Dulux Colour Trends 2018

Dulux Colour Trends 2018

With many of us looking to slow down and find more balance in our lives, design will shift from the prescriptive to the more personalised in the coming year. Raw textures and soft neutrals will dominate, juxtaposed with rich, luxurious green and playful, tropical brights – a broad-reaching palette that's all about individual expression.

The 2018 Dulux Colour Trends -Balance' is a collection of globally inspired hues, cocooning combinations, breezy neutrals and folklore-inspired shades that celebrate the traditions of the past and the innovations of the future.

These trends include four carefully curated themes: Essential, Kinship, Escapade and Reflect.

This compilation aims to both nurture and inspire, with colours and textures drawn from nature paired with zesty shades that hint at adventures in faraway places.

'Inspired by our global trends research, it's clear that 2018 will see an emphasis on balance, connection and community," says Dulux Colour Expert, Andrea Lucena-Orr. 'As we let go of the idea of perfection in both our homes and other aspects in our lives, we are instead seeking to create balanced, harmonious interiors that stimulate the senses, while simultaneously allowing us to relax and retreat.

'Our homes should tell our stories, connecting us to both the past and the future. Colour is a wonderful way to express our personal tastes and passions."

So how are 2018 trends different from the past? 'Natural, earthy colours and textures will be coming to the fore and there will be even more of an appreciation for the splendour of imperfection," says Andrea. 'At the same time, we'll also see an inspiring travel palette emerging, filled with palm prints, happiness and visual delights. Immersing yourself in this uplifting world of colour can be transformative, lifting the soul and making you feel more spontaneous and creative."

'Soft, greenish-greys such as Dulux Spanish Olive and neutral pinks such as Dulux Mornington Half are predicted to be popular in 2018 as they provide the perfect base to experiment with many of the bolder brights coming through," says Andrea.

'We'll also continue to see darker colours and striking hues being used in small doses to add dashes of drama to the home."

Responding to our desire to slow down and appreciate the beauty in natural textures and simple forms, the Essential palette combines warm shades of leather and putty with cool grey-green. 'With its predominantly muted palette, Essential will create a soft and peaceful setting," says Andrea. 'From the four palettes of 2018, I predict this one will dominate as home enthusiasts will appreciate how easily these colours can transform and update a space."

Reflecting our growing need to connect with our community in an age of political upheaval, the Kinship palette, with its warm, inviting tones of terracotta, burnished red and faded green, celebrates traditional folklore and cultural diversity. 'Mixing subtle neutrals with bolder hues derived from nature, Kinship is an exciting and eclectic palette that will rejuvenate any interior," says Andrea.

In an age when charting our global adventures on social media is the new competitive sport, the drive to experience the sights, sounds and smells of distant shores has never been more inviting. The Escapade palette plugs into this desire, with a collection of saturated, summery brights that make you think of tropical beaches and cocktails by the pool. 'Escapade is all about fun and adventure, and it's a great example of how the emotional impact of colour can create a playful retreat with an added zest for life," says Andrea.

With intelligent innovation and smart technology transforming our day-to-day lives, we find ourselves seeking greater meaning in the things we surround ourselves with forming new connections with the past. The Reflect palette celebrates 1970s glamour and 90s swagger, but has been reinterpreted in an understated and thoroughly contemporary way. Think rich, decadent green, greyed-off purple and burnt rose. 'Reflect is a moody and reflective palette that is filled with meaningful hues with intrinsic value," says Andrea.

'The one defining attribute with interior trends is that they're continuously moving forward," says Andrea. 'Changing one or more colours in your home will keep your interiors up-to-date. The key to making these new hues work in your home, she says, is to understand the look and feel you're hoping to create.

'Establishing this will give you more confidence balancing the deeper and brighter colours with the more muted shades. And of course these trend colours will work beautifully with our Most Loved Whites too, so have some fun and experiment."

To learn more about Dulux's 2018 Colour Trends, examples of how they scheme with Dulux's Most Loved Whites, or to view the eMag visit: dulux.com.au facebook.com/duluxaustralia | @duluxaus #DuluxColourTrends2018