11 Incredible Blue Living Room Ideas for a Colourful Space

A visual design feast like this blue lounge by Greg Natale requires a confident colour and the blue living room walls of this New York apartment deliver in spades.

For this blue living room idea, the designer used a block navy colour (which he describes as a “defining feature” of the residence) to separate an eye-catching snakeskin Rug Company rug from an agate-inspired patterned ceiling.

A matching velvet sofa with sensuous curved lines by Kelly Wearstler, dynamic abstract artwork and a pair of Paul Evans Cityscape side tables confirms this room’s urban credentials.

A smart navy blue living room is for those who want drama and liveability.

Interior designer Jeff Schlarb describes blue living rooms as “cool, comfortable and unpretentious”, the owners of a modern San Francisco residence wanted something apart from the ordinary (but not overbearing) for their first home.

To satisfy their brief, the designer found a balance by installing an otherworldly gold-flecked and blue living room wallpaper by Area Environments into this relaxing living room-dining room space.

The wallpaper laid the foundations for the living room’s layered blue colour palette from its subtle blue rug by Kravet to pop-y turquoise drapes.

Contrast is introduced via colour (in the form of quilted dining chairs in a textured golden fabric) and line – a structured Arteriors floor lamp and brass-inlay coffee table contrast the wallpaper’s organic lines.

“We do [blue living rooms] really well!” designer Kelli Ford (one half of Kirsten Kelli) exclaimed when we contacted them.

White and blue lounge colour palette – check. Pattern on pattern – check. Wallpapered coffered ceiling – check. Elegant eclectic seating area – check.

This blue living room idea certainly proves that claim. The ikat-inspired wallpaper is a bold but classic choice but the same look can be achieved by pairing a white wallpaper with carefully chosen blue living room accessories.

March & White’s Royalty Mews modern lounge contrasts a vibrant blue living room wall (30BG 08/200 by Dulux) with neutralised accent colours via a white Minotti sofa, a grey Minotti “Dibbets” Tonneau rug and an abstract canvas supplied by Rosenfeld Porcini Gallery.

A golden halo (Tom Dixon’s Plane table lamp) and a pop of orange on a set of nesting side tables jumps out from the scene.

“When using a strong colour like blue for living room walls, we believe in accenting it with softer complimentary colours” says Elliot March, “This can be brought in through artwork and accessories, leaving the overall soft materials palate neutral with pieces of furniture like the sofa. We also like to incorporate warmth with different materiality such as woods and metals.” Elliot’s co-founder James White reveals, “One of our favourite colours to use in living rooms is blue. It can be more formal in deep navy with contrasting lighter tones or used to create more atmosphere when pushed towards deep teal and paired with a timber floor as at Royalty Mews.”

Boasting unique accent colours of apple green and burnt orange, this petrol blue living room idea is nothing if not colourful, nor is it shy in its design choices – the marbled wall covering combines eclectically with the folky rug pattern. The whole look is carefully balanced with a fresh ivory rug and matching occasional chairs.

“Whenever using dark colours – especially an intense blue – I always recommend playing with textures and finishes”, says Rajni Alex, “In this room, we selected a blue grasscloth wall covering which we enhanced with lacquered trims and millwork. Also, I always include at least one other accent colour which I repeat couple of times so that it balances out the darker hue. Like the burnt orange curtains and the apple green sofa in this space, they add some relief and vibrance to the space.”

A Phillip Jeffries wall covering (“Braided Walls”) in a mature shade of petrol blue along with a fireplace and hand-carved convex mirror painted in a matching colour is used to add depth and suitable sophistication to this traditional fireplace area.

Located in the salon of Charleston, South Carolina’s boutique hotel 86 Cannon and designed by B.Berry Interiors, the living room strikes a liveable contrast between its deep blue tones and fresh white upholstery and drapery.

“Blue has always been a favorite colour of mine in a living room space; it is classic and moody at the same time,” the designer explains, “I love to use in a monochromic fashion for the drama. At 86 Cannon, I wanted to pay homage to the significance of this historic property (which dates back to the 1860s) by adding warm layers of blue throughout the lounge to create an ambience of updated Southern luxury.”

Offering a directional spin on the classic beach interior, Greg Natale combines cobalt blue with crisp white in this airy open-plan living room dining room “to ensure a sophisticated seaside vibe”.

The rich tones of the checked carpet in this blue living room idea (along with complimentary blue living room accessories in a Chinoiserie style) ground the white tones which is filled with woven wooden furniture for a bold Australian take on a time-proven Hamptons living room look.

Wood panelling in “Hale Navy” by Benjamin Moore gives this blue living room-cum-home bar idea its characteristic drama.

An antler painting by Jo Hyman Art evokes the same colour palette above a custom-made teal slipper chair with leopard velvet trim by Scalamandre and vintage twisted glass accent table.

Nourison’s Wilton Essence Devon Court rug brings the colour onto the floor for an all-encompassing blue lounge palette one can’t help but want to while away the afternoon (and evening) in.

This light blue living room idea from last year’s Kips Bay Palm Beach makes us feel all sorts of longing for carefree beach days.

The living room/study room was created by Mabley Handler for last year’s very first iteration of the iconic New York design house’s sister location.

A sea foamy rug grounds the space whilst the graphic wallpaper motif is reminiscent of relaxed woven wicker furniture.

Pale sand upholstery and a seemingly weightless coffee table keep the look feeling fresh.

If a strong blue isn't quite to your taste, opt for a fresh feel with bright walls and a white sofa that can be accented with blue cushions and artwork. For an additional layer of brightness, gold works perfectly to lift the space and offer a more feminine balance. Here, Katharine Pooley has tied the space together with gold light fixtures, bookshelf details and an eye-catching coffee table to give a predominantly white space the perfect amount of depth.