Proof That Navy Blue is Ideal for Neutral Lovers Who Want to Branch Out (a Tiny Bit)

published May 31, 2019

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Navy is the new neutral. While dark tones often make a room feel dim and gloomy, navy blue offers a richness that can actually warm up a space. Don’t believe us? Here are six gorgeous navy blue-dominated rooms that prove why the shade is an awesome choice for fans of neutral palettes.

Credit: Andrea Posadas

1. You Can Play With Color in an All-White Room

Mixing the right amount of colors and patterns in an all-white space can be tricky. Luckily, you can rely on navy-toned furnishings, like the sofa and patterned rug we saw in Amanda Holstein’s San Francisco studio, to bring a touch of personality to an otherwise monochrome room.

Credit: Jacqueline DuBois

2. It Subdues Brightly Painted Walls

You can always count on navy-upholstered furniture to neutralize a colorfully painted living room. Case in point: Edith’s Oslo, Norway townhome, where she employed a shapely navy blue sectional, like this one at Article, to offset a bright teal living room wall.

Credit: Samara Vise

3. It Instantly Revamps a Kitchen

If you’re in the mood for a fun DIY project this weekend, then we have the project for you. You can give your kitchen an instant refresh by painting your cabinets in an energizing shade of navy blue, just like we saw in Steve and Robin Anderson’s Cambridge, Massachusetts home.

Credit: Nancy Mitchell

4. It Makes a Statement in a Neutral Space

Searching for a stylish way to make a statement in your neutral living room without overwhelming the rest of the space? Take a cue from Jeff and Erin Mooney’s Houston, Texas home and employ an eye-catching navy-upholstered chair (or two) to bring a pop of color into a neutral room.

Credit: Cathy Pyle

5. It Creates a Nice Contrast for Millwork

Nothing will make your white-painted trims and moldings stand out quite like a navy blue wall near them. Use a more muted shade of navy, like Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue, to offset (and draw attention to) light-colored woodwork, just like we saw in Audrey’s London flat.

Credit: Kim Lucian

6. It Will Make Your Art Collection Look Amazing

Looking for a paint color that will enhance your black-and-white gallery wall (and not compete with it)? A rich shade of navy blue, like Benjamin Moore’s Old Navy, provides the perfect contrast for neutral-toned artwork, just like we saw in blogger Bianca Sotelo’s Alameda, California apartment.