How to Use Pantone's Classic Blue

Photo by Hutomo Abrianto on Unsplash

Sky at dusk is how Pantone describes classic blue, their 2020 color of the year. Restful and tranquil, a bold color such as classic blue gives the eye a place to rest as it travels around a space, which makes it ideal for accent items such as throw pillows, wall art or drapes. But, for the brave at heart, classic blue makes a suitable wall color for large rooms, too. And as an exterior paint, it can make your home look like a cover of Coastal Living. Classic blue evokes a nautical mood, indicative of long summer weekends by the bay, and that's never a bad thing. If you're longing to incorporate Pantone's 2020 color of the year into your home palette, here's what we suggest. 

Highlight an Architectural Feature

By using classic blue to highlight a single fireplace or a column, you bring importance to that piece without overwhelming an already dark room with an even darker wall color. Architectural features include:

By painting only the most important elements in your space in classic blue, you'll help them become focal points, which is what they were always intended to be. 

Paper an Accent Wall

Wallpaper is making a comeback this year, and what better way to feature classic blue than on an accent wall papered with a patterned print, like this one at Elle Decor? Bold, yet contained, classic blue patterned wallpaper is simply luxurious.

Modern wallpaper can be adhered with paste, or it may contain adhesive on the back of the paper that becomes activated in water. Peel-and-stick paper is another option that's gaining popularity. Depending upon your level of skill, hanging wallpaper may be an easy DIY project. But if you have little experience with pasting or booking, or if you don't know how to make sure the paper hangs plumb, professional installation might be a better approach. 

Upholster a Chair

Classic blue upholstery fabric, like these fabrics featured in Traditional Home, is a unique way to introduce this bold color into your home decor. Whether patterned or solid, upholstered furniture brings comfort and texture to your space. Additionally, upholstering a headboard or the top of a cedar chest adds depth and personality to a bedroom.

Of course, true lovers of the rich, classic blue color always have the option of painting entire rooms or house exteriors. When done well, with an eye for design, this can be quite beautiful. Dark colors such as this work well to make large, cavernous rooms feel more cohesive. And as a home exterior, classic blue can lend nearly any style of home a beachfront feel.