By Leanne
Blue is a timeless choice when it comes to living room decor, bringing a sense of calm, sophistication, and style to your space. From soft sky blues to deep, moody navies, blue offers a versatile palette that suits a variety of tastes and design styles. But with so many shades to choose from, it can be challenging to find the perfect one that complements your living room’s unique personality. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the most popular blue paint colours that work beautifully in a living room, complete with my tips on how to style each shade for maximum impact. Whether you’re looking to create a light, airy feel or add bold, dramatic flair, these designer-approved colours will help you turn your living room into a stunning sanctuary.
Here’s some interior designer-inspired copy for each image that highlights why these blue shades work well in a living room setting, along with tips for incorporating these hues effectively.
1. Crown Midnight Navy
This bold shade of Crown Midnight Navy is perfect for creating a dramatic yet cozy living space. The deep blue offers an enveloping feel, making it an excellent choice for living rooms where you want to foster warmth and relaxation. The contrast between the rich wall color and lighter furnishings, like the tan leather sofa, adds depth and visual interest.
My designer Tip: Use Midnight Navy as an accent wall behind your main seating area to anchor the room, and complement it with natural elements like plants and wooden furniture. Lighter-coloured accessories, such as cream or soft grey throws and pillows, will prevent the space from feeling too dark while enhancing the colour contrast.
2. Dunelm Charm Blue
Dunelm’s Charm Blue adds a touch of vintage charm to any living room. This warm blue is ideal if you would like to incorporate periodic characteristics to your home, like panelling or a fireplace. This colour pairs well with warm metallics such as bronze and gold, to bring out the yellow tints in this cozy blue.
My designer Tip: This intense colour is great as a feature wall. Wether your use is it on one plain wall, or as a fireplace feature, this will look lovely. Alcove shelving will also look great in this intense blue for a bold look.
3. Dulux Blue Babe
Dulux Blue Babe is an elegant mid-tone blue that’s ideal for creating a calm and sophisticated atmosphere. It’s the perfect backdrop soft furnishings in muted shades, like cream and beige.
Designer Tip: For a calm and serene blue living room, pair this muted blue with soft furnishings and liht woods for a Scandi feel to your living room.
4. Dunelm Duck Egg
Dunelm’s Duck Egg is a lovely blue-green colour that can help brighten your living room. If you like mixing dark and light colours together, why not consider something like the above, where light blue panelling breaks up a dark vintage pattern wallpaper?
My designer Tip: Use Duck Egg Blue on your lower walls to create an illusions of more space!
Dorma Norfolk Blue
Dorma Norfolk Blue is a calming and light blue that creates a gentle, serene atmosphere, perfect for relaxation. This soft blue shade adds colour without overpowering the room, making it ideal for spaces where you want an airy feel but with a hint of warmth. Its subtle hue helps make the room feel open and welcoming, adding just enough depth to the walls without making the space feel enclosed.
My designer tip: This light colour can work in well-lit and dim rooms. If you have a low-lit room, consider using light furnishings and warm woods to complete the look.
Dunelm Peacock Paint
Dunelm’s Peacock Paint is a rich, luxurious green-blue that brings an instant depth and sophistication to the living room. Its bold hue adds a dramatic yet soothing touch, creating an elegant atmosphere that feels unique and carefully curated. This shade when you’re looking to make a statement while keeping the space inviting.
My designer tip: The richness of Peacock pairs beautifully with metallics like gold or brass. Add a few gold-framed pictures, a brass floor lamp, or even a gold-toned decorative tray for a touch of elegance. If you want a bold, layered look, combine this colour with other jewel tones like deep purples, emerald greens, or even mustard yellows in cushions or artwork for a vibrant, cohesive palette.
Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue
Stiffkey Blue by Farrow & Ball is a timeless, deep navy that instantly elevates a living room with its sophisticated tone. This shade brings a sense of depth and intimacy, perfect for creating a cozy, stylish living room that feels both classic and modern. Its slight grey undertone prevents it from feeling too bold, making it adaptable to various design styles.
My designer tip: Use a crisp white accent colour, or a white ceiling to make the blue pop. This contrast keeps the room feeling fresh and adds a touch of elegance.
How will you Style Your Sanctuary?
Each of these blue shades brings its unique personality to a living room, whether you’re looking for light and airy, rich and dramatic, or classic and cozy. Share your home with us by tagging us on Instagram or TikTok!