The color blue is a calming, peaceful color

Learn more about this popular color and the best ways to use it in your home color schemes

Because our ancestors saw this color in it's many variations everywhere they looked, it was only natural it should find it's way into their homes. The color blue has been the first choice for color schemes for thousands of years. From ancient Ming dynasty vases to Blue Willow dinnerware, if blue is your choice for a color scheme, you are in good company.

Ways to Use the Color Blue in Your Home Color Scheme

Blue is associated with loyalty and stability. It is considered beneficial to both mind and body. Blue promotes inner calm and is believed to learning and understanding. Use the color blue in the following rooms to receive the most benefit from this color:

• Because blue tends to decrease muscle activity, reduce blood pressure and slow the heart rate, the bedroom and other rooms meant for rest are the perfect choice for a blue color scheme.
• Blue is also associated with tranquility and cleanliness. This quality along with the calming sound of running water also makes it the perfect choice for bathrooms.
• Because blue is also linked with the intellect, rooms used for reflection; studies, dens, home offices, are an ideal place to use the color blue pallet in home decorating.
• Blue is considered a masculine color and is known to be the favored color among males. You'll notice the abundance of blue among corporate logos. For this reason, the color blue is a great choice for a predominately masculine room.

Complementary

The complementary color scheme is made of two colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel.

According to the basic color wheel, blue is the complementary color of orange. Sometimes however, this scheme may seem harsh and overwhelming. Yellow-orange is a much more compatible color to use with blue. You'll see this combination often in sunrises and sunsets and the combination is not as jarring as pure blue and orange.

Split Complementary

The split complementary scheme uses a color and the two colors adjacent to its complementary. For the color blue these colors would be blue, yellow and red (yellow and red being the 2 colors on each side of orange which is the complementary color)

Split Comlpementary Color Scheme of Slate Blue, Old Rose, and Cream

As shown in the dining room above, the colors in this scheme are not necessarily primary colors. The walls are slate blue, the chairs use a shade of rose and a touch of cream finishes the color scheme. Don't be afraid to mix shades and values of a color scheme to achieve the look you are reaching for.

Triadic Color Scheme

The triadic color scheme uses three colors equally spaced around the color wheel. The triadic scheme is more balanced and harmonious than the split complementary.

Blue, red, and yellow-green would be a triadic color scheme. Choose one color to be used in larger amounts than others. If you find the colors are overpowering, used subdued tones to create a pleasing color scheme using triads. Blue and red are often used together in fabrics. However, they are not complementary colors and often there is a feeling that something is lacking in that color scheme. Therefore, if you wish to use red and blue together, it is helpful to round it out with it's triad which is yellow-green. This will add sparkle and punch to your room when used as an accent color.

Analogous Color Scheme using Blue, Red Violet and Blue Violet

Analogous Color Scheme

The analogous color scheme uses colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel. Avoid combining warm and cool colors in this scheme.

By using the color blue and it's closest neighbors you can create a harmonious analogous color scheme. Usually analogous schemes use three, five or seven neighboring colors. Avoid using too many hues in the analogous scheme, because this may ruin the harmony.

An example of the color scheme would be blue, blue-violet, violet, red-violet and red. Going in the other direction blue, blue green, and green would be an analogous color scheme.

The Color Blue and Feng shui

To followers of Feng shui, blue represents both inner tranquility and your path in life. This is because this color is associated with water, which is either both calm and still or free flowing. If you feel your path is blocked and your life stagnant, incorporating both the color blue and a water fountain in your home will help you discover your path and put you on the road to discovery once again.

As mentioned earlier, blue is also associated with learning and intellect. Therefore, using blue will stimulate thought and encourage learning. It may help you develop new strategies and thoughts to help you move along in your work, life, and spiritual path.

The healing properties of the color blue

Blue governs the throat, larynx and thyroid. It also promotes healing and relieves pain. It slows down the metabolic functions such as heartbeat and blood pressure. This is why you will find many hospital rooms painted in shades of pale blue.

Blue plays an important part in speech and communication. Wearing blue when you are called upon to do public speaking will calm your nerves and relieve your anxiety. It will also help overcome your lack of self-confidence.

The color blue does not have to be cold

Many people ignore the color blue because they feel it adds a chill and a feeling of coldness to the atmosphere. There are many shades of blue that are calming, give the impression of spaciousness, and add vitality and character to your home. Many shades of blue are naturally warm because of overtones in the color. Royal blue, turquoise and ultramarine blue are some of the colors in this range. Explore the color wheel and paint department of your local home improvement store. You may find just the color you are thinking about as you plan the home of your dreams.

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