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If you’re one of the 1 in 5 women or 1 in 15 men who suffer with migraines, you’ll know that when an attack comes on, it often helps to lie down in a darkened room. Some people even find that certain colours are enough to trigger a migraine attack. If you have regular migraines, it can be helpful to create a comfortable living space, using soft, calming colours. So, Dulux has teamed up with TEVA Pharmaceuticals, 11 London and the National Migraine Centre to create a migraine-friendly colour scheme.
We started by surveying over 1,200 migraine-sufferers, to try and find out which colours they deemed to be most soothing. The results were surprisingly consistent. The 4 most popular colours were grey (chosen by 68%), green (52%), teal (47%) and blue (41%). The least popular colour chosen was red, which was picked by just 5% of respondents.
With the survey results in, we set about creating a tranquil colour palette that didn’t just feel soothing but had the potential to provide genuine migraine relief. It’s a mix of quiet greys, gentle greens and soft blues – all soothing tones inspired by the serenity of the natural world.
Peaceful greens
Muted greens lend your space a soft, soothing quality that recalls the calm of the natural world – just the kind of space to retire to when you need some migraine relief. Here we’ve used Dulux Colour of the Year 2020 Tranquil Dawn™️, with a vertical stripe of White Mist to create a striking yet understated point of interest.
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Quiet greys
Grey isn’t just easy on the eye. It makes your space feel lighter and airier too. If your room is already open and spacious, you can go for a deeper shade like Polished Pebble. Or, if you’re painting a cosier space, say a bedroom, try pairing Polished Pebble with an off-white like Timeless, to create spa-like sanctuary.
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Soothing blue
Blue is a calming colour that gives you a feeling of staring skywards or out to sea – ideal for migraine relief. It pairs really well with warm neutrals, too, helping you create a room you can relax in. Here we’ve paired Faded Sky with Dulux Colour of the Year 2021 Brave Ground™️ to give the room an open but inviting feel.
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The full migraine-friendly palette consists of the following colours:
Clear Skies, Light Teal, Mountain Air, Willow Tree, Goose Down, Shell Stories, Polished Pebble, Blue Ribbon, Blueberry White, Tranquil Dawn
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