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Gorgeous Blues and Striking Yellows
Punch Up a Room With the Colors of Sun and Sea
My husband and I live in a 1950 ranch-style home a few miles west of Madison, Wisconsin. When I'm not working, I like to do projects around my house, get out in my solo canoe or go camping, read design and psychology blogs and work on mixed media art.
My husband and I live in a 1950 ranch-style home a few miles west of Madison,... More »
If you've been searching for a color combination that will entrance you with its glorious brilliance, look no further. Blues and yellows have arrived, hand in hand, and they look stunning together. From rich and luminous to soft and subtle, the pair has a way of taking a room to the next level. Is it their relationship as near-complements on the color wheel, or just their punchy demeanor? I'm hoping to demonstrate how yellow and blue seem to have an effect like no other, whether they are true complements or not. Read on to see what I mean:
| This royal blue sectional looks great in front of the yellow patterned window panels. Oh, how nice it would be to have so many windows! Natural light makes this dark couch shine. |
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These stormy blue walls can calm as just as much as the yellow ochre can pull — much like a collection of yellow buttercups far across the field. These rich tones have a way of agreeing with each other and seem to live in harmony rather than compete.
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If you're not set on surrounding yourself with such strong hues, try using a few pillows in varying shapes, sizes and textures. The blues here lean more toward the indigo range while the yellows fluctuate between butter and marigold.
Tip: Pillows are easily switched out or covered when you are over a particular color combo, or when seasons change.
Tip: Pillows are easily switched out or covered when you are over a particular color combo, or when seasons change.
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| I'm really drawn to the bold pool blue color on this craft room pegboard, and the yellow accessories seem to be represented better than any of the other colors on the wall, don't they?
Tip: If you are struggling to bring stronger colors into your home, try introducing them in a craft or art area first since vibrant colors seem to be more plentiful in these types of settings. |
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by SB Architects
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| This yellow chair and blue rug take the stage in this otherwise neutral room.
Accessories offer an easy way to bring the blue-and-yellow color combo into your home. These two work really well in this white and black room, but they also could have the same feel surrounded by grey or beige. |
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| Not for the timid, this room is a real show-stopper. Those yellow chairs practically jump off the screen. This particular room would be fine with chairs that matched the table, but the addition of yellow ups the ante on the artsy factor. |
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The golden headboard feels right at home next to the powdered blue lamp bases. Near-neutral walls let these bedroom accessories speak for themselves.
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This inky, ocean blue wall creates a powerful backdrop for the rows of lemon-kissed chairs. Dark sheer panels work with the dark walls and hutch.
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| These homeowners could have gotten away with any color for their rocking chairs, given that the siding is such a subtle shade of yellow. The robin's egg blue chairs aren't too loud for this serene and relaxing porch.
Tip: A blue and yellow pairing can range anywhere from highly energetic to tranquil. To keep it on the softer side, you can use more restful shades. |
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Perhaps not as obvious as some of the other photos, but the shower door seems to be a gradient of blue, which is super cool on its own. Paired with a set of yellow cabinets, this bathroom stays soothing thanks to the help of the lovely gray that surrounds it.
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This near-primary color palette snuck right past me due to the use of a not-so-primary blue. I've always been slightly irked by the red-blue-yellow combo, but this is quite the exception.
Tip: Although your living room could potentially look like a kindergarten classroom decorated in this color grouping, it will feel quite welcome in an outdoor setting. Try something like this on your porch or back deck this summer!
More: See How an Age-Old Tool Can Help You Find the Right Paint
Tip: Although your living room could potentially look like a kindergarten classroom decorated in this color grouping, it will feel quite welcome in an outdoor setting. Try something like this on your porch or back deck this summer!
More: See How an Age-Old Tool Can Help You Find the Right Paint
Comments
Suzy Pierce Oh- I especially love the last photo with the near primary color scheme... Brilliant!
2 years ago · Like
Erin Lang Norris I wouldn't be able to publish this ideabook without showing the inspiration behind it all. :) Of course, this room is far from finished, so I only have a photo of the bed & wall for now. 
2 years ago · Like
Sheila Schmitz Erin, you're holding out on us!
2 years ago · Like
Shwan Blue and yellow can be so well matched, lv!
2 years ago · Like
The Welcome Home: Interior Design Solutions I love blue and yellow. It is a very happy combination. I used it at a beach house to create a fun, relaxed environment. I used commercial grade linoleum tile in the kitchen to create a custom pattern of concentric squares. It feels very nautical to me (like a signal flag) 
2 years ago · Like
Danenberg Design LOVE the yellow cabs. in the bathroom photo. Here are photos of a kitchen our firm designed in Palo Alto, CA, where the owner's favorite colors are bright orange and yellow. 
2 years ago · Like
InterDesign Studio Artwork looks great on a yellow wall. 
2 years ago · Like
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patscats2 I love the combination of dark blue and pale yellow. Yellow is such a happy color. Whenever I see it I smile.
2 years ago · Like
catra7000 My favorite color is blue and my husband's is yellow. I live with these colors a lot!
2 years ago · Like
Barbara Loyd Your color samples are wonderful! The last picture is especially striking. I love color and am happy to see it used boldly to enliven interiors.
24 months ago · Like
Amy Cuker, MBA, LEED AP did a similar color palette for a recently completed living room - really lightened up a dark space! 
16 months ago · Like
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Ideabook published on March 1, 2011.
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