Not Navy, Not Azure – Jessie Buckley and Wunmi Mosaku's BAFTA Gowns Prove Cobalt Blue Is Interior Design's Next 'It Shade'

The BAFTA awards red carpet was a sea of cobalt blue dresses, including on the Best Leading and Supporting Actresses – here's how we're styling it in 2026

jessie buckley and wunmi mosaku on the left and a blue living room on the right
(Image credit: Stuart Wilson/BAFTA via Getty Images | Simon Bevan)

Blue has always been a staple color for interior designers, and this year, it's getting bolder. Cobalt blue is having a major resurgence, and Jessie Buckley and Wunmi Mosaku's matching BAFTA dresses are the first harbinger of the shade's upward trajectory. For last night's awards, both the Best Leading Actress and Best Supporting Actress stepped out in the electrifying shade of blue.

Fashion is usually ahead of interiors by about a season, with the colors, patterns, and silhouettes we see on the runway appearing in our homes about a year later. That's why, for anyone who wants to get ahead of interior design trends, now is the best time to start integrating cobalt blue into your home.

wunmi mosaku and jessie buckley in cobalt dresses at the BAFTA after parties

Wunmi Mosaku and Jessie Buckley in matching cobalt blue dresses at the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2026 After Party at The Royal Festival Hall

(Image credit: Stuart Wilson/BAFTA via Getty Images)

First, why is cobalt blue popular for 2026? Hebe Hatton, Head of Interior Design at Homes & Gardens, explains: 'Blue has often been employed as a neutral tone, but this year, we're seeing many designers use blue as an accent color.

Cobalt is the perfect candidate for this shift because it is naturally bold and eye-catching. It feels like a novel take on a classic, which I think people are always interested in.'

Shop the Cobalt Blue Edit

There are dozens of ways to use cobalt blue in your home, but one of the best may be as a home office idea. Charlotte Ford, design expert at Ruggable explains: 'A vibrant shade of cobalt blue is excellent for home offices. This is because deeper shades of blue are said to be more stimulating and can increase concentration.'

She advises: 'However, cobalt doesn’t need to be the primary color palette if the hue is too bold for you. Instead, opt for a neutral colour palette as your base and then accent it with cobalt blue for a subtle finish. You can add pops of blue into the room through furnishings, rugs, and decor.'

a cobalt blue living room with blue sofas, curtains and walls

A cobalt blue living room

(Image credit: Simon Bevan)

The hue is incredibly versatile and can fit into a variety of schemes. Charlotte recommends: 'For a maximalist style, Cobalt blue pairs well with mid-century modern furniture pieces, bright pink or coral colorways, and a mix of fabrics and textures such as velvet, silk, and linen. You can even play with patterns, too, through colourful, geometric rugs and wall art.'

modern dining space with bold blue walls, dark green doors, white walls

(Image credit: Sherwin-Williams)

The beauty of cobalt blue is that it elevates a classic we have all used in our homes. We're so curious to see how this trend evolves over the coming year. If you enjoy our celebrity news and interior design advice, why not sign up to our newsletter so you never miss the latest features?


Sophie Edwards
News Editor

Sophie is a writer and News Editor on the Celebrity Style team at Homes & Gardens. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly passionate about researching trends and interior history. She is an avid pop culture fan and has interviewed Martha Stewart and Hillary Duff.

In her free time, Sophie freelances on design news for Westport Magazine and Livingetc. She also has a newsletter, My Friend's Art, in which she covers music, culture, and fine art through a personal lens. Her fiction has appeared in Love & Squalor and The Isis Magazine.

Before joining Future, Sophie worked in editorial at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens brand. She has an MSc from Oxford University and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.