September 24, 2023, 10:25 am | Read time: 3 minutes

If you pay close attention to the interior design world these days, you’ll quickly notice that bold colors are currently an essential part of many setups. One shade stands out in particular: Yves Klein Blue. Also known as ultramarine blue, it was developed by the artist Yves Klein, who gave it its name. Recently, Ikea launched a collection prominently featuring strong blue tones. This iconic color is also favored in fashion and graphic design right now. It seems that Yves Klein Blue is set to achieve cult status in 2023.

How Did Yves Klein’s Passion for Blue Begin?

One day in October, three friends sat on the beach in Nice and divided the world among themselves. One received the land with all its riches, the next got the air, and the third, none other than the then 19-year-old Yves Klein, was assigned the sky with all its infinity.

It was all just a joke among friends, but for Klein, it meant more. To him, the sky was now his property, and he even began to dislike birds because they disturbed his gigantic artwork. This marked the beginning of an almost obsessive passion for the sky and, consequently, the color blue.

All his works from then on revolved around this one color. His world-famous large-scale monochromes always remind one of the sky over Nice. Throughout his life, his intention was to provide people with an immersive experience. By intensely viewing his monochrome canvases, they should look through a window to freedom and beyond into infinity.

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Also interesting: How to Properly Combine the Trend Color Red in Your Home

The Radiant Beauty of Ultramarine Blue

With all the hype: What exactly distinguishes Yves Klein Blue? It is primarily the special luminosity that is almost impossible to resist as a viewer and gives the color its unique appeal. Yves Klein Blue appears dynamic and energizing, yet also powerful and calming.

In the mid-1950s, Yves Klein created the deep ultramarine blue together with a pharmacist and chemists from the paint manufacturer Rhône Poulenc. The newly developed color consisted of a synthetic resin-based binder that produced the luminosity and granularity Klein envisioned. He himself called it International Klein Blue (IKB) and was one of the first artists to patent a color.

For Klein, colors were mainly about their immaterial effect, and even more about their enormous impact on the ambiance. To him, the matte, velvety texture of his blue tone reflects infinite depth, much like diving into water or gazing at the sky.

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Showcasing Yves Klein Blue in Interior Design

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Yves Klein Blue stands out particularly well in neutral settings. Combined with light woods like birch or pine, all focus rests on the ultramarine blue furniture or object. A scene with vibrant rose is charming, as this pairing brings a lot of freshness to the room.

With precious metals like gold and silver, the radiant blue tone gains an elegant sheen. A somewhat harmonious ambiance is achieved with lemon yellow, which should be used sparingly. Those who prefer loud and poppy styles opt for orange. While intense, it gives Yves Klein Blue a warm facet.