Depending on the shade and tone, a single color can elicit a wide range of emotions and complement a wide range of design styles. Of course, we’re referring to the transformative and versatile color known as blue. At the drop of a hat, the cool color can shift from bold and energetic to calm and serene to moody and evocative. “The right tone of blue can be seen as a neutral!” says Ellie Mroz, an interior designer.
The best thing about blue is that it goes well with so many other colors on the color wheel. Whether you want to create a relaxed and beachy bathroom, an opulent and feminine bathroom, or a super modern bathroom, there’s a way to use blue to achieve any look you want.
Use Blue as a Neutral
If you’re not a fan of bright colors, there are still ways to incorporate blue into your bathroom. What is the solution? Keep it understated. “We used a subtly patterned and textured wallcovering to create visual interest in a powder room we designed and built for our #theGoodbuild project. To complete the look, the silvery blue/grey is repeated in the floor tile “Mroz explains.
Try Vertical Subway Tile
If you’re a fan of all things interior design, like us, it can be difficult to find your signature look. The good news is that you are never limited to just one. This blue bathroom combines several influences to create a unique look. The small tile on the top half of the walls feels modern, while the blue subway tile has a more traditional feel. The two looks combine to create a timeless but fun look.
Use Cerulean
As you know, different shades of blue have the power to exude a variety of styles and feelings, so why settle on just one? This deconstructed ombre effect on the walls feels so luxurious, especially when paired with silver and metallic accents. Recreate the look with a peel-and-stick wallpaper mural or, if you’re feeling artistic, create your own masterpiece with multiple shades of blue paint and a sponge technique.
Keep It Monochromatic
Navy is one of those colors that can instantly transform any space into a sophisticated haven. The only way to make it more noticeable is to incorporate more of it. Combining the same statement color on the walls and cabinets, as seen in this bathroom, feels luxe, a little moody, and oh so Instagrammable. When in doubt, add a little more navy.
Play With Pattern
Playing with patterns is akin to a dance, a fine art, and a fine line to walk. Incorporating too few prints can feel underwhelming, but combining too many bold patterns can feel overwhelming. This bathroom combines floral print wallpaper, blue herringbone tile, and colored granite countertops while remaining completely balanced and cohesive. The marriage of the same shade of blue throughout is the key to design success in this space. Keeping your décor tonal in all aspects helps your space look bold without feeling overwhelming.
Be Bold
Blue can walk the line between a bold, in-your-face color and a soft, barely there shade. The blue-gray tile in this bathroom adds a pop of color to the otherwise white space. To keep the focus on the herringbone tile, the rest of the bathroom is kept white.
Paint Your Molding
The plaid print paired with cornflower blue wainscoting adds a pop of color to this bathroom. The white accents and gold fixtures provide a nice counterpoint to the light blue paint with gray undertones.
Choose Luxe Details
One common misconception about dark colors is that they visually shrink a room. Contrary to popular belief, the deep, rich blue painted from floor to ceiling in this powder room feels rich and not at all cramped. Wall moulding, sconce lighting, and gold and silver décor help to round out the space and make it feel more luxurious.
Stripe It Up
We can’t get enough of this artistic bathroom with eye-catching stripes. While adorning your walls with precious stones can be prohibitively expensive, there are a plethora of peel-and-stick wallpaper options that can transform your bathroom, even if you’re renting. Incorporate metallic accents and modern hardware to turn your bathroom into a showpiece.
Paint Your Cabinetry
The best part about designing a bathroom is that, unlike most other rooms in your home, you can use any color you want. Start with your cabinetry if you’re thinking about redecorating your bathroom in blue tones. It’s a simple way to add a splash of color to your room.
Channel a Vintage Vibe
A bucket of paint, on the other hand, can transform any space. We love how the same light teal blue with gray undertones is used on all of the walls, cabinets, and bathtub base for a big wow factor. This space feels like a timeless getaway in the French countryside when paired with reclaimed wood floors, beveled mirrors, antique art, and statement lighting.
Keep It Coastal
Blues found in nature along the coast typically have gray undertones (think gloomy skies, weathered lifeguard towers, and crashing waves). If you want to create a coastal feel in your bathroom, use blue-gray tones. While the blues in this bathroom’s wallpaper and cabinets have different tones, they both have a gray tint that feels beachy fresh. Accents in sandy colors, bamboo accents, and rattan additions transport you from California to Connecticut.
Pair Paint and Wallpaper
The best part about decorating in this day and age is that you can use any color of paint you want. This blue wood accent wall behind the sink is stunning on its own, but when combined with a matching wallpaper, it creates a modern and monochromatic look that will last.
