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  4. Decorate with Blue

Decorate with Blue

Southern Living May 2021 Cover
By Southern Living Editors
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Create Texture
Credit: Lisa Romerein
Featuring blue in your decor evokes feelings of calmness and serenity. It's the perfect choice to bring tranquility to any room in your home. Here, our top blue decorating ideas.
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Complement with Blue

Customize Colors
Credit: Photography: Laura Moss, Styling: Natasha Louise King

There are many shades of blue that are perfect for dining rooms. This shade of blue with a hint of gray pairs well with the formal setting.

  • Tour the rest of this Charleston home

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Bring Everything Together

Get Patriotic
Credit: Photo: Roger Davis

If you do want all-over color, paint the walls and ceilings the same hue to bring everything together in the room.

Paint: Covington Blue (HC-138, semitransparent stain) by Benjamin Moore; benjaminmoore.com.

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Create Cohesion

Corner Shelves
Credit: Photo: Roger Davis

Walls and ceilings splashed in similar soft shades of blue in this kitchen create a cohesive, balanced look.

Wall Paint: Covington Blue (HC-138, semitransparent stain) by Benjamin Moore; benjaminmoore.com.
Ceiling Paint: Nantucket Gray (HC-111, semitransparent stain) by Benjamin Moore; benjaminmoore.com.

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Balance with Blue

Balance with Blue
Credit: Photo: Helen Norman

Match dark wood with a light hue, such as this shade of blue, to balance the weight of the furniture in the room.

Wall paint: Fantasy Blue (716) by Benjamin Moore; benjaminmoore.com.
Trim paint: Super White (02) by Benjamin Moore; benjaminmoore.com.

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Go Coastal with Color

Colorful Kitchen
Credit: Photography Laurey W. Glenn / Styling Leigh Anne Montgomery

Three shades of blue from the same color card drench the floor, cabinets, and walls of this coastal kitchen.

Paint: Tear Drop 2060-70, Cayman Blue 2060-50, and Toronto Blue 2060-40 by Benjamin Moore; benjaminmoore.com.

  • Tour this Colorful Beachside Getaway

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Enlarge the Room

Antique Bath
Credit: Photo: Roger Davis

The calming shade of blue in this bath painted only on the ceiling enlarges the room.

Paint: Rain (SW6219) by Sherwin-Williams; sherwin-williams.com.

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Liven Up with Blue

Liven Up with Blue
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Mix a strong shade of blue with bold fabric to enliven a room.

Paint: Stratton Blue (HC-142) by Benjamin Moore; benjaminmoore.com.
Curtain and bench fabric: Venice in chocolate by Michael Devine Hand Printed Fabrics; michaeldevinehome.com.

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Make It Light and Airy

Make It Light and Airy
Credit: Photo: Helen Norman

The light shade of blue in this bath pairs well with the black trim and white tile to make the room look light and airy.

  • Paint: Fantasy Blue (716) by Benjamin Moore; benjaminmoore.com.
  • Trim paint: Super White (02) by Benjamin Moore; benjaminmoore.com.
  • Tiles: custom installation by American Restoration Tile; restorationtile.com.

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Mix Materials

Mix Materials
Credit: Photo: Lauren Rubinstein

Blue and gray tones tie together the mix of metals and natural wood in this kitchen.

Paint: Eider White (SW7014) by Sherwin-Williams; sherwin-williams.com.
Cabinetry and blue wall paint: Stratton Blue (HC-142) by Benjamin Moore; benjaminmoore.com.

  • See the rest of this His-and-Hers Cottage Kitchen

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Create Texture

Create Texture
Credit: Lisa Romerein

Get creative by using a seagrass wallcovering to incorporate both texture and rich color.

Paint: Wallcovering: 77-TR-109 by Sonia's Place, available through Design Professionals; 212/759-5408.

  • See the rest of this Casual Chic Lake House

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Make Paint Functional

Make Paint Functional
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

A coat of paint on the remaining built-in, in the same color as the walls, better unifies the area with the room. Choose a magnetic chalkboard paint, such as this rich blue shade, for the back wall, which adds color and functionality.

Chalkboard paint: Chalkboard paint in Deep Ocean (#24) by Hudson Paint; hudsonpaint.com.
Magnetic paint: Specialty Magnetic Latex Primer (115535) by Rust-Oleum, available from Lowe’s; lowes.com.

  • See the rest of this Home Office Makeover

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Tranquil Bedroom

Blue and Black Twin Bedroom

The graphic black-and-white bedding on simple pencil post beds makes a bold statement against the muted blue in this tranquil room. Prints of coral above the beds help add a beachy feel.

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Ocean-Inspired Bedroom

Ocean-Inspired Bedroom

Muted hues of blue and green give the room a serene and beachy feel.

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Soften with Linens

Soften the Space with Linens
Credit: Photo by: Laurey W. Glenn

Simple details like the finish of your linens help set the tone of your dining space. Pair a nuetral-tone linen with a dark blue wall paint for an elegant finish.

  • See the rest of this Cape Cod-Style Cottage

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Create Whimsical Flair

Blue and Black Master Bedroom
Credit: Photo: Helen Norman

Color can add cottage charm and set a laid-back vibe that’s perfect for beach or lake houses. This refreshing hue transformed a once rustic space, keeping the room fresh and light.

Paint: Wythe Blue (HC-143) by Benjamin Moore; benjaminmoore.com.

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Use Blue In a Small Space

Use Blue In a Small Space
Credit: Photo: Luca Trovato

Vivid hues add richness to small spaces. If you shy away from darker colors, try them out in a bath or laundry room.

Paint: Waterscape (SW6470) by Sherwin-Williams; sherwin-williams.com.

  • See more from our Texas Idea House

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Incorporate Natural Light

Incorporate Natural Light
Credit: Photo: Charles Walton IV

A shade of light blue adds a modern edge to the rustic wood panels in this entryway.

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Use Bold Accessories

Use Bold Blue Accessories
Credit: Photo: J. Savage Gibson

A geometric flat weave is more casual and youthful than a heavy Oriental or wool rug. Balance it out with a large piece of modern art framed in a simple white gallery frame. Finish with blue glass lamps or a pretty bowl to add sparkle and dimension.

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    1 of 18 Complement with Blue
    2 of 18 Bring Everything Together
    3 of 18 Create Cohesion
    4 of 18 Balance with Blue
    5 of 18 Go Coastal with Color
    6 of 18 Enlarge the Room
    7 of 18 Liven Up with Blue
    8 of 18 Make It Light and Airy
    9 of 18 Mix Materials
    10 of 18 Create Texture
    11 of 18 Make Paint Functional
    12 of 18 Tranquil Bedroom
    13 of 18 Ocean-Inspired Bedroom
    14 of 18 Soften with Linens
    15 of 18 Create Whimsical Flair
    16 of 18 Use Blue In a Small Space
    17 of 18 Incorporate Natural Light
    18 of 18 Use Bold Accessories

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