Create a serene space with your perfect shade of pastel blue.

Design professionals nationwide areselecting it for kitchen cabinetry, trim, built-in shelving, bathroom vanities, and more.

So what exactly makes pale blue interiors so refreshing?

light blue kitchen island

Credit: Michael Partenio

Perhaps the color reminds us of the sea, sky-blue hydrangea, or traditional Provencal houses with pastel shutters.

“It’s the color of faded denim.

“Be careful with undertones,” Wadden says.

kitchen sink with light blue cabinets

Credit: Nick Smith

“With this light of a color, too many red undertones will make it look periwinkle.

Shades with a hint of yellow keep it looking blue rather than purple.”

She notes that you should also make sureit has a touch of gray to it.

blue powder room with polka dots

Credit: Leslee Mitchell Photography

Are you keeping any existing colors in the space like the trim and door?

If so, she recommends making sure the blue has similar undertones to those colors.

Lighting conditions also change the appearance of blues in a room.

light blue painted front door

Credit: Jane Beiles

“If the space has natural light, is it a predominantly cool or warm cast?

Is it bright or pretty shaded?”

The Best Light-Blue Paint Colors

We turned to top interior designers for their powder-blue paint color recommendations.

kitchen with light blue cabinets

Credit: Alise O’Brien Photography

These are their favorite choices for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and more.

“We tested several shades to get it just right.”

“The thread of blues throughout tells a complete story,” she says.

kitchen with blue painted range hood

Credit: Jeff Herr Photography

Crew painted the door in Benjamin Moore’sMediterranean SkyusingFine Paints of Europe.

It stands out against crisp white trim and rich wood floors.

Custom plaster and millwork details honoring the spirit of the historic 1928 Atlanta home accent the room.

light blue cabinets and walls with blue print wallpaper

Credit: Emery Davis Photography

“Tranquility was chosen for its calming, clear sensibilities but also the historic reference,” Mathison says.

“Sometimes a custom color is the best option!

Light blue is so fresh and airy but adds a design punch.”

cedar leaf cabinets

Credit: Spacecrafting Photography

While called gray the color’s cool undertones read blue on walls, trim, and cabinetry.

Meditative, Sherwin-Williams

Jennifer Barron of Houston’sJennifer Barron Interiorsloves light blue in a cheery kids bathroom.

Her go-to?Meditativeby Sherwin-Williams.

bathroom with blue vanity and patterned wallpaper

Credit: Molly Culver Photography

“Bathroom vanities are great places to throw up a bold splash of color,” she says.

Normandy Blue, Benjamin Moore

Barron also recommends Benjamin Moore’sNormandy Blue.

“Going bold on a kitchenpaint coloranchors the space in a unique and impactful way,” she says.

kitchen with light blue cabinetry

Credit: Molly Culver Photography

For consistency, she coordinated shades of blue thought the home.

Interior designer Claudia Kalur ofCFK Interiorsselected this aqua shade for a pair of bathroom vanities for young sisters.

Sherwin-Williams:Wadden recommendsSleepy Blue,Tradewind, orKryptonfor a more classic look.

large kitchen with blue cabinets

Credit: Jane Beiles

“These are typically what come to mind when we think powder blue,” she says.

If you’re looking to design a cheery, traditional space, useicy blue shades with white.

For a touch of whimsy, patterned wallpaper and coordinating pastel blue trim can create exuberant energy.

bright blue bathroom vanity

Credit: David McCaughan

“It also can be super-refined with sleek metal finishes,” she says.

Frequently Asked Questions

All light blue paint will start with a white base.

Making a color that works for your design will depend on what undertone you prefer.

light blue kitchen cabinets

Credit: Robert Radifera

If you want the color warmer, your paint can be mixed with yellow or brown.

If you’re looking for a cooler blue, the paint will havemore greenadded to it.

living room with light blue painted walls

Credit: Courtesy of Benjamin Moore