If you’re confident and love the process, choosing an interior design scheme is a pleasure. If you’re indecisive and clueless, it can be a little intimidating and stressful. If you’re looking for inspiration and want to create something different and striking, take the advice of interior designer Isis Winter. “Don’t be afraid of colour,” she says. “While white can feel safe, it’s often the most forgettable. A thoughtful colour palette adds interest and depth to a design for the same cost.”
Blue is a fantastic choice when it comes to interiors and creating an inviting living environment. It inspires a feeling of trustworthiness, sincerity and peacefulness. While many people are of the opinion that blue is a cold colour, it can actually be very welcoming and soothing, depending on the shade. Because of its calming qualities, it’s a great colour in sunny rooms, and pale versions will ‘open up’ a room, making it appear more spacious. It’s also a very popular choice for bedrooms.
“There’s a reason blue is one of the most popular colours for bedrooms,” says Resene Paint Expert Jay Sharples. “Blue is associated with feelings of calm and serenity and research shows that it can reduce the heart rate, which is helpful when it comes to drifting off to sleep.”
While all shades of blue get the ‘helps with sleep’ tick, Jay suggests opting for lighter shades such as Resene Duck Egg Blue and Resene Half Periglacial Blue. If, however, you’d prefer a darker blue, try Resene Coast which can help create a more relaxing and deeply cocooning ambiance, without being too overstimulating, which darker colours sometimes can be.
Looking for inspiration and fancy getting the blues? Check out these ideas on different ways to use different hues in your home, from the entire colour spectrum.
If you’re keen to go blue, check out Resene’s favourite blues, or view more blue decorating ideas from other decorators.
Feature wall
Choosing to paint a wall in a feature colour is one of the most low-cost, high-impact ways you can make a change to your home. If you’re painting in spring or summer, throw open the doors and windows for ventilation and to speed up your drying time. Or if you’re decorating in autumn and winter, make sure you heat the room and open the windows to help your paint dry faster. As always, proper preparation is key to getting the best, most-professional looking results. In terms of colour, remember that it is your home so you can be as bold and daring as you like! The beauty of a feature wall is that an impactful colour won’t completely overwhelm the space. The pale sky blue hue of Resene Dream Big makes this bedroom a tranquil, restful sanctuary and helps to open up the intimate space.
