Which blue is right for you?

Blue. Just the word is relaxing, evoking a long deep breath. Visually, of course, it's even more powerful. Blue is a colour that not only advances but also draws us to it. From living rooms to bedrooms, kitchens, powder rooms, and beyond, there is a league of blues which will envelop your home in colour. Blue can be understated or bold, calming or invigorating, modern or retro, fun or serious. It can be used sparingly, using soft blue accents or bold splashes here and there, or you can go for a bolder statement wall or colour drenching. Inject personality.

So how do you find the right Resene blue hue for you? Are there particular blues that suit certain styles of house or complement the era in which it was built? Are particular blues most suitable for certain rooms and which can be used to brighten a space or create a cosy feel?

Perfect colour partners for blue

Blue is a versatile colour, happy to stand on its own or share the spotlight with other bold colours, like hot pink and olive green.

Strong royal blues such as Resene Havelock Blue, the darker Resene Hendrix or the bright Resene Resolution Blue with crisp Resene White is a classic pairing. Together, blue and white create a fresh but timeless colour combo which will never feel overdone or unexciting. White allows the blue to reign supreme.

Try pairing a sky blue like Resene Echo Blue or the softer Resene Dreamer against a hot pink like Resene Pink Panther or the softer but still peppy Resene Ballerina.

A mid-pink like Resene BFF and navy blue also go well. This pairing will keep things from feeling too frilly and light. Perfect in the bedroom of a coastal bach - add blush pink linens to the bed topped with a dark blue bed blanket.

A smoky grey-blue like Resene Smokescreen pairs unexpectedly well with warm wood like pine and rimu.

Combining different blue-green hues like Resene Bismark and Resene Calypso will give a kitchen an elegant beach vibe.

The soft minty sky blue in this breakfast room lends an active restful vibe. The wall is painted in Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue. Chairs in Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue. Bench seat base in Resene Periglacial Blue with Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue ‘whitewashed’ edges (paint wiped on with a cloth). Dado rail and floor in Resene Wan White. Coat rack in Resene Sandspit Brown. Bowl (with lemons) in Resene Sandspit Brown. DIY daisy paintings in Resene Periglacial Blue, Resene Quarter Black White and Resene Energy Yellow. Large plant pot (with olive tree) in Resene Powder Blue. Large jug vase in Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue. Project by Melle van Sambeek, image by Bryce Carleton

Bedtime stories

A soothing soft blue adds an ethereal, dreamy quality to every space and is particularly well-suited for bedrooms. Even the floorboards can be washed in a lovely grey-blue. Also offering a restful vibe is Resene Comfort Zone. For a child’s room, which serves as both bedroom and playroom, try a more vibrant shade such as blue-violet like Resene Portage.

Nautical and nice

Blue is one of those colours that feels accessible, bold enough to feel like you're taking serious risks, but still classic. If you live by the sea, channel the waves with a range of blues from blue-green hues like Resene Escape and Resene Boston Blue to the more true-blue hue of Resene Bondi Blue and the brighter tone with Resene Captain Cook.

Green meets blue in this outdoor shower room. The feature wall is painted in Resene Green Meets Blue. Shower wall in Resene Nepal and Resene Sea Fog. Breezeblocks in Resene Sea Fog. Shower stand in Resene Pitch Black. Mirror-surround in Resene Breeze. Soap dispenser in Resene Nepal. Shelf in Resene Pitch Black. Rack in Resene Nepal. Project by Kate Alexander, image by Bryce Carleton.

Consider the treatment

High-gloss paints are a sure-fire way to make a bold statement with a high sheen finish like Resene Enamacryl. Pair with beige and cream to lighten the mood. If you want your walls to recede, try a deeper blue in the matte finish of Resene SpaceCote Flat. Choose a lighter shade of blue if you're lacking in natural sunlight.

Tips

Layer your blues to add depth. Start dark and add progressively lighter colours until you get the right room balance. Work off a Resene Multi-Finish palette to easily curate your favourite blues.

To avoid overpowering a room with blue, keep the colour confined to certain areas. You don't need to douse an entire room in blue to make it stand out. Choose one statement piece to feature the hue such as the kitchen island. Sky blue in the breakfast room will make your morning coffee a delight while white accents will help it feel fresh. Then add smaller touches of the same colour elsewhere in the room to help it belong.

Opt for a pale, barely-there shade of blue like Resene Breathless to use the colour as a neutral.

For a powdery blue try a calming, periwinkle blue hue like Resene Powder Blue. There's something undeniably modern about using one specific colour, and a pastel shade delivers a sense of bold quirkiness that doesn't take itself too seriously.

This living room demonstrates the power of the classic pairing of blue and white with beige accents to add texture. The front wall is painted in Resene Zinzan while the back wall is painted in Resene Biscay (bottom) and Resene Half Dusted Blue (top). The floor is painted in Resene Chalk Dust. Side table at the back of the room is in Resene Biscay. Wooden hooks and bowl at back in Resene Frozen. Pot at back and tall round table in Resene Bunting. Cabinet doors in Resene Breathless. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Wendy Fenwick.

Going bold doesn't always have to mean using a vibrant or dark colour. Instead, texture can create drama. Hang Resene Anaglypta wallpaper to create a textured design then apply your chosen Resene colour.

Walls in a deep blue like Resene Indian Ink give a warm, wintery vibe; pair with white to ensure a bright, airy atmosphere.

You don’t have to limit yourself to just paint. Choose a Resene wallpaper with blue accents then pick out a colour to inspire your Resene wall paint for adjacent walls or rooms.

If you weren't sure if you wanted to anchor your space around blue before, you probably are now. You can’t go wrong with blue – there is a blue to suit all spaces, styles and preferences – all you need to do is find the blue that is just right for you.

Get inspired by projects from other Kiwi homeowners who have decorated with blue, www.habitatbyresene.co.nz/blue. If you need help finding your favourite blue, book a colour consultation with a Resene Colour Expert, www.resene.co.nz/colourconsult, visit a Resene ColorShop or ask a Resene Colour Expert free online, www.resene.co.nz/colourexpert.

In this breakfast room, the walls have been painted in Resene Duck Egg Blue with Resene FX Paint Effects medium mixed with Resene Rolling Stone. The grooved floor is in Resene Half Villa White. Pendant lamp in Resene Half Orchid White and sideboard in Resene Inside Back. On the table, the pottery-style bowl (with lemons) is in Resene Kalgoorie Sands and the cereal bowl is in Resene Moccaccino. On the sideboard the flower vase is in Kalgoorie Sands and the small vase is in Resene Sea Change. Project by Gem Adams, image by Wendy Fenwick.

Your blue personality quiz

All As

Your blue preference is for soft understated colours like pastels and sky blues and timeless combinations like blue and white. Try Resene Seachange, Resene Pattens Blue, Resene Solitude or Resene Escape.

All Bs

You like blues that evoke nature, sky and ocean. Try Resene Forecast, Resene Into the Blue, Resene Undercurrent or Resene San Juan.

All Cs

You’re prepared to be a little adventurous in your colour choices opting for bold splashes and adding a little quirkiness. Try Resene Deep Teal, Resene Green Meets Blue, Resene Space Cadet, Resene Indian Ink or Resene Half Smalt Blue from the Karen Walker Paints collection.