Have you ever walked into a room and felt instantly calm without knowing why? That’s the effect Farrow & Ball Oval Room Blue (No. 85) can have when used on walls.
This special blue-green color isn’t too bright or too dark – it’s just right. It has hints of green and gray that make it look different as the light changes throughout the day.
Oval Room Blue makes wooden furniture look warm and cozy while still feeling fresh and clean. People often ask about this color when they see it in homes.
This blog will share why Oval Room Blue works in so many rooms, what colors go well with it, and how it stands up to everyday life with kids and pets.
Understanding Paint Color Basics
Color Terminology
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand Color No. | 85 |
| RGB | 139 / 157 / 155 |
| Hex Code | #8B9D9B |
Undertones
- Oval Room Blue has greenish-gray undertones
- It’s a muted blue that looks slightly green in some lights
- Not a bright or pure blue but a calm, dusty color
Psychology of Blue Colors
- Oval Room Blue makes rooms feel peaceful and cool
- Greenish-blue tones work well in many different spaces
- Muted colors feel friendly and not too bold
- Benefits: Less cold than bright blue, easy on the eyes, and looks great with wood and cream colors.
Why Choose Farrow and Ball Oval Room Blue (No. 85)?
Farrow & Ball Oval Room Blue (no. 85) showcases remarkable versatility across different lighting environments.
It maintains its refined depth in brightly lit spaces while creating a cozy atmosphere in rooms with limited natural light.
Its timeless blue-green quality offers a refined colored backdrop that works with both classic and modern design elements without dominating the space.
1. Key Features
Oval Room Blue is excellently compatible with existing elements like wooden furniture and neutral textiles, creating smooth transitions between areas.
It delivers enough color to feel distinctive while preserving a refined, enduring quality that won’t make your interior design choices feel outdated.
2. Durability
Oval Room Blue, especially in Estate Emulsion or Modern Eggshell finishes, delivers impressive durability with good resistance to daily wear in busy areas.
Its medium depth and greenish-blue undertones help hide minor scuffs and marks better than lighter colors while keeping its refined appearance.
This paint stands up to fading and holds its color consistency even with regular cleaning when applied correctly.
3. Texture Patterns
Oval Room Blue creates a rich, velvety texture that adds dimension to walls while maintaining balance. Its greenish undertones produce interesting shadow variations that soften harsh lighting and bring visual depth to textured surfaces.
When used with different finishes, it can highlight details while providing a consistent, refined look throughout connected spaces.
4. Why It Works
Oval Room Blue works because it perfectly balances coolness and warmth, offering enough color to create a character without overpowering a room.
Its greenish undertones complement natural wood tones and cream accents, while its medium depth ensures spaces feel grounded yet open.
This versatile blue-green adapts beautifully to changing daylight, maintaining its refined character from morning to evening.
Room-by-Room Color Recommendations with Oval Room Blue
1. Living Spaces and Open Floor Plans
- Oval Room Blue creates a refined backdrop that feels both classic and contemporary. It works especially well in living rooms with natural light.
- Pair with warm brass accents and natural oak furniture to balance the cool tones and create an inviting, layered living space.
- Use this versatile blue in adjoining spaces for a flow while changing accent colors to give each area its character.
2. Bedrooms and Relaxation Areas
- Apply Oval Room Blue to all walls for a cocooning effect that promotes rest and relaxation in primary bedrooms.
- To prevent the space from feeling too dark, balance the depth of this color with crisp white bedding and light-colored rugs.
- Consider Oval Room Blue for built-in bookshelves or an accent wall in guest rooms for impact without overpowering occasional visitors.
3. Kitchens and High-Traffic Zones
- Use Oval Room Blue on kitchen cabinets paired with light countertops for a timeless look that hides everyday marks and fingerprints.
- This color works exceptionally well in kitchens with plenty of natural light, preventing the space from feeling closed-in or dark.
- Complement Oval Room Blue kitchen elements with warm metals like brass or copper for hardware and lighting fixtures.
4. Bathrooms and Spa-like Retreats
- Oval Room Blue converts bathrooms into serene retreats when paired with white fixtures and natural stone accents.
- Apply to vanity cabinets for a pop of color while keeping walls lighter for balance in smaller bathrooms.
- The green undertones in Oval Room Blue echo the natural world, reinforcing the spa-like feeling that makes bathrooms feel special.
Color Pairings and Combinations
Oval Room Blue is a refined blue-green with subtle gray undertones. Its medium depth makes it versatile, adding character to spaces while maintaining a graceful, timeless quality.
Here are some excellent color pairings for this shade.
Complementary Trim Colors
- Inchyra Blue (No. 289) – A deeper, more dramatic blue-green that creates a layered, tonal effect
- Setting Plaster (No. 231) – A soft, warm pink that provides beautiful contrast and balance
- Railings (No. 31) – A near-black with blue undertones for dramatic definition
- Mole’s Breath (No. 276) – A mid-tone gray that creates subtle, refined contrast
Creating Cohesive Color Schemes
1. Monochromatic Scheme:
- Oval Room Blue for main walls
- Parma Gray (No. 27) for trim
- Light Blue (No. 22) for ceilings
- Inchyra Blue (No. 289) for accent pieces or adjoining rooms
2. Warm Color Scheme:
- Oval Room Blue for main living areas
- Setting Plaster (No. 231) for dining room
- Oxford Stone (No. 264) for hallways
- Joa’s White (No. 226) for bedrooms
3. Cool Color Scheme:
- Oval Room Blue for main walls
- Dix Blue (No. 82) for bathrooms
- Skylight (No. 205) for bedrooms
- Railings (No. 31) for home office
Coordinating with Furniture and Decor
1. Wood Tones
Oval Room Blue pairs exceptionally well with golden oak, cherry, and walnut wood tones. The blue-green undertones create a cultivated contrast with warm woods, highlighting their natural beauty.
For a lighter, more contemporary look, bleached or limed oak provides an airy Scandinavian feel against the depth of this versatile color.
2. Metals
Warm metals like brass, copper, and bronze hardware bring out the subtle green notes in Oval Room Blue while adding warmth and classiness.
Blackened iron fixtures create dramatic contrast and a more industrial edge. The blue-green base allows for interesting combinations of metallic finishes that add depth to a space.
3. Decor
Natural textures like wool, velvet, and linen in cream or oatmeal shades soften Oval Room Blue’s depth and create a balanced, inviting atmosphere.
Ceramic pieces in terracotta or blush tones add warmth and dimension against the cool backdrop.
Antique mirrors, glass accents, and botanical prints complement the traditional roots of this heritage color while keeping spaces feeling fresh and current.
Similar Paint Colors: Perfect Alternative to Farrow & Ball Oval Room Blue (No. 85)
1. Stone Blue (No. 86)
- A slightly more blue-toned option that shares the same muted quality and graceful character
- Works beautifully in similar light conditions while offering a slightly crisper, more coastal feeling
- Pairs with the same complementary colors while providing a touch more energy
2. Dix Blue (No. 82)
- Features a similar blue-green balance but with slightly lighter, airier qualities
- Creates the same urbane atmosphere with a touch more freshness for brighter spaces
- Offers equal versatility with furniture and decor while feeling subtly more contemporary
3. Pigeon (No. 25)
- Welcomes the gray-green undertones of Oval Room Blue while minimizing the blue influence
- Delivers the same understated classiness and works beautifully with identical accent colors
- Provides a comparable depth and richness while leaning more into earthy, natural territory
Final Words
Farrow & Ball Oval Room Blue (No. 85) isn’t just another blue paint – it’s a color that grows with you. Its gentle blue-green shade works in sunny rooms and darker spaces, making both feel welcoming.
It hides marks better than lighter colors and stays looking good even after cleaning. If you’re painting a living room, bedroom, kitchen cabinets, or bathroom walls, this color creates a peaceful feeling that never goes out of style.
It looks great with wooden furniture, cream fabrics, and metals like brass or copper. If you want something a bit different, try Stone Blue, Dix Blue, or Pigeon for a similar feel.
Ready to change your space? Grab a sample pot of Oval Room Blue today and watch your rooms come alive with timeless charm.
