When it comes to interior design, there’s a lot more to color than what looks good or complements the space. There’s a lot of psychology behind different colors! For example, yellow can create a feeling of optimism, a pale pink can be comforting, and red can be super stimulating and encourage productivity. Blue might be our favorite, at least in the stress-fest that is 2020. Blue, the color of the sea and the sky, often symbolizes serenity. Imagine the calm, introspective feeling you might have when you gaze at the ocean. You can bring that feeling into your home with paint, textiles, and decor! Since we can’t all be seaside this summer, we’re rounding up some of our favorite blue rooms to counteract the stress we’ve all been navigating this year. Start the slideshow for a look!
Calming Blue Rooms to Counteract the Stress of 2020
A blue-toned library by California designer Katie Monkhouse. The soft rug and upholstery pieces mirror the hue of the walls and built-ins, while wood and stone accents bring in an earthy vibe.
Interior Design: Katie Monkhouse
Photography: Margaret Austin
Full home tour here.
Designer Laura Thurman says this bright, modern space is “a fresh take on global design.” Though the foundational pieces, like the rug, sofa, and coffee table, are quite neutral, two upholstered West Elm chairs bring a bit of coastal ease to the room. The distressed blue fabric adds just the right dose of calming color.
Interior Design: Thurman Design Studio
Photography: David Tsay
An easy way to bring a bit of blue to a space is with throw pillows and other textiles. Lauren Meichtry, founder of Elsie Home, says, “Home has never been more of a sanctuary; a space to unwind, feel safe and destress. I love bringing subtle, calming colors into spaces with textiles and accessories to help foster the feeling of a tranquil home.”
Interior Design + Pillows: Elsie Home
A custom ombré stair runner by designer Drew McGukin is a major “wow” moment, and pulls from the ever-changing moody colors of the San Francisco Bay.
Interior Design: Drew McGukin
Photography: Brett Beyer
For her own bedroom in Pasadena, busy mom and designer Ashley Scott of Scout Modern wanted the space to be exclusively about unwinding, quiet time, and self care. “To tie in the feeling of relaxation, I put together a few key vintage pieces to make it feel cozy and lived in. All of the colors were drawn from nature (blues, whites, warm woods, and fresh greenery) and then I mixed in some metallic accents to add a little something special,” she says. “The overarching inspiration is coastal California. It makes me feel at peace, inspired and grateful when I look around at all of the beautiful things I’ve collected and curated in the past that now live in this room.”
Interior Design: Scout Modern
Photography: Bree McCool
Full home tour here.
In this French-inspired kitchen, a pale blue Lacanche range and hood adds just a hint of color in an otherwise bright, white space. It’s a serene spot to start and end each day!
Kitchen Design: Ferrarini & Co. Remodeling
Jay Jeffers might be the unofficial king of bold, colorful design. (After all, he has a gorgeous design book called Be Bold.) The space spares no expense when it comes to color — from ceiling to floor, shades of teal, navy, cerulean, and slate sit alongside glittering details, enveloping you with a sense of the sea.
Interior Design: Jay Jeffers
Photography: Matthew Millman
Another space that relies on the transformative power of paint! By painting the ceiling in a similar shade as the four-poster bed, Charleston designer Cortney Bishop makes it easy to drift off in a daydream.
Interior Design: Cortney Bishop
Photography: Katie Charlotte
A peel-and-stick removable wallpaper is a great way to bring color into a room that will need to evolve over time, like a nursery or guest room. Here, designer Mindy Gayer used a design by Molly Hatch for Chasing Paper to create a perfect seaside vignette.
Interior Design: Mindy Gayer
One easy way to bring in color? Art! In this room, an abstract piece anchors the restful room.
Interior Design: Henck Design
In this Malibu, CA home, designer Brigette Romanek utilized floor to ceiling Moroccan Zellige tile, which reflects light beautifully. (Just like the ocean!)
Interior Design: Romanek Design Studio
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