As an interior designer, one of the most common questions I get from clients is whether blue and purple go well together in a room’s color scheme. At first glance, they may seem like an unusual color combination. But with some styling tips, blue and purple can actually create a beautiful, vibrant look for any space.
The color theory behind blue and purple
On the color wheel, blue and purple sit right next to each other. This makes them analogous colors, meaning they share undertones and create a cohesive look when paired together. Blue has a cool, calming effect while purple evokes a sense of creativity and magic. When you put them together in the right balance, they complement each other beautifully.
Here’s a quick color theory refresher on the characteristics of blue and purple:
| Blue | Purple |
|---|---|
| Cool, tranquil color | Rich, royal color |
| Associated with water, sky, stability | Associated with luxury, imagination, nostalgia |
| Primary color | Secondary color |
As analogous colors, blue and purple sit comfortably together on the color wheel. This makes them ideal for pairing in interior design.
Tips for combining blue and purple
Here are some top tips for stylishly combining blue and purple in your home:
- Use a lighter blue and deeper purple. A pale blue reads as more neutral and allows the bolder purple to make a statement.
- Layer different shades of each color. Mixing light and dark values creates depth and interest.
- Add pops of purple accessories to a blue room. Cushions, throws, flowers provide the perfect dose of contrast.
- Paint walls blue and add a purple area rug. Use purple in key accent pieces like an armchair or headboard.
- Incorporate purple artwork or floral arrangements into a blue color scheme.
- Add metallic accents. Brushed brass, gold, and silver accessories tie the colors together.
- Use a patterned blue and purple fabric. On upholstered furniture or window treatments.
- Divide the room into separate blue and purple zones.
Keeping these tips in mind will ensure your blue and purple scheme looks thoughtfully planned rather than haphazard.
Room-by-room ideas
Let’s explore some inspiring ways to use blue and purple together in different rooms:
Living room
In a living room, try painting the walls a soft blue then layer in purple accents through decorative objects. Add purple pillows to a neutral sofa, roll out a rich purple area rug, and display purple flowers or books on the coffee table. Purple art above a blue wall makes a big impact.
Bedroom
Create a restful oasis in blue and purple bedrooms. Use purple on larger surfaces like the headboard, shams, and armchair then bring in blue bedding, curtains, and accessories. Paint the walls blue for a enveloping feel.
Bathroom
Make a small bath feel spa-like with blue walls and a purple shower curtain or towels. Alternately, paint the vanity purple and use blue towels or rugs to complement it. Add purple flowers or candles for a finishing touch.
Kitchen
Inject bright pops of purple into an all-blue kitchen by painting or tiling a backsplash purple. Use a purple tablecloth to liven up a blue dining nook. Or install pendant lights in muted purple glass over blue cabinetry or an island.
Home office
Stimulate creativity in a home office with purple walls and blue decorative accents. Hang blue prints in purple frames on the wall. Stack blue books on a purple desk and place a blue desk lamp on top. Use a purple chair with blue pillows.
Laundry room
In a laundry room, make organizational elements like shelves, baskets, and hampers purple to contrast with blue walls. Or paint the cabinets purple and use blue for the walls. The colors add vibrancy to an often overlooked utility space.
Creating color balance
The most important guideline when pairing blue and purple is maintaining balance. You don’t want one color to overwhelm the other.
Here are some tips for creating balance with blue and purple:
- Use 60-75% blue and 25-40% purple. The larger color palette percentage should go to blue since it’s more neutral.
- Use purple sparingly in smaller doses if blue is the dominant wall color.
- Make purple an accent shade in rooms where blue is the main color.
- Incorporate blue as the secondary color in purple dominant rooms.
- Use lighter tints of blue and deeper or brighter purple shades.
- Alternate blue and purple in a patterned fabric print.
Getting the mix right comes down to experimenting and observing how the colors interact. The overall mood you want to create can help determine the blue-to-purple ratio too.
Moods created by blue and purple
Here are some of the different moods you can create by skewing a blue-purple palette:
| Color ratio | Mood created |
|---|---|
| More blue | Calming, tranquil, relaxed |
| More purple | Mystical, spiritual, contemplative |
| Equal blue and purple | Vibrant, eclectic, artistic |
| Soft blue and vivid purple | Whimsical, fantasy, imaginative |
| Bold blue and pale purple | Renewing, refreshing, uplifting |
Decide on the atmosphere you want then adjust the balance of blue and purple to achieve it.
Conclusion
Blue and purple may seem an unlikely pair at first, but when combined correctly, they create a bold, beautiful look. The colors provide the perfect contrast and complement each other beautifully.
With the right balance and mix of shades and textures, blue and purple can infuse any room with energy and style. So don’t be afraid to experiment with mixing these two stunning colors in your home. Used creatively, you can craft a space that feels fresh, modern, and entirely unique.