Klein Blue: How to Incorporate It into Your Decor?

Versatile, luminous, and iconic, Klein blue, also known as IKB, is making a brilliant entrance into our interiors this season. Electric and captivating, it instantly energizes the decor of any room in the house. How should you adopt it? Follow our tips and inspiration.

A closer look at Klein blue

We owe the creation of Klein blue to the artist Yves Klein, a figure of the Nouveau Réalisme movement. Known for his monochrome paintings, he focused on blue and explored its depth and intensity. As early as 1956, nicknamed "Yves the Monochrome," he sought to create the perfect blue from ultramarine, made with crushed Lapis Lazuli, a semi-precious stone from Afghanistan. This highly saturated and intense blue was once reserved for the wealthy.

With chemists and color merchants Sennelier and Adam, Yves Klein succeeded in 1960 in creating and registering his own color at the National Institute of Industrial Property. Klein blue or IKB (International Klein Blue) was born. This luminous, matte shade, close to ultramarine blue, contains a hint of magenta and other undisclosed elements.

It is a strong, electric, and intense color that catches the eye. It perfectly hugs the curves of objects and furniture and has become an iconic color. In 2022, it is among the must-have colors to adopt in your home.

How to adopt Klein blue in your decor?

In decor, this color gives an arty and contemporary look to a room. While it can dress an entire wall, it is especially prized on decorative objects with sculptural curves and on furniture.

Things to know about Klein blue:

• Light sensitivity: Klein blue absorbs light. Depending on the intensity of the light in a room, it creates different atmospheres.
• Energy and soothing: This color is both energizing and soothing to the mind. It is suitable for spaces where one recharges, such as a home office, a living room, or a bedroom. For a child's bedroom, Klein blue is an excellent idea, as it soothes and stimulates creativity. In a bedroom, pair it with white.

Ideas for adopting Klein blue at home

Idea #1: Exoticism

For an exotic look reminiscent of the Majorelle gardens in Morocco, paint a wall on your patio Klein blue or choose furniture in this color. Add plenty of green plants.

Idea #2: Stairwell & entryway

Wake up a hallway, an entrance hall, or a stairwell by incorporating Klein blue. This will give a contemporary look to these often neglected spaces.

Idea #3: Paint a feature wall

In a bedroom, a living room, or a home office, paint only one wall Klein blue and leave the other walls, baseboards, and ceilings white.

Idea #4: Paint a door or a piece of furniture

Paint a door, shelves, a piece of furniture, or wainscoting Klein blue for a more subtle effect.

Idea #5: With all delicacy

For a discreet effect, adopt Klein blue in small touches via furniture or decorative objects. Rugs, side tables, lamps, chairs, vases, frames... The options are numerous. For an arty decor, a sofa in this color in a minimalist living room is perfect. Yves Klein created three Plexiglas coffee tables with the Klein blue pigment. Although these works are valued at over 20,000 euros, you can find similar pieces at more affordable prices.

Idea #6: A contemporary table

For a table setting that is contemporary, chic, and slightly ethnic, opt for Klein blue tableware. Dinnerware allows you to play with colors without the risk of growing tired of them.

What color goes with ultramarine blue?

The pairing of Klein blue and white is a classic. It is impossible to go wrong with this luminous duo. But it is not the only possible mix. Klein blue can blend with warm tones as well as cool tones.

Focus on original and warm ideas

• Cozy and luminous: Pair Klein blue with a warm color like orange. For example, in a living room, combine an orange velvet sofa with IKB cushions. Yellow or copper work just as well.
• Sophisticated and soft: Opt for a monochromatic blue palette with several shades like light blue, Klein blue, and pastel blue for a delicate and trendy result.
• 100% arty: Combine Klein blue with a vibrant color like red, yellow, or green. This combination is perfect for a kitchen.