Redecorating your house can be a fun and creative process, especially if you want to rejuvenate your living space with a new print or color. Not only can a fresh coat of paint add some vibrancy to your home, but it can also set the tone for furniture and other elements of the decor. However, this does not mean that repainting your home is an easy task, as you have to decide what color works best for your final vision.
Sometimes picking the wrong color can leave your home looking tacky or unfinished, so it’s important to pick a shade that both thrills and inspires you. According to color theorists, one of the most popular colors to use is blue, as the color is known to draw attention and create a welcoming atmosphere. Because of this, blue can often be found on movie posters and book covers, which helps to demonstrate how effective the hue can be.
Currently, there are hundreds of shades of blue available for your home, with the various colors ranging from turquoise to midnight, so it can be hard limiting down your choices. However, one of the most popular shades is called slate blue, which features a combination of blue and grey paint. So if you have been looking for a hue that will refresh your entire home, this might just be the shade for you.
Of course, there are numerous variations of slate blue currently available, so making sure to use the color to its fullest potential is incredibly important when working with the paint. So to help aid you in the redecoration process, we have outlined some great ways to use slate blue in your home, from the bedroom to the kitchen. Just take a look down below and see which one catches your eye.
What Is Slate Blue?
Like all slate colors, slate blue is made by combining blue and grey tones, which often results in a calming shade that is perfect for painting houses. Otherwise known as blue-grey or livid, slate blue takes its name from a metamorphic rock called slate, as the color shares similar tones and attributes to the beautiful stone.
As a color, slate blue has a long and storied history in the United States, with the color being able to trace its origins back to an area known as the Slate Valley.
Situated between New York and Vermont, this 24-mile stretch of land is known for its mineral composition, which produces natural slate colors that dye the surrounding landscape with varying shades of purple and blue.
In the past, slate roof shingles were extremely popular in the northeastern region of the United States, with many houses sporting roofs that were made from the colorful stone.
However, this does not mean that mining for slate was an easy process, as the compounds used to produce the mineral were not available throughout the country, which means that slate shingles did not become truly popular until the mid-19th century.
During this time, slate could be found on many roofs across the country, with numerous gothic and victorian structures showcasing some of the stone’s most notable shades.
These days, many companies are able to replicate the natural composition of slate, by creating a slate polymer that mimics the signature tones and characteristics of the original rock. However, this new alternative is not as fragile as natural slate, which means it is much easier to work with.
Nowadays, slate is no longer confined to the exterior of the house, with the beautiful stone now featuring in kitchens and bathrooms across the world. Due to its popularity, you can now purchase countless paints that also mimic the stone’s various hues, which can range from muted tones to more vibrant blends.
Check out our article on “How Do You Paint White Distressed Look?”
Why Is Slate Blue Popular?
Slate blue remains a popular choice among homeowners because it is a combination of earth and sea tones, which have been blended together to create a beautiful and balanced shade.
Beyond this, blue is also considered to be one of the most popular colors of paint in the world, as the pigment is known to produce a calm and tranquil environment. This is because blue is seen as a natural color that we associate with the sea and the sky, which means it embodies some of the most beautiful aspects of our natural world.
Because slate blue balances the calming effects of blue with the modern sophistication of grey, it makes for the perfect addition to your home, one that can be used to bring depth and character to an otherwise drab and lifeless space.
Currently, there are hundreds of ways that you can utilize slate blue in your home, from the main source of color in a room to small accents that can help to punctuate the surrounding decor. So if you want to know how you can use slate blue to its full potential, we have gathered 12 inspiring ideas in the sections below.
12 Ways To Use Slate Blue In Your Home
Now that you have a general understanding of slate blue and its components, let’s take a look at how you can use the color to bring new life to your home.
- Slate Blue In The Office
Shade: Philipsburg Blue by Benjamin Moore
If you are the kind of person who works from home, then chances are you have an office space where you can immerse yourself in your work. However, this does not mean that your office has to be drab or muted, as even professional spaces deserve some tender love and care. So if you want to redefine your office, we recommend using a neutral shade such as philipsburg blue.
A member of Benjamin Moore’s most popular collection, this color is defined by its greyish tone, which helps to produce a sense of historical sophistication in the modern day. Inspired by an American landmark, the timeless shade features a contemporary quality that is perfect for modern homes.
When used in the office, this color can help to promote inspiration and intelligence, allowing you to complete your work in a cool and calming environment.
If you want to learn more about this paint color, then you can do so here.
- Slate Blue In The Bathroom
Shade: Little Dipper by Behr
Sometimes you don’t want to use a paint that is saturated with color, as dark and vibrant tones can detract from the rest of the decor. So if you have been searching for a neutral paint to use in your home, then there’s no better choice than little dipper by Behr. Not only is this blend almost completely void of any pigment, but it is also the epitome of a wonderful neutral color.
Neutral paints can work particularly in bathrooms, especially when they are used to accent the pieces that already exist in the space. Blue can often be found in bathrooms as the color promotes a relaxed spa-like atmosphere, with the hue also being associated with the natural element of water.
As a shade, little dipper can look beautiful when paired with a wood wrapped tub, as this can help to create a sense of tranquillity when taking a much-needed bath. The pale hue can also be used in contrast with charcoal tiles, as the almost non-existent pigment can help to punctuate the dark fixtures and decor.
If you want to learn more about this paint color, then you can do so here.
- Slate Blue On The Front Door
Shade: Slate Teal by Benjamin Moore
When it comes to repainting your front door, slate teal is a fun and vibrant choice that captures the true spirit of Americana. Not only does this paint color have the ability to make your house the focal point of the street, but it can also add some edge to the exterior of your home.
As a paint color, slate teal is deep and dramatic in its tone, which makes it the perfect choice for accents and other notable features. For example, if your house sports a white exterior, then you will love how the blue-green tone will draw attention to your home, providing newfound confidence to your property.
For the best results, we recommend complementing your new front door with potted plants and a fluttering American flag, as this will help to complete the polished and uniform facade. Once you have finished painting your front door, it may end up being your favorite part of the house, so it is important to maintain its good condition.
If you want to learn more about this paint color, then you can do so here.
- Slate Blue In The Kitchen
Shade: Icy Blue by Sherwin Williams
When it comes to redecorating your kitchen, it is best to avoid loud or confident colors, as they can often detract from the original decor. So if you have been searching for a light shade that will complement your kitchen counters, icy by Sherwin Williams is absolutely the best choice.
Although this color may often be mistaken for baby blue, the paint itself contains enough grey undertones to differentiate it from other lighter shades. Featuring a balanced blend of blues and greys, this paint can be used to brighten up your kitchen, with the saturated hue providing enough pigment to create a lively and inviting space.
This paint color also comes with the added benefit of being able to boost the light in an otherwise dark room, although it can still be used in rooms that receive a sufficient amount of sun. The shade works particularly well when paired with neutral decor, which means it is perfect for kitchens with marble or granite countertops.
If you want to learn more about this paint color, then you can do so here.
- Slate Blue In The Living Room
Shade: Thundercloud by Behr
Our next paint color draws its inspiration from the natural world, with the hue conjuring images of stormy clouds and rainfall. Because of this, thundercloud by Behr allows you to bring the cool tones of nature into your home, with the electric blue combining shades of grey and green to produce one of the most unique colors we have ever seen.
Due to its soothing and sophisticated nature, this paint color can look particularly attractive when used in high-traffic areas such as the kitchen or living room.
We recommend pairing this paint with paler shades of grey and brown, as the combination of nature-inspired colors will help to accentuate the dominant shade.
If you want to learn more about this paint color, then you can do so here.
- Slate Blue In The Den
Shade: Gentleman’s Grey by Benjamin Moore
When we think of gentleman’s grey, only one word comes to mind – diverse. Not only does this paint embody tones of teal and navy, but it is also blended with a hint of charcoal grey, creating a layered color that is oozing with depth and sophistication.
As a paint color, gentleman’s grey has a unique richness that will allow you to transform any room into a formal and almost regal environment. The paint itself is a major contrast to many of the paler neutrals that we have mentioned, with the dark tone punctuating any wall or surface that it is added to.
Because the color is brimming with depth and character, it works particularly well when used to paint large and expansive walls, which means it can be used in various rooms throughout the house. For the best results, we recommend pairing the paint with lighter shades of slate blue or even accents of pale brown and tan.
If you want to learn more about this paint color, then you can do so here.
- Slate Blue In The Bedroom
Shade: Light French Grey by Behr
Regardless of whether you are a morning person or a night owl, it’s important to paint your bedroom a welcoming color that will greet you whenever you open your eyes. So if you prefer more subtle shades, why not touch up your boudoir with some light French grey?
Produced by Behr, this exquisite color is light and pale, however, it still remains true to the distinct characteristics of a well-curated slate blue. Not only is this bluish-grey easy on the eyes, but it is also perfect for the bedroom, as it can be used to brighten shady areas and looks particularly attractive when paired with French windows.
Because of its pale hue, light French grey works particularly well when paired with saturated tones of pink, green and beige. However, the paint color can also complement off white decor and should be accompanied by neutral bedsheets for a complete look. Whatever you choose to do, we promise you won’t be disappointed by this beautiful hue.
If you want to learn more about this paint color, then you can do so here.
- Slate Blue In The Master
Shade: Flower Box by Benjamin Moore
With this stunning slate blue, you will be able to bring the beauty of the great outdoors into your home, as Benjamin Moore has created a paint color that brings to mind images of wildflowers blooming in an open field. Not only does this beautiful faded color combine blue and grey, but it also features a touch of lavender to produce a floral tone.
Although flower box is the type of color that can be used anywhere in the house, we think it looks best when used in the master bedroom, as the morning sun will help to highlight the color to create a soothing and dreamy aura.
Due to its versatile nature, you can pair this particular color with anything, although we do recommend using pastels and bright colors, as these will help to invoke the hues of the natural world. For the best results, flower box should also be accompanied by wooden furniture, as this will help to give your bedroom a summery and rustic feel.
If you want to learn more about this paint color, then you can do so here.
- Slate Blue In The Nook
Shade: Granite Peak by Sherwin Williams
If you have been searching for a versatile paint color that can go with anything, then look no further than granite peak by Sherwin Williams. This beautiful slate blue carries a heavy grey undertone and is very pleasant on the eye. Because of this, granite peak can work particularly well in the kitchen, whether that be on the walls or on the decor.
The best thing about this particular color is that it exudes a delightful calmness, despite being dark and moody in tone. For this reason, we recommend using the paint in the kitchen nook, as it can help to punctuate the countertops and cabinets. When paired with white fixtures this color simply pops, however, it can also look regal when paired with blue and copper assortments.
Although the color may appear grey on the surface, we promise that it is a beautiful shade of blue, which makes it perfect for homes that need some edge.
If you want to learn more about this paint color, then you can do so here.
- Slate Blue On The Outside
Shade: Vermont Slate by Benjamin Moore
Is there anything better than a statement front door? We don’t think so and it seems that Benjamin Moore agrees. So if you want to make the exterior of your house pop, why not repaint your front door with the stunning shade of slate blue.
Named after the birthplace of slate and slate colors, Vermont slate is a smooth and silky paint color that invokes the spectrum of colors now associated with the signature stone. When used to paint the front door of your home, this paint will deliver a unique and elegant look, which will make your house the talk of the town.
Not only can this paint color give your home a more traditional look, but it can also provide a modern aesthetic, creating the perfect balance between various fashionable trends. So it is always best not to detract from the front door once it has been painted, which is why we recommend pairing the hue with either a stark white or ivory paint.
If you want to learn more about this paint color, then you can do so here.
- Slate Blue In The Lounge
Shade: Smoky Azurite by Sherwin Williams
Slate blue is the kind of color that can be used in any room of the house, although it is best suited to relaxed environments such as the lounge or living room. As we previously mentioned, blue is a calming color, which means it can be used in the living room to promote relaxation and peace.
When using blue in the living room, the color can add a touch of vibrancy to any lifeless space, although it is best to pick a shade that complements the decor. This paint color by Sherwin Williams is the very definition of tranquillity and can be paired with simple furniture and neutral tones to create a well-rounded and inviting space.
As a shade of slate blue, smoky azurite falls more into the blue category than the grey, which makes it a spectacular choice for any homeowner looking to jazz up their dull interior.
If you want to learn more about this paint color, then you can do so here.
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Slate Blue In The Galley
Shade: Harmonious by Behr
One of the best ways to utilize slate blue is as a backsplash, which can be used to great effect in your kitchen or galley. Not only can a backsplash protect your walls from grease and food, but it can also add some much-needed color to a drab and neglected room.
Harmonious by Behr is a beautiful blue slate shade that brings to mind images of calm seas and open water, which means it can be used to produce a soothing and nautical feel in any room.
However, due to its bright and airy nature, this color is best used in small quantities, which is why it is the perfect choice for a kitchen backsplash. For the best results, we recommend pairing the ocean-like color with bold and bright hues, such as varying shades of pink, red and cream. You can also accompany the paint color with flowers and ornaments for a more complete look.
If you want to learn more about this paint color, then you can do so here.