Blue Walls
Blue walls create a sense of tranquility and trustworthiness in a home. According to Pantone, a company known worldwide for providing the standard language for color communication, Classic Blue is the color of the year 2020. Wall paints are now available in this Pantone blue hue.
Do you want this enduring and timeless blue hue of 2020 for your home?
It’s an important decision! In 2018, ultraviolet, and in 2019, living coral was awarded the color of the year. However, they were mostly only used as complementary colors on walls. Here is all you must know if you are thinking of choosing this 2020 blue.
Although according to home decorating magazines Classic Blue is the color of the sky, we should expect a hurricane approaching us if that’s the color we see when we look up. As expected, such a dark hue on a wall will seriously darken any room. Home decorators also tend to recommend cobalt blue because of its elegance and boldness.
However, if you choose this color for your walls, you might be blinded by the bright rays of Florida as you step out of your dark cave. Most likely, the director of Pantone is aware of the effects of such dark hues, that is why he speaks of peace, quiet, and retreat.
“We are living in a time that requires trust and faith. It is this kind of constancy and confidence that is expressed by Pantone 19-4052 Classic Blue, a solid and dependable blue hue we can always rely on. A boundless blue evocative of the vast and infinite evening sky, Pantone 19-4052 Classic Blue encourages us to look beyond the obvious to expand our thinking; challenging us to think more deeply, increase our perspective and open the flow of communication.”
Leatrice Eiseman Executine Director of the Pantone Color Institute
In summary, if you want to see the color of 2020 in your home:
- use it as a complementary color
- you will achieve a stunning and bold but light finish if it dominates one wall surrounded by eggshell white or other light-colored walls
- it’s also important to keep in mind that mosquitoes are attracted to the heat retained by dark blues
Classic White Walls
I admit, I personally love white walls. They suggest cleanliness and they make our rooms feel cooler in this sauna we live in. At the same time, even if temperatures drop for a couple weeks in the year, they will not emit cold.
It is interesting to note that white is present in every trend. It is so easy to transform our home with white walls. We can just change up some accessories and we can play around with furniture colors provided we have perfect neutral background.
White especially works well in a child’s bedroom.
Many moms wonder if they should use some colorful paints to conceal the tiny handprints that are bound to end up on the walls. Well, I have some bad news. On light, pastel walls you will notice your little artist’s work all the same.
Moreover, it’s a lot harder to get rid of stains on colored walls. With white walls you can use baking soda, bleach, or other magical cleaning supplies to make the stains fade or vanish completely.
As a last resort, we can even repaint it, which is again a lot harder if color is involved. We all know toddlers put wall smears in the most inconvenient places, so you can even use some wall stickers to hide the mess and put some color and fun into your child’s room.
You don’t have to think your bedroom is going to look like Elsa’s white snow kingdom(unless that is what you want). I can show you a few solutions where you won’t even notice your walls are white and it will certainly not look bland. It will look well thought out and organized.
It has come up before, that old furniture ends up in the children’s rooms since it’s not a big deal if it gets ruined. Hence, we can paint those pieces of furniture in any color of the rainbow to spice up their room without any regrets.
For more tips on painting a child’s room please read our article:
Tips and Ideas for Painting Your Child’s Bedroom
Choosing the Right Hues
Experience tells us that your chosen hue for walls will almost always turn out darker than what you see on the color wheel. This false perception can be caused by a few different factors, such as paint samples are usually printed on glossy or semi-glossy paper cards and you see them during optimal light conditions in the store.
Not only does less light bounce off the matte wall surface, but most likely the lighting will also be weaker in your room.
Another huge factor that can change the perception of the hue of your walls is your primary colors throughout the room.
Then what is the solution? How do I choose the right hue that will turn out the way I want it to look in my home? If you want the easiest solution, pick a hue a few shades lighter than the color you want to achieve. You can also just stick with white and avoid these problems.
Do you want to spend a little more time choosing your exact hue?
Pick your color with the help of the color wheel at the store and have them mix the smallest possible quantity. Now you can test your paint color in multiple spots of the room; by the window, on the far wall, close to the trim or low on the floor. Familiarize yourself with the color during daylight and at night by a lamp. This will give you an idea of how the color will appear. If you are not satisfied, you can just repeat these steps with a different hue.
Pick a hue that is complementary to your furniture in the room. You can even put some sunlight into a north-facing room with light colors. Don’t forget, dark shades will always make rooms feel smaller and you will probably have to turn on your lights sooner in the evening if you choose them. Even though the wall paint is the same, the hue will appear much stronger in shadowed places then in well-lit areas.
If you have any questions or you need some assistance in picking the right colors for your home, please don’t hesitate to give me a call. I am here to help!
Best regards, Peter
