Whether done digitally or in person at a home improvement store, shopping for the perfect shade of paint can be an overwhelming experience. There are so many swatches of paint to choose from, and after you've looked at a few hundred, they all seem to blend together, making the task of picking just one option all the more challenging. Once you've landed on a specific color, there's still the matter of choosing the right hue. With blue, different variations of the color can evoke completely different feelings, from cool and calming light shades, to daring and dramatic darker tones. However, if you take your time and are wary of how the color looks in your home's unique light, you'll be able to find the right shade.
- Color Family: Blue
- Complementary Colors: Red, yellow, orange
- Pairs Well With: All colors
- Mood: Calm, cool, dramatic, moody
- Where to Use: Great for walls, cabinets, and trim
If you're ready to get started on your next project, keep reading for the best interior designer-approved blue paint colors.
Benjamin Moore Gentleman's Gray
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Photo by Genevieve Garruppo, Design by Emily Henderson
Although it's categorized as gray, the color of Gentleman's Gray from Benjamin Moore is really a dark blue hue. "I love this color because it's deep and moody, yet classic with a small hint of teal to give it some character," explains Meredith Thayer, designer, and owner of Thayer Design Studio. She suggests using it in bathrooms or bedrooms that have wood accents and warmer tones.
Try painting a few spots on a wall before committing to see how the light affects the color, which can appear green or purple in certain spaces.
Farrow & Ball Hague Blue
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Photographer: Phil Crozier; Design: Reena Sotropa In House Design Group
This blue paint recommendation comes from the design team behind Studio Life/Style, Shannon Wollack and Brittany Zwickl. "To enhance a room's mood, we tend to use blues with black and gray undertones," Wollack and Zwickl explain. "The color is moody, timeless, and goes well with everything."
Benjamin Moore Woodlawn Blue
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Melissa Warner Rothblum of Massucco Warner indicates that this shade manages to pull off something that's tricky for most light blue paint colors. "Sometimes blues that are light can come off as too juvenile," she says. However, this hue feels fresh and sophisticated, according to the designer.
Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue
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Courtesy of Farrow & Ball
Thayer loves this blue paint from Farrow & Ball dubbed Stiffkey Blue, especially when done in a high gloss finish. "It isn't too dark and brings the right amount of pop to a space without being obnoxious or overwhelming," she says. "I just used it in a kitchen with cherry cabinets and brass hardware—so so good."
Farrow & Ball Railings
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Photo by Ty Cole; Design by Bespoke Only
Wollack and Zwickl suggest using this dark shade of blue paint as an alternative to a true black color. "The deep undertones make it sleek and sophisticated."
Benjamin Moore Charlotte Slate
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“Because blues have so many iterations, getting the right blue can be so challenging, especially when comparing them to each other," Rothblum notes. That's why she believes Charlotte Slate from Benjamin Moore is such a great find. "[It's] the perfect mix of blue, green, and gray so it works in so many different environments."
Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray
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Courtesy of Benjamin Moore
While Thayer admits that calling this cool shade of paint blue is a bit of a stretch, she advocates for the color because of its smart and simple quality. "I am inclined to paint every built-in closet and area of trim in this color," she admits.
Use the bluish green shade with gray undertones alongside warm whites and textured interiors to create a striking look.
Benjamin Moore Kensington Blue
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Courtesy of Benjamin Moore
"This is a great color that can act as a nice accent in a dining room or bathroom where you want to add that nice pop of blue next to white trim," Thayer points out. According to her, this shade is classic, but far from boring, making a strong case for the rich blue paint color.