Thanks to its versatile nature, navy looks wonderful with almost everything, and there are many colors that go with navy blue. It is a primary modern neutral color that blends with almost any color, including other shades of blue. Colors that go with navy blue are not difficult to find since it is neither warm nor cold and, interestingly, belong to the neutral category.
Navy blue is one of those colors that works nicely in just about any setting, whether it be a home office, library, bedroom, or bathroom. It is your best option to avoid using the common neutral colors in your room. However, to improve the overall appearance of your room, you must combine this rich color with other colors because it cannot be used on its own.
Notably, it's important to understand navy blue's psychology before you start incorporating it into your space. Dive in!
What is the Psychology of Navy Blue?
The color navy blue is considered to give confident and strong vibes that help clear negative energy from any room or space. Moreover, because it is a dark hue, navy is linked to dusk and the passage between the light and dark phases.
Usually, blue is associated with relaxation; hence, navy blue is appropriate for the bedroom. However, navy blue is used in law enforcement as an indication of superiority or dominance as well.
Navy blue is also closely connected with beach and nautical motifs, so it is primarily used in coastal design.
Those who want to implement navy blue in their homes should consider the color combinations we have mentioned below to achieve the best combinations with navy blue.
What Colors Go with Navy Blue?
Blue is one of the most prestigious colors; thus, navy blue would be a great substitute for neutral colors. Also, since navy blue is rich, it needs to be complemented by other colors in any space. Keep on reading to understand in detail which colors match navy blue.
1. Navy Blue and White
White and navy blue are common in striped fabric used to make curtains with nautical theme colors. The choice of white and navy blue color combinations can easily be used to create a coastal or nautical theme.
The combination of dark navy and light white is more balanced than monochrome but less formal. Use navy blue cushions or small navy blue accessories like vases, candles, or wall hooks to bring the coastal feel in.
However, suppose you want to use white and navy blue colors without hitting the nautical theme. In that case, you can use luxurious fabrics not associated with the beach, like white faux fur cushions or a navy velvet armchair.
The elegant pairing can create visual depth in spaces with a lot of white furniture by adding navy blue accents like rugs and pillows. Alternatively, you can have navy blue walls or paint one of the walls navy blue to warm up the space.
Opt for large navy blue swathes like navy blue walls, navy blue bed linen with little white splashes like a white picture frame, or a white lampshade to achieve a sophisticated look.
2. Navy Blue and Pink
If you prefer to pair navy blue with a color that will make a bold statement yet still be feminine, then navy blue and pink are perfect. However, you will need to use pale shades of pink, such as blush pink, to soften a navy blue room and textures like silk or velvet.
Alternatively, add a neutral color and use simple textures to even out your color palette. A perfect example is a dark beige or light brown, where you can incorporate light brown wood flooring or a leather accent chair to prevent intensity from the navy and pink colors.
Another way of pairing navy blue with pink is by grounding the room with a navy blue and pink patterned rug or using throw pillows of both colors. Try to keep the large furniture pieces in neutral colors to balance the boldness of both colors.
3. Navy Blue and Shades of Blue
Different shades of blue complement navy blues and form serene color schemes. Although navy blue is almost similar to shades of blue like cobalt blue and royal blue, they are not the same since navy blue is less saturated and darker than these colors.
You can use a dark blue and combine it with sky blue to create a monochromatic color combination where you will incorporate the lighter shades of blue all over your space. For example, you can combine shades of navy blue: dark navy blue, light navy blue, and steel blue.
4. Navy Blue and Yellow
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Shades of yellow are the perfect partners for the navy blue hue. Yellow also comes in shades such as soft butter yellow to rich mustard yellow and complements navy blues perfectly.
The coolness of the navy blue is set against a vibrant yellow spectrum. Navy blue and yellow color schemes will make any room alive.
Given this, choose fabrics with various patterns or textures in shades of yellow and navy blue. It would be the perfect approach to energize your location.
Finally, if you want to create a livelier atmosphere in the living room, then complementing navy blue with lemon yellow will turn out to be more beneficial than you thought. On the other hand, pair navy blue with a pastel yellow to get a softer appeal.
5. Navy Blue and Brown
Brown can be combined nicely with navy blue but the use of these colors has to be in moderation. Thus, it is better to opt for lighter shades of brown when combined with navy blue. Choose lighter brown shades like caramel or tan rather than darker ones.
Brown is a great color that can break the coolness of navy blue. I have heard people say that brown is a dull color, but when incorporated into an area, like in brown wooden furniture and/or flooring, the place instantly gets the rustic theme.
Another alternative is selecting furniture that will have brown leather or faux leather that gives texture and warmth to your space.
6. Navy Blue and Purple
Purple is perfect as an accent color to give your space a powerful appearance as it balances the deepness of the color navy blue when used with lighter shades of purple like lavender and lilac.
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Apart from using the jewel tones in living rooms, they can also be used in bedrooms for a more luxurious yet cozy space. Adding the navy color with brighter purple shades to a room is easy with patterned rugs, throw pillows, draperies, art, and even navy blue walls.
Alternatively, you can use warmer elements like neutral bedding and wooden flooring to tone down the intensity of the two shades.
7. Navy Blue and Gold
Navy blue and gold is another loved pairing that doesn't get old with many ways one can incorporate it into their room. Gold is undoubtedly the ideal metal to use with navy-themed decor as its yellow undertones contrast with the blue and add warmth to the chilly tones of navy.
For a boudoir look, use large amounts of gold, or add hints of gold for a classier appeal. For example, matte gold will seem modern and modest, while glossy gold finishes will make a navy space look luxurious. You may also opt for brushed gold or brass for a more relaxed or rustic look.
Navy blue walls with gold accent furniture will automatically make the room look warmer and brighter. Another way to go about this is to choose stools with gold legs, gold-rimmed mirrors, wall shelves with gold holders, table lamps with gold stands, or even cushions with a golden sheen.
On the other hand, you can choose a wall covering with a gold pattern and a blue accessory for a classic combination.
8. Navy Blue and Gray
Gray is undoubtedly our favorite neutral hue among the rest. Choose lighter gray colors to add some sophistication to your space.
But go for a light gray tone or a medium shade if you want to use a combination of gray and navy. Dark gray can also work well with navy but can make a space look flat and uninteresting if that is the color chosen.
If you want to change the style, apply accents in another color brighter than the navy blue furnishings, such as emerald green, pastel pink, or gold, or combine gray and navy for a melancholy effect. Alternatively, if you have soft gray walls, create a gorgeous backdrop to enhance your navy blue furniture, or try adding navy blue accents with throw pillows and rugs.
You might think that a room feels cold and uninviting if it just uses gray or navy because these hues are both typically cool-toned. Instead, find a warm gray with undertones of brown to counterbalance this, or go with greige, a color that combines beige and gray.
9. Navy Blue and Red
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Red contrasts and complements blue, and it goes better with navy than virtually any other shade of blue. The red color is bold yet warm, while the navy blue color is cool and gives understated vibes.
Bright poppy red and blue blend well together, and this color combination looks especially excellent when combined with white to give a space an Americana feel. Blend these colors with classic materials like tartan and cotton stripes for the best feel.
Red, like maroon, gives a timeless and moody kind of feel to make spaces personal. These colors are a fantastic choice for an interior design concept in a cozy room with a ski chalet or log cabin because these colors can be mixed to create a warm and cozy environment.
10. Navy Blue and Orange
Since orange is the color on the color wheel that contrasts blue the most, it's safe to assume that any shade of orange will go well with navy. Adding bold carrot orange to any room will give it a fresh zing, making a room feel more playful and youthful.
Orange accents are one of the best colors with navy blue, especially for a young professional's apartment or a teenager's bedroom, because the color is fun and serious.
Coral and apricot are other shades of orange that would perfectly go with navy blue. Apricot is a softer shade of orange with yellow hints that feels cute and sweet and can be balanced well with navy blue, giving a more formal appeal.
On the other hand, coral is more subtle than the bright orange colors with hints of pink, which contrasts well against the navy to balance the calming energy of blue.
Lastly, if you are going for a more grown-up look, opt for burnt orange with navy blue, as it will give your room a comfortable and cozy feel.
11. Navy Blue and Black
Although navy blue and black are often viewed as contrasting colors, the two can be combined. They can also be used in different combinations at home to create the desired style and ambiance.
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Some of the ways that these two cool tones can be used include incorporating a navy blue or black throw pillow into a white couch. This will make your room interesting and contrasting. On the other hand, one can paint his or her walls black and then use the navy as the main color in the house, for example.
12. Navy Blue and Beige
Beige is a cozy neutral color that works well as a backdrop for navy accent pieces or walls. Beige is a versatile color as it works well with any interior design aesthetic and lacks individuality. It won't impose a certain look on you.
It is possible to benefit from this by making sure other spaces’ components determine the style. If a modern, minimalist effect is desired, beige sofas should be used; however, if a natural look is preferred, beige clay pots can be implemented. It is possible to make the beige look modern and stylish or attractive and luxurious in the appropriate environment.
13. Navy Blue and Bright Green
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Pairing colors like lime green or earthy green with navy blue makes the colors stand out and exude a modern look. When it comes to colors that complement navy blue and, at the same time, bring color into the decor, bright shades of green are a good choice.
They stand out in any room and because they contrast so much, they go especially well with neutral tones to liven up a room.
What are the Best Ways to Incorporate Navy Blue into Your Home?
- The navy blue color palette is a perfect choice to put on bedroom walls because of its calming vibe and is also seen as a transition color that helps you fall asleep
- Navy blue can be a good alternative to neutral colors such as gray or black.
- You can convert your traditional library by painting the walls with navy blue colors.
- Navy blue can be used as a substitute for black in both traditional and modern kitchen or bathroom cabinets.
- You can introduce navy blue accents in the form of throw blankets or pillows on light and neutral furniture.
Conclusion
Countless options are available regarding colors that compliment navy blue in interior design. Darker colors can be employed to give a more opulent look, while lighter colors can be used to give a navy blue space a hint of brightness.
Using this straightforward guide, you can design a stunning and trendy navy blue room that is ideal for any home. Regardless of your color, ensure it blends well with the navy blue color palette and gives the space a finished appearance.
