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How to Pick the Right Blue Paint
Periwinkle, Turquoise, Midnight or Sky? Here's Help Choosing the Blue for You
I'm a Designer & Color Consultant specializing in interior and exterior color selection. I also create Design Plans for DIYers. I'd love to help you through my eDesign Service {and it doesn't matter where you live!}. Visit my blog at http://www.porterhousedesigns.com/colorsizzle.
I'm a Designer & Color Consultant specializing in interior and exterior... More »
Many people say blue is their favorite color. In order to appreciate blue's popularity, you must understand what this color signifies to most people: dependability, honor, renewal, stability. Combine these meanings with how blue typically makes one feel — refreshed, tranquil, serene — and you have a color that hits the mark in terms of its benefits. Although blue can be a great hue for your home, certain blues (or too much of them) can feel depressing. On the other hand, vibrant blues can be too stimulating. To avoid both, I'm sharing a few tips to help you select the best blue for you.
More: Find the Right White Paint
More: Find the Right White Paint
Sky blue. I think the most beautiful blues are the ones that mimic a clear blue sky at midday. You know — a sky with no clouds and no haze ... just endless blue. This color is very saturated but not jarring. This type of blue is vivid so it does bring energy to a room, but because it mimics the sky (and sea) this blue is very delightful and easy on the eyes.
Color Pick: Flyaway 6794 by Sherwin-Williams
Color Pick: Flyaway 6794 by Sherwin-Williams
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| Turquoise blue. Turquoise has remained a popular trend color for several years now. It's a warm, ocean blue heavily influenced by green. Lighter tones of turquoise are perfect for the bedroom. They are serene and relaxing and pair well with a host of other hues.
Color Pick: Aqueduct 6758 by Sherwin-Williams |
| Pale blue. If you're leaning towards white walls but you love blue, try a pale blue tint. This is a very Zen-like color that will not overwhelm your space, and it will make your white trim and furnishings look even more brilliant. Color Pick: Tibetan Sky 7134 by Sherwin-Williams |
by Jane Ellison
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Cool blue. Many people equate the color red with an Asian-inspired space. However, a cool muted blue also makes a great choice for this type of theme. Blue (and green) symbolizes renewal and immortality in China. What a terrific color to serve as a backdrop for blue and white porcelain ware. I also love using this "mature" shade of blue for teen boys' rooms!
Color Pick: Blue Dragon 810 by Benjamin Moore
Color Pick: Blue Dragon 810 by Benjamin Moore
| Gray blue. Deep grayish blues work very well in contemporary spaces. This is a nice alternative to pure grays, which can sometimes look dull. You may find that just painting one accent wall with this color is enough to add dimension to your room without making it feel closed in.
Color Pick: Water's Edge 1635 by Benjamin Moore |
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| Silver blue. Lighter silvery blues make an interesting neutral color. These tones work very much like beiges and tans because you can bring in any other color to the space and make it work. These lighter blues won't limit you, but they do bring a cool feeling to a space.
Color Pick: Silvery Blue 1647 by Benjamin Moore |
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| Periwinkle blue. Periwinkle is a lighthearted blue. With its purple undertones, periwinkle is lively and somewhat playful. In certain lighting conditions, this color can look more purple than blue, and this could change throughout the day. Periwinkle is perfect for a casual space and perfectly unexpected for a more formal room.
Color Pick: Blue Pearl 1433 by Benjamin Moore |
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| Aquamarine. Aquamarine is a softer version of turquoise, but as the name indicates, it has a watery, ocean-like feel. This color is ideal for bathrooms but also makes a surprisingly cool color for a family room.
Color Pick: Tidewater 6477 by Sherwin-Williams |
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by Busybee Design
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| Teal blue. To add drama to your space, go for the deeper bold blues. Teal is a deep shade of turquoise that will truly make a statement in any room.
Color Pick: Really Teal 6489 by Sherwin-Williams |
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Midnight blue. Another bold and beautiful blue is midnight blue, such as the one used in this photo from Ten June. Darker than colbalt, navy and royal blue, this color is probably the deepest of blues. You'll need color courage with this one, but if you use midnight blue along with white or light colors, you can achieve amazing results.
Color Pick: Hale Navy HC-154 by Benjamin Moore
More:
Find the Right White Paint
How to Work With Light Blue
More Color Guides
Color Pick: Hale Navy HC-154 by Benjamin Moore
More:
Find the Right White Paint
How to Work With Light Blue
More Color Guides
Ideabook updated on July 11, 2012.
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you seem to be a painter at heart. you analyse colors n hues in great detail. thank you for the post.
Photos below of my MBR & ensuite in beachy blue, a colour created by my painter to match a favourite print
http://brightboldbeautiful.blogspot.com/2010/04/art-studio-home-office.html
http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/flint