Painting with blues is different from painting with the blues—one describes your paint shade, while the other describes your emotional state. Blue is a deceptively difficult shade, and many people feel blue after realizing that the final result is nothing like the paint chip they saw in the store. 

Painting with blues is not very different from painting with other shades. You have to follow the same steps, including prepping your surface, painting evenly, and letting the paint dry completely. If you want to get the most out of the rich pigments of different shades of blue, here is your guide to painting with blue.

Test the Paint on Your Walls

One of the biggest mistakes people make when painting with blue is painting directly onto their walls without testing the color first. Blue has so many different, vibrant shades, but that is a drawback as well as a strength. A color can look one way on a paint chip but look very different when it is on your walls. Once you cover all your walls in it, it’s hard to go back.

That’s why painting professionals recommend painting a test swatch on your walls to see if you still like the color. It might look different depending on the light conditions and other factors.

Think about Your Lighting

The wide variations within the color blue mean that your shade will look different depending on the lighting you have in the room you are painting. Think about the lighting when you are choosing the shade of blue. For example, fluorescent light emphasizes cool tones, while incandescent light highlights warm undertones present even in the coolest of colors, blue. 

The lighting is another reason why you should test your paint with test swatches before painting a whole wall.

Choose the Right Accent Colors

Blue is the most popular color in the world, but a room that is entirely blue will feel overwhelmingly monochrome. Plus, choosing the right accent colors can make your design vision come to life. 

Match your accent colors to the undertones present in your shade of blue. Muted neutral colors are always a safe choice. Although many people like the nautical color scheme, white is often overwhelming, so choose a more muted neutral color. 

Earthy, warm tones can help balance out intense dark shades. Choose these colors for your furniture and trim when painting a room navy blue or indigo.

Use Even Strokes

Blue is one of the colors that is the least forgiving of uneven painting. It is very easy to see streaking or paint flecks. When you are painting your rooms blue, be very mindful of your painting technique. Be consistent, using all rollers or all brushes. Make sure all your strokes are going in the same direction to minimize stroke marks. Budget time for a second coat.

Getting the perfect shade of blue for your home is actually not that difficult as long as you follow these tips and carefully test your shades before painting.