Why Is Benjamin Moore’s 2024 Color of the Year So Complicated?

As you can observe, Blue Nova undergoes significant transformations depending on the lighting conditions within the room. In a sunny space, it presents itself as a saturated blue backdrop, evolving into a deep, sophisticated navy in the shadows. However, under bright, especially warm sunlight, Blue Nova almost takes on a lilac hue due to its pronounced red/purple undertone.

But wait, the complexity doesn’t stop there. Many individuals find blues with strong red influences challenging because they don’t fit neatly into the blue or purple category. If not paired with the right accent colors, they can even come across as juvenile. In my rendering, I opted for Benjamin Moore’s Paper White #1590 for the trim and doors to balance the wall color. I was also mindful not to overload the room with too much white in the furniture, rug, and soft furnishings.

Pairing Blue Nova with a stark white often falls flat. It truly comes to life when harmonized with grey and warm neutrals, just like in this kitchen where Farrow & Ball’s Pitch Blue, a color remarkably similar to Blue Nova, was used.

I firmly believe that Blue Nova finds its perfect home in a bedroom. The abundance of soft furnishings and textures can add depth and sophistication to a color that is frequently dismissed as childish. To illustrate this, I’ve curated the board below, demonstrating how neutral tones and textures can be incorporated into a room with Blue Nova adorning the walls.