Give your room “the blues”

The recent announcement of Pantone's Fashion Color Report for Spring 2014, an overview of designers' use of various hues in their upcoming collections, can help you turn your home into a house of blues this spring.

"Dazzling Blue," a vibrant shade of navy or cobalt, tops the colorful list, which also includes a more subdued "Placid Blue". This shade is similar to the color of the well-known Facebook logo.

"This season, consumers are looking for a state of thoughtful, emotional and artistic equilibrium,"  Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, said in a statement. "While this need for stability is reflected in the composition of the palette, the inherent versatility of the individual colors allows for experimentation with new looks and color combinations."

How do you incorporate these trendy colors into your home decor? Contrast is key. Use lighter hues, such placid blue, which are thought to symbolize calmness and serenity, as a background color. Paint your walls the soft sky-like shade or consider purchasing light blue bedding. A more energetic dazzling blue can be used as an accent color for furnishings like throw pillows or even drapery.

If blue isn't your thing, Pantone's color report also includes hues such as Violet Tulip, Sand, and Paloma. Ultimately, the report stresses the importance of color balance and harmony with the contrast between vibrancy and neutral shades.

Regardless of your color preference, Bazaar's custom window treatments and skylight blinds will keep you tranquil, allowing you to let in natural sunlight and gaze at the (placid) blue sky.