How to decorate with Farrow & Ball’s Oval Room Blue

Blue paints are popular for good reason: not only do they boast calming qualities but they’re some of the most timeless, and that’s especially true for Oval Room Blue.

This much-loved Farrow & Ball paint color is an intriguing and subdued mid-toned blue paint with green undertones that feels at home in plenty of rooms, from living rooms to bedrooms.

Below, we’ve rounded up all you need to know about this moody blue paint, including the best rooms to use it in and the paint colors it pairs well with. Read on for sophisticated and timeless blue room ideas.

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What color is Oval Room Blue?

large kitchen with warm blue wall and cabinets, gray floor tiles, white window ledges and ceiling with island unit

(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)

‘Oval Room Blue is a deep, nuanced blue with just enough green to keep it from feeling predictable,’ explains designer Melissa Read, creative director at Studio Burntwood. ‘It belongs in a country house kitchen with flagstone floors and well-worn oak, or in a child’s bedroom where you want something warm but not oppressive.’

Aligning with a wider shift reflected in the latest color trends – where the most stylish hues are less obvious interpretations of traditional colors – Oval Room Blue is made interesting through its green undertones and darkened appearance, resulting in a moody, vintage feel.

‘The color has a depth that shifts with the light, which is why it’s important to add a color swatch to each wall of the room and see how the colors change over the course of the day before committing to the color,’ adds Melissa.

muted blue paint swatch

Oval Room Blue by Farrow & Ball

How to decorate with Oval Room Blue

There are lots of ways to decorate with Oval Room Blue. Its blend of undertones and muted quality make it liveable, so it’s just as at home in lively living spaces as much as calming spaces like bedrooms.

Use it in a formal living room

living room with blue-green walls with shelving, traditional decor

(Image credit: Claire Staszak of Centered by Design, photography Taylor Hall O’Brien )

Interior designer Claire Staszak of Centered by Design used Oval Room Blue on the walls of this formal living room, serving as a timeless color that perfectly complements the warm-toned furnishings.

‘I love Farrow & Ball’s Oval Room Blue because it’s a fantastic blue-green color with enough depth to strike you as moody, yet still light and bright, especially in a room like this with great natural light,’ Claire tells us.

‘We tested a lot of colors for this space and I originally thought painting the entire room in this shade would be too intense, but the homeowners liked it and wanted to try it, and it ended up looking terrific! I particularly like how we paired the color with browns, raisins, and plums because overall it feels earthy rather than too preppy. It’s an extremely versatile color that can take on so many personalities, and it also blends well with tons of different colors,’ says Claire.

Pair it with off-white paints

dining room with light blue wall, white fireplace, white dining table with blue and white chairs

(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)

Whichever room you choose to decorate with this calming blue paint, consider teaming it with off-white paints to complete the look. This can help brighten the scheme, as demonstrated in this light and airy dining room.

‘Mid-blues such as Oval Room Blue will bring timeless elegance and sophistication to any room,’ says Patrick O’Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball. ‘This nuanced shade contains a little green running through it, making it appear utterly restful and calming. Try teaming with a restrained off-white such as Slipper Satin.’

Once you’ve decided on your color pairings for Oval Room Blue, Melissa Read suggests considering your paint finishes: ‘The choice of finish depends entirely on the space. For walls, Estate Emulsion gives that signature velvety depth, while cabinetry benefits from Modern Eggshell for a muted, robust finish. A high-gloss version on woodwork is a stunning option.’

Choose Oval Room Blue for small rooms

hallway with muted blue wall, black and white floor tiles and bike

(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)

Small rooms are another well-suited space for decorating with Oval Room Blue. With limited proportions, going a bit bolder with color in small spaces than you might do in the main living spaces is a quick and easy way to add interest. From hallways, as seen above, to small home offices and powder rooms, Oval Room Blue adds a pop of color which can be just what’s needed to enliven them.

For maximum impact, embrace color-drenching with this blue paint, continuing it to the walls, woodwork, and doors in addition to all four walls. Alternatively, you can create contrast by teaming it with varying hues. ‘Inchyra Blue or Down Pipe adds drama without shouting for attention,’ suggests Melissa Read. ‘If you want to lean into warmth, Dead Salmon alongside it is effortlessly chic – unexpected but perfectly balanced.’

Which room will you incorporate this moody blue paint? Whether it’s used in living rooms or hallways, it’s a failsafe choice if you’re looking for a timeless blue that doesn’t feel at all overbearing.

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