From Cabinetry to Upholstery, This Soothing Color Is About to Upstage Sage

For the past few years, sage green has been the go-to for renovators; even the most color shy have woven the popular hue into cabinetry, upholstery, and accessories. Derived from nature, it easily fits in with earth tones like beige and brown, blending seamlessly in neutral spaces. But in our eyes, there’s another color on the rise, and it plays the same role. Except instead of trees and foliage, it evokes bodies of water and clear skies. 

We’ve seen baby blue cover kitchen cabinetry in the homes of creatives Jill Singer and Hannah Carpenter. Designer Zoe Feldman chose the color for a sofa in her most recent project. And in this home tour, designer Amy Knerr drenched just the ceiling of her cottage’s guest bedroom in it. It reads sweet when it’s bright and moody when it’s dusty, but never overpowers. And we predict you’re going to spot a lot more of it in the near future.

For one, rather than dominating every home on Instagram, baby blue is a bit more unexpected. Our home editor, Lydia Geisel, concurs. “Blue will always be a natural fit for the kitchen, but there’s something even more versatile about these lighter, icy tones than your classic navy,” she says. She’s seen it paired up with a soapstone countertop, red vent hood, and even a pink terrazzo island. “The combinations are practically endless,” Geisel adds. 

Like sage, the color has a calming effect. It envelops a room with spalike energy and adds interest without hogging the stage. “This shade of blue has the power to create a focal point and energize your space without sacrificing the serene ambience,” says stylist and artistic director Colin King. (Case in point: He recently replaced his own cream furniture with baby blue seating from his collection with The Future Perfect.) King also believes that the color should be used as fearlessly as one would use beige. “When you can look at it as a neutral or as you would the perfect pair of denim, it becomes the foundation of something that can be quite refined, elevated, and bold without feeling too stiff or obvious.” 

This, too, goes for layering in decor, soft goods, and even appliances—while a rug from Nordic Knots’s new Park collection provides a solid foundation, an upright mixer in KitchenAid’s brand-new Blue Salt color can add a pop to an otherwise muted space. We’re on the hunt for any and all pieces that introduce the cool, soothing shade. Below, find everything we’re loving most.  

Bring Baby Blue Home

Kitchenware

Accessories

Statement Makers

Wearables