Dark, moody colors were popular in this year's predictions for the new “it” shade as we continue to look for ways to bring some personality back into our spaces. Blue is an ever-popular color that evokes serenity and peace. However, add some dramatic, dark undertones and you have a room full of style – no wonder Farrow & Ball's Hague Blue color is so popular with many designers.
Brand ambassador and color expert Patrick O'Donnell says it's one of Farrow & Ball's best colors; “Our ever-popular 'Hague Blue' is an atmospheric color that's a real treat in any room.”
While colder blues can lean too much toward “millennial gray” and working with dark, almost black hues can be daunting, the green and yellow undertones of “Hague Blue” make it a color that, while deep, is always still full of warmth and liveliness.
So if you're looking to refresh your space and add a touch of drama that still feels totally livable, could this be the best blue color for it? Below, we dive deep into why designers love it so much, where to use Farrow & Ball's Hague Blue, and what to style it with.
What makes The Hague Blue so popular?
(Image credit: Jamie Thomson. Design: Amy Jones, Greta-Mae)
Farrow & Ball explains on their website that this shade takes its name from the colored woodwork that the Dutch often use, and that it is therefore particularly suitable as a trim color, “for the bottom of skirting boards, or as an accent color on the walls.”
Its versatility and therefore popularity lies in the warmth it brings to a room – the green undertones of this timeless blue ensure that it works just as well in living rooms with lots of natural light as it does in darker rooms that receive very little natural light.
“It's a versatile color that adds depth and warmth to the space, taking it from functional to sophisticated,” says interior designer Amy Jones, owner and designer of Greta-Mae Interior Design, who has used Farrow & Ball's “Hauge Blue” numerous Home projects, in bathrooms, bedrooms and living rooms.
The Best Rooms to Use Farrow & Ball's Hague Blue
(Image credit: Jamie Thomson. Design: Amy Jones, Greta-Mae)
Because it's a darker and moodier blue, Patrick says Hague Blue can be used in most rooms, and even “in north-facing rooms because the underlying green note means it never feels too cool.” Although it's a fairly dark color, its warm undertones make the shade less overpowering and easier to use in a room that doesn't get a lot of sunlight.
Just like navy blue, it's a pretty universal shade – there are plenty of navy living room ideas, navy kitchen cabinet ideas and navy bedroom ideas that would work with Farrow & Ball's Hague Blue. It has this deep saturation that creates a sense of drama while maintaining blue's natural sense of calm and serenity.
Other rooms where you may want to use a darker shade of blue are those where you want to create a focal point. It is one of the best colors for entryways, powder rooms and mudrooms which are generally smaller and would make this shade really stand out.
Amy Jones says: “We used 'Hague Blue' for the bathroom [shown above] because its classic, timeless quality complements the room beautifully. The rich, deep hue conveys a feeling of luxury while providing a striking contrast to the crisp white sanitary ware.”
Similar shades to Farrow & Ball’s “Hague Blue”.
Price: $8.50
Size: 100 ml sample
Price: $3.95
Size: Peel and stick sample
Which colors go well with “Hague Blue” by Farrow & Ball?
(Image credit: Farrow and Ball)
When it comes to colors that complement Farrow & Ball's Hague Blue, Patrick recommends: “Always try a sensitive white, such as Old White, rather than a pure white, as it softens the contrast .”
You want to reflect the warmth of “Hague Blue” in its counterparts so that the color pairing fits together harmoniously rather than creating too jarring a contrast. Benjamin Moore's Swiss Coffee paint color is another yellow-tinged white that would be a nice complement to “Hague Blue.”
As previously explained, this shade has the same dark but warm undertones as navy blue and deep olive green, meaning it can actually seem like a neutral in color schemes (just like navy blue). That being said, and given blue's position on the color wheel – opposite orange – anything that has a warmer tone is a complement to “Hague Blue.”
Below are some shades to inspire you.
Colors that match “Hague Blue”.
“India Yellow” by Farrow & Ball
Price: $8.50
Crowd: 100 ml sample
“Pink Ground” by Farrow & Ball
Price: $8.50
Crowd: 100 ml sample
Price: $5.95, peel-and-stick sample
How to style Hague Blue in your home
This cozy paint color is a dramatic yet simple combination with many different design styles. The nod to navy blue makes Hague Blue a traditional, almost vintage-inspired color that can create a real sense of nostalgia in a room.
“This shade offers beautiful depth that serves as the perfect backdrop for layering patterns and textures, adding character and warmth to our spaces,” describes Amy.
If your style is more contemporary, drenching in color is always a popular way to really immerse yourself in a dramatic yet chic look. Painting your walls and trim this rich blue is the ultimate way to breathe life into a room and make a real statement – but one that doesn't feel overwhelming.
If you want to start with something more understated, put a few pillows on your sofa or place a vase painted “Hague Blue” (or a similar shade) on your mantel.
Shop Hague Blue inspired decor
Indigo Artisan Handcrafted Ceramic Collection
Price: $99
Size: Medium, 11″ H
Round decorative tray by Kate and Laurel Lipton with metal handles
Price: $79.99
Color: Navy blue
All this talk about Hague Blue makes me want a refresher. How do you decorate with this dramatic yet calming shade of blue?