28 ideas for decorating with blue & white

I am all about blush and faded colors in decor- but sometimes you just need a little bit of blue and white with a sprinkle of bold colors in a room. Blue and white can be bold and beautiful – and soft, elegant & charming at the same time.

It is one of those combinations that is classic and is always on repeat in design. And in this post- I have updated some of the ideas to add a couple more ways to bring that beautiful color and color combination to your home.

But it isn’t trendy. Blue and white mingling in decor has been around for years and years. And it is  perfect to incorporate into your home for spring and summer. You can add it as just a little touch of color or as a whole lot to love.

There is no right or wrong way to do it. Some of my favorite designs have layer upon layer of blue and white patterns- from wallpaper to curtains to bedding.  And at the same time- some of the simplest of touches speak the most.  And today it is all about simple ideas to incorporate  blue and white in your home from just a touch to a few layers.

#1. Blue Floral on the bed

This duvet is at Rachel Ashwell’s house when I was there to photograph it for a magazine feature- and it was absolutely beautiful. A little different in tones and colors than traditional blue and white- which shows you can bring in that color even with softer shades and get the look.

2. Transferware plates and platters on the wall

Because. Transferware on the wall is always a beautiful thing.  A tip for this look is to use mismatched vintage plates and/or new plates. You don’t have to wait to have a collection before putting this wall together. 

#3. With a vase

I love using old pots and containers for flowers- blue & white is perfect for a touch on the table. And if you find outdoor pottery with a drain hole that you love and want to use it as a vase- simply place a jar or container inside for the water. 

#4. Stack them up

On the shelf- add stacks of plates, teacups and a large bowl for a blue & white display.

#5. Pots and Pottery

Fill a pitcher with flowers and add some of those pottery containers just as they are for a pretty collection indoors or out.

#6. Pillows 

A simple way to bring in some blue and white without the big commitment in a room- toss a couple of toss pillows on the sofa or chair  or use large oversized pillows for low game table seating.

#7. Blue Floral Curtains

This is from one of my favorite rooms at the Inn at Depot Hill in Capitola, CA- and I am obsessed with those curtains (similar look). See the whole post about this room and Inn here.

#8. On the wall

Tile, wallpaper, stencil- you name it. Blue and white patterns on the wall are perfect for adding a touch of that charm. I love how this tile looks – you can achieve a similar look and feeling with wallpaper or even with peel and stick tiles for a quick change.

#9. Ginger Jars

Another super easy way to bring that blue & white charm in- Ginger Jars and lidded containers are easy to find and they are inexpensive. They look great gathered in various sizes on a mantel or sideboard- with or without flowers.

#10. On the Table 

Another way to use those ginger jars- on the table for a centerpiece. That pop of blue and white brings a whole lot of charm –see more of this table here.

#11. A vintage platter

Keeping that on the table theme going- you can use just a platter for serving fruit & nuts or as a pretty blue & white accent to hold jewelry or candles on the table, on the sideboard, on a dresser or chest of drawers.  I love to pick up random pieces of blue & white pottery at thrift stores.

#12. On the Table for a dinner party

An oldie but goodie- this was from a table I style for Wayfair for their blog and I loved incorporating those blue & white dishes (and they are 70% off currently)

#13. Vintage Jars 

I know, I know. How simple is that suggestion?  Just bring out those vintage glass jars and place them on the shelf or mantel. I am a huge fan of simple plain glass jars for flowers- and bringing them out with a pop of color is another pretty look. 

You can fill them with flowers- or not.  That blue will bring in a burst of sunshine all by itself.

#14. In a market basket

Put some faux or fresh flowers in a basket and place by your sofa or a favorite chair or anywhere you would like a pop of pretty. Go with just blues- or mix up blues and whites or pinks. Or maybe a FCC blue floral tote would be perfect ?Currently out of stock- but should be back in soon.

These totes are so easy to hang on a door knob or hook on the wall and fill with pretty white flowers.

#15.  Toile

I am a huge fan of toile- on fabrics, on the walls, you name it. 

#16. Upholstery

If you want more of a commitment – how about adding something upholstered in your favorite blue & white pattern? Checks, florals, ticking stripes-you can’t go wrong-  they all are beautiful for cushions and upholstery. (and pillows!)  And on that same note- add a blue throw for a bit of beautiful blue to mix with your whites.

#17. A Blue & White bowl 

Just a touch on the counter in the kitchen or on a side table or bedside chest- I loved this bowl when I found it at HomeGoods-and decided to use it for a pop of pretty.

#18. Blue & White Floral Arrangement

I know this sounds simple- but just adding a floral arrangement that is made of blue and white can bring that lovely charm to your room.

See more about  faux arrangements that I recreated with fresh flowers to show how close they look. 

#19. A Needlepoint Pillow

Because- they are so. pretty. From vintage to new reproductions- they are perfect for adding that touch. 

#20.  Blues and floral Patterns

This is from years ago and even now is one of my absolute favorites. Even though it is not the correct size for my bed – I bought it anyway because I loved it that much. 

Cream & blue with vining florals & ticking stripes- perfection.  And it adds a subtle soft touch of blue to the bedroom.

#21. Ticking & Toile on repeat

This blue is the softest pale almost duck egg gray/blue- similar to the color of my range. And it is probably my favorite shade of blue. The fabric here is a vintage fabric- but it gives you an idea of how to use different shades in different ways. 

You don’t always have to go bold with blue- you can be subtle and make just as much of a blue & white statement.

#22. Your Front Door

This one is simply beautiful. Paint your front door a shade of blue to welcome guests. This is a duck egg gray/blue color that is custom – but you can go bold and beautiful with a pop of color with a cobalt, traditional navy, or any other shade you like.

#23. Layers on the bed

We talked about blue on the top of the bed- but don’t forget that beautiful color in sheets as well. A charming soft blue under a crisp white comforter is perfect.

#24. With Furniture

A painted piece of furniture in a lovely shade of blue is a simple and easy way to add a bit of color to your room. This desk is in my office and is a pretty shade of a French blue/gray that adds just a touch of color.

#25. In the kitchen

Bring that color in with your appliances. My Lacanche range is a shade of blue- but you don’t have to bring in a big appliance to add that color to the kitchen. I love vintage inspired mixers or toasters– you can add that pretty color to your kitchen by bringing in a small appliance. (photos courtesy of Amazon)

Another easy way to bring blue to the kitchen is with beautiful bowls on display.

#26.With a vintage bucket

Because a beautiful blue bucket is pretty much perfect for any type of flowers and decor and instantly adds a pretty pop.

#27. With a Blue Mirror

This one is from my first book – a blue reproduction mirror is a perfect touch for a subtle shade of blue and white. I am working on a post about Get the Look for these style mirrors- but you can also see more about French gold mirrors in this post.

Wrapping up

These are just a few of the ways I  love to incorporate  a touch of blue & white. I am working on a blue and white project this next week as well- so will share that with you soon.

For more inspirations full of blue and white- this post about Feeling Blue is full of them.

Happy weekend all.

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