Into the blue
Blues can make your living areas soar with a great coastal vibe
WWispy, soothing tones of pastel blues are perfect for creating the coastal breeziness that’s a perennial favourite.
But we’re also getting bolder in our use of blues, with deep dramatic midnight hues like Resene Carpe Noctem and vivid primary blues like Wet N Wild that give us all an immediate mood lift.
There are few colours so universally loved than blue in all its iterations. Get the combinations right and blues can really make your rooms soar with timeless style.
Set the tone
If you’re thinking about a blue-based colour scheme for your home, start by thinking about what kind of feel you want the space to have for the people in it.
“Blues are a great colour tone to change the whole look and feel of the space,” Resene colour consultant Amy Watkins says. “Try Resene Morning Haze or Timeless for that light, easy breezy coastal feel in your living areas, bedrooms or throughout your home.”
To complete that beachy, bachy vibe, pair your muted, grey blues with wood finishes in Colorwood Natural or Colorwood Breathe Easy from the Resene We Speak Beach range.
To add visual interest, pair your soft blues like Duck Egg Blue with sunset shades like Crail or Sante Fe. Billowy white curtains, plenty of natural fibres and plants will complete the look.
Add a sophisticated beachy tone by going for bolder blues like Resene Cobalt with brighter naturals like Quarter Spanish White, and accent touches of deep terracotta Mexican Red for more of a ‘Hamptons-style’ coastal feel.
But blues needn’t always mean coastal or nautical. Watkins suggests experimenting with blue-greens and dark navy shades for a totally different effect.
“Resene Boost is a soft-edged teal blue that can be great for bold feature accent walls, while Resene Carpe Noctem or Resene Indian Ink are deep inky blues that will add drama to any room.”
Unexpected combinations
Blue is an extremely flexible colour to decorate with, as you will likely find a shade of blue to work with almost any other colour.
That said, it does have some classic colour partners, like primary red and bright white, or yellows, which sit opposite blue on the colour wheel.
Watkins adds that mustard tones, which are typically yellows with a blackened or slightly green edge, such as or Resene Sunbeam are another safe complementary colour to try with blues.
If you’re worried about your palette getting too overwhelming opt on-trend muted colours like See The Light with softer blue Upside.
“But to step outside the box I would recommend trying an orange or pink,” Watkins says. “Orange tones such as Resene Tequila Sunrise will bring added life and vibrance to any blue space.”
If you want to use a moody deep blue like Resene Midnight Express, softer pastel pinks can help prevent the darker colours becoming overwhelming.
“Classic pinks like Resene Coconut Ice or Valentine paired with heavier deeper blues can soften spaces and add a sense of comfort,” Watkins says.
Other unexpected colour combinations to try are charcoal greys like Thunderstorm and dramatic reds like Incarnadine with tropical blue Idyllic. Deep crimson Very Berry is another shade that works deliciously with these turquoise blues.
For a simple yet vivid modern art finish, try pairing grouping the primary colours of Resene Resolution Blue, Red Berry and yellow Turbo with crisp Black White and Black. It ca0n be a fun, and inspiring combination in kids’ bedrooms or workspaces like creative studios and home offices; or even toilets and bathrooms.
Using blue with neutrals
The inherent versatility of blues, means they are fairly easy to pair with neutrals. The neutral you chose to pair with your blue will depend on how you want your blue to transform your space, Watkins says.
For example, she suggests softening the crystalline aqua edge of Resene Breeze by using a cooler based white like Poured Milk or Black White. “It reduces the intensity of the blue undertones. To intensify the blue nature of Resene Timeless try pairing it with Chalk Dust or Bianca.”
The soft, muted and versatile nature of some popular modern trends mean they can actually be used as neutrals themselves, if you are looking for a subtly different look that is still fairly minimalist.
Try the wispy blue of Resene Quarter Duck Egg Blue on trim areas with walls in Half Pale Rose, or painting ceilings, skirtings and doors in Dusted Blue with the deeper faded denim of Atomic on the walls. Add notes of olive brown Go Ben for unexpected contrast.
Top tip: If you want to add a note of glamour, warm mid-blues like Resene Takaka, blackened blue Indian Ink or deep teal Warrior all look great with notes of metallic Gold.
Turquoise sea blues like Boost and violettoned blues like Astronaut can work well with touches of silver.
For help choosing the right blue, visit your local Resene ColorShop, ask online, resene. co.nz/colourexpert, or book a consultation at resene.co.nz/colourconsult