If you’ve ever walked into someone’s home, looked around and said, “This looks like you,” then you probably know a little bit about color psychology. From wardrobe at a wedding to apparel at a funeral, there is a ticker tape that announces what mood we should be in when wearing or buying a certain color. For example, if you walk into someone’s home and there’s a blue couch in the living room, you know this is a homeowner who is probably into serenity, sky gazing and a vacation magnet for oceanside places. They didn’t announce this or describe why they got each piece; it’s the color psychology that lets you know what’s going on.

Color Psychology for Shades of Blue

If color psychology is to be believed, people who choose this color can have lower heart rates and a slower metabolism. Additionally, they’re warm, communicative and compassionate. These spiritual people value unity and integrity in their relationships, and are natural romantics and nurturers. So the last thing they want to do is choose another color that is in complete contrast to the energy they’re giving out.

Red, yellow, blue, green, purple, orange, brown, pink, gray, white or black, they all send a message for the homeowner thinking of a do-it-yourself interior design project. No color is wrong, but they all have a different energy for the hosts and the guests.

For example, purple is often linked to royalty. However, in the Middle Ages, blue was a symbol of wealth, power and prestige among the nobility. It wasn’t until the 1850s that indigo dye became available, so then a far larger population could afford to wear the color. Still, even blending darker blues and lighter blues could send different messages. Darker shades of blue are linked to problem-solving, and lighter shades are linked to being detail-oriented. The shade matches just as much as the color.

What Colors Go With Light Blue?

So what if you’ve chosen a color, like light blue, and now want to figure out how to accessorize it in your home without messing up the messaging. Consider colors that provide a high contrast from light blue furniture, such as lemon yellow. If that feels like it’ll make your home look too much like a school uniform, consider darker shades of yellow like mustard or gold. Both yellow and blue give a warm, sunny, beach atmosphere and have the same relaxation vibes.

Although blue and orange are described as conveying “a sense of balance and completeness,” warm colors like emerald and turquoise are more low-key. Choosing crimson and burgundy or maroon also have a similar way of showing a contrast without overpowering light blue like siren red would. Purple, gray and white are also colors that go with light blue. And if you want an earthier room, chocolate brown and caramel are also colors that go with light blue.

When Color Schemes Contrast Versus Overpower

In any case and for any color contrast, try to have some balance. If light blue is supposed to be the dominant color in the room (or the outfit), make sure there’s not so much of the contrasting color that the light blue gets lost. Or, if you choose to have a light blue accent wall, then make sure the furniture contrasts to avoid too many blues. (They will all end up blending in together. Funny as it was at the time, Bing Crosby didn’t initially intend to be the reason behind Canadian tuxedos or all that blue at once.)

No matter which colors you choose to contrast and complement, as long as you’re comfortable when someone says, “This looks like you,” then you know the color psychology did its job.