What Colors Go With Navy Blue – Crafting 25 Color Schemes

Welcome to our exploration of navy blue, a timeless and elegant hue in the world of interior design. As we delve into the art of color pairing, I’m excited to share my insights on the 25 color combinations that harmonize best with navy blue. Whether you’re aiming for a bold statement or a tranquil oasis, the right combinations can elevate your space to new heights. Join me in uncovering the true potential of navy blue and transform your interior into a reflection of style and sophistication. Let’s make your design dreams a reality!

Blending 25 Perfect Shades with Navy Blue

In my design journey, I’ve discovered the transformative power of blending colors, and recently, I embarked on a captivating challenge: harmonizing 25 perfect shades with the deep, elegant tones of navy blue. This endeavor was not just about finding complementary colors, but about creating a symphony of shades that enhance and elevate navy blue’s innate sophistication. From the soft whisper of pastel pinks to the bold statement of metallic golds, each color interaction brought a new dimension to this versatile hue. It was like painting with emotions, each brushstroke adding a layer of personality and depth. This exploration was more than a design experiment; it was a personal journey through the rich tapestry of color, proving yet again that navy blue is not just a color, but a storyteller.

What Color Is Navy Blue?

As an experienced interior designer, I’ve had a long-standing affair with the color navy blue. To me, it’s more than just a color; it’s an embodiment of depth, elegance, and timelessness. Navy blue, in its essence, is a deep, dark blue that often gets mistaken for black in dim lighting. It’s like the ocean at midnight – profound, mysterious, yet calming. This color has the unique ability to add both warmth and sophistication to a space, making it a go-to choice for creating focal points in a room. Whether it’s in the plush comfort of a velvet sofa or the subtle elegance of drapery, navy blue brings a sense of luxury and serenity that few other colors can.

In my designs, I use navy blue not just as a color, but as a character that shapes the room’s narrative.

Nautical Blue and Pale Yellow

This combination brings to mind a bright, coastal vibe. Nautical blue, reminiscent of the sea, pairs wonderfully with the sunny and cheerful pale yellow. Use nautical blue for larger elements like walls or a sofa, and accent with pale yellow in cushions, vases, or artwork. This pairing is ideal for creating a fresh and airy space, perfect for living rooms or sunrooms.

Royal Navy and Dusty Rose

This elegant duo blends the deep, sophisticated tone of royal navy with the soft, vintage charm of dusty rose. Consider royal navy for wall paint or large furniture pieces, while using dusty rose in accents like throw pillows, curtains, or floral arrangements. This combination is great for creating a romantic and luxurious atmosphere, suitable for bedrooms or formal dining areas.

Midnight Blue and Ivory 

Midnight blue and ivory offer a classic and timeless appeal. The deep, serene midnight blue provides a strong base, which is beautifully complemented by the light, neutral ivory. Use ivory in larger areas like walls or flooring, with midnight blue in furniture or accent pieces. This palette is excellent for creating a peaceful and elegant space, ideal for bedrooms or home offices.

Indigo Dye and Burnt Orange

This vibrant pairing combines the deep, rich hue of indigo dye with the warm, earthy tone of burnt orange. Indigo can serve as a striking background color, while burnt orange can be used in accessories like rugs, lamps, or artwork. This combination is great for adding warmth and energy to a space, perfect for a living room or den.

Azure Blue and Light Gray

This cool and calming combination pairs the soft, sky-like azure blue with the neutral, modern light gray. Azure can be used in softer furnishings or wall colors, while light gray can ground the space in furniture or flooring. This palette is ideal for creating a serene and contemporary space, suitable for bathrooms or minimalist living spaces.

Cobalt Blue and Cream

Cobalt blue, known for its vivid and striking presence, pairs beautifully with the soft and soothing cream. Utilize cobalt blue in statement pieces like an accent wall or a bold sofa, and balance it with cream in larger areas or textiles. This combo is perfect for creating a dynamic yet balanced space, great for living rooms or home offices.

Sapphire Blue and Pale Green

This duo, inspired by nature, combines the deep, jewel-like sapphire blue with the fresh, gentle pale green. Use sapphire blue in larger pieces or wall colors, complemented by pale green in accents and decor. This palette is ideal for creating a harmonious and refreshing space, suitable for bedrooms or spa-like bathrooms.

Yale Blue and Coral

Yale blue, a deep and academic hue, pairs wonderfully with the lively and playful coral. This combination is perfect for creating a space that is both sophisticated and cheerful. Use Yale blue for walls or major furniture items, accented by coral in decorative elements. Ideal for study areas or creative spaces.

Prussian Blue and Gold

This regal combination features the deep, intense Prussian blue with the luxurious and shimmering gold. Utilize Prussian blue in large areas or main furniture pieces, and bring in gold accents through light fixtures, frames, or decorative items. This palette is perfect for creating a rich and opulent atmosphere, suitable for formal living rooms or dining areas.

Classic Navy and Crisp White

A truly timeless and versatile combination. Classic navy provides depth and sophistication, while crisp white adds freshness and light. Use navy in substantial elements like furniture or an accent wall, and white in walls, ceilings, or linens. This duo is perfect for creating a crisp, nautical-inspired look, suitable for any room in the house.

Deep Navy and Soft Gray

This palette combines the strong, profound deep navy with the understated, modern soft gray. Deep navy can be used in statement pieces or focal walls, balanced by soft gray in larger surfaces or furnishings. This combination is ideal for creating a sophisticated and contemporary space, great for living areas or bedrooms.

Vibrant Navy and Bright Yellow

This energetic pairing blends the solid, classic vibrant navy with the lively, sunny bright yellow. Use vibrant navy for a strong base in walls or major furniture, and bright yellow in accents like cushions, artwork, or decorative items. This combination is perfect for adding a pop of color and joy to a space, ideal for children’s rooms or casual living spaces.

Midnight Navy and Dusty Rose

This elegant and subdued combination pairs the deep, mysterious midnight navy with the gentle, romantic dusty rose. Midnight navy can be used in large areas like walls or major furniture pieces, complemented by dusty rose in textiles and decor. This duo is great for creating a moody yet soft atmosphere, suitable for bedrooms or cozy reading nooks.

Navy Blue and Brick Red

A bold and dynamic duo, navy blue offers depth and stability, while brick red adds warmth and character. Use navy blue in larger elements or as the primary color in a room, with brick red as an accent in textiles, wall art, or decor. This combination is ideal for creating a space that feels both grounded and vibrant, perfect for living rooms or dining areas.

Navy Blue and Teal

This pairing combines the classic, deep navy blue with the modern, refreshing teal. Navy blue can serve as a strong base color, while teal can be used in accent pieces, upholstery, or wall decor. This combination is great for creating a lively and contemporary space, suitable for family rooms or home offices.

Navy Blue and Mustard Yellow

This striking combination uses the deep, sophisticated navy blue with the bold, energizing mustard yellow. Navy blue can be the primary color for walls or large furniture, accented by mustard yellow in decorative elements or textiles. This duo is perfect for creating a space that is both elegant and vivacious, ideal for a modern living room or kitchen.

Navy Blue and Blush Pink

A soft and romantic pairing, navy blue provides a strong and elegant backdrop, while blush pink adds a touch of sweetness and light. Use navy blue for larger elements and blush pink for accents and accessories. This combination is great for creating a gentle yet sophisticated space, perfect for nurseries or feminine bedrooms.

Navy Blue and Forest Green

This nature-inspired combination pairs the deep, nautical navy blue with the rich, earthy forest green. Navy blue can be used in major pieces like sofas or walls, complemented by forest green in accents and decor. This palette is ideal for creating a space that feels both grounded and luxurious, suitable for studies or lounges.

Navy Blue and Tangerine

This vibrant and playful duo combines the classic navy blue with the bright, energetic tangerine. Use navy blue as a base in furniture or walls, and add pops of tangerine in accessories, textiles, or artwork. This combination is perfect for creating a fun and lively atmosphere, great for kids’ rooms or creative spaces.

Navy Blue and Cream

A classic and calming combination, navy blue provides depth and elegance, while cream adds a soft and soothing touch. Utilize navy blue in substantial pieces like furniture or accent walls, and cream in larger areas or textiles. This duo is ideal for creating a sophisticated and tranquil space, suitable for living rooms or bedrooms.

Navy Blue and Charcoal Gray

This sophisticated pairing blends the deep, classic navy blue with the sleek, modern charcoal gray. Navy blue can be used in key furniture pieces or walls, balanced by charcoal gray in larger surfaces or accents. This combination is great for creating a chic and contemporary space, perfect for urban apartments or modern offices.

Navy Blue and Magenta

This bold and vivid combination pairs the strong, traditional navy blue with the bright, playful magenta. Use navy blue as a grounding color in walls or major furniture, and magenta in accents and decorative items. This duo is ideal for creating a space that is both elegant and energetic, suitable for entertainment rooms or artistic spaces.

Navy Blue and Olive Green

This earthy and rich combination uses the deep, classic navy blue with the natural, subdued olive green. Navy blue can serve as a base color for walls or key furniture pieces, complemented by olive green in textiles and decor. This palette is perfect for creating a space that is both cozy and refined, great for living rooms or home libraries.

Navy Blue and Champagne

This elegant and subtle pairing combines the timeless navy blue with the soft, luxurious champagne. Utilize navy blue in larger elements or as the primary room color, accented by champagne in soft furnishings, lighting, or decor. This combination is ideal for creating a sophisticated and inviting space, suitable for formal living areas or master bedrooms.

Navy Blue and Silver

A sleek and modern combination, navy blue offers depth and sophistication, while silver adds a touch of glamour and modernity. Use navy blue in major furniture pieces or wall colors, complemented by silver in accents, fixtures, or textiles. This duo is great for creating a contemporary and stylish space, perfect for modern living rooms or offices.

In conclusion, this guide to pairing navy blue in interior design not only showcases the versatility and timeless elegance of navy blue but also illuminates how it can be harmoniously blended with a wide array of colors to suit any taste and style. As a color interior design expert, my personal experiences have consistently highlighted navy blue’s unique ability to create both a statement and a harmonious backdrop in any space. Whether you’re drawn to the boldness of vibrant contrasts or the subtlety of softer pairings, I hope this article inspires you to explore the dynamic potential of navy blue in your own home, creating spaces that resonate with your personal style and bring joy to your everyday living.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What Are the Best Complementary Colors for Navy Blue in Interior Design?

In my experience with interior design, I’ve discovered that soft shades like pale gray and muted coral complement navy blue beautifully. These combinations strike a balance between sophistication and warmth, creating inviting living spaces. Additionally, adding accents of rich gold or brass can bring a touch of luxury to navy blue-themed interiors, creating a timeless and elegant ambiance.

How Does Navy Blue Interact With Metallic Colors Like Gold or Silver?

When it comes to combining navy blue with metallics, I’ve found that gold accents add a sense of opulence and sophistication, creating a luxurious feel in both home decor and fashion. On the other hand, silver complements navy blue in a more modern and contemporary way, creating a sleek and stylish contrast. It ultimately depends on the desired aesthetic and the mood you want to convey.

What Are Some Tips for Using Different Shades of Navy Blue in a Cohesive Design?

Incorporating various shades of blue, including the deep richness of navy, into a cohesive design requires careful consideration of contrast and harmony. I often use navy as a foundational color and then introduce lighter blues or teal as accents to create depth and visual interest. This layering effect adds complexity and sophistication to the design, whether in interior decor or fashion choices.

Charlene Lewis( Content Creator and Creativity Writer )

In 2005, Charlene completed her Wellness Diplomas in Therapeutic Aromatherapy and Reflexology from the International School of Reflexology and Meridian Therapy. She worked for a company offering corporate wellness programs for a couple of years, before opening up her own therapy practice. It was in 2015 that a friend, who was a digital marketer, asked her to join her company as a content creator, and this is where she found her excitement for writing.

Since joining the content writing world, she has gained a lot of experience over the years writing on a diverse selection of topics, from beauty, health, wellness, travel, and more. Due to various circumstances, she had to close her therapy practice and is now a full-time freelance writer. Being a creative person, she could not pass up the opportunity to contribute to the Art in Context team, where is was in her element, writing about a variety of art and craft topics. Contributing articles for over three years now, her knowledge in this area has grown, and she has gotten to explore her creativity and improve her research and writing skills.

Charlene Lewis has been working for artincontext.org since the relaunch in 2020. She is an experienced writer and mainly focuses on the topics of color theory, painting and drawing.

Learn more about Charlene Lewis and the Art in Context Team.