Winter BLUES: Inject some tranquillity with the color of the season

Now is the time of yr when most of us are enthusiastic about methods to elevate our spirits. 

And with brief, darkish days nonetheless prevailing, it is no shock that on-line searches for ‘winter blues’ are up by 500 per cent prior to now three months.

But removed from being a tone related to sluggishness, blue is definitely prized for its grounding and reassuring qualities within the house. 

Paint specialist Benjamin Moore has just lately introduced violet-hued Blue Nova as its Colour Of The Year, whereas John Lewis & Partners has coined blue its Colour Of The Season for spring, with a particular give attention to powder tones.

‘It’s ageless and timeless, from deep shades to desaturated hazy choices,’ says the chain’s Colour Expert Melanie Archer, who’s seen searches for ‘sky blue’ rise by 137 per cent on the model’s web site.

‘Blue evokes associations with the ocean and the sky, inducing a way of calm, tranquillity and stability.’

In unsure instances particularly, blue, deeply intertwined with our notion of nature, represents security and safety.

Comfort & calm

Once thought of a proper color, used for police and army uniforms as a way of conveying belief, blue has currently shaken off its conservative fame.

This is a tone with a large spectrum of shades, making it deeply versatile, whether or not as a painted backdrop or by way of wallpaper, furnishings or equipment.

Lighter tones resembling child and powder blue create a sense of calmness and rest, whereas deeper shades resembling navy and royal blue add depth and class.

‘Call it impartial fatigue, however we’re embracing wealthy jewel colors, the likes of which we’ve not seen because the Seventies,’ say King Living’s Sebastian Nash.

‘Upholstered furnishings in teal and turquoise add a way of refinement and opulence to lounge decor. Think of utilizing color like this as you would possibly add spirits to a cocktail — only a small measure can create important affect.’

Try upholstering a footstool in a deep velvet blue, introducing blue ticking cushions and curtains to bedrooms for a sensible look, or repainting panelling or joinery in an evocative Wedgwood blue.

This is a tone that works brilliantly with shiny pinks and terracottas too, so to modernise the look, attempt contrasting painted joinery with color pops resembling a raspberry architrave or windowsill, or pair a mustard yellow chair with deep blue partitions.

Natural parts, from sisal to rattan additionally work brilliantly when anchored by blue. Textures like this create a straightforward sense of motion.

‘I like blues on geometric materials, resembling Christopher Farr’s Travelling Light, which is a contemporary and fashionable sample,’ says inside designer Alice Leigh. 

‘Velvets, wool and chunky knits will even assist soften deep blues by including visible curiosity and tactile enchantment.’

If you are portray partitions or contemplating blue flooring, take into consideration a room’s orientation first. 

‘Use hotter shades for rooms dealing with north or east and cooler blues for a south or west-facing room,’ counsels Carpetright’s Punam Chada. 

‘Scientifically confirmed to advertise wellness and have a constructive impact on the thoughts, I discover that blue breathes contemporary life into the house, introducing optimism and positivity. Blue flooring is instantly anchoring.’

In bedrooms, attempt its Burlington Soft Saxony Carpet in Sky Plain, £45.99 per sq. metre, for a way of simple luxurious, whereas the graphic shapes of the Aurora Hexagon Rug, from £79.99, works properly in research, particularly since blue is alleged to reinforce focus.

New wave

Both pale and daring choices convey a way of pure steadiness. ‘Blue echoes a need for journey and new experiences, paired with the necessity to create a sanctuary in our areas,’ believes Benjamin Moore’s Helen Shaw.

‘Especially with violet undertones, it strikes the proper steadiness between mystical and reassuring. Pairing it with punchy colors on the other finish of the color wheel, resembling oranges and reds, will create a delightful, cossetting scheme.’

Bear in thoughts that mid-to-navy acts as a brilliantly efficient anchor, working notably properly on woodwork. ‘We’ve seen an actual upturn within the demand for deep blues for lounge cabinetry and eating areas,’ says Sharps’ Rachal Hutcheson. 

‘These shades work in a lot the identical method as a fantastic basis garment out of your wardrobe would possibly — versatile sufficient to fashion up or right down to create simply the appropriate feel and appear. Navy blue is particularly timeless as a result of it is a grounding base color that acts as a pure foil.’

Sometimes, introducing only a few parts of this tone is all that is wanted to spice up a way of wellbeing. 

Try investing in some new artwork — H&M Home’s Bauhaus Blue poster, from £13.99, provides simply the correct quantity of punch to impartial schemes, whereas Zara Home’s Blue Floral Earthenware Tableware, from £5.99, injects instantaneous spring-like uplift.

And for good on a regular basis magnificence, you’ll be able to’t beat the Abbesses vary of tableware at Canvas Home with its easy hand-painted blue rim, £25 for a set of 4 small plates.

This yr, embrace the winter blues and also you would possibly simply emerge with one thing of a spring in your step.