Dulux Colour Trends 2023

I love it each year when the Dulux Colour trends forecast comes across my desk.  Three diverse and exciting new trends to interpret and to consider how these can be used in my work.  It’s really interesting to see how the forecasters have analysed both global and local events and translated these into a colour forecast.  Colour is so subjective and our feelings about each tone and shade of each colour have been formed over the years by our own experiences, colour symbolism from our society and culture and even by the anatomy of our eyes.  Did you know that there are different colour sensing cones in our eyes and that these change over time?  Young eyes love the colours with longer waves – the reds and oranges, while older eyes prefer the colours with the shorter waves – the greens and blues.

I am going off at a tangent, but I just wanted to touch on what a complex area this is and I know that each one of you who reads this article will walk away with a different view of each colour.  I have also interpreted how I think you could use each one of these beautiful palettes in your own home.  I would love to hear in the comments section which trend you like the look of and how you might use it.

Dulux colour trend – Connect

Our homes continue to be our refuge in 2023 – the place we seek security, calm and comfort as we build up the mental and physical resilience to face an altered reality in the outside world. The Dulux Connect palette reflects our desire for a simpler lifestyle, grounded in nature. Natural and quietly stable hues, such as moss, wasabi, sandstone, muddied yellow-green and rich, purple-brown bring warmth and intimacy to interiors and commercial spaces, and set a relaxed and welcoming tone that draws people in.

The walls above are painted in Dulux Sandy Day

Furniture is crafted from raw timber, leather and rattan, with gently curved lines that add to the cosy, sanctuary-like vibe, whilst fabrics are natural and highly textural; woven linen, cotton, hemp and fine woollen knits. Vintage and thrifted furniture sit comfortably alongside bespoke, contemporary lighting made from recycled materials, whilst handcrafted ceramics in organic shapes speak to our continued appreciation for the handmade and unique. They also bring to mind many of the pastimes we experienced during lockdown, such as quilting, cooking, gardening and hiking. Rather than being hidden away, the marks of time are celebrated for their imperfect beauty; think charred timber wall panelling, worn leather sofas, faded tartan rugs and naturally weathered brass tapware.

The walls above are painted in Dulux Namadji

Related: How to work with a dark colour palette

Highlights from this palette include the greens, such as Dulux Stilted Stalks and Wasabi and the neutral Dulux Apparition, which will play a dominant role in the year ahead.

The walls above are painted in Dulux Beaten Track

The walls above are painted in Dulux Reservation

My thoughts on how to interpret this colour trend into your home

• This earthy colour palette is perfect for lovers of natural tones which create a cohesive and calming environment. Our eyes don’t need to adjust to see the colour green as it sits in the middle of the spectrum and so this is a perfect colour for those who see their home as a refuge.  The greens in this trend are towards the yellow tones in the spectrum and make perfect partners to rich browns, mustard tones and soft warm orange accents.
• Dulux Sandy Day has a touch of grey and an undertone of soft pink and if you love the modern blush tones, you will like this soft white.  It also comes in a half and a quarter strength which is great for using on woodwork and ceilings respectively with the full strength for the walls.  Alternatively, if you are looking for an off white without too much pigment the quarter strength of Sandy Day could be used as your white throughout the home.
• Dulux Hammer Grey and Namadji are gorgeous dark tones in this palette – these both have a lovely warm base; Hammer Grey is more of a purple grey brown while Namadji is a warmer grey brown.  Dulux Hammer Grey is a particular favourite of mine for exteriors when you need a strong contrast.
• The whole vibe of the Connect palette from the Dulux colour trends for 2023 is suited to Bohemian style interiors. I would hazard a guess that the majority of us have introduced a little bit of Bohemian style into our homes without even realising it.  I have more about the style and how to introduce it into your homes in the post below.

Related: 4 key elements of Contemporary Bohemian Style

Related: Let me show you how to use a natural colour palette

Dulux colour trend – Balance

Not everyone is yearning for adventure in a post-Covid world – many of us seek comfort through structure and routine. Dulux Balance palette is a refined and reassuring palette of serene marine blues, gentle greens, weathered pastels and accents of deep garnet that evokes the beauty and fluidity of our oceans and shoreline. Interiors are pared-back and considered, with the focus on immersive colour that runs from walls to ceilings, and exquisite detailing, such as the sweeping curve of a bedhead or the sliver brass border around a fireplace. These can help to create living spaces that feel both ordered and classic in their intent.

Archway and hallway wall painted in Dulux Terrace White with the living room walls in Dulux Sea Kelp

Lavish, touch-me textures, such as velvet and silk in upholstery and bedlinen add a sense of luxury to living spaces and bedrooms, while accents of charcoal in lighting and architectural features add a contemporary edge. Patterns in art and décor pieces are intricate and understated and are inspired by the complex and structured patterns found in nature, such as a fern or seashell, to create something of an otherworldly feel. Technology allows for precise design details, such as delicate, laser-cut light fixtures and palm-size sculptures with intricate pleating, creating small but arresting features that make you consider nature’s fleeting beauty.

Bookcase is painted in Dulux White Casper Quarter with the walls and joinery in Dulux Domino

The key colours from this palette include the blues in Dulux Kimberley Sea, Starfish and Sea Kelp with a balance of warmth in Deep Garnet which respond to the importance of this ocean scape theme.

Walls in Dulux Casper White with Dulux Green Alabaster Half on the staircase

My thoughts on how to interpret this colour trend into your home

• This colour palette, anchored by solid and reliable blue is a very grounding one.  Blue is the colour of communication and lovers of this colour are individuals who enjoy order and steadiness.  In order to cut through the seriousness, a sprinkling of beautiful soft pink ensures the look is more light-hearted.  It remains nonetheless quite a conservative look that doesn’t date easily.
• Dulux Casper White Quarter is a lovely interior white as it has a very slight lavender undertone which makes it a very soft colour.  For those people who don’t like to see any yellow or blue in their whites, this is a great option.
• Dulux Domino is a much loved off black and perfect for this colour palette with its undertone of blue.  You don’t really notice this on its own – particularly in interiors, but it does mean that it works well with blues and soft greys like Dulux Terrace White, which also has a blue undertone.  By the way, these are regular choices for me for exteriors too.

Dulux colour trend – Revive

Chubby furniture, exaggerated floral and striped patterns, and colours galore – for many, the freedoms we’re enjoying are a chance to cut loose from convention and have some fun. Whilst the colours in the Dulux Revive palette are a little deeper than last year’s brighter colours, it draws from a same philosophy; it’s out with the so-called ‘design rules’ and in with personal expression. Mustardy yellows, breezy blues, rose pink, lavender and striking emerald are splashed across everything from walls to furniture to create spaces that instantly make you smile.

Walls in Dulux Lexicon Quarter with a feature wall of Dulux Princess Pink

Standouts from this palette include emerald green, a popular hue in 2022, which will play a bigger role in the year ahead and we’ll see used in new and unexpected ways, such as fluted paneling on a kitchen island, and paper-bag orange, which helps ground Revive’s kaleidoscope of saturated hues, whilst speaking to the natural aesthetic that dominates this year.

Walls in Dulux Lexicon Quarter and front door in Dulux Pink Chi

Mixing nostalgic elements, such as 80s-style colour blocking and mid-century-style furniture with futuristic features, like digital and pixel-patterned art, this is a look best described as ‘retro futurism’. It’s also one that speaks directly to the digital generation, with a focus on creating Instagrammable moments – think one-of-a-kind accent walls (yes, they’re back), oversized, statement sofas made with modern quilting techniques, and carefully curated backdrops for video calls. The past, present and future, moulded into one.

Dulux Diorite on walls and Dulux Pharaoh’s Gem on ceiling

My thoughts on how to interpret this colour trend into your home

• Wow – this is a lot of gorgeous colour and I am sure most of you are thinking that this is just too big a step to take!  But step back for a moment and just consider how uplifting these colours can make you feel.  You don’t have to copy these ideas religiously, you can just take some of the ideas and introduce some lovely pure saturated colour into your home with accents.
• A perfect way to use a strong colour is to paint the inside of your front door.  The image above with Dulux Pink Chi is a perfect example of how striking this can be.  I have a post dedicated to what you should paint on the inside of your front door below.  I love to recommend Dulux Diorite as an exterior colour for front doors too – this is such a lovely happy colour and perfect for coastal exteriors where people want a pop of colour on an otherwise neutral palette.
• These strong, bright colours can also be used for feature walls but you need to give this careful consideration.  I have written a post about how to use a strong feature colour which you should read if you are drawn to this uplifting palette and would like to use it in your home.

Related: What should you paint on the inside of your front door

Related: How to use a strong feature colour

More information can be found at Dulux Australia

Please contact me for details of the suppliers of the items in these images.

Did you know that I have a Free Resource Library?  Whether you are building a new dream home or just undertaking a weekend redecorating project, there will be something there to help and inspire you.  Included in my library is a guide on how to put together a mood board.  You can download the free checklists and e-books here.