For its Colour of the Year 2020, Pantone has chosen Classic Blue (opened in a new window/tab): a deep and versatile shade that works well all around the home.
So today, we’re going to look at some ways to use it in a biophilic interior…room by room.
An introduction to Classic Blue
“Suggestive of the sky at dusk, the reassuring qualities of the thought-provoking PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue highlight our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.
Imprinted in our psyches as a restful color, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue brings a sense of peace and tranquility to the human spirit, offering refuge. Aiding concentration and bringing laser like clarity, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue re-centers our thoughts. A reflective blue tone, Classic Blue fosters resilience.”
Cit Pantone
In colour psychology, blue is a colour that helps rational thinking and stimulates self-expression while instilling a sense of responsibility.
Like every colour, it also has its negatives (like its association to cold and sadness), but it still remains a very popular hue.
I won’t go into whether such a "safe" colour has been too much of a conservative choice (opened in a new window/tab) for the beginning of this important decade.
What's for sure is that it is a timeless shade of blue, that won’t feel dated next year. So let’s dive into some good examples of biophilic interiors with Classic Blue!
Biophilic Design & Classic Blue
Being quite a deep shade, Classic Blue pairs well with many other colours. This versatility makes it good both as an accent over a more muted base and – for the bravest – as a base colour itself.
Living area
Classic Blue is a great colour choice for a sofa. Natural wood textures complement it beautifully, regardless the colour. When paired with light or greyish wood tones, it shines as an accent. With walnut-like wood tones, it creates an interesting contrast.
Last but certainly not least, it matches great with black, white, and all greys in between.
Dining area
In the dining room, Classic Blue can be used as an accent or spread on a full wall. If the available space is small, landscape murals can help enlarge the room visually while adding a nature-inspired element. And to introduce a real natural element, Classic Blue creates a vibrant backdrop for a fireplace!
Kitchen
Blue kitchen cabinets are certainly a statement that can be enriched with natural elements for a more biophilic result. For instance, a light stone backsplash and streamlined wood shelves would be perfect in a contemporary design. Instead, a wood floor with marked grain would add more of a rustic touch, that could be further emphasized with unpolished wood cutting boards and terracotta accessories.
Bedroom
For its relaxing properties, blue is the colour for the bedroom. Like in every other room, greenery is always a good complement to it, as well as a juxtaposition of natural textures.
Bathroom
Stone (or stone-like) surfaces are a good choice to introduce a natural texture in the bathroom while keeping all finishes practical and water-resistant.
Natural shapes can also be reproduced with bathroom-appropriate wallpapers or – why not – with mosaic tiles!
Biophilic Details
And to finish off, here are some more biophilic details that have caught my attention. From leaf shapes and water textures to fractal patterns, there are plenty of possibilities to introduce a touch of Classic Blue in a biophilic interior!
