The Unexpected Blue Trend Is Back, Here's How To Try It In Your Kitchen

The home decor world is full of rotating and cyclical aesthetics and ideas that come and go, then resurface again. Whether you're a fan of '90s decor or just enjoy the color blue in your home, the unexpected blue trend is having a big moment, especially in kitchen spaces. Much like the viral TikTok home decor trend, the unexpected red theory, this interior design idea focuses on adding pops of blue to bring a calming ambiance to a room. Backsplash is a creative way to do this in your cooking area, introducing the soothing shade as a statement backdrop. And, because this can work for almost any theme or aesthetic, you're not limiting how you can decorate around it.

Unlike the unexpected red theory, though, the blue trend is meant to create a soothing aesthetic that still adds a pop of color to your kitchen through quiet luxury. Using blue as a backsplash also allows you to get creative with your surrounding elements. From neutrals to natural materials that amplify the cobalt tiles, there is a wide range of what you can do to build around your blue pop. When using a glossy finish, you're also introducing more potential for light to reflect and make the kitchen feel more bright. 

Whether you decide to use a solid blue tile backsplash or a checkered pattern, consider the colors you are using. For example, if you're opting for a solid blue tile, add neutral paint colors around the kitchen so that the blue is a statement. You can also introduce natural materials like wood to help focus on the soothing effect the blue is meant to introduce. If you opt for the checkerboard layout, use a few varying shades of blue to add more dimension, or try cream or beige as the alternating color to keep with the neutral theme. The whole point of this trend is to add a pop of blue without making it too bold. 

Blue continues to be one of the most popular choices for kitchens because it can match so many themes. Since backsplash can vary in everything from how big it is to the pattern you use, there is more room to play around and figure out what works for your space. Mosaics are another creative way to introduce blue into your backsplash without going too heavy on just a block of color; they are especially trendy if your kitchen is mostly white or neutral without many other prints or patterns. Depending on the theme of your space, you could either keep the cabinets a natural wood or paint them in a white or off white to balance the cobalt. The grounded elements of the wood offer a good balance to the statement blue.