Royal blue is a deep and rich shade of blue that has long been associated with royalty, prestige, and elegance. It sits between the lighter sky blue and the darker navy blue on the color wheel. But while royal blue itself is a dark, saturated shade, there are a few colors that are even darker and richer that can provide an interesting alternative.
Darker Blues on the Color Wheel
On the traditional color wheel, blues become increasingly darker and more saturated as you move clockwise from the light sky blues around the 200 degree mark down towards the deepest navy blues around the 240 degree mark. Royal blue sits right in the middle at around 225 degrees. Some blues that are darker than royal blue include:
- Sapphire Blue – A very deep saturated blue named after the gemstone sapphire. Slightly darker than royal blue.
- Persian Blue – An extremely dark, yet bright blue that has a very slight purple undertone to it.
- Midnight Blue – As the name suggests, an inky, almost blackish blue associated with the night sky around midnight.
- Navy Blue – The darkest shade of blue before it becomes black. The color of naval uniforms, hence the name navy blue.
While not technically blues, other dark shades that appear similar to royal blue include dark purple, indigo, and onyx black. These sit just outside the blue color spectrum but are darker saturated versions of blue.
Comparing Royal Blue and Sapphire Blue
Sapphire blue is the closest sibling to royal blue as it sits right next to it on the color wheel. Sapphire draws its name from the deep blue gemstone valued for its beauty, durability, and mystical properties. When comparing royal blue (HEX #4169e1) and sapphire blue (HEX #082567) side by side, you can see that sapphire is noticeably darker with more black mixed into the blue pigment.
| Color | HEX Code |
|---|---|
| Royal Blue | #4169e1 |
| Sapphire Blue | #082567 |
When converted to the RGB color model, royal blue is made of 65 red, 105 green, and 225 blue, while sapphire blue is only 8 red, 37 green, and 103 blue. The significantly lower values, especially for blue, create the darker midnight tone of sapphire.
Midnight Blue vs Navy Blue
On the other far end of the spectrum near black and purple sit midnight and navy blue. Midnight blue is extremely dark while still maintaining a rich blue tone. Navy blue is the closest to a true black while still being considered a shade of blue.
Midnight blue has an RGB value of 25 red, 25 green, and 112 blue. This makes it much darker than royal blue, but not quite as dark as navy blue which has RGB values of just 0 red, 0 green, and 128 blue. The complete lack of red and green gives navy blue its distinctive dark shade.
Dark Blue Color Palettes
When using dark blues like sapphire, midnight, navy, or purple-tinged indigo in place of royal blue, pay close attention to the surrounding colors to create an attractive and cohesive palette. Monochromatic blue schemes work beautifully for a clean modern look. But also consider:
- Analogous colors like greens, violets, magentas
- Complementary oranges, yellows, peach
- Triadic combinations with reds and greens
- Split complementary with a blue, a complementary orange, and a color adjacent to orange like red or yellow
Darker blues pair gorgeously with warm metallics like gold and brass. Use creams and ivories to soften the dark tones. And don’t shy away from neutrals like black, white, and gray to really make the blue pop. Keep text and other elements high contrast against such a dark background.
Home Decor in Sapphire and Midnight Blues
Deep, dramatic blues are a bold choice for home decor. To decorate with midnight blue or sapphire blue walls:
- Paint just one accent wall in a bedroom or living area. Or do the ceilings for an enveloping effect.
- Pair blue walls with warm metallic finishes on fixtures, furniture, and decor accessories.
- Choose sleek, contemporary furniture styles to complement the colors.
- Use mirror and glass to reflect light and brighten the space.
- Add in plenty of contrast with crisp white trim, linens, and rug.
When using darker blues in home decor, it’s all about balancing the rich, saturated color with plenty of light and bright contrast. Navy blue can also work with the right accent colors, but beware going overboard with this inky shade. Use it sparingly or the space will end up looking too cold and uninviting.
Fashion and Beauty with Sapphire Blue
In fashion and beauty, true sapphire blue is a versatile shade that flatters lots of skin tones. Ways to incorporate this regal color include:
- A sapphire blue dress or top paired with neutrals like black, white, gray, or tan.
- Nails or lipstick in sapphire blue for a pop of color.
- Blue eyeliner or shadow to make eyes pop.
- Blue hair coloring to create a striking style.
- The use of blue accessories like jewelry, handbags, scarves or shoes.
Deep midnight blue and navy also work for fashion when used thoughtfully. Midnight blue jeans are a wardrobe staple. And navy dresses, suits, or coats have an instant sophisticated vibe. Keep the rest of the look light and bright so you don’t fade into the darkness.
Conclusion
While royal blue has long been associated with prestige and luxury, even darker blues like sapphire, midnight, and navy can create an equally dramatic, elegant effect. Sapphire draws inspiration from the beloved gemstone and midnight evokes the mystery of the night sky. And classic navy is a versatile neutral that flatters and complements. No matter your taste or style, branching out into deeper, darker blues can add sophistication, intrigue, and visual contrast to your home, wardrobe, or any creative color palette.
