Colour to masculine up baby blue paint?

[BigBoysDontCry]

Decorating DSs bedroom, he lives away at Uni but will be finished and home, (temporarily at least) in the summer probably for at least a year. He's always ended up having his room colour chosen by default. e.g. too young, moved into a room that was already fine, was sharing and didn't care so his brother chose or got whatever I have available that was broadly suitable. To be fair, he doesn't seem that fussed.

I've asked him what he'd like and all he could come up with was, light and pale, blue preferably. So, that kind of means baby/pastel blue. He has white furniture so that fine and carpet is plain minky brown. I don't want it to end up looking like a nursery.

The opposite on a colour wheel should be orange but I don't get that he would like that. So, navy? that might still be a bit monotone. I love colour personally so I would go bright or dark and moody or something. Currently the room is pale green so want to stay away from that. I'd be planning to sell the house in a few years time so nothing too hard to make it sale worthy after.

I think all white might be too stark but maybe ditch the baby blue and go for a neutral with blue soft furnishings?

He's home briefly at the end of next month so would like to do it as surprise and I've also asked him several times what he wants and now feel I'd be harassing him if I ask again..

I 'd probably go petrol blue. Something like this. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/467881848783333617/

I've used coastal grey by dulux in my bedroom. Lovely pale blue. Not babyish at all.

I would go with that and some nice new bedding. Maybe a darker blue for that? Maybe some red accessories?

Something like this
https://www.tuckmeunder.co.uk/products/nautical-stripe-reversible-red-white-blue-double-duvet-set

Ive recnelty use Dulux Atmosphere and that is also a really nice light blue, not babyish.

Thanks folks, some lovely suggestions. I'll maybe look for some curtains or bedding first and then pick from there.

His suggestion did sort of surprise me to be honest, I generally have stronger colours and he's also big into 70s rock, long hair/guitar playing etc so it doesn't really fit. The only thing i said was that i'd prefer not black or red but if he felt strongly about those then I would do it. Pastel blue wasn't really on my radar!

He has white venetian blinds (wide slats) but likes his room dark so I need good blackout curtains.

Forgot to add that it's east facing and not a huge room but will have a european double bed and a desk chair and chest of drawers in it. He has a fitted wardrobe with white doors.

Agree, go for more of a grown up grey blue.

You could just do what he asked for. It's his room. Baby blue isn't the only type of light/ pastel blue, and I assume it doesn't have a cot in it so it won't look like a nursery.

I'm happy to do what he asked for, he didn't specify baby blue but did say pale/pastel and blue. It's just with white furniture, in my head it seems like you would have in a nursery. I'm more thinking of accent colours I can add to the room in terms of cushions etc that might make it a bit more adult man. He's so laid back and easy going he'll be chuffed with whatever I do tbh.

I definitely have a better look at blue shades, just need to be careful as the carpet is a warm neutral so can't go too grey toned I think.

Since you have asked him, and he has answered, it's strange you are looking for further ideas. Just do what he has asked for? Otherwise again he is having his room chosen by default.

The coastal grey is definitely a blue not a grey. I have a warm sand coloured carpet with it and it goes really well.

I don't know where I've said I wasn't going to do what he said he'd like? I maybe didn't make it clear that I was looking for accent colours that were suitable for a man to go with either pale blue paint, or potentially neutral paint with pale blue bedding etc. So something that would add a bit of interest since it would be mainly white and pale blue.

I'm going to order some new versions of music posters he's had up in the past that got ripped etc and frame those so I'll maybe get a bit of inspiration there.

Mainly struggling with picking some curtains at the moment that aren't childish or girly.

All colours are suitable for men. Problem solved.

A plain navy would work?

https://www.southernliving.com/blue-bedrooms-6532631

53 ideas for blue bedrooms none of them look babyish I think 18, 35 38
number 48 interesting using a bright green as an accent

and from
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/decorating-ideas/g37200070/blue-bedroom-ideas/ 4 and 19 are definitely masculine

as room faces east dark curtains I would probably go for navy or a deep royal to block out morning sun especially at 4am in the summer

Thanks folks, I'll take a look at those ideas. Who knew this could be so controversial 😂

I've had a look at those images, some lovely rooms. His brother has navy and it looks so smart but he's not his brother and I know he has said paler. I'm thinking I might try to find a few bedding options or curtain options and see what he thinks and then pick a paint from there.

I'm working my way round the house so have been doing a lot of picking. I separated from their dad last year and he's moved out so just trying to change it up a bit.

As I say, I really don't think he is that bothered and is happy regardless. He's a lovely man.

Came to say this exactly. A petrol blue sort of RAF blue/ gray colour is sophisticated and grown up and also warmer than sky blue or grey.

When you google blue bedroom ideas, the rooms with pastel blue are mainly for children 🫤

I think a slightly darker blue and white theme would look nice. You could add geometric/ikat patterns in a throw, rug or curtains.

https://www.styleathome.com/interiors/bedroom/article/14-beautiful-blue-bedrooms-that-make-tranquil-retreats

https://www.aspectwallart.com/home-decor-blog/blue-bedroom-ideas/?srsltid=AfmBOoqRHpsEe3I0HbPmibQBptDHGwvzISSqj-UHFfHhAsXg6_JS1PRA

Johnson’s do a really nice fresh light blue called Ice Blue.

Maybe a scandi sort of minimalist modern design? If you look up minimalist teen boy room blue it comes up with loads.

Yellow and green would be nice accent colours with a pastel blue. Think the sun and trees against a summery sky.

Thanks all, we've made progress. He's chosen the attached bedding, it doesn't have the red trim and those sheets are unavailable in the size needed. I've also ordered some navy blue velvet full length blackout curtains. I'll pick paint once I have the bedding in hand. To be fair one wall is almost all window and another is almost all doors so that only leaves 2 full walls for colour. His 2nd option for bedding was a blue gingham that wasn't in stock but I'll find something similar for his 2nd set.

So thinking maybe a few red touches might work well.