Blue is a color that introduces a calm, cool atmosphere into your room. It complements most other colors, allowing for versatility when choosing accent colors and the style of your decor. A vibrant, deep shade of blue is a beautiful backdrop for French country decor when you add splashes of yellow, or accent the deep blue walls with splashes of bright lime green or brilliant red for a more contemporary interior. Walls painted with softer shades of blue can be accessorized with white wicker or white, weathered wooden furniture to create a cottage or a country look.
1 Paint your trim with glossy white paint. This will provide a fresh look and a pleasing contrast to your walls.
2 Paint your bed with a color that will reflect your choice of decor. A weathered white finish on a wooden or wrought iron bed will coordinate well with light or medium shades of blue walls to decorate with a country or cottage style. Yellow or an aged red finish for your furniture will accent a country French room. Bright lime green or a vivid red will provide striking contrast with dark blue walls if your preferred style is contemporary.
3 Dress your bed with crisp white linens. Top the sheets with a thick, white goose-down comforter. Spread a multicolored quilt over the comforter. Blue-and-white or multicolored calico fabrics used in a pieced quilt will complement blue walls for country, French and cottage interiors. A bedspread designed with bold geometric patterns is a pleasing accent for a contemporary room. Pile embellished accent pillows at the head of the bed. Mix and match printed fabrics, including splashes of blue to reflect your wall color.
4 Paint two four-legged wooden tables to place on each side of your bed. Coordinate them with the color of the bed. Use white or a color that will contrast in a pleasing manner with the shade of blue used for your walls. Lightly sand them for an aged country look. Use a sleek, glossy finish for a contemporary setting. Place lamps on top of them.
5 Refinish a dresser with paint to match your bed. Replace the hardware with knobs or pulls to reflect the country or modern style of your room.
6 Scatter area rugs on the floor. Braided multicolored cotton rugs will accent the blue walls and all styles except for contemporary. Use a solid bright color rug or woven rugs with modern bold designs. Use the same palette as your bed linens.
7 Hang long, white, breezy fabric panels over the windows to complement your country, French or cottage decor. Dress contemporary windows with simple accordion shades. Add a cornice or long fabric panels. Reflect the color palette used for your bed linens. The color of the curtains should provide contrast to the blue walls.
8 Decorate your blue walls with art and accessories. Pastoral scenes painted with blue skies or still-life paintings that include splashes of blue will enhance your country, French or cottage style room. Hang a grouping of baskets or a blue and white quilt for interest. For modern blue walls, display abstract renderings or linear weavings and textiles that include blue and colors from the bed linens.
9 Place an accent table under a window that blends well with your other furniture. Choose an antique piece with a dark finish for French, country or cottage interior. A black wrought-iron table will work well for a modern approach. The dark table will contrast nicely against your blue walls. Place potted plants on it. Tall orchids will add a contemporary touch, while ivy and African violets will add old-fashioned flavor. Stack books next to the plants. The books can be vintage leather-bound editions or collections of bold photographic images.
