In my 20 years as a design journalist, dark blue has been a trend longer than any other colour. Popular since 2010, it has been the versatile neutral my favourite designers have used on kitchen cabinets, as a curtain fabric or on smart and sophisticated walls. Indigo fabric is the latest iteration, blending seamlessly with brighter on-trend fabric shades like terracotta, mustard and orange, or working as a regal pop against classic neutral fabrics like grey, beige and cream.
Indigo is a deep version of the colour blue, with purple undertones that make it warmer than your classic blue fabric. Its name comes from an ancient fabric dye that dates back to the 13th century – and in all that time it’s become part of the fabric of the way we decorate our homes. Farrow and Ball’s Hague Blue paint (a perfect example of indigo) is a bestseller as it makes everything placed near it look more expensive. And indigo has a calming effect, so the new fabrics in this colour are ideal for both bold and subtle decor styles.
What fascinates me about this fabric choice is how versatile it is. I’ve seen designers like the award-winning Enass Mahmoud of Studio Enass use it as both a statement fabric and a background colour. ‘Indigo offers flexibility in design,’ says Enass, whose schemes revolve around sophisticated fabrics. ‘If you want to use it as a background then go for a plain, textured fabric, whereas a patterned indigo fabric could stand out on soft furnishings like cotton cushions. For one project I covered a footstool in Linwood’s Hi Ho Silver fabric and it complemented the orange curtains.’
Unlike other neutral fabrics, such as grey and beige, indigo is sumptuous, and when layered with plush fabrics it makes rooms feel opulent. ‘Indigo is very classic, timeless and safe for fabric choices,’ says Enass. ‘It’s an ideal shade for if you’re not accustomed to strong colours, a way to introduce a bold fabric that won’t date.’
How to style indigo fabric in a living room
Every trend I write about now has one goal – ensuring a home feels convivial. We want the fabric choices to be a backdrop against which we can interact comfortably with friends and family. Which is why indigo is the perfect fabric – its depth creates lavishly luxe schemes, while being a soothing and informal fabric shade.
‘Both a printed or a plain indigo fabric can work on a sofa or curtain,’ says Enass. ‘Linwood’s Ruched Amalfi fabric would make an amazing sofa covering. But if you prefer a more neutral scheme, then you can use a pop of indigo as the curtain fabric.’
How to style indigo fabric in a bedroom
Indigo has long been seen as a children’s fabric, used with duck egg in nurseries. But now designers realise its potential for sophisticated bedrooms. At night, the gleam of lamplight glows off dark curtain fabric, whereas daylight brings out its softer tones.
‘I love a patterned fabric headboard,’ says Enass. ‘It becomes an art piece. Or if you want a more calming effect, Linwood’s Atlantis fabric or Stresa are perfect plains. They could easily be complemented by matching curtains in the same fabric.’
How to style indigo fabric in a kitchen
A recent move towards fabrics, curtains and soft furnishings in the kitchen has seen indigo used in more inventive ways. ‘It’s really important to have textiles in a kitchen,’ says the interior designer and fabric expert Stephanie Barba Mendoza. ‘Wallcoverings, curtains and fabrics help to make it more inviting and playful.’
Indigo upholstery on bench seating or an armchair creates a cozy nook that cocoons you. It’s also a perfect blue fabric for tablecloths – pair with on-trend chrome tableware to evoke stars in the evening sky. And indigo can be used as cushions or to upholster fabric dining chairs, fit for a very elegant feast.
Pairing indigo with other colours and materials
Designers like indigo because of how many other fabric colours it works with. ‘Indigo fabrics go so well with oranges, pinks and reds,’ says Enass. ‘Because indigo is a mix of purple tones, it can hold its own against rich and warm fabrics.’
White, cream, duck egg and pale grey fabrics are all good options, too. ‘I also like to use pastel blue fabrics with indigo, which pulls out its paler pigments,’ Enass says.
For a truly opulent scheme, pair indigo with metallic fabrics like gold, silver or brass.
Using indigo fabric as a statement piece
‘Indigo is ideal as a fabric choice for a statement piece,’ Enass says. ‘Even if you use indigo on the largest item, like the sofa or curtains, it’ll still work with anything else you put with it.’
There are smaller ways to make statements, too. ‘I often choose indigo for cushions, especially if the couch is a bright orange or yellow fabric,’ Enass says. It can be an elegant fabric choice for curtains, too. ‘Indigo has the power to draw the eye, so if it’s the curtain fabric it can have the effect of drawing attention to the room’s architectural details.’
Indigo is the perfect blue fabric for wall panels used on cabinetry, or as a silk wallcovering, an added layer that makes schemes seem even more sumptuous.
Styling indigo for every season
Indigo is a timeless fabric shade, feeling right for all seasons. ‘For a fresh, spring/summer look I’d pair indigo with lighter fabrics like brushed cotton or linen, and this is when I’d bring in pastels like blue or duck egg blue fabrics,’ Enass says.
For a cosier, autumn/winter feel, indigo can be layered with heavier, richer fabrics like velvet or wool, and with deep jewel and earth tones. ‘Colours that feel like wine - deep reds and burgundy fabrics - all work well with indigo,’ Enass says.
And because indigo is such a good accent colour it’s easy to use as the fabric in an ever-changing decor scheme, one that updates with the seasons. ‘I would keep indigo curtains all year, but I might change up my accessories such as indigo pillows for a spring feel, and heavier indigo fabric rugs for a warmer, more wintry vibe,’ Enass says.
So whether you’re looking for a mood-boosting colour that can make rooms more elegant or want a richly nuanced neutral to layer bolder tones against, indigo is the versatile violet-tinted hue that proves blue really can be the warmest colour.