Whether your staircase is large or small, the right banister ideas can totally transform the space. Because you’d be surprised the impact your staircase railings will make to your hallway and landing.
‘A whole staircase can be completely transformed by simply updating and fitting new bannisters, treads, newels and spindles,’ explains James Murray, Senior Staircase Designer at Neville Johnson.’From the raw, industrial effect – ideal for a modern or minimalist space – to rich wood finishes for a traditional home, a new riser adds a different design element to the home.’
For James, attention to detail is key to his banister-centred staircase ideas. ‘Those all-important decorative touches such as twisted oak or wrought iron spindles can be used to introduce a touch of traditional charm. Alternatively, incorporate glass panels to add light to your hallway and create a contemporary feel.’
Banister ideas for stairways
1. Choose contemporary curved design
Image credit: Future PLC/ Katie Lee
Rethink the wooden banister by reshaping the design, choosing a curvaceous rail to guide you along the stairway. A sleek polished wooden banister rounded at the edges helps to soften the presence of such a solid structure. The fluid shape takes the edge off, especially when teamed with contemporary glass panels.
This look is perfect for a modern interior or if you’re looking for small hallways ideas that offer a sense of space.
2. Refresh banisters with a splash of colour
Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles
If your stairs and existing banister are in good shape and simply just need an update paint can go a long way. Define the banister on a white staircase by picking it out in an accent colour. To make the colour a practical choice select a shade that won’t show up signs of wear and tear as easily as the white perhaps.
To enhance the overall staircase further, choose to paint the wall beside the stars in a coordinating colour to define the rise of the staircase.
3. Paint around the handrail
Image credit: Future PLC/ Brent Darby
For a more traditional approach to decorating the stairs, leave the banister natural and paint all the elements around it. Use your chosen hallway colour scheme, brilliant white in this case, to carefully paint the walls, wall panelling and stair spindles leaving only the handrail unpainted. This helps to create a serene backdrop against which the banister can shine.
4. Create a contrast by mixing materials
Image credit: Bisca
This house conversion beautifully mixes materials to fuse the old with the new. The bespoke Bisca design fuses natural materials to celebrate the heritage of the building while taking into consideration modern design.
The main structure is a steel ribbon of with kiln-dried oak treads and tapered steel spindles. The banister is made of an oval solid oak handrail that sits on top of the hand-forged balustrade below. The handrail sweeps up the staircase, inviting you to journey up.
5. Wow with a wire design
Image credit: Neville Johnson
This Neville Johnson staircase demonstrates beautifully how alternative materials can really make an impact when designing a banister. If you’re designing a stairway from scratch you have the freedom to explore different forms and finishes.
This striking metal staircase feels like a piece of art, making a highly functional element of your home feel more impactful and well throughout rather than just ‘there’.
6. Source sustainable materials
Image credit: Bisca
This new staircase in a refurbished property is made using locally sourced, sustainable materials. ‘The client was remodelling and modernising a brick and stone farmhouse near Hartlepool’ explains a member of the Bisca design team.
‘Local materials reclaimed by the homeowner were the inspiration for the design of a new staircase to be located in a newly created triple-height entrance space providing a link between old and new.’
7. Embrace the natural beauty of wood
Image credit: Future PLC/ David Merewether
On a painted staircase choose to leave the banister bare, stripped back to the natural grain to give it prominence and celebrate its natural beauty. By keeping the banister and spindles bare against a painted backdrop it helps to define the structure of the staircase.
8. Seek a sensitive design in a new build
Image credit: Bisca
If renovating or building your staircase from new, be sensitive to the surroundings when planning the design. ‘For a new-build home in Derbyshire which replaced the owner’s previous house on the same site, Bisca designed and built a staircase for the main entrance hallway’ explains a representative of the design team.
‘The property was inspired by Arts and Crafts architecture, and the brief for the new staircase was to include distinctive features associated with the movement – a simple, utilitarian design where the beauty of natural materials is allowed to shine. Bisca’s sensitivity to ‘the right design for the right place’ really comes in to its own in this project, where the finished staircase is a beautiful, stylish addition to the new build.’
9. Break up the framework with a fractured design
Image credit: Neville Johnson
Create interest by breaking away from a traditional continuous banister design. Go for a more contemporary look, such as this example by Neville Johnson. Break the flow of one piece of material with separate sections, adjoined by fastenings in the same material.
9. Wall mount a handrail in a narrow stairway
Image credit: Future PLC/ Polly Eltes
In a narrow hallway where the stairs are framed by walls, as opposed to open spindles, it’s best to wall-mount a slim handrail. To save valuable space choose one dominant wall to place the banister on. Making sure it’s positioned practically to assist journeys both up and down the stairs.
Incidentally, we’re massive fans of this smart staircase runner idea, which draws the eye up. If you wanted to make the staircase appear wider, you could opt for a horizontal stripe instead.
10. Add interest with curved steel
Image credit: Future PLC/ Jake Curtis
This banister ideas contrasts a wooden staircase with a sleek alternative steel handrail. In this curved stairway, the banister curves round to add a stylish finish to a modern stairway design.
11. Make it monochrome
Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles
Refresh an existing, perhaps dated, staircase and banister with a coat of wood paint. This creative take on decorating offers a monochrome finish, providing a great base for a colourful hallway scheme. To unify the scheme, paint a staircase in the same colour continuing on door frames and skirting boards within the hallway.
How much does it cost to replace a banister?
Costs for replacing a banister depends on the material you choose to do the job, but can range from a few hundred pounds to tens of thousands.
A carpenter will replace a banister for a reasonable price, dependant on the work involved and the size of the staircase. You’re looking in the hundreds, rather than thousands. But as with any interior design element there’s a high end option, if you have the budget.
Bespoke staircase specialist Bisca designs and makes award-winning staircases all over the UK, built entirely in the North Yorkshire workshop. ‘Each commission is the handiwork of a dedicated team of multi-skilled craftspeople who combine traditional disciplines, including metal work, blacksmithing, cabinetry and leather. Working with precision-engineered designs and modern materials.’
Prices for this level of expertise, for a full staircase, start from £25k.
If you’re on the hunt for a cheap exercise bike to stand the test of time in your living room, spare bedroom or garage, then stop your search. We’ve discovered 6 brilliant budget-friendly exercise bikes for those who don’t fancy going back to the gym and spending money on a monthly membership. Instead, you could invest (well, we say invest but these are all under £500) in an exercise bike for home use. Yes, it is possible to find an exercise bike at a budget-friendly price tag – and we’re here to help you do so.
We’ve been testing a range of exercise bikes and spin bikes, a few of which sit under the £500 mark. Now, when we say “cheap exercise bike” we’re not talking about something that will last a few months and then break on you, but more of an option that’s within a sensible budget and that you can use daily. Whether that be for spinning, getting in a quick 15-minute cycle during your lunch or something to use in front of the TV.
Since we are recommending affordable exercise bikes, you can’t expect the whole she-bang of Wi-Fi connectivity and the utmost comfort. In some cases, you can, but you mostly get what you pay for. Some of these exercise bikes are foldable, to save space, and a select few of them have programmes – this is usually something that comes with higher priced bikes. We’ve listed the flywheel weight of each bike below (the heavier it is, the tougher it is to ride) as well as info on resistance levels, whether that be 8 or 32. If applicable, we’ve said how many programmes each bike has. Programmes make for an easy way to work out, especially since they control the bike for you so that you need only pedal (and sweat). Exercise bikes without programmes will need adjusting (resistance) by you.
Related: Best yoga mat – our favourite buys for home workouts
Having an exercise bike at home is a great way to get your heart pumping and your legs working without leaving the house. Exercise bikes are an extremely popular piece of home gym equipment – and for good reason, since they can make your heart rate rise fast. This year it has been quite tough to find exercise bikes that are still in stock as the majority of gym-goers have decided to invest in their own exercise bike while in lockdown, and we can hardly blame them.
Scroll down for our comprehensive exercise bike guide to get in a sweaty workout from home – who needs the gym?
What is the best exercise bike?
Our overall best exercise bike for home use, especially if you are looking for something to use daily, is the Viavito Satori exercise bike. We’ve tried it, tested it and we love it. It’s sturdy, easy to use, it has a 9kg flywheel, 32 resistance levels and a whopping 12 pre-set programmes. Plus more – but you’ll have to read the rest below.
The Viavito Satori exercise bike is great for anyone, whether you are a beginner or a pro. It’s also compact and it’s on wheels for easy moving around your home. We’ve been using this exercise bike for a numner of months now and we love it for daily use – whether for 15 minutes of intense exercise or 30 minutes of light cycling.
Though not foldable, this Viavito bike still manages to be quite small when tucked into a corner. It weighs 31kg in total, and in terms of size it measures 130cm, 100cm long and 54cm in depth. It has an impressive maximum user weight of 140kg.
This bike has a whopping 32 levels of resistance while boasting a heavy 9kg flywheel for an intense workout. You can, of course, control the resistance to suit your fitness level by using the round button on the consle. Its handlebars also feature pulse sensors. There are 12 programmes on this bike, all of which are varied, and you can tailor each one to suit your preferences – from time to distance and calories. Your stats will show on the console, and you can use this console to view your progress throughout. There are four user programmes so each member of your family can use this bike, while it’s impressively quiet while in use.
We think this exercise is great value for £350 – it’s something you can use on a daily basis while watching TV, or even if the kids are in bed. Thanks to its heavy flywheel it can suit everyone, no matter how experienced they may or may not be, while it’s sturdy and completely adjustable. The only thing we aren’t too keen on, is that it doesn’t have a smartphone or tablet holder. Other than that, we love it.
Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars
2. Reebok ZJET 460 Bluetooth Exercise Bike
The best cheap exercise bike with Bluetooth
Image credit: Reebok
Flywheel: 9kg Resistance: 24 Programmes: 19
This Reebok exercise bike doesn’t just look the part but it connects via Bluetooth to the Reebok Fitness App to enhance your workout. It’s similar to our top pick, the Viavito Satori, but it’s slightly less bulky and with the added bonus of the app compatilility, you can plain, track and analyse your workouts with ease. You can also sync it with an Apple watch.
In terms of size, this exerecise bike clearly isnt foldable, but it is quite small at 140cm high, 41cm wide and 109cm deep. With a maximum user weight of 120kg and a total weight of 35.5kg, it’s even on wheels for moving it from room to room.
With an easy to read console and 19 user programmes, this bike has a 9kg flywheel so that even pros can use this bike, and 24 resistance levels make it easy to adapt it to suit your needs. It’s completely adjustable with strap pedals, and there are hand grip pulse sensors on the handlebars. It has suction-cupped feet to keep the bike firmly on the floor no matter how fast you are peddaling.
Overall, this exercise bike is a great pick for those who are willing to spend a tad more money in order to properlly track their workouts and analyse their progress. It’s best for daily use, whether that be five times a week or seven times a week.
Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars
3. Ultrasport F-Bike and F-Rider
The best cheap exercise bike under £200
Image credit: Ultrasport
Flywheel: 1.5kg Resistance: 8 Programmes: 0
The Ultrasport F-Bike is feature-packed yet foldable. It’s also affordable and great for smaller spaces. It comes in a range of colour options to suit your home decor, too. We’ve been using this exercise bike for a few months now, and so far we’re enjoying it. It’s definitely best for beginners, but it’s undeniably great for those who are short on storage space – and on a budget.
Foldable and lightweight, this Ultrasport bike weighs 15.5kg and when folded it measures 131cm high and 45cm wide. It’s worth noting that this bike is not on wheels, and it has a maximum user weight of 100kg. It’s pretty easy to move around your home, though, and it can slot neatly behind or under furniture.
With eight levels of adjustable resistance and a 1.5kg flywheel, this bike is better suited for beginners – or those who will be using it for a light to medium-paced workout. Whether you choose to work your way up to resistance eight or work at this level for your entire workout is up to you. Saying that, resistance can easily be tailored to you by spinning the dial in between your legs. The bike’s seat is adjustable from 78cm to 86cm. Though be aware that at this price point you can’t expect the seat to be comfortable. After around 30 minutes it may start to become a tad hard. It also has an LCD display so that you can see your time, distance, speed, calories burned and heart rate. We found this display to sometimes be inaccurate, but we always use our trusty Fitbit to track our exercise. There are hand pulse sensors to check your heart rate, and these always seem to be bang-on.
At just over the £100 mark, this exercise bike is a bargain. It has all of the features a beginner needs, and it’s foldable so it’s great for smaller spaces.
Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars
4. JLL JF100 Exercise Bike
The best cheap exercise bike that’s compact
Flywheel: 4kg Resistance: 10 levels Programmes: 0
The JLL JF100 is affordable, compact and it’s great for all fitness levels – though it’s not the best option for those who love a spin class as you shouldn’t stand up on it. Makers of some of the best home gym equipment out there, rest assured that JLL products will last.
Compact in size although not foldable, this exercise bike is on wheels to make it easier to move around the home. With a max user weight of 100kg and a total weight of 18.1kg, an adjustable seat and pedals.
Offering 10 levels of magnetic resistance for total control of how hard you work, this belt-driven bike has a 4kg two-way flywheel. Ideal for use by pros and beginners alike, just don’t stand up on this upright model. It has a six-function monitor so you can see stats such as time, speed, pulse, distance and odometer.
Price-wise, this exercise bike is a great investment when you consider its features and that it can be used by all fitness levels. It’s also definitely worth the money if you have a small home yet don’t want a foldable option.
Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars
5. Pro Fitness FEB2000 Folding Exercise Bike
The best cheap foldable exercise bike
Image credit: Pro Fitness
Flywheel: 3kg Resistance: 8 Programmes: 0
This Pro Fitness exercise bike is without a doubt our best foldable option for those who have little to no floorspace in their home to store an exercise bike inside. It’s also from Argso so that you can click and collect or get it delivered to your front door, while it comes in at a really reasonable price tag considering its features.
Foldable and compact when both upright or splayed out, this exercise bike is also on wheels – a big bonus when it comes to wheeling it into a cupboard for safe-keeping once you are finished sweating. It weighs a total of 16kgs with a 100kg weight limit. It also has an adjustable seat and self-levelling pedals. Those with an eager eye will have noticed that this bike seat comes complete with a back, for extra support when you ned it the most. This means it can be used by anyone, at any age.
It also has a total of 8 levels of resistance and an impressive 3kg flywheel – this is double the weight of the Ultrasport F bike, making this bike a better option for those looking to push themselves a little harder. It’s still meant for beginners and occasional use, though you’ll probably be able to get more use out of this bike as you gain strength and get used to it. You can use this Pro Fitness bike to track your progress with help from its compact console. Here you can see everything from your workout time to distance, calories, speed and more. It also has sensors to monitor your heart rate as you work out.
In terms of price tag, this bike is only a tad more expensive than the other foldable options on our list. Something to think about if you’re tight on space and a tad more flexible with your budget. Similar to other foldable exercise bikes, we wouldn’t recommend them for every day use but it’s undeniably perfect for occasional exercise and light use.
6. Opti Folding Magnetic Exercise Bike
The most affordable exercise bike that’s worth your money
Flywheel: 1.6kg Resistance: 8 Programmes: 0
If you are a beginner and you don’t want to feel too overwhelmed by an exercise bike, then this Opti bike is the best option for you.
Foldable to a very small size and also lightweight at 13.1kg, this exercise bike really is a smart buy for smaller spaces. Despite its small size and light weight, it still has a maximum user weight of 100kg. Though it’s not on wheels…
Boasting a magnetic resistance system that can be controlled with a knob, it has a light 1.6kg flywheel. With pedal straps to keep your feet in place, as well as an adjustable seat and handlebars, it even has pulse sensors on the handles, too. A console sits in your eye line while working out, to tell you everything from your speed to the number of calories you have burned, the distance you have travelled and more.
There’s no doubt that this Opti exercise bike is worth every penny. At under £80, it’s even worth buying for sporadic use or just until gyms open again.
Ideal Home’s rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
What should I consider before buying an exercise bike?
There are several things to consider before buying an exercise bike:
Think about the size of the exercise bike before you buy, as well as how much space you will ideally need to use it at home. Some exercise bikes are foldable for when it comes to storing.
Another thing to be mindful of is the exercise bike’s resistance. This is usually manual or electric. Ensure this can be adjusted by you so that the bike can be used by all fitness levels.
Also have a look at how easy it is to change resistance, and where this can be done. Some exercise bikes will have a control on their console, while others may have a knob that will sit in between your legs.
Consider the maximum user weight of each bike to ensure that everyone in your household can use it before you buy.
All exercise bikes all have a flywheel – the heavier this wheel, the harder the bike will be to use. Beginner? You may want to choose a bike with a lighter flywheel.
It’s worth noting if your new exercise bike is adjustable – we’re talking about its seat height and handlebars, as well as the pedals in some cases.
Heart rate monitoring is another feature to look out for when choosing a bike. Some models have built-in sensors on the handlebars.
Finding a bike that is on wheels will prove handy if you are going to be moving it back into a cupboard or corner of a room after use.
The majority of exercise bikes have a display console so that you can see your stats while riding. If you have a fitness tracker, then you may not need this. Otherwise, this is handy as they usually sit in your eye line.
Where to buy a cheap exercise bike?
Where else to buy cheap exercise bikes? See below and click through to shop exercise bikes from low to high prices. You’ll be sure to find something to suit your budget.
When career opportunities drew this couple to London in 2014, they went on the hunt for a house big enough for their family to grow into. ‘We wanted something we could add value to by extending,’ says the owner.
‘We had only ever lived in period properties, so liked the look of this red-brick house, close to the high street. Even though it was in a state of total disrepair, and hadn’t been updated for 40 years. But, its period features and character were too good to pass up.’
There were going to be no easy fixes in this real home transformation. Every room had to be taken back to the brick, rewired, replastered and have new windows fitted.
Exterior
Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles
This five-bedroom Edwardian semi in Northeast London was definitely a doer-upper. ‘With no central heating, a leaking roof and a very dysfunctional layout, we knew it would be a mammoth task!’ explains the owner.
‘We carried out a loft conversion first, mainly because of the hole in the roof, and this gained us an extra bedroom, en-suite and dressing room.’
Kitchen diner
Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles
‘Once we had saved up enough, we started work on a kitchen extension too. We lived on site during the eight months of work, with a camping stove in the living room and a sink in the garden for washing up. The dust got everywhere and we didn’t have anywhere to retreat to for peace and quiet. Not easy with a baby!’
The cooking area is fairly compact, but the couple have made the most of the space with floor-to-ceiling storage.
Living room
Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles
As well as a sagging ceiling and rotten window frames, the existing living room had dated yellow walls, green carpets and red curtains. ‘We wanted this space to become more of an adult zone, so I chose a calming colour palette and lots of soft touches to make it a relaxing and comfortable space,’ says the owner.
Copper touches bring a sense of warmth to this grey living room idea. The oversized floor lamp provides direct lighting in the evenings. ‘I have an ever-growing cushion collection and love to mix and match different textures like velvets and shaggy faux furs,’ she says.
Dining area
Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles
The couple added an extension to the back of the house, that created space for a kitchen, dining room and family room.
‘We moved the kitchen into what was a second reception room,’ says the owner. ‘I knew I wanted the island unit to face out onto the garden, so that dictated the rest of the kitchen layout.’
Image credit: Future pLC/ David Giles
By zoning different areas of the kitchen with a central shelving unit, the space works for the whole family with dining room and play area functioning side-by-side.
‘I wanted the family room to have a fun feature and to feel connected to the garden outside the picture window, which this wall mural certainly achieves it,’ says the owner. The show-piece dark green velvet modular sofa stands out in the neutral, open-plan space and defines the casual seating and play area adjoining the kitchen.
Bedroom
Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles
‘When we moved in, the main bedroom had red floral wallpaper on every wall and needed to be stripped right back,’ the owner says.
She chose a dark green paint as the base colour, as she wanted this space to feel sumptuous. A mix of plain and patterned bed linen gives the bed a layered look. ‘The pink velvet headboard and brass details provide the luxurious finish I was after,’ she says.
Guest bedroom
Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles
The loft extension is used as the guest bedroom. ‘We spent a fair amount on glazing, so it’s really light and airy,’ says the owner of the stylish attic bedroom idea. ‘We kept the look neutral to maximise its calm feeling.’
Explains the brilliant DIY headboard idea the owner says, ‘My husband built a headboard from reclaimed boards for a rustic vibe.’
Nursery
Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles
The owner wanted to have some fun with the nursery idea. ‘As this room is a little on the small side, I decided to keep the walls white and instead add colour to the ceiling with a quirky cactus wallpaper,’ she says.
Bathroom
Image credit: David Giles
The family bathroom is one of the owner’s favourite rooms. ‘It’s a combination of fun and luxury and sums up my design personality perfectly!’ she says.
‘I wanted the room to be in keeping with the property’s age, so chose wall panelling and a claw-footed bath, but to make it more fun, I picked patterned floor tiles and painted the bath.’
‘We still have some work to do on the garden, but the house really suits life with the boys and we’ve given an old property a new lease of life,’ says the owner. ‘Renovating on such a large scale taught us so much about our personal style and how to cope with the stresses of a project.
There were days when the number of decisions to make and issues to deal with was overwhelming, so I had to keep reminding myself to focus on the end result.’
Blue is such a versatile hue to work with. One minute exciting and decadent, the next restful and easy to live with, blue can be anything you want it to be depending on the shade you choose. Our blue living room ideas are some of our favourites examples of how to use this gloriously diverse colour.
‘Historically, blue was a colour that was one of the most expensive to produce and spoke of the wealth and extravagance of the homes it appeared in,’ explains David Mottershead, managing director of Little Greene.
Blue living room ideas
Smart and sophisticated, navy and teal blues are the warmer way of embracing on-trend dark hues. They also have a luxurious feel – and for very good reason.
By contrast, sea blues and duck egg blues are all calm and serenity, making them the perfect antidote to our 24/7 lives. You don’t need a home by the sea to enjoy them, though they do work best with simple Shaker and country style furniture in whites and very pale timbers.
Read on to find the hue of blue that’s perfect for your living room idea.
1. Invigorate your space with sky blue
Image credit: Dulux
This brilliant shade of blue has just been revealed as Dulux’s colour of the year 2022 – Bright Skies. This uplifting shade of pale blue offers a much-needed invigorating breath of fresh air for our homes. Reminiscent of a clear sky filled with promise the gentle blue reminds us to ‘look up’ and feel optimistic as we emerge from darker times.
It’s a lighter, brighter and more refreshing colour than that of last year’s Brave Ground, yet it still has a deep connection to nature. Enhance the feeling of nature by pairing this hue with warm wooden furniture and plenty of house plant ideas to welcome further elements of nature into your living room.
2. Mix soothing pastels
Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore
As the colour of the year announcement shows powder blues are having a moment – a refreshing alternative to grey, cool blue brings with it a calming and serene energy. A pastel shade works well when used to decorate a south facing room to maximise the feeling of light and space. Mix a palette of soothing pastel shades to add depth to the look, introducing the tones via soft furnishings.
3. Coordinate with colour
Image credit: Future PLC/ Polly Eltes
The key to creating the perfect feature way with colour is keeping it coordinated. Built-in furniture painted in the same block colour as the fireplace and the wall creates a sleek, cohesive look – solidify that one wall as one complete wall, rather than a broken space of shelving and chimney breast space.
4. Balance a blue colour scale
Image credit: David Brittain
Create a sophisticated blue living rooms by layering tones, to strike the right balance between a dominate colour to run through a scheme without it feeling overwhelming. This blue living room idea introduced a pale shade, almost blue-grey, on walls with a more pure pastel blue with the curtain fabric.
The look is enhanced with the introduction of royal blue in the form of a statement armchair. The rest of the room is kept neutral with white-washed wooden floors and white furniture to make sure the blue remains undiluted by other accent colours.
5. Make a statement with a rich palette
Image credit: Simon Whitmore
Enrich a deep blue living room with the addition of luxurious textures and materials in a range of equally rich accent colours. In this striking blue living room deep blue walls are enhanced by a large papered art on the wall and glam metallic furniture finishes and accessories.
Luxe velvets in deep shades of burnt orange punctuate the cocooning blue beautifully, creating a moody, decadent vibe.
6. Be bold with on-trend paint
Image credit: Future PLC/ Georgia Burns
Create a strong colour block theme throughout by painting all the skirting boards and above the picture rail in the same colour as all four walls. Keep ceilings painted white for a dramatic contrast.
‘Blue and white is a classic combination and will stand the test of time. The colours contrast beautifully but pick an off shade of white – a true brilliant white already has more of a blue undertone, so paired with navy it can be cold,’ says Cathy Dean, Interior Designer
7. Choose dusky tones for a sophisticated finish
Image credit: Future PLC/Chris Snook
Look to a mid-tone blue with grey undertones to keep the look bold but bright. Pair with touches of aged brown leather and brass to welcome an added feeling of warmth. This striking yet understated colour combination creates a sophisticated take on a blue living room idea.
8. Add a seascape feature wall
Image credit: Future PLC/ Philip Raymond
Set the scene for your blue living room with a feature wall. This striking wall mural has an ‘under the sea’ vibe that creates a lush serene feel to the overall scheme, which is already tranquil with pale blue-grey walls with a light grey rug and gentle pink sofa to contrast.
9. Be daring with dominating dark blue shades
Image credit: Ryan Wicks
Where a room can take it, if the light quality is right and the dark colour will enhance the size, be daring by taking all four walls to the dark side.
The key when decorating with such bold colour is to embrace all surfaces, so include skirting boards and framework into the colour scheme. Otherwise you run the risk of white woodwork from standing out like a sore thumb – totally distracting from the statement effect of the blue. Add equally bold accent colours to inject pops of contrasting colour, such as this mustard yellow.
This look oozes luxury so opt for velvet finishes for cushions, curtains or upholstery. Brass accents and gold threads for accessories and occasional furniture are an instant shortcut to glamour. Pick rich wood finishes in matt rather than a glossy polish.
For a little old school glam, bring in the signature curves of chic twenties style with globe lighting and a round mirror. Fan and tropical palm prints still look the part and whilst dramatic colours are key to the look, swap out classic black and red for sapphire blue and emerald green.
11. Add some animal attraction
Anya Large Sideboard £549; Jungle Luxe Navy Wallpaper £12; Mila Magenta Rug from £45; all Dunelm
Pick a wallpaper with a midnight blue backdrop to really showcase tropical scenes. The rich tone adds instant depth and smart sophistication that evokes Art Deco opulence.
This Neo Deco style has adopted a number of animals from tropical climes. Incorporate wallpaper, lighting and accessories featuring big cats, monkeys, zebras and exotic birds into the scheme. Gilded finishes just add to the air of eclectic glamour.
12. Accent with pink
Vivian Cocktail Chair; £149, Dunelm
Lift the dark finishes like rich teal and midnight blue with blush pink and intense fuchsia. The warm pastel shade and bright jewel tone will soften the moody vibe and add a light hearted edge to the palette. Cushions and rugs are an easy way to inject the colour, or try some pink pampas grass for some statement texture.
A fluted, shell shaped accent chair in blush velvet will match a panelled wall with a chic silhouette while neon touches add a playful punch to the scheme.
13. Pick a sofa in a contrasting colour
Stella sofa in Paprika, £1840; Houston 5 light linear ceiling pendant, £260, Sofa.com
Orange sits opposite a blue on the colour wheel, so setting this bold tangerine against a deep blue will really make the most of both features.
Annie Sloan has some words of advice on which accents colours work with a blue scheme: ‘The complementary of blue is yellow. As you move round the colour wheel you find orange, hence why brass and copper works so well, too.’
‘Just a small amount goes a long way. For something quieter, colours like pale pink and grey greens look amazing.’ With that in mind, you might also want to see our pink living room ideas.
14. Go immersive
Plush large chaise sofa in dark blue velvet, £1,199, DFS
For a sophisticated feel, go for mid to dark tones of blue on the wall that will really envelop a room. The deeper the colour, the richer and cosier the effect. Painting skirting and woodwork in the same colour as the walls, creates a smart, seamless finish.
When designing a room in a block colour, it’s important to avoid a flat space, so a velvet sofa and curtains not only create a luxe look, but lift the space with texture and create some depth.
15. Make it modern coastal
Venus Bilbao Vinyl, £18.99 per sq m, Mirage Abstract Blue Rug, from £63.99, Carpetright
Forget the classic stripes. An inky watercolour mural will evoke seascapes whilst avoiding the cliche coastal prints. There’s no need to stick to one shade of blue either, combine everything from a sky blue to indigo, with a denim sofa and cobalt chair, to create a softer, blended scheme.
Work in a casual vibe using rattan and seagrass pieces to channel a far flung sense of coastal style.
16. Pick a heritage inspired print
Tapestry Floral Dark Seaspray wallpaper £40 per roll; Chatsworth Button Back Large Sofa in Seaspray £2,150; Laura Ashley at Next
Dip a toe into a maximalist look with a feature wall, or go for total drama by using living room wallpaper ideas on all four walls. The dusky, restful shade and the tonal blue sofa, woodwork and furniture, softens the overall look so the busy print won’t overwhelm the space.
A contemporary twist on a traditional Chesterfield, the button back sofa bring a modern silhouette whilst still maintaining classic grandeur to complement the heritage wallpaper.
17. Give smart maritime blue a crisp white stripe
Image credit: Little Greene
A nautical palette of blue and white has always been a firm decorating favourite, and this smart band of white gives a whole new take on the traditional sailors stripes! Pairing it with a soft tan leather sofa and adding washed wood furniture brings a softness and warmth to this smart colour palette
18. Mix in bottle green and accents of coral
Image credit: Future PLC/Chris Everard
Greens and blues have always been a popular colour combination and can sit effortlessly together. Using colour blocks of blue on the walls and green on the sofa grounds the room with a classic combination, whilst the addition of a pop of dark coral gives the room an extra design dimension.
This leaf green sofa and matching footstool gives the room a grown up, sophisticated feel, whilst the pops of coral on soft furnishings and ceramics gives it a modern twist. Oversized lampbase, vases and decorative jars in the same mix of colours adds a contemporary edge.
19. Layer textures on a backdrop of pale aqua
Image credit: Future PLC/Carolyn Barber
This season’s delicate shades of blush pink and pale aqua bring freshness to any room, while low-level furniture and soft linen drapes keep the look light. With a palette that is all about combining pale colours (with little or no pattern) try mixing textures to prevent the scheme becoming flat.
Don’t be afraid to combine velvets, linens, and boucle fabrics on soft furnishings around the room. Create a seamless backdrop my matching curtains to the wall colour too.
20. Contrast an exposed stone wall with midnight blue
Image credit: Future PLC/ Polly Eltes
A midnight blue velvet sofa has been contrasted with the distressed white stone wall in this living room in a converted barn. The sumptuous blue rather than looking cold against the white walls, creates a warm and inviting space to cosy up in. The rich blue colour scheme has been continued in the rug, and home accessories such as the vase and blanket.
21. Pair maritime blue with white for a look that’s cosy and bright
Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles
Painting the walls a dark blue is a wonderful way to build a look that’s cosy and homely. So that the look isn’t gloomy, keep the walls, ceilings and window dressings light – ideally white – to balance things. Mirror-finish furniture will also maximise the light in a dark-painted room.
22. Use midnight blue with grey for a modern rustic look
Image credit: Future PLC/ Simon Whitmore
You might think of blue as a cool colour, but the deepest, darkest shades will create a cosy, cocooning look, as evidenced here.
Greys and blush pinks are the ideal bedfellows – or should that be sofa fellows? – for this opulent midnight shade. They both soften and brighten up the room, while a woodturning stove, tongue and groove panelling and pale wood furniture enhance the rustic feel.
23. Try teal blue for a traditional update
Image credit: Future PLC/ Simon Whitmore
There’s a fine line between traditional and tired, but it can be completely avoided if you are confident with colour. This strong teal brings a certain amount of heritage to this living room, but it simultaneously feels fresh.
Matching the sofa and the walls emboldens the look and creates a strong backdrop where it’s possible to mix up antiques with modern pieces without the overall effect being messy.
24. Pick a pastel blue
Windmill Wings in Regal Select Matte, from £23.00 for 0.94ltr, Benjamin Moore
Introduce a splash of sky blue to enliven a small living room idea. A soft pastel shade welcomes colour without overwhelming the space. Combine cool, airy, pastels with the clean lines of modern furniture and contemporary textiles to bring it right up to date.
25. Give country style a fresh twist
Credits: Platform Medium 2 Seater Sofa £1,699; Hendricks Loveseat £599; Tuck Armchair £349, Cushions from £12; Jute Pouffe £79, Skye Jute Rug, £80, all John Lewis & Partners
Bright shades of blue are the perfect companion to warmer, fruity orange hues, so instead of the soft pastels that sum up a traditional country look, team a zingy turquoise with sunbleached hues to update the look.
Dip into some Tuscan tones of sun soaked coral, golden ochre and for warmth and vibrancy. Flowy, full length curtains are the perfect way to introduce an energetic shot of colour.
26. Warm up the contrast
Walls painted in Scotch Blue and Snow White, Estate Emulsion, both £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball
Balance the feel of a rich blue with a splash of neutral white. ‘You can turn up the temperature by using a darker tone of blue and punctuate the space with energy’, says Natasha Petitt, Colour Designer at Craig & Rose.
27. Make pink feel grown up with inky blue
Image credit: Future PLC/ Georgia Burns
Backed by any other shade, this pink sofa might look a little too sugary for many people’s taste. But with a dark inky blue behind it, it’s the ultimate in sophistication, enhanced by the coffee table’s brass legs and accessories.
Also framed in brass are three blue prints, which break up the blue without detracting too much from its effect. Warm wood flooring and a pale rug keep things bright yet cosy underfoot.
28. Start with a blue sofa
Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore
Here, a vibrant turquoise blue sofa pops against a soothing backdrop of denim blue, for our take on modern coastal.
Stonewashed blues like these are the perfect foundation for classic styles of furniture, the white dresser being a prime example. It’s a good idea to reflect them in the accessories in display.
29. Tile a blue feature wall
Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole
You’ll need to have a healthy budget, but a feature wall formed of cement tiles can look truly spectacular and – despite the rustic nature of their material – glamorous. Velvet chairs in a deeper blue enhance this effect, and again, accessories in a similar turquoise are accents that bring the room together.
30. Experiment with pattern
Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore
The golden rules for making this formal look work are to stick to a neutral hue for the walls and floor, and then to keep with a strict palette, which will allow you to play with pattern.
No two motifs are the same, yet they work harmoniously with each other and create an eclectic, global-inspired look, rather than a contrived seaside scheme.
Are blue living rooms popular?
Blue living rooms are more popular than ever, thanks to the recent announcement of Dulux’s colour of the year 2022 Bright Skies.
Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director of Dulux UK, says, ‘Right now, people want to feel revitalised and enjoy the freedoms that are returning to them, to look out and bring in new ideas. What better inspiration can we take than the endless skies around us?’
‘It is widely known that nature makes us feel better. And taking steps to bring the outside in enhances our sense of wellbeing’ Marianne adds. ‘So whether we are working or relaxing, it is essential to have a space that reflects the optimism and desire for a fresh, new start that is top of the agenda.’
Additional words by Michela Colling, Nicky Phillips
