10 Summery Ways to Use Cobalt Blue in Your Home
Give your a home a shot of Mediterranean colour with this beautifully bright hue
Amanda Pollard
9 June 2017
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
We’ve been loving various shades of blue in our interiors for a while now, so it was only a matter of time before a new version was added to the mix. Zingy cobalt blue is becoming increasingly popular and is a great way to give your home a cool, summer vibe. These ideas will make you reach for the paint tin.
Paint a piece of furniture
Cobalt blue is certainly a bold choice to use all over a room, so if you want to make a statement without painting each and every wall consider using the shade on a single piece of furniture. The dresser here contrasts nicely with the cream joinery and walls surrounding it, and turns a traditional space into something altogether more fun.
To tie this shade in with the rest of the room, the designers have used blue accessories and also hung a painting with a similar colour palette.
Cobalt blue is certainly a bold choice to use all over a room, so if you want to make a statement without painting each and every wall consider using the shade on a single piece of furniture. The dresser here contrasts nicely with the cream joinery and walls surrounding it, and turns a traditional space into something altogether more fun.
To tie this shade in with the rest of the room, the designers have used blue accessories and also hung a painting with a similar colour palette.
Go for a feature wall
Feeling brave? Then paint one wall or, yes, all of the walls in a room – you won’t regret it and will get a dramatically divine space. Here, the cobalt blue has given the traditional wall panelling a wonderfully contemporary twist, and the bright-coloured upholstery fabrics add another layer of interest to this vibrant space.
Find modern ways to use wood panelling in your home
Feeling brave? Then paint one wall or, yes, all of the walls in a room – you won’t regret it and will get a dramatically divine space. Here, the cobalt blue has given the traditional wall panelling a wonderfully contemporary twist, and the bright-coloured upholstery fabrics add another layer of interest to this vibrant space.
Find modern ways to use wood panelling in your home
Bring it to the bedroom
Fancy waking up in a fresh, sunny space? Try this mix of Mediterranean blue and sunshine yellow. It’s a vivid combination, but here the white bed linen and soft cream walls tone down the look to prevent it from being too overpowering.
Fancy waking up in a fresh, sunny space? Try this mix of Mediterranean blue and sunshine yellow. It’s a vivid combination, but here the white bed linen and soft cream walls tone down the look to prevent it from being too overpowering.
Give your kitchen some pep
If you want something different in your cookspace, pale cobalt blue units are a great option. These flat, handleless units are a sleek and minimal choice, but the bright blue colour gives them personality. This kitchen is both striking and fun, but the minimalist aesthetic remains with the use of white walls and worktops.
If you want something different in your cookspace, pale cobalt blue units are a great option. These flat, handleless units are a sleek and minimal choice, but the bright blue colour gives them personality. This kitchen is both striking and fun, but the minimalist aesthetic remains with the use of white walls and worktops.
Keep it simple…
Don’t want to commit to blue units? Then consider a bright blue splashback. There are many companies who supply painted glass splashbacks, and usually you can specify the exact colour you’d like painted on the back.
Don’t want to commit to blue units? Then consider a bright blue splashback. There are many companies who supply painted glass splashbacks, and usually you can specify the exact colour you’d like painted on the back.
…or keep it in the cloakroom
If you’re struggling with the idea of introducing bright blue to your main living spaces, use it in a cloakroom. Here, the tiled splashback provided inspiration for the feature wall. And the wastebin adds a final flourish of blue.
If you’re struggling with the idea of introducing bright blue to your main living spaces, use it in a cloakroom. Here, the tiled splashback provided inspiration for the feature wall. And the wastebin adds a final flourish of blue.
Try two trends
Cobalt blue looks particularly cool with another colour that is in the spotlight at the moment – pink. Here, the cobalt blue on the washstand pops out against the geometric tiles that have pink grout (how cool is that?).
Want a washstand like this? Hunt around for a console table and ask a plumber to install the basin on top. It’s important to choose a base that’s sturdy enough to hold the sink, and to consider the look of the waste pipe if it’s on show.
Discover more reasons to love a pink bathroom
Cobalt blue looks particularly cool with another colour that is in the spotlight at the moment – pink. Here, the cobalt blue on the washstand pops out against the geometric tiles that have pink grout (how cool is that?).
Want a washstand like this? Hunt around for a console table and ask a plumber to install the basin on top. It’s important to choose a base that’s sturdy enough to hold the sink, and to consider the look of the waste pipe if it’s on show.
Discover more reasons to love a pink bathroom
Accessorise for flexibility
Still not sure about cobalt blue? Dip your toe in with a few accessories to introduce the colour without the commitment. Here, soft blue units have been jazzed up with a bright blue patterned rug. The beautiful design adds a gorgeous element to this rustic kitchen.
Still not sure about cobalt blue? Dip your toe in with a few accessories to introduce the colour without the commitment. Here, soft blue units have been jazzed up with a bright blue patterned rug. The beautiful design adds a gorgeous element to this rustic kitchen.
Take it outside
Cobalt blue isn’t just for inside – in fact, it looks amazing in the garden and will make you feel like you’re in the Med even when it’s grey and gloomy. To introduce it into your outdoor space, add a couple of coats of exterior paint to a fence, shed or wall. Here, the bright-blue backdrop frames the green foliage and vivid flowers beautifully.
Don’t fancy painting? You could introduce the colour with an outdoor rug or cushions instead.
Cobalt blue isn’t just for inside – in fact, it looks amazing in the garden and will make you feel like you’re in the Med even when it’s grey and gloomy. To introduce it into your outdoor space, add a couple of coats of exterior paint to a fence, shed or wall. Here, the bright-blue backdrop frames the green foliage and vivid flowers beautifully.
Don’t fancy painting? You could introduce the colour with an outdoor rug or cushions instead.
Add just a hint
Cobalt blue is so eye-catching that even a hint of it can transform a space. Here, the cobalt tones in the cushions and artwork stand out even with the competition they’re getting from the yellows and pinks.
What do you think of cobalt blue? Have you used this vibrant shade in your own home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Cobalt blue is so eye-catching that even a hint of it can transform a space. Here, the cobalt tones in the cushions and artwork stand out even with the competition they’re getting from the yellows and pinks.
What do you think of cobalt blue? Have you used this vibrant shade in your own home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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It's great to see an article celebrating colour! Thanks for featuring our kitchen. I personally love bright blue. It instantly adds charm and style to a room. Hopefully we'll be seeing more colourful trends in the future! - Olga
What a stunning kitchen, Sustainable Kitchens. We have artworks with a splash of blue that might be of interest here.
Thank you for your feedback, Rise Art! I agree, some artworks with a strong blue element would look striking on the white walls -Alice