Cool colors like blues, greens, and violets can provide a soothing and relaxing ambiance in certain rooms of your home. Using cool colors strategically can have a calming effect and make a space feel more open and airy. When selecting a cool color palette for a room, it’s important to consider the room’s size, lighting, and function. Here’s a look at what rooms tend to work well with cool color schemes.
Bedrooms
Bedrooms are one of the most popular places to utilize cool tones. The calming nature of blues and greens makes these hues perfect for sleeping spaces. Lighter tones like sky blue, mint, and sage green evoke a sense of tranquility and relaxation. These cool greens and blues work well when used on accent walls or as an overall room color. Deeper shades like navy or forest green can also create a cozy retreat feel in a bedroom. Just be sure the room gets ample lighting if using darker cool colors.
Cool tones in bedrooms are especially nice when used in conjunction with neutral colors like white, beige, gray and taupe. The neutral foundation allows the cool colors to feel fresh rather than overwhelming. Try using a soft blue-gray on the walls with crisp white bedding for a relaxing oasis. Or opt for a serene sage green accent wall to add subtle color behind a white headboard.
| Cool Color | Where to Use |
|---|---|
| Sky blue | Walls or accent wall |
| Mint green | Accent wall |
| Pale sage | Walls |
| Light gray blue | Walls |
| Navy | Accent wall |
When using multiple cool tones in a bedroom, try picking a palette of 3-4 colors that complement each other. For example, pair a soft grayish blue with crisp white, pale sage green and a deep blue accent. The blend of light and dark cool hues creates depth.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms also tend to suit cool color palettes quite well. The clean and crisp feeling of blues and greens complements tile, fixtures, and mirrors. Cool hues like aqua, teal, and sky blue capture the essence of water and can make a bathroom feel tranquil and spa-like. Minty greens and pale greens also work beautifully in bathrooms, giving the space a refreshing vibe.
When painting a bathroom cool colors, select finishes that can stand up to moisture. Matte and eggshell paints are ideal for bathroom walls and ceilings. For trim and cabinets, opt for semi-gloss which is a bit more durable and wipeable. Just take care when pairing cool wall colors with cool colored fixtures and tile. Too much cool tone can make a bathroom feel chilly. Warm up the space by pairing cool blues and greens with natural wood cabinets, white tiles, or neutral fixtures.
| Cool Color | Where to Use |
|---|---|
| Aqua | Walls or accent wall |
| Pale teal | Walls |
| Sky blue | Ceiling |
| Mint green | Accent wall |
| Seafoam green | Walls |
Aim for a cool color scheme that evokes the feeling of a serene waterfall or refreshing ocean tide. Layer on different shades of blue and green for visual depth and interest. Then add cream, white, or wood tones to create balance. The result will be a bathroom that provides the ideal relaxing retreat.
Kitchens
Kitchens may not seem like an obvious place for cool hues, but using them strategically can really freshen up the space. While you may not want every kitchen wall to be a standout blue or green, using these colors as accents can inject subtle personality.
Sage greens, muted jade tones, and even muted sky blues make excellent choices for painting an accent wall in a kitchen. Position the cool accent wall behind the stove or sink to add a burst of color. Cool green and blue glass backsplashes are also a great way to incorporate these colors into kitchens. Just be mindful of pairing cool backsplashes with warm countertops like granite or wood rather than matching cool on cool.
Other ways to bring blue and green hues into kitchens include:
– Pale blue or green cabinets
– Pastel appliances
– Sea glass tile flooring
– Sky blue ceilings
– Vintage blue painted furniture
When using cool kitchen accents, stick with softer muted shades rather than neon bright colors. Soft blue-gray, frosted jade, and dusty sky blue will give the space a finished look. Then complement them with warm wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and neutral countertops. The mix of warm and cool prevents the kitchen from feeling too chilly.
| Cool Color | Where to Use |
|---|---|
| Sage green | Accent wall |
| Muted teal | Backsplash |
| Sky blue | Ceiling |
| Sea glass | Tile flooring |
| Gray blue | Cabinets |
The right balance of warm and cool tones will give your kitchen a breezy, relaxed vibe. Use cool hues thoughtfully to enhance the room without making it feel icy or clinical.
Living Rooms
Living rooms are meant to be gathering spaces where families relax and enjoy time together at home. As such, cool tones can work beautifully here. Using shades like airy aqua, serene gray-blue, or tranquil sage green in living spaces cultivates a laidback atmosphere.
When painting living room walls or selecting accent pieces, lighter cool hues tend to work best. Deep, bold blues and greens might feel overpowering in a room meant for lounging. Instead, use driftwood blue on the walls or opt for a seafoam green sofa that adds soft color without dominating the space.
Other ways to tastefully include cool tones in living rooms include:
– Sky blue throw pillows
– Pale blue-gray curtains
– A jade green area rug
– Coastal artwork
– Ceramic lamps or vases in aquatic hues
Aim to strike a comfortable balance between your cool colors and warm neutrals like tans, whites and wood furniture. For example, white walls, sand colored flooring, and a pale blue sofa create an inviting, laidback look. The goal is to avoid an icy or sterile scheme.
| Cool Color | Where to Use |
|---|---|
| Aqua | Accent pillows |
| Driftwood blue | Walls |
| Seafoam green | Sofa |
| Sage green | Area rug |
| Sky blue | Curtains |
A mood-boosting cool color scheme makes a living room feel casually sophisticated. Focus on lighter shades and balance out metallic and wooden accents to keep the look cozy and laidback. The result will be a welcoming space for gathering.
Dining Rooms
Dining rooms are another area where cool hues like soft blues and greens can work beautifully. These spaces are meant for entertaining and connecting with family and friends over meals. Cool tones help create a relaxing atmosphere conducive to lingering at the table.
When using cool colors in dining rooms, stick with soft muted shades rather than bold brights. Light blue-grays, frosted mint greens, or pale aqua work well. You can use these colors when painting walls, bringing in hutch cabinets, upholstering dining chairs, or adding accessories like artwork and centerpieces. Try painting two facing walls in a soft cool color and leaving the other two walls neutral. This makes the cool color feel like an accent.
Other ways to effectively use cool colors in dining spaces include:
– A pastel green glass chandelier over the table
– Placemats or table runner in a muted teal hue
– White dishes with handpainted blue accents
– A dried flower arrangement with cool-toned blooms
Balance is key when using cool tones in dining rooms. Add warmth with elements like wooden dining tables, beige flooring, and brass light fixtures. Avoid going too heavy on matching blues and greens. The goal is for the cool colors to provide serene personality while still feeling chic and sophisticated.
| Cool Color | Where to Use |
|---|---|
| Ice blue | Walls |
| Mint green | Hutch |
| Dusty teal | Dining chairs |
| Seafoam green | Placemats |
| Aqua | Centerpieces |
Tasteful applications of muted blues and greens cultivate the type of relaxed yet upscale ambiance perfect for lingering over meals. Just take care not to overdo the cool tones by pairing them thoughtfully with warm woods, metallic accents, and soft neutral foundations.
Home Offices
Cool color palettes can also help boost productivity and focus in home offices. Shades like pale blue, muted teal, and soft sage stimulate the mind while also keeping the space feeling tranquil. This combination helps maintain concentration and energy when working from home.
When incorporating cool tones in a home office, using them strategically rather than going overboard works best. Consider a serene blue accent wall or mint green file cabinet to add visual interest without overwhelming the small workspace. Cool colors can also be brought through office accessories like desk lamps, vases, calendars and desk organizers.
Aim for a balanced office color scheme with colors like:
– White walls and ceiling
– Gray blue accent wall
– Warm wood desk
– Green desk organizer and lamp
– Neutral window treatments
This type of mix prevents the cool tones from feeling too chilled or intense. The goal is an invigorating yet comfortable workspace.
| Cool Color | Where to Use |
|---|---|
| Sky blue | Accent wall |
| Mint green | Desk organizer |
| Dusty teal | File cabinet |
| Seafoam | Desk decor |
| Aqua | Office supplies |
A splash of cool color energizes a home office without detracting from the room’s productivity. Carefully chosen blues and greens provide just the right stimulating and tranquil environment.
Conclusion
Cool shades of blue, green, and violet can be used beautifully to enhance the ambiance of relaxed, airy tranquility in many rooms of the home. Bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, living spaces, dining rooms and home offices can all benefit from the calming yet mentally stimulating qualities of these hues. When decorating with cool colors, the key is maintaining balance. Use soft muted blues and greens thoughtfully as accents against warm woods, white walls, and neutral foundations. This prevents rooms from feeling too cold. Expertly blended, cool colors promote relaxation, productivity and an uplifting atmosphere.
