Accent Colors That Play Well With Navy Decor (2024)

Kristin Hohenadel has written on design for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Slate, Fast Company, and the international editions of Elle Decor.

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Updated on 09/09/21

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Accent Colors That Play Well With Navy Decor (2)

Navy blue is a modern neutral that plays well with just about any color, including every other shade of blue.

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Navy + White
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Navy and white is the ultimate time-worn classic, the stuff of striped French sailor shirts and nautical theme rooms. In this room the Hotel Providence in Paris, deep blue navy paint saturates the walls, drapes, blankets, and lampshades and is paired with crisp blinding white linens, turning this expected color combo into something more alluring.
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Navy + Yellow
In this Paris apartment designed by architect Pauline Borgia of Atelier Steve, modern navy built-ins give structure and rhythm to the classic all-white French interiors while a striking piece of contemporary art in the brightest of yellows gives the room a shot of vibrant energy. For a softer look, pair navy with pastel yellow.
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Navy + Ochre
Dark navy walls and a bright ochre velvet couch create a bold statement in this sophisticated room from Maison Sarah Lavoine in Paris. Warm shades of ochre, curry, mustard, and other orange-y yellows are a dramatic counterpoint to navy, opposites on the color wheel that play well together in a room.
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Navy + Pink
Candy colored pink art and accessories add a sweet note to the soft navy walls of this dining room, but just about any shade of pink looks great with navy blue, from the most subtle blush to the loudest fuschia.
Continue to 5 of 11 below.
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Navy + Red
Glossy dark navy walls are a glamorous backdrop for a plush red velvet couch and teal drapes in this London living room designed by Joanna Plant Interiors. Touches of yellow, bronze, and gold add a bit of sparkling relief to all that deep saturated color.
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See Also
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Navy + Gray
In this calming bedroom designed by Jesper Laursen of Scandinavian Homes, navy walls and bedding in shades of gray are paired with green glass accents and plants to energize the space without overwhelming the relaxing Scandi vibe.
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Navy + Gold
Designers Tara Mangini and Percy Bright of the Jersey Ice Cream Company installed navy kitchen cabinets adorned with bright gold-toned hardware in this apartment in Philadelphia’s Lokal Hotel. To accessorize a navy wall, hang an ornate gilded mirror, vintage brass sconces, or a piece of copper mid-century wall art.
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Navy + Brown
Navy and brown are classic menswear colors, as familiar a pairing as a navy suit and pair of brown leather shoes. In this renovated 1890s cottage at The Houses Daylesford in Victoria, Australia, owners Theresa Albioli and Tony De Marco chose a glossy finish for wood paneling and matte for the walls above to create a moody navy backdrop for an antique wood dining table and chairs. For a more contemporary look, pair a caramel brown leather sofa or blond wood Scandi-style table with matte navy walls and bright white accessories.
Continue to 9 of 11 below.
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Navy + Green
The jewel-toned navy velvet couch adds interest to the green walls of this London living room scouted by Emma Merry at Home Milk, Green velvet pillows tie the wall color to the sofa, but you could achieve a similar effect with matte navy walls, an emerald green velvet sofa and navy velvet pillows. A metallic brass lamp adds a little lift to all the dark tones.
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Navy + Purple
Purple and navy make a surprisingly fun pairing in this effortlessly stylish London living room scouted by Emma Merry at Home Milk. A pop of green on the fireplace tile and vase helps to balance the cool tones of the room and works beautifully with both colors.
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Navy + Navy
Decorating a white room with multiple navy accents in varying patterns, fabrics and finishes is an interesting variation on a classic navy-and-white color scheme. Siham Mazouz of the French By Design blog mixed DIY floral denim pillowcases with navy and white stripes, navy drapes, and a navy metal lamp in her San Francisco bedroom, creating a serene, grounded space with an extra dose of style.

I'm Kristin Hohenadel, a seasoned design writer with a portfolio including reputable publications such as the New York Times, Interior Design, Slate, Fast Company, and international editions of Elle Decor. My extensive experience in the field of design allows me to provide insightful perspectives and expertise on various aspects of home design and decorating.

Now, let's delve into the concepts used in the article about home design and decorating, specifically focusing on the interplay of navy blue with other colors:

Navy + White:
- Navy and white create a timeless and classic combination, reminiscent of French sailor shirts and nautical themes.
- The deep blue navy paint on walls, drapes, blankets, and lampshades paired with crisp white linens transforms the expected color combo into something more alluring.
Navy + Yellow:
- Modern navy built-ins in a Paris apartment structure and rhythmize classic all-white French interiors.
- A striking piece of contemporary art in vibrant yellow adds energy to the room, creating a dynamic visual contrast.
Navy + Ochre:
- Dark navy walls and a bold ochre velvet couch make a bold statement in a sophisticated room.
- Warm shades of ochre, curry, mustard, and other orange-yellows serve as a dramatic counterpoint to navy, creating a visually appealing harmony.
Navy + Pink:
- Soft navy walls in a dining room are complemented by candy-colored pink art and accessories, offering a sweet and balanced aesthetic.
- Any shade of pink, from subtle blush to vibrant fuchsia, pairs well with navy blue.
Navy + Red:
- Glossy dark navy walls provide a glamorous backdrop for a plush red velvet couch and teal drapes in a London living room.
- Touches of yellow, bronze, and gold add a sparkling relief to the deep saturated color palette.
Navy + Gray:
- In a calming bedroom, navy walls and bedding in shades of gray are paired with green glass accents and plants to energize the space without overwhelming the relaxing Scandi vibe.
Navy + Gold:
- Navy kitchen cabinets adorned with bright gold-toned hardware create a bold statement in an apartment in Philadelphia's Lokal Hotel.
- Ornate gilded mirrors, vintage brass sconces, or copper mid-century wall art can be used to accessorize a navy wall.
Navy + Brown:
- Navy and brown, classic menswear colors, are paired to create a moody backdrop for an antique wood dining table and chairs in a renovated 1890s cottage.
Navy + Green:
- A jewel-toned navy velvet couch adds interest to green walls in a London living room, creating a sophisticated and rich color palette.
Navy + Purple:
- Purple and navy make a surprisingly fun pairing in a stylish London living room, with a pop of green balancing the cool tones.
Navy + Navy:
- Decorating a white room with multiple navy accents in varying patterns, fabrics, and finishes creates an interesting variation on a classic navy-and-white color scheme, as demonstrated in a San Francisco bedroom.

These combinations showcase the versatility of navy blue in home design, demonstrating how it can be paired with a range of colors to achieve different moods and styles.

Accent Colors That Play Well With Navy Decor (2024)

Navy + White

Navy + Yellow

Navy + Ochre

Navy + Pink

Navy + Red

Navy + Gray

Navy + Gold

Navy + Brown

Navy + Green

Navy + Purple

Navy + Navy