Blue: The New Neutral

Neutrals: the seamless companion to nearly any pop of color incorporated into a home’s palette. Inspired by nature, neutrals are the perfect way to effortlessly play with patterns, textures, and either add depth to or soften a space.

When we think of neutrals, our minds often wander to the many shades of beiges, greys, and even soft greens that make up an earth-toned color scheme. Speaking of earth-tones, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention one of our favorite neutrals at HKB… Blue!

In the fashion industry, blue has been considered a neutral for decades - think about your favorite blue jeans and their camaraderie with nearly any other color. Fortunately, blue is considered a neutral in the interior design world as well.

Behind Blue Hues

Blue is an organically soothing color that embraces every bit of that “safe haven” energy we all need in our homes. While blue leans on the cool side of the color spectrum, it is favored by many as a color that feels secure and invokes tranquility making it the perfect accent to your bedroom, bathroom, or any other sacred space in your home.

Blue in Nature

Think about the endless phycological benefits of a beautiful ocean view or those quiet moments looking up at the clouds floating in the light blue sky. In cohesion with other neutrals, the color blue is inspired by nature in its many forms. While we would never suggest neglecting an outdoor adventure or long walks on the beach, keeping pops of blue throughout your home is the perfect way to remind you of nature on a rainy day.

Pairing Blue

Considering blue is a cool color, we often pull our blue accents together with warmer shades such as gentle bronzes, oranges, or peachy colors to avoid the color appearing off-putting.  While blues and warm tones certainly contrast, the perfect balance of textures, patterns, and accents creates innate harmony.… the perfect way to draw outside the lines without making mess! We love warming up social spaces such as living rooms, entertainment areas, outdoor patios, and kitchens with this stunning color variance.

Before you categorize your favorite blue as the only available pop of color in your home, consider its neutral context and bring it to life by incorporating your own unique color combination.

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