Hello lovely,
If there’s one colour that truly has our collective hearts right now, it’s blue. In my colour consultations, an incredible 66% of people request it, and honestly, I’m not surprised. Blue is officially the world’s favourite colour and I’m convinced it’s because there is a blue for absolutely everyone. Somewhere in this beautiful spectrum, there is a tone that will work in any home, in any room, and for any feeling you want to create.
Over the years I’ve seen blue used in so many ways, from light, ethereal bedrooms that feel like a deep exhale to dramatic, inky dining rooms that wrap you up like a velvet blanket. But the part I love most is how personal the choice is. When you say “blue” it’s never just blue. There are hundreds of tones, each with its own energy, character and emotional pull.
It’s just like when someone tells me they don’t like purple. What they usually mean is they don’t like a particular tone. Show them another, and suddenly they’re in love. Blue is exactly the same. Your perfect blue might be nothing like your best friend’s perfect blue.
Some people have told me they can’t use blue because it’s a cold colour. That’s not strictly true because the temperature of blue all comes down to undertone. A blue with a grey undertone feels cooler and icier, just like a frosty winter landscape. A blue with red or yellow undertones feels warmer and softer, like sunlit seas or hazy summer skies.
When you’re choosing blue, it’s all about asking yourself what you want the room to feel like. Then think about the room’s orientation. North-facing rooms naturally feel cooler, so I love to warm them up. South-facing spaces can soak up a crisp, cool blue without feeling chilly.
A Little Blue History
For centuries, blue was one of the rarest and most expensive pigments to produce. Ultramarine, made from crushed lapis lazuli, was so precious that Renaissance artists reserved it for the most important details. It stood for status, spirituality and power. Today, blue is woven through our everyday lives, from the calm of a summer sky to the trust in your favourite pair of jeans, carrying history, memory and emotion with it.
In colour psychology, blue is considered the colour of the mind. It nurtures clarity, focus, and thoughtful calm, making it the perfect backdrop for all sorts of spaces where you want to quietly recharge or reflect. What’s particularly fascinating to me is how the shade of blue you choose can deeply influence your mental state.
Lighter shades of blue are incredibly soothing for the mind. They create an atmosphere that feels spacious, gentle, and serene, ideal for bedrooms, bathrooms, or anywhere you want to encourage relaxation and deep breathing. Walking into a room painted in a pale sky blue often feels like taking a mental exhale, letting worries drift away.
On the other hand, deeper shades of blue like navy and indigo can actually be more mentally stimulating. These richer tones help sharpen concentration and boost productivity. They are fantastic for studies, offices, or creative spaces where you want a sense of depth, purpose, and focus. I always say that a carefully chosen dark blue can be just the thing to anchor you, helping you tune out distractions and settle into your thoughts.
And let’s not forget teal and blue-greens. These energising shades bring together the mental clarity of blue and the refreshing, restorative qualities of green, making them perfect for rooms where you want both uplift and calm, like dining rooms or kitchens.
Blue Through the Tones and How to Make Them Sing
Now I want to take you on a visual journey through the wonderful world of blue. I’ll be sharing some inspiring images from my book and my favourite Pinterest finds to show just how beautifully blue works in the home. From bedrooms bathed in gentle light to kitchens that make a vibrant statement, you’ll see different ways people have embraced this versatile colour—each one reflecting their own unique style and story.
Cool blues often have that wintry crispness you see in nature, with plenty of grey undertone keeping them calm and restrained. These tones lend themselves to west facing living room and bedroom or a dark hallway if you want to make it feel moody and dramatic
Here, the living room and bedroom are painted in a deep cool blue, colour-drenched across walls and ceilings, and the 60:30:10 rule is used perfectly. The rich blue is the dominant colour and the warm accents in lighting, woods and fabrics balance it beautifully.
This is Mary Charteris’ bedroom, featured in my book, and it is Blue 01 perfection. In her sunlit south-east facing room, the cool blue works brilliantly on all surfaces. We added a cobalt blue side table for contrast and warm pink bedding for softness. This is a perfect example of a mentally soothing, calm and restful but with an injection of her personality
This image is perfect inspiration if you’ve fallen for bright cobalt blue—WGSN’s Colour of the Year 2027 and set to be very popular this autumn. The kitchen’s crisp cobalt cabinets contrast brilliantly with white walls, while warm wooden boards keep the space fresh, and full of energy.
Cobalt is a bold colour, but paired like this, it never feels overpowering. It’s a brilliant example of how to use a vibrant shade with confidence and balance in your home.
This space is a dream for anyone who loves making a statement. Bright cobalt blue coats every inch of the walls, ceiling, and cabinetry with vibrant confidence. It feels electric and full of life, yet perfectly controlled.
What I love most is how the rich blue is balanced with lighter neutrals in the room beyond. The warm timber floor and creamy curtains make the blue feel welcoming, not overwhelming. It turns this simple corridor into a burst of energy and freshness.
If you want to try a strong colour, this is a perfect example of how to do it with style. Everything else is kept natural and pared back so the cobalt can shine without overpowering the space.
Now let’s move onto warmer blues. These shades immediately call to mind calm seas and hazy summer skies. I often find that even those who say “I don’t do blue” are won over by just how inviting and soft these tones can feel.
If you love this look, take your cues from nature. Think about the way gentle blue water meets a warm, golden sky at dawn or dusk. This is where the yellow undertones in blue really come forward and make the colour feel welcoming rather than cool.
Warmer blues are wonderfully versatile and suit every room direction, but they are especially perfect for north and east-facing spaces where you need to counterbalance cooler light and bring in extra warmth.
We can’t talk about blue without mentioning Lucy Williams’ living room, which is a masterclass in warm blue interiors. She used Yonder by Farrow & Ball to colour drench the space, including the walls and curtains, creating a beautifully enveloping atmosphere. What really makes this room sing is her clever use of complementary colours, pairing the warm blue with a rich orange sofa and a pop of red in the accessories. This combination of blue and orange brings energy and balance to the room, demonstrating how complementary colours can elevate a space and create a striking yet harmonious look. And i love the splash of red.
The perfect colour pairing of green and blue can be found again and again in nature. In this bedroom, a deep blue with a strong green undertone wraps the walls, creating a warm, dark, and cocooning atmosphere. The green velvet headboard beautifully pulls out the yellow undertones found in the blue, enhancing that warmth and making the space feel inviting and restful. A small touch of orange in the accessories and bedside table adds just the right lift, bringing energy and balance without overpowering the calm mood.
This might just be my dream kitchen. A pale blue with yellow undertones sits next to a white with the same yellow undertones, antique brass and natural woods. Yellow from lemons and flowers highlights the undertones, creating a serene, soft space. A great example of how to add a touch of colour if you love neutrals.
For all of you who have reached out about the best colour for a dining room, let me say that rich teals, notably shades like Lick Teal 03, are truly sensational, especially under candlelight and in the evenings. This image is teal inspiration at its finest. With hints of green and yellow, the colour feels warm and welcoming, while a touch of orange in the styling adds depth and vibrancy.
For anyone who wants to dip their toe into the dark side without the room feeling too overwhelming, this is the perfect tone for you. It is rich but warm, striking the right balance between drama and comfort. Teal 01 is one of my go-to colours for bedrooms. Here we have completely colour-drenched the space and paired it with rich burgundy, creating a look that feels both enveloping and soothing. This combination is dramatic yet always beautifully comforting, a wonderful choice if you want depth with a sense of cosiness.
How to Choose Your Perfect Blue
First, check the light in your room. North-facing spaces generally feel cooler so choose a blue with a warm undertone. South-facing rooms can handle more crispness without feeling cold. Think carefully about the mood you want. A bedroom might call for soft, powdery blues or deep cocooning navies. A kitchen could benefit from bright teals or denim tones for energy.
Always test more than one shade, moving them around your space throughout the day because light changes everything.
Finally, trust your gut. The right blue will make you feel instantly at home.
Final Thought
Blue is endlessly versatile. It’s timeless but also deeply personal. The perfect blue for you is the one that makes your shoulders drop when you walk into the room and makes you feel calm, happy and settled. Take your time to explore, notice which tones you keep coming back to, and you’ll find the blue that feels most like you.
Big love,
Tash x
all images are from my book, or from Pinterest.