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12 of the Best Dark Blue Paint Colours for Every Interior
You couldn’t scroll through the interior accounts on Instagram a few years ago without spotting dark blue paint in one shape or form. An inky blue bedroom wall. A deep navy kitchen. Dark navy blue is such a versatile shade. And even though dark blue paint may not be quite as widely used as it was in recent times, it still remains a popular choice.
It can create a moody, sophisticated atmosphere. Or a serene and calming one, depending on the specific shade and how it’s used in the space.
Why is Dark Blue Paint So Popular?
Blue is generally associated with feelings of calmness and peace. In fact, blue is often cited as the most popular colour globally, with many finding it calming and serene. So it’s a particularly appealing paint shade for people who want to create a relaxing and inviting atmosphere at home.
While trends may come and go, dark blue has a timeless quality that makes it a safe choice for many people. It can be easily incorporated into a variety of styles, from traditional to modern, and can complement a wide range of other colours.
Dark blue paint comes in a myriad of shades. From navy — a classic blue. Green-tinged, almost, teal blues. To the deepest, darkest black blues; think Farrow and Ball Railings.
It can be teamed with fresh white for a Hamptons-esque feel or used to colour-drench a room to create a cocooning, sophisticated vibe.
12 of the Best Dark Blue Paint Colours
But, whether you prefer a more green-toned blue or a black-tinged shade, I can guarantee there are so many dark blue paint colours on the market today that you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Here’s a rundown of the best dark blue paint colours to suit every interior.
1. 2AM by Coat Paints
2AM is Coat’s modern take on a dark, royal blue. The perfect deep blue for creating depth and intimacy in both modern and period schemes.
Looks fabulous here as a backdrop for the gold velvet snuggle chair.
2. Basalt by Little Greene Paint Company
According to Little Greene, ‘Basalt will look black, but it is easier on the eye than a pure, jet black paint. This dark shade is a popular choice for front doors, where natural light will draw out its charismatic blue undertones.’
This inky dark shade is the perfect canvas for the blush and peach tones in this bedroom.
It’s similar to Farrow & Ball’s Railings, which also looks black in most lights. It reminds me of the pot of Quink Ink that my parents always had on their desk. It looked jet black in the bottle but if you held it up to the light, it was the colour of the night sky.
A glorious inky blue-black.
3. Docklands by Fenwick and Tilbrook
Fenwick and Tilbrook say that ‘Docklands is a deep smokey blue which takes on different looks depending on the light, like the London riverfront, almost black at times yet in the light it exudes a richness and depth.’
The colour previously sat in their archive range as ‘King Arthur’.
4. Blakeney Blue Paint by Neptune
Neptune is a perennial favourite with the interior Instagrammers. Just a mention of the name and there will be a flurry of excitement. And if you can’t afford the hefty price tag of their kitchens or furniture, you can always buy a couple of cans of their paint to recreate the look at home.
Blakeney Blue sits in between teal and navy in their range of deep blue shades. Paler than navy but more of a true blue than teal, it’s fresh without being chilly, and is really uplifting with a fresh white paint.
5. Notte by Graham & Brown
I love this dark and dramatic shade. Perfect for a welcoming front door, as shown in the image above.
Graham & Brown say of Notte — ‘Notte translates as night, which resembles this perfect midnight blue. Notte is rich, deep and intriguing. This smooth, on-trend colour is ideal for a bold statement wall colour.’
I think it’s got a beautiful, rich violet undertone — similar to Stunning by Benjamin Moore.
6. Stiffkey Blue by Farrow and Ball
I used this shade to paint our bedroom back in 2016 and loved it. Although it wasn’t quite as dark as I’d have liked. I almost wish that I’d painted the room in Hague Blue, which is even deeper.
That said, it was a lovely backdrop to the colourful Bluebell Grey bedding.
Stiffkey — pronounced stew-key — is a gorgeous dark blue paint shade. Velvety in look, it’s a really relaxing shade for a bedroom.
7. Pantry Blue by DeVOL
When we were planning our house renovation, we went to Cotes Mill — DeVOL’s legendary kitchen showroom.
I fell in love with their kitchens and their Shaker kitchens are definitely what inspired our own kitchen.
Ultimately, I have such a love for the colour green. Whether it’s a yellow green, such as Pantone Woodbine. Or a gorgeous sage green, similar to the one we painted our own kitchen cabinets in. Green is definitely my happy place when it comes to colour.
But Pantry Blue is such an evocative shade, if we ever repainted our kitchen, I think this is the shade I’d go for.
DeVol say of this dark blue paint: ‘Special and almost daring, Pantry Blue is so popular people often think it is a kitchen range called The Pantry Blue Kitchen. We love that it has become so synonymous with the deVOL look it almost has its own special meaning. It literally goes with anything and everything and is the easiest of the dark colours to go for as it is uncomplicated to style up for glam or style down for effortless simplicity’.
8. Stunning by Benjamin Moore
Stunning by name, stunning by nature. This gorgeous dark blue paint is a dark sapphire blue that sparkles with violet undertones.
9. Midnight Ink No. 71 by Victory Colours
Victory Colours is an independent family business that apparently has been in the ‘Manufacturing and Decorating Industry’ for many years — although, for me, it’s a new name. I love their eco-friendly ethos. And their beautiful selection of colours too.
Midnight Ink is a very dark inky blue with black tones. I think it’s such a versatile shade — and is a lovely canvas for a modern home.
10. Indigo by Edward Bulmer
I’ve always thought that ‘Indigo’ was a dark purplish-blue shade.
So I Googled it and — yes — it is. Although, there is also a Wikipedia entry for Indigo that states:
‘Indigo dye is a greenish dark blue color, obtained from either the leaves of the tropical Indigo plant (Indigofera), or from woad (Isatis tinctoria), or the Chinese indigo (Persicaria tinctoria). Many societies make use of the Indigofera plant for producing different shades of blue.’
Wikipedia
Of the Indigo paint created by Edward Bulmer, the brand says:
‘The legendary source of Indigo gave it its name – literally ‘Indian’. The leaves of trees from the Indigofera family, prevalent there, could be fermented to produce a beautiful dye as well as a pigment’.
And true to the Wiki entry, this dark blue paint shade definitely has a lot of yellow in the mix, making it a greenish dark blue paint. I would say this is more teal than the purplish blue that the name Indigo first conjures up.
11. Kigali by Paint & Paper Library
This colour-drenched room in both Kigali and Squid Ink by Paint & Paper Library is a joy to behold. I love the men’s club feel. And just want to curl up in the bouclé chair with a good book and a big glass of red wine.
Paint & Paper Library says that Kigali is ‘a blackened denim – fabulous for kitchen furniture, walls with pictures and front doors’.
12. Como Blue by Zoffany
Last but certainly not least, Como Blue by Zoffany is inspired by the depths of Lake Como this deep blue infused with hints of red brings calm sophistication to a room.
I love how it’s paired with the colours in the image above. The dusky, deep pink door, flame-red chair and the acid yellow of the lamp really pop against that inky blue wall.
What Colours Go Best with Dark Blue?
Dark blue is such a versatile colour, and as I said above, it can create a moody, sophisticated atmosphere. Or a serene and calming one, depending on the specific shade and how it’s used in the space.
Here are some colour combinations that work well with dark blue paint. Cover up either the colour to the left — or the right — of the dark blue shade in the middle to see how well they work together as a pair.
Classic and Complementary
- White: This timeless combination creates a clean and sophisticated look. White can be used as a base colour with navy accents or vice versa.
- Cream: Similar to white, cream offers a softer and warmer alternative, adding a touch of elegance.
- Gray: Various shades of grey, from light to charcoal, provide a calming and neutral backdrop for your dark blue paint choice to shine.
Bold and Contrasting
- Yellow: A bright and cheerful yellow — like the opulent gold velvet snuggle chair in the Coat paints image — adds a pop of colour and creates a dynamic contrast with the coolness of the navy.
- Red and Pink: This classic pairing exudes energy and sophistication. Opt for brighter reds like cherry or deeper shades like maroon for a richer look. The flame-red chair — and the pink door — in the Zoffany shot above show just how beautiful these pairings can be.
- Peach and Orange: A playful and unexpected choice, peach adds a touch of whimsy and femininity when paired with navy. Orange, on the other hand, is a lively and playful colour that contrasts nicely with dark blue. It adds a pop of colour and a sense of fun to any interior.
Sophisticated and Luxurious
- Green: Deep, rich greens like emerald or hunter green create a sophisticated and natural pairing with navy. But — equally — the cool tones of sage green can create a classic and elegant combination when paired with dark blue.
- Beige or Tan: Beige or tan tones provide a soft and earthy complement to navy. This combination creates a warm and cosy atmosphere, perfect for creating a relaxed and inviting space.
- Metallics: Gold accents can add a touch of luxury and sophistication to dark blue. Whether it’s in the form of metallic accessories or gold-toned fabrics, gold complements the richness of dark blue beautifully. While silver accents can add a touch of elegance. Whether it’s in the form of accessories or fabric, silver can enhance the sophistication of dark, inky blue.
When using these combinations, consider the mood or atmosphere you want to create. Experimenting with different combinations can help you find the perfect match for your own preferences and style.
Pin & Save These 12 Dark Blue Paint Colors For Later
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
