Dulux’s Colour of the Year 2016 is Revealed

While 2015 isn’t quite over yet, we’re already looking ahead to the next big thing in interiors and design. Today we launched Colour Futures 2016 – our global trends that include striking colour palettes, new decorative paint effects and innovative colour combinations to use in the home.

The overarching theme of next year's trends is 'Looking Both Ways', which celebrates the beauty in contrast – whether that's the difference between pale and dark, or organisation and chaos. So, without further ado, we’d like to introduce you to our Colour of the Year 2016 and its supporting trends (drumroll please)…

Cherished Gold

Next year’s chosen shade is an evolution from this year’s shade, Copper Blush, and ties into the ongoing trend of using metallic tones in the home. Warm and subtle, Cherished Gold pairs equally well with fresh pastels and rich jewel tones alike. Whether you live in a new-build or a period terrace, the shade’s earthy quality means it’s a great choice for any type of space. To make it even easier to use, we’ve teamed Cherished Gold with a selection of coordinating hues to bring extra sparkle to your home.

Rebecca Williamson, Senior Colour Design & Content Manager at Dulux, comments: 'Gold and tones of gold are being used everywhere in the design world. It is a recurring colour and material at design fairs and in graphic design as well as in architecture, fashion, beauty and interior decorating. For 2016 Cherished Gold is a beautiful next step, a natural evolution and transition from Copper Blush, last years' Colour of the Year. As metallics continue to add that feel good factor into our homes, this earthy gold inspired hue will offer that little touch of glamour in an authentic and personal way.'

Just remember, you heard it here first!

Words & Pictures

Typography and graphics are finding their way off the page and posters and directly onto walls themselves in this trend for 2016. Words & Pictures is all about using lettering as decorative motifs – whether that’s a single oversized letter painted on a wall, or a handwritten message on a chalkboard wall. In keeping with the idea of letters and type, the palette for this trend ranges from graphite grey to biro ink blue.

The Grid & Letting Go

Playful pastel shades are mixed with more sombre black and white in The Grid & Letting Go. This trend features some bold and beautiful paint effects that merge the geometric and the random, such as giant confetti-wall effects, trompe-l'œil tiles and tessellating triangles. Inspired by the idea of 'going off-grid' in reaction to our packed schedules and diarised daily lives, it celebrates structure and organisation - and the fun that can be had when we rebel against it! Fun and quirky, it’s a sure-fire way to inject energy into your spaces.

Dark & Light

Dark & Light is a celebration of darkness – deep petrol blue and rich greens are teamed with their paler counterparts for a look that’s high on drama but remains contemporary and fresh. This trend was inspired by the recent interest in embracing the dark – from stargazing to switching off our screens and getting a better night’s sleep – and shows that dark needn’t be scary where decor is concerned.

Heritage & Future

The idea of mixing of old and new is ingrained into our lifestyles now, from wearing vintage clothing with high street buys, to decorating with second-hand furniture and designer fabrics. The importance of looking at our past for design cues is at the heart of the Heritage & Future trend. This elegant and timeless look nods to bygone eras through rich reds and muted clay colours. These are given a contemporary flavour with crisp stripe effects and the combination of contrasting materials and textures, resulting in a look that’s confident and eclectic.

We’ll be revealing more about each of our Colour Futures 2016 trends over the coming months. In the meantime, find out more about our current Colour of the Year, Copper Blush.