Times Colonist

Blue is the new black in home decor: here’s how to use it

- CATHY HOBBS Cathy Hobbs is an Emmy Award-winning television host and a nationally known interior design and home staging expert.

Black remains a staple in home decor. It blends well with other colours and can add elegance to a space. The same can also be said of blue, especially indigo. Yes, blue is the new black.

Deep blue has become a favourite for designers, especially those looking to use a dark, rich colour without the harshness black can provide. For many homeowners and those in the design community, blue is a preferred choice to black, and it’s gaining popularity.

When it comes to using deep blue or indigo, here are some tips to keep in mind: • Do mix deep blue with soft neutrals such as white and taupe. The blue can help make these colours stand out. • Do mix rich shades of blue with sharp contrast colours such as yellow or chartreuse. • Do map your pops of blue throughout a space. Colour mapping is a technique in which one can repeat a colour throughout a room. For example, introduce a blue piece of art and then use a rug with blue accents, then add a blue toss pillow. • Don’t be afraid to mix blue with black. Once considered to be taboo, from fashion to home decor realms, dark blue and black are colours that are being displayed together. • Don’t paint a wall a deep blue unless it is an accent wall. Deep blue will likely overly darken a room if used as an overall colour. • Don’t dismiss opportunit­ies to introduce blue into your space in interestin­g ways, such as ocean- or water-inspired art or photograph­y.

 ??  ?? Indigo artwork adds a touch of glam to an otherwise bland hallway.
Indigo artwork adds a touch of glam to an otherwise bland hallway.
 ??  ?? An outsized piece of art with a deep blue background anchors this dining room.
An outsized piece of art with a deep blue background anchors this dining room.

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