sure the combo plays well together, look for blues with similar undertones, such as blue-green turquoise and dark teal. Repeat the hues across walls, curtains, rugs, and other decor elements to create a rich, layered look. Use a variety of fabric textures and vary the scale of patterns to keep the design from looking stagnant.
To hear more about using blue in your home decor, check out our new podcast, The Better Buy, where Julia Marcum of Chris Loves Julia shares why she chose to decorate with blue in her family room.
Watery Blue + Sandy Beige
Soft shades of blue naturally evoke calm feelings associated with the sea. Partner light blues with a sandy-colored neutral or light-washed wood for a feeling reminiscent of the seashore. Repeat both tan and pale blue with fabrics, bedding, and furniture to create a relaxing retreat in a primary or guest bedroom.
Classic Blue + White
Blue and white form a crisp color combination that creates a clean feeling, which is ideal for spaces like the bathroom. Here, traditional elements, including beaded-board walls and hexagon floor tiles, take on a more contemporary feel when balanced by patterned blue wallpaper. The fresh bathroom color combination turns the small space into a focal point.
Cerulean + Apple Green
Neighbors on the color wheel, green and blue are cool colors that form a refreshing combination. Choose vibrant shades of these analogous colors on walls and furniture for a bold look. In this dramatic sitting room, vivid cerulean blue wall color is balanced by an equally bold apple green. Inspired by the artwork, textiles in a deep apricot geometric print accent the velvet club chairs.
Navy Blue + Cherry Red
Blue and red form an all-American pairing that suits nearly any space. In this cheerful fireplace area, a pair of crimson velvet chairs pop against navy patterned pillows and an inky blue accent wall, creating a dynamic look. For more formal spaces like the dining room, go for darker shades such as navy and maroon that read more sophisticated than patriotic. Lighter tones, including powder blue and salmon, work well in bathrooms or bedrooms to create a soft, comforting atmosphere.
Turquoise + Orchid
Located on blue's side of the color wheel, purple is another cool color that makes a pleasing companion. Because the two tones are so similar, the resulting color scheme is both colorful and soothing. Pair rich purple with striking turquoise for a jewel-like effect in a bedroom or living room. If you prefer paler blue tones, opt for saturated shades of purple to avoid the washed-out look of too many pastels. You can also add contrast to a blue color scheme by choosing warmer purple tones, such as orchid as opposed to indigo, to counteract the coolness of blue.
Denim Blue + Bright Orange
The kitchen is one of the main gathering spots of the house, so it warrants a color scheme the entire family can live with. Because orange sits opposite to blue on the color wheel, it's a natural complement to blue. This pleasing combination also offers an energizing contrast that's perfect for a bustling kitchen. Consider livening up white cabinetry and countertops by painting the kitchen island blue, then layer in hits of orange through stool seating, rugs, kitchen towels, and other accessories.
Pale Blue + Coral
Introduce a dose of femininity with shades of pink, coral, or apricot. The palette of this cozy sitting room is inspired by the striped fabric on decorative pillows. The soft, watery blue is repeated on the painted walls, and the bright coral coats the cheerful entry door. The colorful combination is lively, inviting, and distinctly beachy.
Soft Blue + Neutrals
In neutral rooms, even a small dose of blue can add another layer of personality. If you prefer to stick to neutral paint colors and furnishings, bring in blue through small accessories, such as a table runner, decorative lamp, or a throw blanket. To maintain the neutral look, choose a soft, muted shade of blue that won't feel out of place. If you decide you love the color in the space, feel free to go bigger by repainting the walls or purchasing a blue accent chair.