Whether you want a shade to turn your bathroom into a spa-like haven or a color to lull you to sleep in your bedroom, here are some of the best blue-green paint colors!
Blue and green paints are serene and relaxing. Mix them together and you get shades that look like beautiful sea glass on the beach. It's no surprise they're my favorite colors in the fan deck. (Hence the name of this blog.)
So why not consider a blue-green shade for your home?
From seafoam to aqua to teal, blue-green paints look absolutely GORGEOUS and create a soothing atmosphere in any room.
Turn your master bathroom into your own personal spa! (Mine is currently Sea Salt.) Ease your stress at the end of a long day by painting your master bedroom walls a calming shade of seafoam. Add a pop of color to your kitchen cabinets or front door with a unique turquoise.
A blue-green paint color might just be the key to that home design project you've been putting off.
Here are some of the best blue-green paint colors for your home!
The Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of Paint
First, a word about Light Reflectance Value, or LRV, of paint. The LRV of a color tells you how bright or dark it is. Pure white has an LRV of 100, while pure black has an LRV of 0.
So LRV numbers closer to 100 will be brighter and lighter, and the lower the number, the darker the shade.
LRV can be a helpful tool, but whether a color counts as light or dark is pretty subjective. I've included a few tips below to help you decide how light or dark your blue-green paint should be!
Should I Choose a Light, Medium or Dark Blue-Green Shade?
Blue-green paints work really well in south-facing rooms. Since these rooms get lots of warm, golden light, the coolness of blue and green shades helps balance it out.
Darker and north-facing rooms tend to feel chilly, especially in the afternoon. In these spaces, choose a more intense blue-green, such as the medium and dark shades listed below. Likewise, very bright natural light can wash out lighter paint colors.
So a good bet is a more saturated shade.
The Best Light Blue-Green Paint Colors
Dreamy, soft and subtle, here are some beautiful light blue-green paint colors for your home!
Sea Salt by Sherwin Williams
SW 6204 / LRV 63
This serene, pale blue-green has a devoted following for good reason. Its gray undertones keep it neutral enough to work in any space.
With a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 63, it's light enough to use with confidence in any room. Plus, it's one of my favorite paint shades! Check out my Sherwin Williams Sea Salt kitchen.
Sherwin Williams Sea Salt is a grayish green with a hint of blue that reminds me of the fog rolling in from the sea. It's perfect for a tranquil bathroom or a family room for relaxed, small gatherings.
Note: Don't confuse this with the Benjamin Moore paint shade of the same name, which is a completely different color.
Palladian Blue by Benjamin Moore
HC-144 / LRV 61.17
Benjamin Moore says it best: “All is calm and relaxed with this soft, airy blue that combines the blue of the sky with a touch of the mother of pearl”.
Although Benjamin Moore's Palladian Blue has the word "blue" in its name, plenty of pale green is mixed in, making it blue-green. It has that dreamy, seafoam-washing-up-on-the-sand look.
Delicious, creamy, soft and serene, this light blue-green is a great choice for washing your bathroom walls. Or give your bedroom a cool, coastal vibe!
How enticing is this bathroom with a clawfoot tub from Interiors by Color in a complementary pale blue? The natural light brings out a touch of sunny yellow undertones, wrapping the tranquil space in warmth.
When I was considering my kitchen in our old house, I compared Palladian Blue and Sea Salt in this post.
Sherwin Williams Rainwashed
SW 6211 / LRV 60
Rainwashed by Sherwin Williams is a light blue-green-gray. It has a bit more blue in its makeup than the last two light blue-green shades we discussed. It really has the look of a grayish sky after rain or a soothing sea salt bath scrub.
With an LRV of 60, Rainwashed sits right on the line between light and medium paint colors.
If you're looking for a beautiful blue-green shade that's soft but won't wash out, this paint color is a great pick. There's also enough gray mixed in to keep it muted.
The Best Medium Blue-Green Paint Colors
If you're looking for a blue-green paint color with a little more punch, but nothing too dramatic, consider a medium-toned blue-green.
Saturated and bold, these jewel-toned shades recall the rich, sparkling look of sea glass.
Rhine River by Benjamin Moore
689 / LRV 47.52
If you crave a sea foam shade with a bit more pigment, look no further than Rhine River by Benjamin Moore.
This highly saturated shade won't get washed out by bright light, so you'll enjoy its richness any time of day. The blue-gray-green color makes a great backdrop for mahogany and teak furniture in a midcentury modern house.
Look at this stunning built-in bookcase with gold trim from Interiors by Color!
Aegean Teal By Benjamin Moore
2136-40 / LRV 23.96
Next, I'm proud to introduce Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year for 2021, Aegean Teal!
Named for the famed region of ocean, coasts and islands in the Mediterranean, Aegean Teal is a rich blend of blue-green and gray.
As Ben M. puts it, "an intriguing mid-tone that creates natural harmony."
Consider me sold!
This soothing shade looks sophisticated and stylish as an unexpected kitchen cabinet color. It also looks great on built-in bookcases and adds a pop of color on an accent wall.
Aegean Teal is on the brink of crossing into darker territory, but it still has an element of softness.
The Best Dark Blue-Green Paint Colors
Elegant and sophisticated with an air of mystery, these gorgeous deep blue-green shades may be exactly what your home needs. Push the design envelope a little further with one of these picks.
Night Train by Benjamin Moore
AC-18 / LRV 21.25
Night Train by Benjamin Moore is also known as Smoky Mountain AC-18. It has a smoky quality thanks to its gray undertones. Benjamin Moore's descriptions are so poetic that I can't resist including them.
Here’s what Ben Moore has to say about Night Train: “A velvety gray-blue made enticing with its smoky undertones and complex, cultivated color. A beautifully deep hue that is refined and cosmopolitan”.
I couldn't agree more!
Inchyra Blue by Farrow & Ball
No. 289 / LRV Approx. 49.7
Inchyra Blue is a blue-green paint color with the depth of a Pacific Northwest forest. This stunning shade from Farrow & Ball will be a conversation starter in your home.
Seriously, how gorgeous is Inchyra Blue behind the gallery wall in this dining room from Style by Emily Henderson? Is it teal? Is it hunter green? Once this amazing deep blue-green is on your walls, you won't care what to call it.
Honorable Mentions
Two more blue-green colors have also made their way into my home, and I can't leave this post without mentioning them, too! (In my opinion, you can never have too many.)
Ready to book that coastal vacation now? I don't blame you! I hope you enjoyed this post about the best blue-green paint colors for your home. Which one is your favorite?
More Paint Color Ideas for Your Home
- Best Blue Paint Colors for Your Home
- Favorite Gray Paint Colors for Your Home
- The Best Living Room Paint Colors
- How to Pick the Best White Paint Color
- Building a Color Palette for Your Whole House
TIPS FOR PAINTING A ROOM ON YOUR OWN
I've gathered some of the best tools for painting a room yourself. First, check out this post I wrote: Painting a Room in 5 Easy Steps. These are the top tools I use when painting my own rooms, which is how they get painted 95% of the time!
- Paint Brush – These brushes cost a little more than basic ones, but they're worth it! I've used them for more than a decade, and if you wash them thoroughly after each use, they'll last for years.
- Painter’s Tape – a MUST have for taping off edges. You'll need to tape all the edges if you don't have a steady hand.
- Drop Cloths – a must if you don't already have some lying around the house.
- Paint cup – Sure, you could use any old cup, but I've come to swear by this one. The magnetic piece holds your brush neatly in place when you need a break. And it fits my hand perfectly, so it doesn't cramp up.
- Roller Tray – This is the only paint tray I'll ever use again. The magnetic piece holds the roller in place nicely. The liners are a luxury, but I won't paint without them because they make cleanup a breeze!
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