Navy Blue Design: A Trend That’s Here to Stay

Navy Blue in Interior Design

The History of Navy

A quintessentially classic color, navy blue dates back to 1748, when it got its name from the color worn by officers in the British Royal Navy. Since then, the strong association with all things noble and nautical has not faded. Navy used in interior decoration continues to evoke images of the oceanside — even when found in a modern penthouse in downtown Boston like the recently completed Millennium Tower.

Millennium Tower is one of the newest, largest, and most luxurious developments in Boston, Massachusetts. With 442 residences and 60-stories, Millennium Tower looms over Downtown Crossing as the third tallest building in Boston. Sleeping Dog Properties, Inc. remodeled this luxury condo that included an elegant living room with custom millwork in neutral stone colors. These pieces were artfully balanced with elegant, navy sofas. Before becoming preferred contractors for Millennium Tower residences, Sleeping Dog Properties, Inc. remodeled some of Boston’s most famous luxury apartments including The Intercontinental, The Clarendon, The Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons. If you’re a Millennium Tower resident looking for a custom luxury contractor:
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For those who like to live their life in color, navy can be a great alternative to using black on your walls. Navy creates the same calming and masculine vibe that black does, while adding warmth, depth, and history.

In this guide to using navy in interior design, we’ll give you:

• Colors that pair with navy that aren’t white
• Examples of navy used in different rooms
• Our two favorite shades of navy paint for 2017

3 Creative Colors That Pair Well with Navy

If you’ve already fallen in love with navy and decided to paint the wall of your high-end condo this dramatic hue, you may be wondering what to pair it with. These 3 other colors poised to dominate 2017 will perfectly balance the navy in any home.

1. Windsor Pink

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This dusty pink adds a muted femininity that tempers the masculinity and drama of navy walls. Especially when used in concert with navy, this pink acts as a neutral instead of coming across too juvenile or overtly feminine.

2. Warm, glowing yellows

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The balance between these two colors can help you get away with some truly bold statement walls. Whether you’re using yellow as an accent to brighten an otherwise navy room or vice versa, this color combination is sure to add depth and warmth to any space in your home.

3. Pale shades of purple

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These pastel violets are all about striking a balance: between masculinity and femininity, youth and maturity, and work and leisure. Dee Schlotter, the senior color marketing manager at PPG, calls this shade “at once as nostalgic as it is modern. It’s substantial in a world that can sometimes seem so temporary, luxurious in a harsh world that needs pampering, and introspective and private in an invasive world.” Shades of pastel violet were also picked as colors of the year by the paint brands Olympic and Glidden. If you want your newly remodeled condo to be ahead of the curve, try pairing a navy wall with some pastel violet and white accents.

Where to Use Navy for Interior Design

Now that you have your color pairs picked out, you’ll need to decide on where in your home or condo to use navy. Should you paint your kitchen, bathroom, living room, or all three? Explore these recommendations to get some inspiration for using navy in your renovation or remodel.

Navy kitchens and dining rooms

White kitchens with splashes of blue (like custom navy kitchen cabinets) can instantly transport you to the beach. Alternatively, a blue tile backsplash can offset an all-white kitchen without going overboard on the nautical vibes.

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Navy Libraries, Studies, and Offices

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Navy as a color has long been associated with wisdom and tranquility. It’s no wonder, then, that it works so well in home libraries or studies. Navy walls can turn your home office into a peaceful den to escape the noise of bustling Boston streets.

Navy Living Rooms

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As a natural color, navy blue pairs well with other earth-toned furniture. If woods like mahogany are a few shades too dark, white oak and maple furniture are brighter alternatives that pair well with rich navy or indigo.

Prefer colors that are a touch more daring? The reserved calm of a navy wall means you can opt to use some wilder colors in your other pieces.

Make Small Rooms More Dramatic with Navy

Photo by Christa Grover from Burst

Contrary to popular belief, dark walls in small spaces can have dramatic and even space-opening effects. While white may create a more light-filled room, it lacks the same dynamism and subtlety of darker colors that change hues as the light changes throughout the day. Using navy instead of a jet black can create that elegance and depth without feeling too gothic. Just be sure to balance your navy bathroom walls with some bright accents and pops of color to prevent your room from becoming gloomy.

Navy bedrooms

For the same reasons that navy can make a home library more tranquil, it can also make your bedroom more comfortable and peaceful. A navy and silver color scheme hints at the luxury and maturity of black and white without being too stark.