The paint colour trends for 2026 suggest that ocean blues are among the must have paints to dabble in, and well, Oval Room Blue by Farrow and Ball certainly ticks all the boxes!
This is easily one of my favourite blues from Farrow and Ball, the most blackened out of all of their blues and one that resoundingly feels good to be around.
Considering using it in your own home? I’m sharing some of the best colour scheme ideas to pair with this likeable blue, and plenty of inspiration of it being used in real homes.
17 Stunning Farrow and Ball Oval Room Blue Colour Schemes To Copy
1.Traditional Inspired
The blackened hues of this paint colour make it feel subtly aged which lends itself to use in a traditional interior colour scheme.
Pairing with a classic white on coving, ceiling and other woodwork, such as All White creates a crisp and uplifting contrast which is well suited to larger rooms and period properties.
Pairing with black accents will help to define the overall scheme, and works beautifully with the darker tones in Oval Room Blue.
2. A Muted Pairing
This elevated toilet absolutely comes into its own with Oval Room Blue on half wall panelling, this further plays on the traditional feel of this blue paint shade.
Introducing a muted, neutral shade on the upper wall with paint, or wallpaper like shown below is a beautiful way to create a soft balance in the room.
The wooden elements and rattan wall lights bring a natural feel to the room which creates somewhat of a coastal theme too.
3. Blue On Blue
Layering blue on blue is always a good idea, creating a much more visually interesting and tonally relevant space.
Take inspiration from the below bedroom which uses a combination of lighter and darker hues of blue on the bedding. Textiles are such an easy way to lift an overall colour scheme, and they can be swapped out whenever you fancy a change.
When it comes to pattern, pairing a small scale pattern with a larger scale or dainty pattern, such as stripes with a geometric print is a lovely way to achieve balance.
4. Red & Pink
Perhaps, one of my favourite colour pairings for a blue will always be red. Blue sits directly opposite red on the colour wheel, it’s why it creates such a high contrast and complementary pairing. Plus, it will help you tap into the ‘unexpected red theory’!
Pink is another alternative pairing that looks just as pleasing on the eye. A few well placed accents is all you need to benefit from this pairing – bedding, wall lights and small decor pieces will help to pull the look together.
5. Add A Bold Pop Of Navy Blue
This traditional inspired living space below incorporates bright white onto the ceiling with a much welcome pop of navy blue on an accent chair which adds some definition to the rooms scheme.
As long as the shade of blue you’re introducing is either lighter or darker than Oval Room Blue, it will have the desired, layered effect in the space.
6. Add Definition With Railings
Black may feel like an obvious defining colour to add a scheme, but it can feel a little overpowering and out of place.
Instead lean into a black with an undertone, such as Railings which is used on the built in wardrobes below. This soft black has blue undertones so it’s a perfect companion for Oval Room Blue.
You could create a similar look in a hallway by using it on the bannister, or even just painting a small piece of furniture in your room.
7. An Eclectic Mix
Oval Room Blue really does lend itself to a traditional scheme, and the living room below is one of my favourites. It might not seem like it at first, but blue is one of the most versatile colours you can use, as it virtually goes with most colours.
An eclectic, lived in feel is a beautiful one, and this living room has a mix of everything from reds, blacks, browns and plenty of vintage details and natural materials for a tactile feel.
8. Colour Drenching
It’s the decorating movement of the moment, and it’s not hard to understand why as colour drenching is such an incredible way of creating a high impact space. It involves drenching everything in the same colour, this includes walls, ceilings, woodwork and even radiators! I recommend using their Dead Flat paint range which is multi surface use and will deliver the same finish to each surface.
It’s particularly effective in large rooms or those with a high ceiling as it makes the walls and ceiling appear closer together, creating a cosier feel. You can then have fun introducing a playful accent colour, such as yellow which again is a high contrast colour that looks gorgeous with blue.
9. Contrast With Orange
Blue also sits opposite orange on the colour spectrum which makes it such a pleasing accent colour in an all blue room. Burnt orange tones have a slightly earthier feel to them, and it looks beautiful in the living space below.
A good accent colour should be used sparingly, tieing in with a couple of different items in the room will make it feel intentional to the colour scheme.
10. A Wallpaper Pairing
I love including wallpaper to a scheme, it’s like artwork in its own right and can totally transform a theme. When choosing a wallpaper, always try to match one of the tones in the pattern to your wall colour, or another element in the room to make it feel connected.
Morris and Co Strawberry Thief wallpaper has been used in this living room, with Oval Room Blue on the chimney breast for an accent feature, such a cool combination!
11. Earthy Feel
Earthy inspired interior design continues to be on the rise, because it feels good to be around. Whilst blue isn’t a typical earthy colour, it’s still a colour that can be derived from nature and lends itself to a coastal theme.
Pair with plenty of natural elements in a scheme, such as wooden furniture, flooring, frames and baskets in wicker, rattan or seagrass. They’ll bring natural warmth and definition against Oval Room Blue.
12. Add Warmth With Brass Details
Blue is typically cool in nature, so bringing some warmer elements into the rooms scheme will create a beautiful balance between the two.
Brass hardware details are enduringly popular as they bring a touch of luxury and warmth against a blue. Door handles, cupboard knobs, sockets and switches, lighting and decor accessories are all opportunities to add this in.
13. A Coastal Inspired Scheme
But of course, Oval Room Blue is a match made in heaven for creating a breezy coastal inspired theme. Plus, you don’t have to include any nautical accessories to execute the job.
Layering with tones of blue, red, white and cream will create a lovely coastal colour scheme. Using white on your ceiling will draw the eye up and adds to the overall coastal scheme.
14. The Unexpected Red Theory
Heard of the ‘unexpected red theory’? This theory suggests that adding a singular pop of red to an interior scheme is the magic ingredient in pulling the room together as it immediately focuses the eye.
Due to their opposite positioning on the colour wheel, pairing red with blue is the most complementary colour scheme you can get! This headboard instantly pops in the bedroom below, and well, the theory is working beautifully in practice here.
15. Combine With A Light Blue
Oval Room Blue on alcove shelving? Chefs kiss! Pairing with a lighter toned blue such as Skylight on the rest of the walls creates a lovely balance and instantly draws your eye into the alcove for depth of colour. A look like this is ideal in dual aspect spaces as it helps to break up the run of colour which may look different in both ends of the room.
I have a similar look in my own living rom, but using De Nimes instead, which is just a tad darker than Oval Room Blue, and it’s my favourite thing!
16. Blue & Yellow – A Match Made In Heaven
I feel like blue and yellow is a key colour scheme you need to know about if you’re considering using Oval Room Blue!
A couple of yellow accents is all you need to pull this look off, just take note of the below where they use it on the window seat, and in the artwork.
Introducing some tones of red, brass and wooden elements will help to create a more rounded colour scheme.
17. Layering With Inchyra Blue
We know that layering with different shades of blue works well, so instead of leaning into a lighter shade of blue, add a more defining one instead.
Inchyra Blue, one of F&B’s most lovable blues has been used on the built in shelving in this bedroom for a cool depth of colour between the two, and one that delivers definition and a touch of modernity. Another example of why it’s so much better than using a standard jet black paint.
You may spot those tones of red in the below bedding too. Red, really is one of the best accent colours you can pair with this shade of blue!
Have any other questions about pairing paints or colours with Oval Room Blue? Please leave me a comment below and I’ll come straight back!
