BLUE IS THE NEW WHITE
We can all appreciate a beautiful white closet or kitchen when we see one, but lately I’m seeing many clients stepping outside the box with their color choices! People are ready to try something new, and looking for something that feels fresh to introduce to their homes. Many times when clients come to us for a closet, it isn’t their first home, and recently it seems like many are feeling like white closets are a little… “been there, done that”! At the same time, many shy away from bright or bold hues in their more private, daily-used spaces, for fear they will tire out on the color and be stuck. Enter — the blue closet.
Blue is associated with calmness and serenity. It’s often described as peaceful, tranquil, secure, and orderly. There’s no surprise this was Pantone’s 2020 color of the year, as these are qualities we all sought out. Now, clients are looking to the calming color as a near-neutral option for their closets and most private spaces in their homes! Given the many variations of the color, from Royal to Robin’s egg, you have so many choices as to how you might want to incorporate it into your closet. A bolder blue could really envelop your room while a subtle silvery blue-grey might go unnoticed until closer inspection. Here, I want to look at all the ways you can transform the typically white elements of your dressing room to incorporate a bit of color for a sanctuary you never want to leave!
CABINETRY
If you are someone who never does things 50%, then you’ll likely thrive in a colorful lacquered closet! Pick a nice cool tone that suits your personality — there’s a shade of blue for everyone! If you have a more colorful wardrobe, you might opt to keep your clothes behind doors, or select a paler color palette. In any case, if you find a color you love, don’t shy away from an all-over paint job, as even the most intense shade of blue can create a beautiful, enveloping closet space!
WALL COVERINGS
blue painted cabinetry with mirror fronts and a matching settee are paired with a stenciled wallpaper design that is both transitional and timeless. The wallpaper helpts to carry the color around the room without being over-bearing.
A natural scene of flora and fauna set against a blue backdrop could be the missing element to tie your closet to the rest of your home. finding the right pattern can make any closet feel instantly more custom and inviting.
a blue painted ceiling complements the traditional elements of this dressing room, making for a timeless and understated look.
Maybe your closet is already existing, and you’re looking to freshen things up? Or you shy away from bold swatches of color in your home? Then, consider a calming shade of blue for your walls, cabinet backs, or ceilings! Paint and wallpaper go a long way in transforming a space, and can be a budget-friendly option if you’re looking to try out a trend in your home, without fully committing. A sky-blue shade on the ceiling could open up your closet to feel triple its size, and makes for a calming morning sanctuary to start your day. Don’t be afraid to try something new — install a playful patterned wallpaper in your closet cabinets or on your ceiling, as these can always be changed later!
FLOORING AND RUGS
Another great place to incorporate color in your closet, without the permanence or price tag of a complete closet overhaul, is in picking your flooring! Cover your existing hardwoods with a dreamy dyed area rug, or opt to do a wall-to-wall carpet in a classic shade or pattern. The perk of putting blue on the floor, is that you can incorporate a deeper shade, since it’s observed in smaller doses and can be broken up with the furniture you place around the room. You can keep the rest of your closet as minimal or monochromatic as you wish, while still making a statement. If you’re loving the idea of an all-over look, then don’t hesitate to match your carpeting to the color of your cabinets, in a simple complementary pattern!
ACCESSORIES
TIFFANY-BLUE STORAGE BOXES ARE AN UNDERSTATED ADDITION TO THIS OTHERWISE TRADITIONAL WHITE CLOSET — ADDING JUST A TOUCH OF COLOR ALONG WITH ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONAL STORAGE!
Accessories make the room, and are by far the most accessible way to take home a new trend! If you love the idea of blue in your closet, but aren’t sure the shade is here to stay, dress up your existing closet with a few decorative pieces that will work with any style of space! Swap out your hardware for blue agate or crystal pulls — an easy upgrade that won’t break the bank, and will dress up the look of your existing dressing room! Vanity trays, throw pillows, and ottomans are other great options, as you can transition these pieces to other parts of your home later if you choose, and they add a boutique, furnished feel to the closet. And we all know you can never overlook the power of good hangers to transform a closet — swapping for a consistent collection of blue and gold velvet hangers could complement your new blue closet or add just the right amount of color to an otherwise neutral space!
