Prediction for Dulux Colour of the Year 2026
- Jenny Kakoudakis
- Aug 31
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 2
Dulux is a globally recognized paint brand known for innovative and luxury finishes, and its annual "Colour of the Year" choices strongly influence trends in interior paint, design inspiration, and colour combinations for homes.
Exploring the impact of colour trends like Dulux’s helps homeowners achieve beautiful decor, happiness, and increased property value, while also presenting both advantages and disadvantages to following the latest styles.
What Is Dulux?
Dulux began in the UK in 1931 as a collaboration between Nobel Chemical Finishes and Naylor Brothers, combining expertise to pioneer durable, alkyd-based paints. Its name blends "DuPont" and "Luxury," marking a tradition of premium, easy-to-use paints for professionals and consumers.
Dulux quickly became the market leader, introducing its products to retail shops and television advertising. Today, Dulux is known for high performance, technical expertise, and a vast palette suitable for every decorating project.
What Is The Colour Of The Year Concept?
The Colour of the Year concept began as a way for brands like Dulux and Pantone to guide design communities and homeowners toward yearly colour inspirations that reflect cultural shifts, emotional needs, and global events.
Dulux’s team collaborates with trend experts to select a shade each year, aiming to "capture the spirit of the moment" and influence everything from interior paint choices to furniture and accessories.
Each Colour of the Year is accompanied by curated palettes, making it easier to integrate current trends into homes and boost creativity.
Why Is Home Decoration Important?
Beautifully decorated homes greatly improve residents’ quality of life—the right paint and decor nurture personal expression, happiness, and comfort. Stylish, well-decorated spaces reflect personality and taste, helping people love their homes and feel content.
Good decorating increases functionality, efficiency, and emotional well-being, especially as homeowners experiment with styles and colours that make them feel relaxed and inspired.
Additionally, a beautifully decorated home can enhance resale appeal and value, drawing in potential buyers through improved first impressions and modern, harmonious interiors.
Pros of Following Colour Trends
Fresh Inspiration: Colour trends inject homes with new ideas and creative combinations, often making spaces look current, vibrant, and stylish.
Easy Coordination: Yearly colour palettes make it easier to create cohesive interiors, as matching paint, furniture, and decor pieces become straightforward.
Boosted Home Value: Modern, trend-led spaces often attract buyers who want homes that radiate contemporary style and comfort.
Mood Enhancement: Trending colours are chosen for their psychological benefits—uplifting yellows, calming blues, and nurturing earth tones like terracotta can impact happiness and well-being.
Versatility: Trend-forward colours suit statement walls, accents, or all-over coverage in small homes or larger spaces alike.
Cons of Following Colour Trends
Short-Lived Appeal: Trends can change quickly, making your interior feel dated within a couple of years—especially if you invest heavily in trend-specific colours.
Risk of Overwhelm: Intense use of on-trend colours might lead to "colour overload," particularly if not balanced with neutrals or textures.
Personal Taste vs. Trend: What's popular may not always suit individual preferences or the character of a home.
Potential Expense: Frequent redecorating to keep up with trends increases costs and effort.
Lighting Challenges: Trend-led colour choices might depend heavily on lighting conditions to appear at their best.
What are the previous years' Dulux Colour of the Year choices?
Below is a comprehensive table of Dulux Colour of the Year selections from 2021 through the present, plus a prediction for 2026, to assist with colour inspiration, interiors paint ideas, and trend planning for both large and small home projects.
2021 - Brave Ground - Stability, resilience, and nature-focused.
2022 - Bright Skies - Openness, hope, and optimism.
2023 - Wild Wonder - Connection to nature, vitality, and curiosity.
2024 - Sweet Embrace - Comfort, nurturing, and gentle optimism.
2025 - True Joy - Uplifting, vibrant, joy.
Prediction for Dulux Colour of the Year 2026
Based on Dulux’s tendency to alternate between uplifting and demure hues and considering the emerging need for serene, optimistic tones and recent use of vibrant yellow (True Joy) in 2025, a gentle, elegant pastel like Soft Lilac may be chosen. This hue is calming, optimistic, elegant.
How To Use Dulux Colours For Small Homes
Focus on light, versatile shades like True Joy or predicted Soft Lilac to open up tight spaces and add warmth without overpowering small rooms.
Pair on-trend Dulux paint colours with neutrals and natural materials for a more timeless, comfortable look that boosts resale appeal.
Use trending colours for accent zones (alcoves, doors, trim) to add visual interest without overwhelming the scale of small homes.
Sources
Our writers like to blog about the home and garden. We launched the award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2015 and the luxury property and interior decor blog www.alltheprettyhomes.com in 2024 to cover all your interior design, travel and lifestyle inspiration needs.
