Rashad Will DDS
Deep hues can work wonders in a living room, and create a snug, inviting feel. When it comes to living room ideas, one of the boldest and most daring shades to use (second only to black) is the deep navy blue.
We asked interior designers to suggest ways to use this color and they came back with a long list of easy solutions. 'Navy is one of the few rich, bold colors that are calming and adds an instant feeling of coziness while still feeling fresh year after year,' say Alice Arterberry and Barrett Cooke, interior designers at the design studio Arterberry Cooke (opens in new tab). Create the living room color scheme in a clever manner with the right positioning of proportioned objects that have similar scales, for a harmonious feel. 'Paint your walls and ceiling in blue,' says Natasha Bradley, interior design director, Lick (opens in new tab).
'It has a positive effect on the body and mind as this hue reflects the color of the sky and ocean. If you paint your ceiling a dark blue, it will cause the body to produce a chemical that is calming and provide a feeling of tranquillity.
'Painting the ceiling helps extend the height of walls and makes the room feel larger and more loungy.
If you have a vibrant interior design scheme, a dark blue sofa can actually become a chic new neutral, used to ground a wider palette of say, red, peppermint green, and yellow. Consider mid-century furniture in a mix of wood, leather, and metal with upholstery in navy blue for a stylish atmosphere. If you're unsure about drenching your home in navy blue, we suggest you dip your toe in with a few accessories to introduce the color.
'Be adventurous; bring in blue in unexpected ways like a raffia-covered console, lacquered side table, or through curios,' says Jennifer. In your pared-back, elegant living room, sprinkle navy via cushions and artworks, so the color stands out but does not dominate the space.
Go all the way and paint the architraves and skirting boards – since it's just the door you're paining, the effect won't look overwhelming.
Keep in mind that the best paint for interior doors is semi-gloss because it is easy to clean and has a finish that lasts a long time.
If you’re just testing waters with navy blue, why not try injecting the color with a few soft furnishings rather than committing to paint? Floor-to-ceiling velvet or twill living room curtains will block the light, so you don’t get disturbed by the evening chorus of noise and streetlights.
'If you don’t have any discernible build-outs in your space, floor-length curtains work just as well,' say Alice and Barrett. 'Walls should stay a warm white with all trim being painted a medium tone cream to layer the space and add depth.
If you live in a period-style property, consider cornicing to conceal the curtain tracks – a neat trick that means the floor-length drapes don’t distract from the decor of the room. A big tip in pairing color is picking two tones with comparable depth, so your scheme doesn't look too off. Jewel tones such as burnt orange, emerald, saffron, and even glossy blacks when paired with navy look fantastic. Here, the soothing tones of inky blue work perfectly when teamed with a bold hit of mustard.
The navy walls give the space a formal feel, while the mustard armchair creates a playful contrast that adds a contemporary twist. In vintage homes, a trompe l’oeil wallpaper can go a long way in sealing the space's royal design story. Gold-colored fabrics with hints of glitter are also the perfect partner for warming up deep and dramatic colors such as navy.
If you want a bright, fresh look to your living space, a reflective white or cream background is a lovely foil for blue.
To create a luxury living room vibe and to stop it from feeling too clinical, incorporate different luxe textures such as wool, fur, high-end linen, and tactile throws. The reason why navy walls and grey sofas don’t visually cancel each other out is that the colors create a wonderful light and shadow effect without looking too stark.
For decades, blue has played an important role in interior design, and today, as homeowners are becoming more daring and risky in their choices, the time for deep, moody colors has arrived. Navy blue being a strong color is a favored choice as it can be paired with other hues and it helps create the coziest of spaces.
When it comes to blue living room ideas, fresh interpretations of this color are making this space look dramatic and luxurious.
The color brings out the architectural features of a room brilliantly and gives the space an inherent grandness.
