12 Calming Décor Ideas for a Refreshing Room

An underrated colour that often gets overlooked, orange can be the ideal hue for perking up a lacklustre living room. 

Incorporating a warm and vibrant feature wall in a hue such as Orange Fizz, in an otherwise-neutral area, can instantly revitalise a space. However, if you’re looking to add a splash of colour to all of the walls in a room, select a subtle shade like Apricot Crush, which won’t be overbearing.

For a more energising look, choose a shade like Tangerine Twist to highlight key areas like the inside of a door or the wall surrounding a window.

There’s nothing cosier than a neutral palette. Go all out with neutral shades on your walls, floors and furniture, or combine neutral tones with cool shades of blue for added zen. Give it a go with Blissful Blue with Elderflower Tea – painting adjacent walls in the different hues or using a two-tone technique to create a feature wall. Finish the look with a smattering of cosy cushions and throws on the sofa, and use warm woods for furnishings. 

Zesty yellow tones exude optimism and vitality, so use colours like Honey Mustard or pastel Vanilla Sundae to give your kitchen walls a cheery lift. 

If you only plan to use yellow on one wall, make the most of natural light by giving the wall opposite a window a lemon-hued lick of paint. If you go for a bold tone, accompany them with grounding neutral shades like Jasmine White for real relaxation.

Striking jewel hues such as Emerald Glade are perfect if you want to refresh your room and make a statement at the same time. This decadent colour is particularly relaxing when paired with crisp Absolute White ceilings and gold-toned accessories.

Contrary to popular belief, dark hues can be incredibly calming and comforting feel. Warm woods, deep-seated leather sofas and brushed gold touches, like lamps and cabinets, will perfectly complement deep-hued walls in Sapphire Salute.

If you feel darker shades are too strong for all-over colour, paint walls in a blissful paler grey such as Polished Pebble. Then, add depth to your colour scheme by adding a darker shade like Stable Gates on your doors, window frames or other architectural details.

Rich and warming, a russet shade like Roasted Red will transform your living room into a cosy space you won’t want to leave. Containing hints of orange and brown, this muted hue is super-snug, particularly in the evenings when your room is dimly lit.

Team with natural wood furniture and plush textures to enhance the rustic feel, or with neutral-toned leather sofas for a sophisticated touch.

Earthy tones make particularly calming wall paint colours and can give your room the ultimate zen transformation. Try a balmy brown such as Caramel Latte, paired with dusky Ashen White.

Buttery suede sofas and luscious leafy plants arranged around the living room will complete this look.

Effortlessly uplifting yet spectacularly soothing, integrating pinks in your home can help you to get the best of both worlds. Warm shades of Sorbet or Sweet Pink are on trend and envelope you like a warm hug when you step into a room. Have fun with the colour and apply it to panelled walls or pair it with a neutral hue for a bold split wall.

If you want to wake up in a comforting cocoon, it’s time to add calming colours to your master bedroom like tasteful taupes. Surround yourself with the shade by painting the wall behind the bed in Soft Truffle. To complete the look, add textured soft furnishings in cotton, wool and cashmere in complementary hues.

Bring the tranquillity of the sea to your bedroom or living room with relaxing teal tones like Mint Macaroon. Alternatively, create depth and cosiness in a smaller space with a powdery Mineral Mist feature wall for a calming blue bedroom. Soft furnishings in greys and warm contrasting hues work well for this dreamy look.

Dulux’s Colour of the Year 2021, Brave Ground, is ideal for larger spaces like living rooms, or as a calming bedroom colour to soothe anxiety and stress. Bringing stability and stillness to formerly-chaotic spaces, don’t be afraid to make this hue a key component in your colour scheme. Keep furnishings and trinkets minimal for a clutter-free space, with a few pops of colour in the form of warm wood décor and touches of rich red upholstery.