A couple of years ago, when Pantone named Classic Blue their Color of the Year, I couldn’t have been happier. Calm, refreshing, and reminiscent of the sea and sky, blue happens to be my favorite color to decorate with every year! I’ve discovered that decorating with blue, especially when paired with white, brings a fresh, timeless feeling to every space in the home.
If you’ve been following along for a while, you know that almost every room in our home has at least a touch of blue–which is kind of funny, because I don’t think I had any blue in our home until just a couple of years ago!
When we moved to our home several years ago, all the walls and ceilings were painted with Kilim Beige by Sherwin Williams. Needless to say, after a while all that beige started feeling really dark and heavy, so we decided to paint everything white.
Our new white walls and ceilings provided the perfect backdrop for a bit of color, so I started adding in some rich blue hues through rugs, artwork, and pillows.
After that, there was no going back! The classic color combination of blue and white made a world of difference in the overall look and feeling of our home.
Cool, calm and collected, blue is always a classic, making it easy to incorporate in a variety of interior design styles, from modern to traditional.
I love how blue pairs so beautifully with every other color and tone, making it a true neutral.
Whether you want to decorate with blue accents here and there, or go all out by adding a coat of blue paint to the walls (or ceiling!) in your dining room, bedroom, kitchen, laundry room, or bathroom, below you’ll find some ideas and inspiration for decorating your home with blue.
How to Decorate with Blue and White Throughout Your Home
1. Adding blue to the kitchen
One way to incorporate blue in your home decor is by painting your kitchen cabinetry. I love the look of blue kitchen cabinets paired with white marble or quartz countertops.
When we updated our kitchen last year, I was tempted to paint all the cabinets blue, but ultimately I decided to just add a splash of blue on the island.
Painting the kitchen island is a great way to add a pop of color and visual interest to a room, and it provides a strong base around which to build your space.
The shade I chose for our kitchen island is Distance by Sherwin Williams. In real life, it’s more of a medium-toned gray blue on the cool side of the spectrum.
A blue and white rug and a few blue accent pieces on the countertops and open shelving help tie everything together.
2. Blue living room ideas
When decorating your living room with blue, it’s important to consider the other elements in your space, such as lighting, furniture, rug, artwork, window treatments, and accent pieces, like pillows.
The right balance of these elements can make all the difference in creating a cohesive look in the living room. For example, if you have a bold blue sofa, you might want to use neutral-colored accent chairs, rugs, and curtains help balance out the look.
Blue pillows are a staple in our living room. Actually, you’ll see them throughout our home, because they seem to work everywhere.
Decorating with blue and white can be as easy as adding a blue rug to your space. I love this easy-care rug so much, I have two!
Another option is to mix and match different shades of blue to create a layered and interesting look.
Consider pairing a deep navy blue with a lighter powder blue, or a bold cobalt blue with a soft sky blue to create visual interest and depth in your space.
3. Decorating with blue and white in the bedroom
If you’re looking for a timeless and sophisticated look, consider decorating the bedroom with shades of blue and white.
This classic color combination is both elegant and versatile, and it can be used in a variety of styles, from coastal to traditional and classic.
Use blue and white in your bedroom decor through the use of patterned textiles, such as throw pillows or curtains, or via statement pieces, such as a blue and white piece of artwork.
Over the past couple of years, our master bedroom has become an oasis of blue and white. I love the calm and serene atmosphere these hues added to this space.
To update this space for a new season, all I do is change a pillow or two and perhaps add in a heavier throw or duvet in winter.
The indigo blue rug helps tie everything together, and the artwork above the bed helps give this space a bit of a coastal vibe.
Here’s a closeup of the blue and white pattern on the sheets and pillowcases.
4. Decorating with blue in the family room
When it comes to blue decor, pattern and texture can also play an important role in elevating your space.
Consider adding a textured blue throw blanket or a patterned blue rug to your living room or family room to add depth and interest.
Indigo shibori pillows, a blue and white rug, and plenty of plants lend a happy vibe to this much-used space.
Another way to incorporate blue into your home decor is through the use of accessories and accents, such as throw pillows.
This is such an easy and affordable way to bring a touch of blue into your space without making a permanent commitment.
You can switch out your accent pieces with the seasons, or as your taste changes, making this a flexible way to decorate your home.
Here’s another view of our hearth room, showing how we switched out the two chairs for a slip-covered sectional and added a coffee table and different artwork.
No matter what, I like to keep a laid-back feeling in here with deep, comfy seating, lots of baskets and natural textures, coastal artwork, and pops of blue and white.
5. Blue decor in the guest bedroom
This space used to be a girly pink haven, since it’s where my mom and mother-in-law stay when they come to visit.
But once we added a blue chambray headboard, it was only a matter of time before everything in this space drifted over to the blue side!
I love switching out the pillows, throws and lamps in this space. Everything seems to go well with blue.
And when the morning sunlight streams in, the blues and whites look especially fresh and pretty!
6. Decorating with blue in the entryway
Even small spaces deserve a splashy statement color! I love seeing the happy pop of blue from this cabinet when I come in the front door.
This piece used to be black with silver knobs, but after painting it blue (with Valspar Indigo Streamer) and adding a touch of brass with new hardware, it became the focal point of our entryway.
A little blue and white ginger jar helps tie everything together.
7. A touch of calming blue in the home office
Right now, the only blue item I have in this space is my blue chair, but it adds a nice touch of color in this otherwise very white space.
Here’s a post on how we added the decorative wall molding in a weekend!
8. Blue bathroom cabinets
Here’s a look at our newly-updated blue and white guest bathroom. And here’s a post all about our bathroom makeover, along with before and after photos.
Our bathroom cabinet color is Newburyport Blue by Benjamin Moore.
9. Decorating with blue and white on the patio and porch
I can’t think of a color combo that’s more perfect for summer than crisp blue and white.
Here’s what our covered patio area looked like a couple of summers ago, with lots of blue and white … and an abundance of flowers and plants!
I hope to recreate a similar look this summer.
As you can see, the sky is the limit when it comes to decorating with timeless blue and white! Whether you prefer a bold shade of blue or a soft and soothing hue, a touch of timeless blue decor can elevate every space in your home.
You simply can’t go wrong with this beautiful, versatile color combination, and I hope you’ll try adding a touch of blue and white to your home! xo Jane
blue and white decor:
Looking for more ideas for decorating with blue and white? Here are a few favorite related posts from the blog:
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How to Add a Touch of Nancy Meyers Style to Your Kitchen and Home
The New Studio McGee Target Collection
How to Install Decorative Wall Molding: An Easy Weekend DIY Project
How to Install Picture Frame Wall Molding
Colors of the Year + Top Home Color Trends for 2024
Popular Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors for 2024
2024 Home Decor Trends and Design Styles You Will Love
Beautiful Kitchen Design Ideas to Inspire Your Next Renovation
Blue Kitchen Cabinets: Beautiful Blue Kitchen Ideas I Love
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And, if you’re thinking about creating a background of white walls in your home, you might be interested in my post on how to choose the perfect white paint for your home.
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