No matter your favored interior design style, a classic blue and white bedroom color combination will always conjure up feelings of tranquility, which is particularly important in a bedroom where relaxation is key.
But are blue and white bedroom ideas the most failsafe route to creating a relaxing bedroom? Interior designers certainly think so.
'Everyone needs a good night’s sleep and the color of your room matters,' says Gideon Mendelson, founder and creative director of Mendelson Group. 'Soft blues have a calming effect, evoking a relaxing, serene environment perfect for a bedroom. Blue and white are a classic color combination that never gets old.'
A timeless duo, renowned for its calming and versatile appeal, interior designers are keen to celebrate this perennial favorite. So it is time to give this calming bedroom idea back its spotlight? Here, we spoke to the experts to get them to share why they love a classic blue and white bedroom color combination so much.
Inherently soothing and often associated with coastal bedroom ideas, blue and white conjures images of beachside retreats. Drawing its palette from the ocean, it's no wonder they are the go-to hues for creating spaces that evoke the calming nature of coastal living.
This combination is often complemented by natural materials like wood and wicker, as well as nautical motifs such as anchors, ropes, and seashells to enhance the seaside aesthetic. But while it can feel fresh, nautical schemes can also read a little dated, especially when the theme is taken too literally.
'Blue and white is a notoriously calm color duo,' says Holly Vaughan of UK-based Vaughan Design & Development. 'To ensure a room does not fall into the slightly old hat, ‘nautical’ style category where blue and white are used in equal measure, we like to pick either blue or white as the dominant color and then cherry-pick complimentary tones for the soft furnishings,' she suggests.
Beyond the sea, blue and white have been celebrated for centuries. Used in the ancient art of fine china and porcelain, this historic and traditional connection lends a storied past to even the most modern of bedrooms.
'Blue is timeless and one the most popular color families on our chart (after neutral tones),' says Patrick O'Donnell, Farrow & Ball's brand ambassador. 'From clean and crisp brights like Lulworth Blue, perfect for a coastal scheme, to elegant mid-blues such as Oval Room Blue, where sophistication rules the roost. Team the former with a classic white trim of All White and the latter with a more restrained off-white such as Slipper Satin.'
The tones and style can be adapted to suit both traditional and contemporary spaces. Whether you opt for a white canvas and pile on all shades of blue from royal blue, sky blue, aqua, indigo, azure, to cobalt, or keep things one-toned with an accented color drench, blue and white a winning favorite among designers and homeowners alike.
Blue in its own right is a big color trend for 2024. Light blue kitchen ideas have been trending for a while, with some of the most stylish interior designers and influencers seen remodeling their cabinetry in a sky-blue hue. So it makes total sense for it to make its way into the bedroom.
The key to this being so effortless a look to pull off, is that it is really easy to achieve a balance between the tones. The reason? There are no rules. You can't have too much blue or too much white here, as neither color is overtly jarring nor overwhelming, so you can test and temper the palette to suit you.
'Blue and white is one of my favorite color combinations,' says interior designer Kathy Kuo. 'It's classic, soothing, and sophisticated. I love the look of crisp white bedding with pops of blue in the pattern of the sheets, or on a throw blanket at the foot of the bed,' adds Kathy. 'A navy blue rug with a subtle pattern is also a really nice way to bring blue into your bedroom in a really organic way.'
Plus, because there are plenty of colors that go with blue, a third and even fourth colors can be introduced into the mix seamlessly.
'We love the combination of blue, white, and yellow simply for its cheery playfulness,' suggests Kristen Fiore of Kristen Elizabeth Design. 'It is a classic combo and is so versatile in creating a mood. Try pulling blue into the walls with printed paper and accenting with a strong mustard yellow.'
A pop of unexpected red will also work beautifully, as demonstrated by Vaughan Design & Development in the space seen above.
3 bedrooms that prove blue and white is the most classic color combination
The soothing qualities of blue, coupled with the clean, crisp nature of white, create an inviting atmosphere conducive to rest and relaxation. On top of that, the versatility and traditional nature of these colors allows you to work them into a wide range of interior and home design styles – as these 3 bedroom schemes prove.
1. A transitional, vintage-inspired space
This transitional bedroom design by A. Naber Design perfectly mixes new and old. 'For this room, I worked with the client's existing vintage rug and headboard. They wanted to finish off the bedroom so we chose to add a wallpaper for added interest,' explains Abbie.
A total departure from traditional blue and white bedroom schemes, this one is layered with earthy tones thanks to the vintage pieces supplied by the owners.
'I had a narrow playing field in what would work or not work given the pattern of the rug and vintage furniture colors. This toile wallpaper from Brook Perdigon was a perfect compliment to the headboard and perfect for layering patterns with the existing rug. The scale of the wallpaper didn't compete or overpower the pattern of the rug and I think the toile pattern takes the theme away from nautical and creates more of a whimsical feel.'
2. A navy and white children's room
Blue and white can also make a great palette for a children's bedroom, as Marie Flanigan shows in the space seen above. Turning to a more muted navy hue, she veered away from traditional pastels or brights typically beloved of kids' bedrooms and used white to make it pop and not feel too dark and oppressive.
'This boys’ room showcases a sophisticated use of deep navy on the walls, creating a cozy and masculine space that grows with the kids,' says Marie Flanigan, renowned designer and founder of Marie Flanigan Interiors.
'The rich navy is perfectly balanced by a crisp white palette on the ceiling, adding brightness and a sense of spaciousness to the room,' she explains. 'This contrast not only highlights the architectural details but also ensures the space feels both dynamic and serene.'
3. Print on print in a grand bedroom
For a more traditional and lavish take on a blue and white bedroom design, designer Alexandra Kaehler chose to go all out with pattern drenching. Not only has she matched the drapes to the wallpaper, but she has taken that one (two, three) steps further with a matching headboard, upholstered bench, window treatments, and throw pillow. The bed linens are kept crisp and white to prevent any pattern clashing.
'In this space [above] we treated blue almost like a neutral, pulling it out from the wallpaper in small quantities to accentuate the pattern in a pillow welt and a window trim,' explains Alexandra.
The three windows in the space allow the print-on-print to look light and airy, as does the coordinating, blink-and-you'll-miss-it built-in reading nook. A feature all book lovers deserve to have in their bedroom.
If you're searching for the most calming color combinations, you're in the right place. Homeowners are constantly looking for ways to infuse their spaces with peace and clarity amidst the chaos of daily life. This classic color scheme not only provides aesthetic appeal but also contributes to a harmonious living environment, making it a top bedroom idea for 2024 and beyond.
