Imagine stepping into a room painted in calming shades of blue. Instantly, you feel a wave of tranquility wash over you.
Blue is more than just a nice shade for your walls; it profoundly impacts our emotions and perceptions. It's essential to choose colors wisely as you design your space.
In this post, we will explore the reasons why blue deserves a prominent place in your home decor, along with the top 20 blue paint colors that can transform the look of every room.
The Psychology of Blue
Blue is often described as the color of serenity. Research highlights that blue hues can reduce stress and anxiety, making spaces feel more inviting.
For instance, a 2012 study (source: Liceo Journal of Higher Education Research) revealed that people exposed to blue colour reported significantly lower levels of stress compared to other colors. This calming effect contributes to blue's popularity among interior designers, who use it to create peaceful areas in homes.
But blue isn't just about relaxation. Studies suggest that blue can boost creativity and enhance concentration (source: The British Psychological Society).
For example, a blue-walled home office can increase focus by up to 12%, making it an excellent choice for spaces where work is done or meals are prepared. The versatility of blue allows it to evoke trust and reliability, essential qualities for spaces where families gather.
It’s interesting to note that different shades of blue evoke varying responses. Light blues, like Ice Blue, feel refreshing, while deeper tones, such as navy, offer elegance and sophistication.
By choosing the right blue for each space, you can significantly improve the atmosphere and function of your home.
Top 10 Blue Paint Colors for Different Rooms
Having explored the emotional impact of blue, let’s look at ten specific shades that can elevate the décor of your home. Each recommended color is tailored to enhance the mood of different spaces while ensuring an appealing visual aesthetic.
1. Best Blue Color for Kids Rooms: Manor Blue by Benjamin Moore
Manor Blue by Benjamin Moore is a soft, airy color that can make small rooms appear larger. It reflects light exceptionally well, creating an open feel that’s ideal for tight areas, like small living rooms or hallways.
In a study of small room designs, spaces painted in lighter colors like Manor Blue were noted to feel up to 15% more spacious.
2. Best Calming Blue Paint Shades for Nurseries: Colonial Blue by Benjamin Moore
Colonial Blue by Benjamin Moore brings a soothing quality to nurseries, promoting relaxation and restful sleep. This tranquil blue can be beautifully paired with soft linens and natural textures, creating a peaceful retreat.
3. Best Blue for mudrooms and halls: Oval Room Blue by Farrow & Ball
Oval Room Blue is the most blackened of Farrow and Ball's blues, giving it a subtly aged feel. Named after the attractively shaped rooms of the late 18th century, it sits perfectly with their popular greys to create depth and balance in either a hall or a darker, cosier family room.
Oval Room Blue by Farrow & Ball Image: Sims Hilditch
4. Best Cool Blue Paint for Modern Homes: Sherwin Williams Debonair SW 9139
Sherwin Williams Debonair SW 9139 paint color has become a go-to choice for modern homes. Its cool, muted tone complements wooden and burr furniture, making it an excellent choice for bedrooms and open-concept spaces. This color can enhance a modern vibe while maintaining a sense of warmth.
Where have we seen it?
Interior Stylist Emily Henderson has used it in her own bedroom.
Sherwin Williams Debonair SW 9139 paint color as used by interior stylist Emily Henderson in her bedroom
5. Trending Blue Paint Color: Inchyra Blue by Farrow and Ball
Inchyra Blue is a bold but cheerful color that adds a splash of energy. It’s perfect for bedrooms and creative spaces, stimulating imagination and play.
Where have we seen it?
Farrow & Ball colour curator Joa Stuholme has used this colour in her own home. The headboard in this bedroom is upholstered in a striped Ian Mankin fabric. A third of the wall is painted Farrow & Ball’s ‘Inchyra Blue’ while the door is coated in Farrow & Ball’s Picture Gallery Red.
Inchyra Blue by Farrow and Ball
6. Best Classic Blue for Cabinetry: Stone Blue by Farrow & Ball
Stone Blue is a timeless shade that nimbly works as an accent wall or cabinetry color. It creates a captivating backdrop for artwork or family photos and is ideal for libraries and above fire places. A well-placed accent wall can enhance the overall room's style and increase its perceived value by around 10%.
As seen in:
A home designed by Nicola Harding, below (image by Paul Massey). As seen in House and Garden, June 2021. 'Stone Blue’ paint by Farrow & Ball on the ceiling and built-in bookshelves creates a vibrant background for brass accents, including ‘The Plain Table’ from Matthew Cox and wall lights and oversized pendants from Cox & Cox.
Stone Blue by Farrow & Ball
7. Best Modern Blue Paint for Cabinetry: Juniper Ash by Little Greene
This blue adds a lively vibe, perfect for kitchens and play areas. Its vibrant nature feels fresh and inviting, often eliciting a sense of joy. Use it with white cabinetry for a wonderfully bright atmosphere that energizes the space.
As seen in:
Design by Henry Prideaux, for a West London Terrace House as featured in Homes & Gardens February 2023
Juniper Ash by Little Greene
8. Best Lively Blue paint for Kitchens - The Drink by COAT
The Drink by COAT Paints is a marine blue, with a touch of green. Like the sea at midight. It's a stunning statement colour in all lighting conditions. This shade beautifully complements natural wood elements, enhancing a harmonious connection with nature.
The Drink by COAT Paints
9. Best Blue Paint for Listed Homes: Azurite by Edward Bulmer
This blue is a real pick-me-up, packed with pigment to give strength and depth, but with earthy warmth. It is a homage to the mineral widely used since the Middle Ages to convey great creativity and high status.
We love Azurite in dining and living spaces of stately and listed homes, set against vintage furniture, jewel like at night and colourful during the day.
Azurite by Edward Bulmer
10. Best for those who like bold colors: Encore by Valspar
Encore is Valspar's Color of the year year 2025. It is a bold hue that is not for the faint hearted! It's a gem of a color and will spice up powder rooms or guest baths.
When teamed with warm wood accents and gentle lighting, it creates an inviting atmosphere. This shade can make even the smallest spaces feel cozy and welcoming.
Encore by Valspar is the Color of the Year 2025 for the brand
11. Best muted Blue Color: Mockingbird (695) by Paint & Paper Library
The Blue Mockingbird displays a deep, muted blue due to the structure of their feathers. This fabulous profound soft blue is suitable for use as both a highlight or an all-over scheme.
Paint & Paper Library - Mockingbird
12. Best Blue Color for a sunny Room - Stiffkey Blue by Farrow and Ball
One of the most popular shades of blue for sunny rooms is Stiffkey Blue from Farrow & Ball. It works particularly well in rooms with large windows, allowing the natural light to enhance its soft tones. While it is a darker hue, it can still work beautifully in sunny rooms, especially when balanced with lighter décor elements or wooden surfaces.
Image: McBride Architects featuring Stiffkey blue by Farrow & Ball
13. Best Blue Color for Coastal Homes - Blue Verditer by Little Greene
When it comes to selecting the best blue color for coastal homes, there are several factors to consider that can greatly enhance the overall aesthetic and harmony of the property with its natural surroundings.
The choice of blue should take into account the surrounding landscape. Homes located near sandy beaches may benefit from sandy beige or soft taupe accents paired with lighter blues to mirror the natural environment.
Conversely, homes situated amidst lush greenery may find that deeper blues harmonize beautifully with the vibrant greens, creating a stunning visual contrast that draws the eye. Use blue Verditer by Little Greene on woodwork and to create contrast with similar lighter colors.
Blue Verditer by Little Greene
14. Best Blue Color for a Gentleman's Living Room - Nocturne by Tikkurila
Tikkurila UK recently announced the launch of its Colour of the Year for 2025, Nocturne N438. This deep, sophisticated blue is inspired by the stillness of a starry night, offering a sense of calm with conviction to any space.
Its inky tint evokes the peaceful wonder of a summer night, fostering a sense of connectedness and tranquilly that is both anchoring and luxurious.
Nocturne N438 by Tikkurila
15. Best Color for a Library - Como Blue by Zoffany
Inspired by the depths of Lake Como this deep blue infused with hints of red brings calm sophistication to a room.
Como Blue by Zoffany
How to Match Blue Paint with Home Furniture
To ensure your space feels cohesive, think about your furniture when selecting blue paint. Lighter blues, like Ice Blue, contrast beautifully with dark furniture. Conversely, deeper blues can make light furnishings stand out.
Light plays a crucial role, too. In sunny rooms, choose cooler blues like Steel Blue to balance warmth and maintain a refreshing feel. In dim spaces, lighter blues can brighten things up, making the area feel more open.
Which Blue Shades Work Best in Sunny Rooms?
In sunny rooms, opt for cooler blue shades to create a refreshing atmosphere while keeping the room inviting. In contrast, sunny areas benefit from light blues to keep the space feeling airy and expansive.
Embrace the Power of Blue in Your Home
Blue is a fantastic choice for home decor, offering a range of beautiful shades suitable for every room. From creating tranquil retreats to energizing spaces, the psychological benefits of blue are undeniable.
By utilizing the top blue paint colors mentioned in this post, you can harness blue's calming and rejuvenating qualities while enhancing your home's visual style.
Embracing blue in your decor can be a transformative experience. Enjoy the journey of bringing this beautiful color into your living spaces!
Our writers like to blog about interiors. We launched the award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2015 and the luxury property and interior decor blog www.alltheprettyhomes.com in 2024 to cover all your interior design, travel and lifestyle inspiration needs. Download our free bathroom renovation guide here.