I Always Thought Cool Blue Would Make My Rooms Look Cold and Uninviting – But This 2026 Trend Can Actually Create the Most Welcoming Spaces if You Know How to Use It

A blue so pale it feels like a neutral, here's why designers are loving cool blue

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Bedroom with pale blue walls, a floral canopy and pale blue headboard, neutral bedding, white vintage nightstands, and a small blue loveseat
(Image credit: Rebecca Hughes)
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It's in the name: cool blue. This shade says cold, and with that, I assumed uninviting. But I can no longer ignore the rise of this pale, sky blue. I am seeing it everywhere I look, from my own social media feeds to the houses on the pages of Homes & Gardens. Cool blue is the color of 2026 so far.

Blue is, of course, a timeless shade, as versatile as a neutral, and there's always a certain blue that's topping color trends. Right now, it's a cool, muted blue that's powdery but not as soft as a powder blue, and uplifting but not quite as bright as a sky blue. Named recently within Pinterest's 2026 palette, it's a shade that's set to dominate this year.

Nursery with pale blue painted walls, rattan carpet, wooden dresser, vintage wooden chair with sheepskin throw, a wooden cot and baskets hanging on coat hooks

Cool blue makes this nursery feel cozy and inviting, providing a cocooning effect that soothes and calms.

(Image credit: Harriet Slaughter)

'Cool blue can feel beautifully classical and elegant, think of Robert Kime’s pale blue sitting rooms and bedrooms layered with warm textiles and dark wood furniture. Equally, it can feel very contemporary, especially when used in a full color drench,' explains color expert Harriet Slaughter explains.

Harriet addresses my immediate concerns with the color leaning too cold to create cozy spaces by telling me it's about the shades I can pair it with. Combining this on-trend shade with warmer hues is her simple solution.

Sharing the colors that go best with pale blue, Harriet explains 'I love pairing it with bright red accents for a flash of warmth, or with natural materials such as oak, sisal carpet, and brass detailing. In simple color theory terms, orange sits opposite blue on the color wheel, so cool blue is a wonderful way to temper rooms with very warm or orange-toned timber floors.'

'I chose to paint my son’s nursery in ‘Celestial Blue’ by Little Greene,' she continues. 'Although it reads as a cool blue, this particular shade leans slightly warmer, which makes it perfect for creating a cozy, restful space. I decided to drench the room ceiling, woodwork, and all, which made for a very cocoon-like space.'

Bedroom with pale blue walls, vintage mahogany dresser, floral headboard and bedding with floral blanket, vintage prints and a blue painted bookcase

Suiting for a sleep space, the pale blue paint gently frames this cozy bedroom without overwhelming it.

(Image credit: James McDonald)

With soothing, gentle qualities, it's hardly surprising that Charlotte Boundy chose to use a subdued blue in the guest bedroom of her home. But like me, she also tends to steer clear of cooler colors in her home, but makes an exception for cool blues.

'Whilst I don’t often gravitate towards cooler colors in my interiors, there is something about Light Blue by Farrow & Ball that I return to time and time again,' she explains. 'It has an unmistakable gentleness, a traditional blue with a softness that never feels cold and seems to shift beautifully over the course of the day.'

'Light Blue is not a color that clambers for attention or risks falling out of favour; it endures. It sits as naturally within the pared-back simplicity of a contemporary interior as it doesn’t amount to the layered textures and gentle patina of a country house, proving that the most lasting colors are often the most understated.'

Living room with floral wallpaper, an upholstered chair and matching stool in blue and red fabric, a red lacquer side table, and a tv unit painted in pale blue

This eclectic living room features layers of whimsical patterns that could feel busy, but the cool blue accents gently connect and ground the space.

(Image credit: Rebecca Hughes)

A calming color that bridges the gap between neutral and striking, cool blue can provide a grounding touch to a room with a lot going on, as proven with this eclectic living room designed by Rebecca Hughes.

'Soft, pale blue is one of my favorite colors to use because of its inherently calming and restorative nature,' explains Rebecca. 'It evokes the quiet of the sky and sea, which makes it particularly well-suited to spaces where relaxation is a priority. In bedrooms, cool blue creates a serene, airy atmosphere.'

'I love using pale blue on bedroom walls as a gentle backdrop, paired with a warm creamy white on trim, ceilings, or bedding to keep the space feeling balanced and inviting. The warmth of the creamy white prevents the blue from feeling too crisp, creating a soft, harmonious contrast. Layering in natural textures – such as wood furniture, linen bedding, woven rugs, or subtle brass accents – adds depth and warmth.'

Pale blue painted bathroom with vanity unit, vintage chair with floral cushion, gold towel rack, yellow floral sconces and window with potted plant

A cool blue paint brings subtle depth to this serene bathroom, balanced by the vintage, lived-in details.

(Image credit: Jonathan Bond)

While cool blue could sound sterile in a bathroom, when balanced with lived-in accents, it can provide tranquillity and calm that's so fitting in a room designed for getting ready or slowing down.

This blue bathroom, designed by Leonora Birts, is proof that cool blue creates character in a bathroom, particularly when balanced with vintage details. She explains, 'I tend to use cooler blue colors in either bathrooms, or kitchens. Rooms where there is a lot of natural space and light, so the room doesn’t feel too cold and dark.'

'If you're using a cool blue in the home, you have to balance it with good levels of decorative lighting and warm colored fabrics. I love the combination of blues and warm yellows.'

Shop Cool Blue Decor

From whimsical lighting to elegant bookshelf decor, these six cool blue picks will bring a cool, calm, and collected feel to your home.

Alright, I am sold. Cool blue works in the right space, paired with the right colors and the right layered decor. But this is a chameleon shade, and it will totally change depending on the room and the light it gets, so be sure to order plenty of samples before you commit to a paint color.

'If I had to choose a favourite color, cool blue would certainly be up there,' Harriet tells me. 'It is calming and incredibly livable, but it does need thoughtful placement as it can sometimes feel a little cold, and I would generally be cautious in north-facing or naturally gloomy rooms.'

Eleanor Richardson
Eleanor Richardson
Interior Design Content Editor