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It's no secret that color can transform a room, but committing to a bold paint color for your own space can be a bit daunting. To help you streamline the process with some guidance from the pros, we reached out to designer Jamie Davis of Portola Paints and Glazes with one mission; to find the best blue paint colors for every mood and style.
From neutral, soft shades to bold statement hues, blue has endless range. And as Davis says, "The only 'no-no' is being afraid of color and not following your heart."
Meet the Expert
Jamie Davis is the designer and co-founder of Portola Paint where he combines his talent and experience with brother, Casey Davis, to provide customers with inspiration and guidance. They are regularly featured on HGTV, MyDomaine, House Beautiful, and many other sites.
- Color Family: Blue
- Complementary Colors: Red, yellow, orange
- Pairs Well With: All colors
- Mood: Calm, whimsical, moody
- Where to Use: Great for walls and trim or front doors
Get inspired by the best blue paint colors for any style and energy you're trying to capture at home.
Portolo Paints Revere
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For a calm vibe, go with a super-pale, "light blue with subtle gray and neutral undertones," advises Davis. Then introduce some soft grays, whites, pinks, and reds. Portola Paints Revere is the ideal shade if you're looking for something transitional and timeless to last throughout the years. You can play up the undertones of blue, or swap in greens. We also see this looking gorgeous with some chocolate brown pieces.
Farrow & Ball Lulworth Blue
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Consider a periwinkle shade of blue to add a touch of whimsy. Keep things cool with other shades of blues, grays, and whites, or warm things up with burnt orange, bronze, warm brown wood, and sharp shades of black. This will give your space a fresh take on traditional décor.
Portola Paints Kimono
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When you want a pop of energy, Davis suggests going with a "rich jewel tone." We love how the pale pistachio green hue balances out the drama achieved by the jewel-toned blue and the other glam elements of this bar space.
Try a jewel-toned blue on kitchen cabinets or in the dining room for a formal effect.
Benjamin Moore Innocence
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You can't go wrong with a soft sky blue. It's great for kitchen cabinets and smaller powder rooms, thanks to the sweet, calming effect.
Layer in another shade of blue trimmings, and then bring in more dimension with tiled flooring.
Portola Paints Sharkskin
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Try a light shade of blue with undertones of green for an energizing and happy atmosphere. This dining room is unexpectedly fun and bright thanks to the accent walls, yet the traditional elements of the space keep things feeling grown up and refined.
"On the swatch for Sharkskin, as the name suggests, this color appears to read quite gray, but when you get it up in a light-filled space, the playfulness really shines!" Davis explains.
Benjamin Moore Slate Teal
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If you want to go moody, opt for a rich blue with an elegant earthiness, but keep things fresh-feeling by only painting an accent wall and introducing some peachy details. The earthy undertones will ground the entire room and allow you to mix in some warmer hues instead of having to stick with a cool palette.
Portola Paints Newton's Indigo
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A rich navy tone has a classic, timeless appearance that's "great for a library or romantic dining and living room" areas, Davis says. "When pairing with deep navy tones, I like to bring in warm shades of sand or medium-to-light grays instead of bright white to soften the contrast."
Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue
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Zeke Ruelas; Design by Emily Henderson
If you want a blue that isn't too dark, but still brings a pop of color to your space, you can't go wrong with this shade, which looks especially gorgeous in a high gloss.
Benjamin Moore Deep Secret
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Courtesy of Benjamin Moore
A blue with dust gray undertones will look chic in every space. If you're looking for a timeless color, this is a safe bet.