Is blue the new black? The interior design experts believe so

Black, dark gray, and similar decadent tones have dominated interiors for countless seasons – however, they're set to be replaced by a lighter classic: blue. 

Blue, in all its vast tones, is a favorite color amongst interior designers who are decorating with blue in every room of the home – and for good reason. 

Beyond its versatility, designers praise the color for its mood-boasting qualities that stem from its relationship to nature. They also note its ability to transform small spaces. So, while color trends come and go, we expect the power of blue to endure long into 2022. 

Why is blue the new black? 

Even before Dulux labeled Bright Skies as their Color of the Year for 2022, experts observed a rising desire for blue room ideas. For example, kitchen designer Tom Howley shared their most popular paint colors this year were Inky Sky and Dewberry, two richly pigmented, blue-toned greys that bring blue into the kitchen. 

Here, people at the top of the industry share their interior design tips – and why people are turning from dramatic to organic in the year ahead. 

1. Blue makes a better backdrop  

According to Martin Waller, the founder of Andrew Martin, the 'boldness and warmth found in blue' is set to revolutionize how you exhibit artworks – as the world's top institutions already use blue's 'bold and warm' tones on their walls. However, Martin recommends using blue with caution.

'Having painted a room blue, it may take time to accustom yourself to the look. You're likely to be horrified. People find it difficult to cope with change. Leave it for a week, and your feelings will alter,' Martin explains. 

2. Blue transforms small spaces  

It can take some time to adjust to blue, but Martin suggests starting with a small entryway or bedroom, where the color can accentuate the space. The designer hopes blue will change small hallway ideas and rewrite misconceptions that compact spaces should avoid color. 

'If you are still hesitant, start your transformation in a cloakroom or small bedroom, since richer colors work well in such spaces – despite the accepted wisdom that white paint makes a room seem larger,' Martin says. 

Camilla Clarke, Creative Director at Albion Nord, adds that she too chooses muted, dusty blues over neutral tones, to 'create calm and soft spaces.' Her blue living room ideas will set the tone for the year ahead – as she '[tends] to avoid dull grays' and experiments with a more welcoming tone. 

3. Blue boosts your mood 

When it comes to blue bedroom ideas, the General Manager of Product and Innovation at Sheridan, Joanna Ross, reveals the key to a therapeutic space – without sacrificing style. 

'Blue is set to be one of the most popular colors for bedrooms in 2022. It can have a positive effect on mood as it connects us to a blue sky or ocean found in nature, which helps us to feel relaxed,' Joanna says. 

'The color blue is known to help calm the mind and produce a feeling of tranquillity – and who isn't looking for some of this before going to sleep at night,' the designer adds. 

Is blue the new black? Only time will tell. However, with these benefits, we expect the color will continue to set trends long into the new year.