Dr Dulux: How to Choose Your Paint Palette

First, download the free Dulux Visualizer app. It uses augmented reality to bring your ideas to life with a paint colour matching scanner. Just take a picture or video of your room, scroll through your favourite shades and tap your choices to see them ‘instantly’ painted on your walls. Yes, that means you can go as wild as you like and get it out of your system. Or, you might just find that your most outrageous ideas actually work!

2. Make the most of memories

You never have to pine for the beach or the peaceful countryside, when you capture the spirit of it at home. Draw on your cherished experiences for colour scheme ideas that evoke what you adore, each and every day. For example, if you love that coastal holiday feel, consider a light, airy scheme with fresh neutrals and a splash of dreamy blue, like our Considered Luxury palette.

Can’t wait to escape to the forest? Combine tonal shades of green with deep, earthy neutrals, textured materials for soft furnishings and accessories literally plucked from nature. Add pops of yellow or orange to remind you of the sun peeking through the trees. Remember that there are no rules, so if you simply can’t choose one favourite, use different rooms to highlight an array of memories and moods.

3. Embrace accent colours

It’s easy to add personality to your home without overpowering it with colour. Consider combining a main, neutral shade with an accent colour, whether it’s bold or subtlety striking. Neutral shades can appear both warm or cool, depending on what they’re paired with, so you can go as bold as you like with accent colours. For example, consider a deep grey. When combined with rich blue you’ll achieve a serene, oceanic feel. However, blend it with pops of yellow or orange and you’ll find that instant energy and warmth fills a space.

Feature walls offer a great way to embrace accent shades and Dulux Feature Wall Matt comes in a range of exciting paint colours.  Highlight fixtures such as fireplaces or doors with Spiced Honey for warmth or try green-greys for a cool, airy feel. If painting the main walls isn’t an option for you, use accent colours on photo frames, chairs, drawers or cupboards, with Dulux Quick Dry Satinwood for a lovely, mid-sheen finish. Don’t overlook window recesses, trim or other fixtures either, as they’ll come alive with a lick of paint.

4. Try tonal colour scheme ideas

Choosing two or more tones of the same colour offers a calming appeal that’s oh so easy on the eye. Think Lavender Quartz as a feature colour with accents of Gentle Lavender throughout. Two-tone walls add visual interest without the need for artwork. Use cosy colours like Pink Parchment and Heart Wood, with the lighter shade on the upper part of the wall to enhance the illusion of space.

For further interest, add a thin stripe between both colours or around fixtures like windows or doors. Two-tone walls certainly don’t have to be symmetrical, either. Play with different heights and widths to suit your space, or consider colour blocking with geometric shapes. Whichever shades you choose, tonal room colour scheme ideas are guaranteed to imbue your home with harmony.

Dr Dulux is never one to leave you in the lurch. So, along with the Dulux Visualizer app, there’s another handy trick to help you make the right decision. Pop down to your local hardware store or jump online to buy Dulux paint tester pots and try out your colour scheme ideas. Simply paint pieces of A4 lining paper, wait for them to dry to see the definite colour and hang them up anywhere you need to.

When a colour combination feels right to you, it’s time to jump right into painting!