It may be called blue, but when it comes to decorating, this year’s hottest colour is upbeat. Think airy skies and misty oceans, cheerful shades of blue that emit a sense of serenity and calmness, according to paint brand Dulux Paints.
“While blue is known to be the most popular colour in the world, when it comes to home decor, many Canadians shy away from infusing it into their homes, opting for neutral colour schemes instead,” said Martin Tustin-Fuchs, brand manager for Dulux Paints. “Yet blue is a wonderful, versatile complement to any decor.”
Not surprisingly, Dulux Paints has chosen blue – an ethereal blue called Bear Run – as its colour of the year for 2016. Other popular blues by Dulux Paints are Blazer Blue, Teton Sky and Blue Blood.
“Blue may not be the first paint colour you’d choose for your home, but next to neutrals, there’s no easier hue to work with than blue,” Tustin-Fuchs said. “Anyone who has the opportunity to give blue a try on even one wall appreciates the peaceful, calming effect the colour emits.”
Dulux Paints offers these suggestions to incorporate blue into your decor:
Warm things up. Combining blue walls with warm, paler colours – such as sandy brown, creamy grey or this year’s popular golden yellow – creates a cozy feel in a room. For a calming, monochromatic look, pair different shades of blue in a space – altering the tone on walls, trim, doors and even ceilings. Warm up blue walls even more and create an inviting beach-house feel with wood flooring underfoot.
Pair with white. If traditional is your style, complement blue walls with white trim for a timeless decor. For a more modern look, paint walls white and make them pop with open bookcases revealing a painted backdrop of vibrant blue. Prefer a coastal feel? Complement a blue and white palette with striped fabrics and natural textures, such as grasscloth and jute. No matter what your style, add touches of blue accents around the room to bring it all together.
Make it work. Known to stimulate the mind, encourage focus and help increase productivity, blue is a good choice for a home office. Adding one or two other hues to the workspace will complete the look and create a sense of balance.
Soak it in. Soothing blue is a natural fit for a bathroom, regardless of the shade. Combined with pastel accents of off-white, light grey or tan – a blue bathroom can take on a relaxing, spa-like feel. For an ultimate spa effect, paint the ceiling an airy shade of light blue to mimic the sky and create the appearance of added height.
