Out of the blue

Feeling blue this January? A New Year often means a new lease of life for your home and this spring everything is pointing to blue.

It’s an all-round crowd pleaser that will do everything but give you the winter blues. Here’s our top tips to help you create your own blue odyssey…

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Colour therapy

Celebrate the New Year by introducing fresh and bright shades of blue into your interiors whether it’s on the walls, in your furnishings, or your choice of bold accessories.

Traditionally recognised for its calming properties and tranquil elements, Buddhists use the blue Lapis Lazuli stone to bring inner peace, whilst the Egyptians often used colour to heal believing blue can soothe illnesses and treat pain.

A deep cobalt will refresh your living space no matter how you choose to decorate and is great for combining with other blue hues too. Or try a chalky Vermeer shade that works beautifully combined with mixed metals like warm gold and rosy coppers.

A vibrant shade of teal or aquamarine will inject brightness into any dark space or smaller room and provides a striking background for an array of bright colours, patterns and textures to be introduced. Don’t be afraid to use a variety of shades and throw in deeper, inkier blues to add more definition.

Living the blues

From your natural room light, existing décor and what the room is used for, there are so many things to take into consideration when choosing to go blue.

A primary hue that sits between green and violet on the visible spectrum, warm blues like indigo contain hints of red that can help a room to feel cosier no matter what the size. Interior designers often select warm blues for social spaces such as living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms. Cooler, greener blues like duck egg can often feel cold but can work well in a bathroom where you want a crisp, clean vibe.

The quality of light and the orientation of your room to the sun is particularly important when selecting your perfect shade. Natural light from the north is limited and has an inherently cool cast. If your room is north-facing don’t be put off completely, but go for a blue scheme with warm tones like ultramarine instead. For rooms that are lucky enough to enjoy strong afternoon sunlight, all colours of the blue spectrum are perfectly suited here so enjoy playing with different shades.

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8th January 2016

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