How to Decorate Your Home With a Blue and White Scheme

Paint a cobalt blue focal wall in the living room or den. Paint the walls surrounding the focal wall white, or hang up a blue and white wallpaper on these walls. Decorate the focal wall with a picture gallery. A series of blue and white instead of black-and-white photos on the wall adds a visually interesting touch. Use white picture frames to make them stand out from the blue focal wall.

Hang a Blue Willow plate collection above an entryway arch or window seat. If you have a large collection, display it in a blue or white cabinet with glass doors.

Mix patterns. Select patterns on your upholstery, bedding, curtains and rugs that have both blue and white designs. The colors will act as a visual binder, allowing you to mix diverse patterns such as the fleur-de-lis, paisley, polka dots and stripes. Make sure you have a few solid blues and whites to create visual balance.

Paint the shelf area of a built-in bookcase blue and the moldings white. If you want a dramatic look, go with a very dark blue against the white. For a more subtle effect, choose a pastel blue for the shelves.

Lay down a blue and white area rug on a solid blue or white carpet. Choose a pattern for the rug that complements the decorating style you've chosen for the room.

Paint odd furniture pieces white to unify them. Add blue trim. This technique works if you've decorated in a country style, which embraces mismatched painted furniture.

Make a formal blue room look larger by hanging large mirrors with white frames on the wall. Decorate the wall additionally by hanging candle sconces next to them; make sure that the sconces have blue glass bulbs or blue candles in them to tie these decorative features in with the rest of the room.

Display an antique blue bottle collection, blue and white candles or an assortment of white shells on the fireplace mantel. Hang a large painting or photograph of a white beach against a blue ocean above the mantel.

Paint the stairs blue with white sides. Paint the rails white and the banister blue.