Red and Blue: A Bold Color Pairing Redefining Classic Interior Design
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PublishedJun 17, 2025 2:00 AM EDT
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Red and blue are emerging as one of the most compelling color pairings in contemporary interior design. From tableware and lighting to kitchen cabinets and flooring, this dynamic duo—most often presenting as powder blue and cherry red—has become a defining presence across the design landscape. The combination delivers a sophisticated yet spirited aesthetic that is capturing the attention of designers and homeowners alike.
"Pairing a red with a dusty or powder blue gives an elevated look to a very familiar color palette we'll be sure to see more of in the next couple of years," notes Ashley Banbury, color marketing manager at HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams. British interior designers in particular are showcasing the remarkable versatility of red and blue in residential spaces. Alice Palmer applied the pairing to bring striking character to a cavernous laundry room, while Laura Stephens used it to infuse classic bathroom millwork with playful sophistication. Discover our curated selection of design approaches and product recommendations for achieving this look.
Elevate the Laundry Room with Bold Color
"I wanted to add some interest and character into a space that is so often an afterthought and quite sterile in its design," Palmer explains of her decision to apply an unconventional palette to this laundry room. With nearly everything tucked behind a curtain or cabinet, the space offered the ideal canvas for bold color and patterns without risk of visual clutter. She selected a high-gloss red paint on the cabinets to maximize light reflection and paired it with a floral blue wallpaper print from her own brand, Alice Palmer & Co., to elegantly balance the richness of the red.
Establish the Design Direction
On paper, the two bathrooms in this London home share common elements: fluted red vanity doors and blue wall paneling. Yet Stephens gave each a distinct personality by emphasizing a cool-toned combination in one and dialing up the brightness in the other. The tonal direction you choose can define whether a space reads as a refined guest retreat or an energetic family hub.
Embrace Mid-Century Retro Elegance
Red and blue carry an inherent retro quality that translates especially well in kitchen design. While the curved cabinets (finished in Sherwin-Williams' Bluebird Feather) and cement counters in this Pittsburgh kitchen honor the mid-century architecture, the zellige tile backsplash introduces a contemporary refinement to the overall aesthetic.
Define the Space with Color Alone
Red and blue create such a striking visual presence together that they can define an entire space through color alone. This quality is particularly effective when the goal is to draw attention to a designated area—such as a dining room—establishing a clear sense of purpose and gathering.
Craft a Restful Bedroom Retreat
Fariz Mamedov, founder of FM Interiors, enveloped his client's compact bedroom nook in a calming shade of dark blue, then defined the 77-square-foot area from the adjacent living room by marking the trim with a matte red paint finish.
Curated Product Selections
Block Shop x Sunbrella
Key Fabric — Premium Outdoor Textile ($165 per yard)
Red and blue's summery character makes it an ideal pairing for outdoor furnishings. Sunbrella's collaboration with L.A.-based brand Block Shop represents the latest collection to market. The motifs, including this key design, draw inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock House in Los Angeles (circa 1919), lending the patterns a timeless architectural appeal.
Peter Dunham + Hudson Grace
Red Kashmir Hand-Painted Paisley Salad Plate — Artisan Tableware
Debuted at NYCxDesign: Hudson Grace's collaboration with designer Peter Dunham. Each of these paisley-patterned plates is hand-painted in Italy, reflecting exceptional artisanal craftsmanship.
Multi-Striped Patterned Shower Curtain — Bathroom Accent
This subtly nautical striped shower curtain offers a no-renovation approach to achieving the playful red-and-blue bathroom aesthetic showcased in Stephens' designs.
Tuxedo Sofa, 98" — Statement Seating
Nickey Kehoe's Tuxedo sofa has long been a design favorite, but the discovery of this Americana-inspired colorway reintroduces the piece with fresh appeal and distinctive character.
Domino x Heather Taylor Home
Tomato & Blue Petite Pillow — Decorative Accent
This ruffle pillow, designed in collaboration with Heather Taylor Home in 2023, anticipated the red-and-blue color trend with its charming proportions and distinctive textile detail.
Direktörs Lampa — Sculptural Lighting
European designer Beata Heuman also embraces this color combination. The Direktörs Lampa features an articulated joint beneath the shade, allowing precise adjustment for optimal lighting angles and functional elegance.
Bada Bing! Draper Stripe Wallpaper — Wall Covering
Backdrop's spring wallpaper collection introduced the Draper Stripe, a refined interpretation of pinstripes inspired by men's suiting fabrics. A closer look at the lines reveals a subtle hint of blue woven into the design.
Rollakan Iris Wool Rug (4'7" x 6'7") — Artisan Floor Covering
Swedish rug brand Layered's Rollakan collection honors traditional Scandinavian women's craftsmanship, making this wool rug a culturally rich and artfully made selection for any interior.
Lydia Geisel
Home Editor
Lydia Geisel has been on the editorial team at Domino since 2017. Today, she writes and edits home and renovation stories, including house tours, before and afters, and DIYs, and leads our design news coverage. She lives in New York City.
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