The sand between your toes, the gentle lapping of the waves and the fresh sea breeze to fill your lungs – yes, nothing beats a day on the coast. But what if you could have a hint of that coastal calm in your own home?
Introducing ocean blue paint – the perfect way to create a serene vibe in any space.
In this article, we’ll dive into why ocean blue paint is a fantastic choice, the best places to use it in your home, and the perfect colours to pair it with.
The calming effects of ocean blue paint
With the hustle and bustle of modern life, more people are seeking to transform their homes into a peaceful sanctuary. Somewhere you can escape and unwind. Calming colours are a key ingredient, so does this type of blue fit the bill?
Absolutely. First of all, blues are known to be calming. This is backed by research by the University of Sussex as part of The World’s Favourite Colour Project. They asked thousands of people to choose their favourite colour and list how different colours made them feel. “Relax” was the most common association for the colour navy blue.
Blue also goes hand in hand with biophilic design – the concept of connecting people to nature through design. Along with greens and browns, blues are natural colours that we see in the sky, the ocean and other bodies of water.
This may be the reason behind blue’s association with relaxing. Things that are blue have been notoriously good for humans throughout evolution, like clear skies and clean water.
Anna Franklin from the University of Sussex agrees. “Although blue has some negative connotations, such as an association with sadness, our research shows that it is in fact a colour that we respond positively to… Blue is the ocean, the sky, and other research suggests that the colour blue can even enhance creativity.”
Beyond mere survival, blue has become a particularly positive colour in modern life. It has associations with the coast, where the sea and the sky dominate your field of vision. It’s innately linked to calming places where we go to escape the hustle and bustle.
So, what is ocean blue?
Ocean blue colour paint can refer to a few different shades of blue. One option is a quintessential Mediterranean blue like Pool Boy (below), which has warm undertones that transport you to the coasts of France, Italy and Spain. You can also add a turquoise twist with shades like Anguilla, which have a distinctly Caribbean vibe.
Ocean blue paint can also be deeper and darker, if you’re picturing late-night walks on the beach or that midnight arrival at your coastal destination. Into the Night and After Midnight encapsulate this perfectly – both strong, dramatic and soothing.
There are several lighter colours that fall into the ocean blue category too. Beach Hut and Santorini (below) are bright, cheerful mid-blues with hints of green, which have their own connotations of sea, sun and sand. Or dive deeper into aqua with Mermaid for a Day.
How to use ocean blue paint in your home
You don’t have to turn your home into an ocean colour scene to give this trend a try. Start small with a modest piece of furniture like this small table in Mermaid for a Day. The splash of bright blue adds life to the room without dominating the space.
Take things one step further with a large piece of furniture like this dresser in Pool Boy.
This is a real statement piece, which has given a new lease of life to a dresser that was outdated before painting.
The calming vibes of ocean blue paint are also perfect for a timeless kitchen makeover. Take a look at this kitchen transformation using After Midnight.
Don’t forget your walls and woodwork. A feature wall or accent wall is a great idea if you want to incorporate a colour without repainting an entire room. Alana Kate has used Hornblower on her feature wall, complete with eye-catching wood panelling.
Doors and skirting boards are another excellent choice. Who says they have to be white or natural wood? Check out this coastal cool bedroom, using Anguilla on the walls and woodwork. It’s paired with aqua-blue Village Fayre on the walls for a totally serene setting.
Pairings for ocean blue colour paint
One of the best things about ocean blue paint is its versatility. It complements a wide range of colours beautifully.
Balance brights or jewels
Whether it’s emerald green or bright coral shades, blues are a beautiful backdrop that can balance jewel tones. Use ocean blue as a base on a feature wall and add pops of brighter colours with furniture and soft furnishings.
Inject energy into browns and greys
Ocean blues also add contrast to neutral, earthy tones like browns and greys. It injects some much-needed energy, while keeping the overall scheme feeling natural and grounded.
Pair with sun & sand hues
Another great idea is to pair ocean blues with yellows to allude to the sand on the shore or even the sun in the sky. Check out our article on ocean paint colours for tips on how to pair different nautical tones.
Paint your way to coastal calm
Ocean blue colour paint makes it easy to transport yourself to the serene shores, where all your stresses simply wash away with the tide.
With Frenchic, you can dip your toe or dive right into the ocean blue paint trend – the choice is yours. Our paints adhere to a wide range of surfaces, from walls and woodwork to wood, uPVC and so much more. They’re self-priming, reducing prep time and saving you the hassle of buying extra products.
To find the perfect ocean blue paint for you, browse our online store and find your nearest Frenchic stockist. All our stockists are highly knowledgeable about Frenchic products, so they can help you find the perfect paint for your needs.
