Interior Obsessions – Navy Blue

I have a funny relationship with navy.

It’s a great neutral, a super backdrop for shots of color.

It often feels luxurious, and works much like black, without feeling like it recedes into the background.

Navy is a combination of cobalt and black, hard to describe, but you know it when you see it.

But it’s one of those colors that seems to fall in and out of favor with me. Sometimes it feels a little stuffy, a bit old.

But right now I’m in a navy upswing. Inspired by a navy sideboard I saw on Pinterest, I pulled together some great interiors that either use navy a the main color or in an important accent piece.

Because navy really comes across as a neutral, it pairs well with bright colors. Chartreuse, aqua, orange, green, yellow, even violet, all work great with it.

Paired with natural wood, navy is a true winner, as they both make the other look a bit richer. And white is its perfect partner, adding a little light to such a dark color.

Unless you’re specifically going for a nautical theme, you’ll want to play with the ratios of navy to white.

When they get too even, the room tends to look like a military parade.

It’s best to go a little heavier to either side to achieve just the right look.

You can always start with a single wall of paint or tile to dip your toes into the navy world, or play with adding a new piece of furniture in just the right blue.

If you’re still nervous, just start with a navy throw and see if it helps add to the feeling of your favorite room.

(above) Navy and Chartreuse

Navy Brick

Velvet Sofa + Navy Walls

Blue Ceramic Tile + Navy with Orange

Basic Navy and White

What do you think? Would you use navy blue as a neutral base for a room in your home?

Let me know in the comments below.

Amy wrote this post. She is the designer and owner of FormFire Glassworks, where she creates modern lampwork glass beads and jewelry, and by day designs custom homes for a small firm in Southern California. You can follow her twitter @formfireglass.