Blue. What would we do without the color blue? It’s the world’s #1 most favorite color. It represents authority, peace, spirituality, loyalty, tranquility, and even suppresses our appetite. What more could you ask for from a color? Blue is my second favorite color (green is my favorite), but it’s a close race. Turquoise, navy, pale blue…I’m a fan. And right now, blue is such a popular color; gray-blues are beloved in a big way and Naval SW6244 is Sherwin Williams’ 2020, color of the year. We use a ton of blue paint in many shades and I’m rarely disappointed with the outcome. Blue can brighten up a room and subdue it at the same time and I think that is what always surprises me when I walk into a room we’ve just painted blue.
My last two blog entries (Unique Painting KC’s Top 12 Favorite Grays, Unique Painting KC’s Top 4 Favorite Whites) were created to help you narrow your color search. We see these colors on walls every day and definitely have our favorites. There are so many of each color and choosing one can become overwhelming. In continuing with this trend, I present, our favorite Blues:
Light
Krypton SW6427:
Krypton is one of those gray blues I mentioned before. It is a cool and calming color that will ignite those napping feelings. I’d use Krypton in a bedroom, for sure.
Atmospheric SW6505:
This warm, light blue is a pretty one. I would use it like Frank’s Hot Sauce in my house if I could, but one place I would love, love, love, to see Atmospheric would be on a front porch ceiling.
Tradewind SW6218:
A beautiful, nautical color. Tradewind has a fair amount of green undertone and is a beautiful beachy blue that would look perfect in a bathroom or bedroom.
Debonair SW9139:
Debonair is another gray blue. A little richer than Krypton, Debonair could be used in a bedroom, bath, or kitchen. It would look fabulous on cabinets as well.
Medium
Needlepoint Navy SW0032:
This is such a beautiful exterior color. Needlepoint Navy is featured in the Sherwin Williams Historic Colors Palette. It’s a deep blue. We painted a house this color a couple of years ago and the transformation was jaw dropping. It did not look like the same house at all. I’ve been a Needlepoint Navy fan since that day and always offer it as an option for those who are interested in a blue exterior body color.
Denim SW6523:
We used this in a client’s spare bedroom, and I was immediately drawn to its versatility and how easy it was to match items with. It truly does remind me of a pair of jeans; goes with everything. This medium blue is a classic.
Bunglehouse Blue SW0048:
Bunglehouse Blue is another Sherwin Williams Historic Color, and again it is another fantastic exterior color. I see a touch of yellow in this blue which gives it a slight green undertone.
Jay Blue SW6797:
Here in Liberty, MO our high school’s mascot is a blue jay, and of course, their colors are royal blue and white. Jay Blue falls right in line with our Liberty Blue Jays and is my favorite royal blue that Sherwin Williams offers. It screams Kansas City Royals too and this fan ain’t covering her ears. I would use this striking blue in a bedroom, on cabinets, and as an accent wall.
Dark
Naval SW6244:
This is probably one of my favorite colors ever. It’s timeless. It’s confident without being boisterous. Naval epitomizes the phrase “walk softly and carry a big stick.”, because it’s not crazy, but it could definitely go there if pushed. Naval is such a rich blue with a touch of gray, but not enough to make it not look like the best navy in the land. We’ve used Naval on cabinets, islands, interior and exterior walls, and it looks fantastic every single place we’ve used it. I am obviously a fan.
Indigo Batik SW7602:
A little more green than Naval and a little lighter, but a fantastic fail-safe navy to use as an accent anywhere.
Rainstorm SW6230:
To my eye, Rainstorm is a little more teal than navy. I love it for what it is and would use this beauty on an island, as an accent color, in an office, or master bedroom.
Gentleman’s Gray 2062-20:
Contrary to the name, Gentleman’s Gray is not gray at all. It is actually a rich, deep navy blue with just a touch of teal. Reminds me of a perfectly tailored and aggressively pressed men’s business suit. I’ve seen this color used in bathrooms, and on a basement bar and loved it in both areas.
These are our favorites but there are so many blues out there. They all have different undertones and just as you choose any color for the interior of your home, choosing the right blue depends on your furnishings and items you do not plan to change (flooring, tile, interior trim color, countertops, etc.), how the sunlight works in the room being painted, and how you want the room to feel (warm, cool, dark, bright). For exterior, choosing the right blue is also about making sure the color you choose jives with your roof, landscaping, windows, any stone or brick you may have on your house, and even paying attention to the color of your neighbor’s homes. Blue can be such a relaxing color yet if you’re not careful, choosing the wrong blue or using too much can date your home and make it appear less than smurfy. Whether you’re choosing interior or exterior blues, taking the time to grab a sample is not a terrible idea, I would recommend it if you’re struggling and even if you’re not. Seeing the color in its element will give you some peace of mind.
And if you’re still having a hard time choosing the right blue, I’m just a phone call away (816-500-7759).
