Experts have clarified that navy blue is re-emerging as a popular color in mainstream home decor, and for good reason. The tone can look both dramatic and luxurious, and seamlessly grounds a space, making any room feel instantly dressed up. Plus, it's a versatile hue and can be mixed, matched, or contrasted with other tones to create the look you need.
We reached out to experts for ideas to show you the wide possibilities with navy blue, and to help you select what could best suit your space from the list of colors that go with blue. Take a look at these beautiful examples, and get decorating.
1. Salmon pink
Among the colors that go with salmon pink is trusty blue, as the two tones wonderfully offset each other for a calming interior. While salmon pink is inherently tranquil, it works perfectly well with grounded hues like deep blues. The effect is embracing and timeless.
"The couple’s preference for neutral tones was complemented by the introduction of a striking salmon pink granite in the kitchen, which contrasts beautifully against the deep blue walls," shares Martine Fenech Adami, founder of Niche.Studio. "This material was chosen for its durability and aesthetic appeal, perfectly aligning with the couple’s love of cooking and their desire for a high-quality kitchen surface."
2. Red
"[This] apartment was designed for a young couple who are interested in interior design and art," share Andrey Sviridov and Natalya Orekhova of CXEMA. "Just before starting the project, they had returned from a trip to Morocco, and were impressed by the intricate structure of the Medina quarter and inspired by the Moroccan attitude towards color. So, the prototype of the apartment’s plan is a fragment of the Medina that consists of a house, a square, and a street connecting all the parts."
"The living room has a red wall and its unique solid volume can be observed from any point of the flat," add Andrey and Natalya. "Contrasting with it is a blue column and backsplash, and this intersection creates a sense of a whole object, in which there is a non-verbal idea that unites all space through light, proportions, and color."
Navy blue is a bold color that goes with red, and the pairing can be carried out in other non-permanent ways too, apart from wall paints. Think accessories, artwork, or furniture.
3. Mid-tone gray
Among the colors that go with gray, or a mid-tone gray, is navy, and this is the perfect combination to create a moody, enveloping interior. The two dark colors create a lovely layering effect, and add depth to the setup.
In this dining room, the dark built-in shelf drenched in blue is complemented with mid-tone gray chairs. To ensure that the scheme doesn't feel too closed in, the spotlights within the niches add a soft glow.
4. Ochre
Ochre, tan, or light brown, are all colors that go with navy blue, as the combination feels natural, outdoorsy, and calming. Think of the sandy beaches and the colors of the pebbles against the deep blue sea. For a striking living room color idea, choose these two tones against a neutral backdrop. Mismatched sofas also create instant interest, and can perk up the interior.
If you're looking for a nice ochre paint color to match with navy, Lauren Reyes Lim of LVR Studios suggests Color Atelier’s Tagine "as it’s a cross between orange, deep yellow, and red," she says. "For yellows, I love Backdrop’s Pablo Honey."
5. Olive Green
Another way to design an earth tone living room is to find and match colors that go with olive green. And there's no better match than blue. This calming combination is the way to design a living room that will never look dated.
There are various ways to play up this combination: use navy blue on the walls, then punch it up with olive green accents. Consider a neutral base of tans, creams, and browns, and add pops of colors with blue and green. Or for drama, create a color block with navy and olive walls — this is perhaps best for a smaller space as the dark tones will create a jewel box effect.
6. Yellow
Navy blue is among one of the best colors that go with yellow — a pairing that looks equal parts striking and modern. Yellow is a warm, versatile color that can add an instant ray of sunshine to an otherwise sultry dark navy blue room. If it's a more energetic and lively vibe you're looking to create, consider using pops of both of these colors against a neutral backdrop, as shown in this modern living room scheme.
"The soft, velvety blue Camaleonda sofa by B&B Italia is complemented by the pop of yellow in the Roly Poly armchair, and the colors in the room are reflected by the mirrored coffee table," explains Giorgia Cedro, founder of Olbos Studio. "An eye-catching Tobia floor lamp by Foscarini completes the composition by opposing the horizontality of the sofa playfully."
7. Purple
Believe it or not, navy blue is a color that goes with purple — striking the most soothing, comforting, and warm visual.
"Navy, being a deep and dark color, exudes a calming ambiance," says Kashi Shikunova, director at Yam Studios. "To maintain balance, I find it works particularly well with deep purple or lilac shade. Its pink undertones complement the navy perfectly by adding warmth. The lighter shade of lilac contributes to the overall sense of tranquillity, creating a harmonious combination that feels soothing."
"The color palette for this primary bedroom was selected to elicit slumber and relaxation," state Corey Kingston and Liza Curtiss, principles of Le Whit. "The dark blue of the walls allows the deep purple upholstered headboard, the blush-colored bedding, and the warm accents to co-exist without too much visual upset."
8. White
Wondering what color goes with navy blue, and what the easiest tone to pair it with is? The answer is neutrals. But you need to be considerate with how you combine the two, as decorating with neutrals needs some thought.
"Using such a dark hue on the ceiling as well as the walls can produce a very different feel than using a lighter color," says Amy Krane. "A white or off-white ceiling and/or trim with navy is a high contrast situation. Make sure you like that look before you take that route. Alternatively, be careful not to create a cave-like atmosphere covering the whole room with navy which sometimes is a risk with a dark ceiling. If you don't want a navy or white ceiling try a light neutral to give the room a more airy feeling."
"Navy with white has a nautical, even preppy vibe," Amy continues. "Navy suits all types of decor from traditional (think Ralph Lauren), to transitional, contemporary, or even modern. It’s not a color associated with mid-century modern environments but that shouldn't stop someone with that type of space if they love navy."
9. Burgundy
Although unexpected, when you're looking for colors that go with burgundy, navy blue pairs beautifully, creating an interior that is rich with depth and timeless sophistication. This palette also helps other jewel tones, such as gold or silver, particularly pop.
"For this interior, we drew on high-end European styles and brought together a careful curation of pieces from local and international designers," says Guillaume Coutheillas, founder of frenchCALIFORNIA. "We sourced collectible design pieces from internationally renowned galleries and showrooms including Capellini, B&B Italia, CC Tapis, and Flos, working closely with them to create an exhibition that is meant to evoke the ‘Modern Dolce Vita’. The color palette for this room was dark and moody, creating a cozy yet sophisticated office/library space. Jewel tones like navy blue, burgundy, and a silver-grey blend together to create an alluring design."
10. Lavender
Lilac and lavender have been gaining quite a bit of traction recently. They're very calming hues, and as such, much like pink, need something darker to ground them and give them a less saccharine quality. Plenty of colors go with lavender, which is why it works so well with navy blue. It has the same cool undertones but adds a softness to the darker shade. Sometimes you can find lilac shades so subtle they almost act like a neutral.
"I’ve always been lavender skeptical, perhaps because I’m insecure in my masculinity?" says designer Jonathan Adler. "Well, I’m insecure no more! Lavender is the pastel du jour and I am obsessed with it. It feels dreamy and floaty and surreal. And lavender plays well with others — navy, chocolate brown, taupe, and white."
11. Dark gray
You'll be surprised that amongst the colors that go with navy blue is dark gray, and no, the combo doesn't always look frosty. Pick the right warm, deep gray, and pair it with a beautifully dark, midnight navy blue and the mix becomes one of the coziest and most cocooning on the color wheel. This dark living room idea is proof.
"In a classic, vintage home, the rear section of a double reception room is often lacking in natural light, as the rear of the house can leave it in shade," explains Andrew Griffiths, founder of A New Day. "Rather than seeing that as a negative, we decided to lean into that by making this space a cozy and cocooning TV snug. The wraparound color of rich walls creates an atmospheric space that has a distinct feel from the lighter, brighter front section of the house which we separated with pocket doors. The ceiling is finished in a warm greige to create a lightness overhead but with a softer contrast than using white. A limewash paint is used on both the walls and ceiling, introducing a mottled and chalky finish which brings real depth to the flat surfaces."
12. Light blue
Blue on blue might sound bland, but going all over with a single color actually has a surprisingly striking effect. Try pairing navy blue furniture, whether that be a sofa or a chair, with slightly lighter blue walls for a calming, and cozy living room idea. Then add in some much-needed warmth with wood accents.
"When pairing navy with other blues, look for shades that can provide contrast, like pale shades of blue," says Livingetc's global brand director, Sarah Spiteri. "Introducing additional colors or using neutrals to break up the blues can help the space feel overly monochromatic while leaning into a blue aesthetic."
13. Orange
The color wheel already tells us this is a combination that's meant to work. Complementary colors sit opposite each other so orange was made to pair with blue; the warmth balancing out the cool of the navy. Plus there are a lot of colors that go with orange. And it doesn't have to be a dramatic high-contrasting scheme — although we do love how tangerines zing against the navy. A deep rusty orange looks beautiful against the moodier tones of dark navy blue.
"While navy blue and rusty oranges can look beautiful together, they can also be high-energy colors when paired," says Sarah. "To create a more balanced and grounding environment, look to earthy oranges paired with warm terracottas and browns that can be accented with shades of navy. Navy blue and rust orange can also work well in tandem to help activate a more neutral space, such as an ivory sofa paired with textured throw pillows in shades of navy and orange."
14. Fresh Green
Blue and green should never be seen, right? Wrong. Navy blue and a fresh bright green can be a sophisticated, traditional pairing. Blue really should be seen as a color that goes with green, lifting a darker shade like navy and giving it a much fresher and livelier look.
"Navy often pairs well with deeper, cool-leaning greens and sage tones," says Sarah. "The blue-grey tones of sage green make it a soothing counterpart to navy. It can also help lighten a navy space without as stark a contrast as whites or creams. Deep greens in similarly cool, more desaturated tones can also work well with navy, particularly in patterning that may lean towards a more historical or traditional aesthetic."
15. Dark pink
Navy blue can be found among the colors that go with pink — a combination that can look sophisticated and grown-up. The shades work well to balance each other out. The muted warm, rosy tones counteract any of the cooler tones of the deep blue, while the navy prevents the pink from looking too sweet and sickly.
The key is to get the undertones right. The majority of pinks do have that blueish undertone — it's what gives them their muted tone — so it's best to order samples of your paint or fabric and see how the two shades sit together.
"Pink can often be seen as a youthful color, but when put together with navy, it instantly matures and can act as a soft neutral," says Juliette Thomas, founder & director of Juliettes Interiors. "Pairing navy with pink is a great combination, due to how well they balance one another out, as the cool undertones of the navy are warmed up by the pink, resulting in a clever decorative scheme. As both colors are quite bold, it’s best to choose one dominant color for the walls or the larger core items such as a sofa or bed, and add subtle hints of the other shade through home accessories."
How can I use navy blue in an on-trend way?
One of the boldest and most on-trend ways to use navy blue is to go all-in on the shade. "There are so many ways to use this color but one of my favorite approaches is to bathe a room in navy blue," says interior designer Jewel Marlowe, founder of Jeweled Interiors. "Visually, this will take up about 50-60% of the room."
To make the overall scheme more interesting, Jewel suggests layering in other shades, especially those from the other side of the color wheel. "I might layer in the neutral sofas and drapes, but I then punch it up with pops of red or pink," she suggests. "A design like this results in a room that is soothing, yet visually interesting."
What are some colors to avoid with navy blue?
Blue is one of those wonderful colors that goes with everything, so pinpointing what colors to avoid pairing it with is particularly hard. In saying that, it all depends on the shades and level of saturation you choose.
For instance, while gray and navy blue definitely go together, it's best to pair a darker gray than a lighter, cooler one. Similarly, it's generally advised to avoid pairing navy blue and black together, as they'll compete in a space.
Navy blue and yellow — again depending on the shades you pick — can be a tricky combination to master, and done wrong, can end up looking '80s but not in a good way.
