Elizabeth Bauer Watt                                                                        Benjamin Moore • Sea Foam 2123-60

What are Coastal Blue Paint Colors

Newsflash! Blue is so associated with coastal settings that with few exceptions almost any blue can be a coastal blue. With its tie to the sea and the sky, blue instantly places the observer in a mindset adjacent to the ocean. The only blue which wouldn’t be considered a coastal blue is one that leans purple. Otherwise, pure blues, navy blues, cadet blues, green-blues, sky blues and gray blues all say Coastal in the right setting.

What is the right setting and color schemes for coastal blues?

The most iconic Coastal color scheme is blue and white. Be mindful of the white you choose. Its needs to be crisp and clean not leaning warm and creamy. Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace is a great candidate here as is Farrow & Ball’s All White and Sherwin- Williams’ Extra White. Adding a tad of green or gray to the overall color scheme will keep it feeling Coastal and of course a pop of bright red as an accent here or there completes the scene. Utilizing this kind of color scheme in a Coastal setting, be it at a beach or near the wharf, just feels right. But also pay attention to what region you’re in.  Coastal Seattle versus Nantucket or Key West makes all the difference. Because of the proximity to the equator tropical places get intense sun and therefore more saturated, high chroma blues will hold up against the sunlight be it interior or exterior.

Benjamin Moore Phillipsburg blue HC-159

Benjamin Moore Philipsburg Blue • HC-159•

A dark blue somewhat grayed down and moody Philipsburg blue is ideal to use interior and exterior. It’s from the Historical Collection. It pairs well with bright and muted yellows and bright red for a coastal look.

Hale Navy

Benjamin Moore Hale Navy • HC-154

One of the most best selling colors from Benjamin Moore, Hale Navy is even darker than Philipsburg Blue. It is also muted by black and has a low LRV and value. This navy makes the quintessential partner to a crisp white and is the ultimate dark blue. From sofas to rugs, walls to siding it can be applied anywhere for a coastal vibe.

Benjamin Moore Patriotic White 2135-70 The Gathered Group

Benjamin Moore Patriotic White • 2135-70

For an airy green-blue coastal color try Patriotic White. It’s as light as gossamer wings. It pairs well with cool and neutral whites as well as coral and gold metal. It makes a great color for a bedroom, bathroom or even an exterior in warmer regions of the country.

Breath of Fresh Air  • 806  BM Color of the Year 2014

Benjamin Moore Breath of Fresh Air elicits the feeling of open sky

Breath of Fresh Air is a gorgeous light blue with enough color to make a statement. It’s great with a neutral or cool white and is also fabulous paired with bits of red accents. It’s a color you’d imagine at a house on Cape Cod or the Outer Banks.

Benjamin Moore Colorado Gray • 2136-50

Like I always tell my color consulting clients, ignore the color names! This color is not gray but a beautiful mid-toned green-blue. It would be great with red, coral, hot pink…..all warm colors to create an overall color scheme that’s well balanced. Always imbue your home with colors from both sides of the color wheel – both warm and cool for an even-handed look and feel.

Serenata AF-535 from the Affinity Collection at Benjamin Moore

Gray blues offer a serene color contribution to a Coastal color scheme. Complements to add a pop of color include oranges and reds. Muted colors like this are soft and easy to live with. They are lovely for a kitchen like above but also a living room, office or den. It would look great on an exterior as well. 

BM Palladian Blue

Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue • HC-144

BM says “all is calm with this soft, airy blue-green that conjures clear skies.” As shown in the photo above, Palladian Blue is gorgeous on paneling, creating a real Bahamian vibe. It’s soft and compelling and beautiful paired with wood tones and whites.

Silver Cloud 2129-70 from Benjamin Moore

This gray-blue is ethereal. It’s so lovely with wood tones both pale and dark and is a very versatile color. Great on the walls for any room I can see it painted on a porch ceiling for the classic Haint blue look ( which includes all kinds of light blue and blue-greens).

Yarmouth Blue

Yarmouth Blue from Cape Cod to you.

Yarmouth Blue • HC-150 from Benjamin Moore’s Historical Collection is the quintessential Coastal blue. It’s so fresh and clean and works inside your home as well as on the exterior. What a delightful living room color it would make at the beach. It would work with all kinds of natural materials like jute and sisal and beach grass. Paired with white it’s a dream and hints of lime or chartreuse would really jazz up the color scheme.