The key to quality home decorating is thinking realistically. That gorgeous bedroom in the magazine might not look so great after a week in your house! A rich navy blue carpet or bedspread, for example, would soon find itself coated in grey and yellow cat/Lab fur. At this point, I would be forced to choose between redecorating my room and dying my pets to match. While my Lab would tolerate a color change, the cats have made it clear that this would be just cause for feline revolt.
However, there is no reason you should have to choose between your love of pets and your love of dark, rich colors. Navy has a classic appeal that works with country, modern, nautical, or masculine decor styles. Some ways to focus your room on this timeless color include prints, stripes, and judiciously chosen accents.
Contents
Navy bedrooms can be very stylish. You don’t have to go too overboard with the navy, but a few well-placed accessories can really make a difference. Here are some navy bedroom theme ideas to get you started.
French Provincial Bedroom
A “French provincial” print, usually white or bone with pastoral line drawings and scrollwork, will make an excellent bedspread or quilt. The navy lines on the light background will look striking and coordinate with accents like navy throw pillows or afghans. Milk glass or white wear collectibles will fit with this color scheme, but Blue Willow china would be an ideal choice for things like container, waste baskets, lamps, etc. Try to find or make a bedspread that has a dark navy backing; you can fold down the top of the spread and have a large swath of color.
Nautical Bedroom
Nautical decor items are a popular collectible. A quilt of navy and white squares or even a solid navy spread (if you don’t have light-colored pets) would look attractive with nautical lamps and knick-knacks. Framed “antique” looking maps and charts would make elegant artwork and add interest to the room.
A solid navy carpet and bedspread will give the room a dark, simple look that appeals to those with minimalist sensibilities. Add a throw pillow or lamp in a contrasting color like red or white to give the room some interest and dramatic impact. Keep furnishings simple and avoid knick-knacks that ruin the simplicity that makes the solid navy appealing.
Stripes are a nice way to add color without making the room “frilly” or feminine. They are also a good way to use some dark colors without creating a pet-hair trap. Find a bedspread that has narrow navy stripes and wider stripes of beige, white, or another light tone. Having several different-colored stripes means you can easily change the look of the room with different throws or pillow shams and still have it look neat and uncluttered.
Patriotic Bedroom
Another theme for those who love navy is a “patriotic” theme. Throw some red and white pillows on that navy spread and accessorize with a flag on the wall. Try to find some nostalgic American memorabilia, such as World War II propaganda plaques or old advertising plaques.
Additional Tips
Even a carpet can incorporate some navy without being too susceptible to dust and hair. A carpet with a light background and intricate print will look clean for quite a while after vacuuming since the design makes it harder to tell exactly what it’s “supposed” to look like.
If you do want a carpet with a lot of solid navy, I suggest a navy throw rug on a more neutral carpet. The throw rug can be cleaned more easily. Also, the neutral-colored rug will have a more universal appeal if you need to sell the house.
If you want to add a bit of navy to your bedroom without going too crazy, start with small accessories. A navy lampshade or vase can add just the right amount of color. Alternatively, try adding navy pillows or throws to your bed or sofa.
If you’re feeling bolder, go for larger pieces like a navy headboard or armchair. Navy walls are also becoming increasingly popular in bedrooms. If you decide to paint your walls navy, keep the rest of the room fairly light and airy to avoid making the space feel too dark.
Navy is such a versatile color that there are really endless possibilities when it comes to navy bedroom ideas. Just have fun with it and see what you can come up with!