Dulux colour forecasters have predicted the top colours for summer, following demand for contrast between almost-pastel shades with bold tones.
After a challenging winter that brought wild weather, cost of living concerns and technological scepticism, we now yearn for sunnier times to restore opportunity and a sense of ease and warmth into our homes. This summer Dulux colour forecasters predict that a combination of almost-pastel shades alongside bold, rich colours will emerge in New Zealand interiors in response to our desire for a renewed sense of hope and to foster creativity.
“Vibrant and uplifting hues like those featured within the Dulux Emerge palette, one of the three palettes from our Dulux Colour Forecast for 2025, can be used together in any combination to bring joy back into our homes this summer,” said Davina Harper, Dulux Colour Specialist.
“The Dulux Emerge palette has the power to completely transform a space into a sunny sanctuary and evoke a carefree attitude. Visually, the trend features soft rounded forms and expressive collections of decor, crafted with modularity and curves. These shapes and free flowing lines add to the whimsical yet calming nature of the trend.”
Harper said the Dulux Emerge palette was likely to resonate with consumers and designers alike, as it’s filled with many colours that are both soft and uplifting.
“Dulux Mechanics Bay is a beautiful lilac with a hint of brown, and Dulux Kereta is a subdued midtone yellow, which makes them perfect for those looking to add some joyful colour to revive a space without overwhelming it.”
Harper explained that throughout the last few years, there has been a shift towards people using coloured neutrals and bolder shades within their homes.
“This willingness and increased colour confidence is a key insight that has influenced the Dulux Emerge palette”.
Offering inspiration for how to use this palette and add a sunny mood to your own space, the Dulux team with Bree Banfield (formerly Leech), worked their styling magic on a family home. Focusing attentions in the living area, hallway and bedroom that were predominantly white, neutral spaces.
“The living room was filled with light and made for entertaining, which gave us the opportunity to create spaces filled with character and connection. Using Dulux Piglet on the walls and ceiling, we completely enveloped the space in colour and warmth. The supporting wall within the centre of the room provided an opportunity to introduce another burst of colour, so we used Dulux Kereta – a muted and muddied gold – to help ground the space and encourage the demarcation of different zones within the room.”
“The cabinetry, trims and window wells feature Dulux Waiau Bay Quarter, a wonderfully warm shade of white, building on the playful ambience of the space,” Harper added.
Adding contrast to the neutral backdrop, Banfield referenced bolder colours from the palette throughout furnishings, curved ceramic objects and coloured glass vessels, including warm, earthy yellow greens and muted blues and purples. To complete the sunny and carefree look, Banfield incorporated striped patterns within floral still life artwork, cushions and side tables, blended alongside free-flowing lines and organic curves, referenced throughout boucle textured furnishings, furniture and hand-crafted vessels.
Elsewhere, the main bedroom heavily references warm, brown based pinks, where the team has used Dulux Nile Street for the walls alongside lighter shades of pink, seen within different bedding textures and the simple still life artwork.
Introducing a sense of relief and casualness back into the space, Banfield used other muted shades from the palette as accents. Dulux Vintage Lilac is referenced on the cabinetry under the bay window and within striped bedding linen and pops of Dulux Hagley Park appear in cushions that feature soft curves and are inviting to touch. As a result, the tonal transformation emits a feeling of pure joy without overwhelm.
“Similar to the living room, the main bedroom was filled with an abundance of natural light, which made the space feel open and beautiful, but the addition of warming colours and summer-embracing decor has completely transformed the main bedroom into an alluring haven,” Harper added.
To add some character and connection to the rest of the home, we added colour to the hallway using Dulux Hagley Park on the ceiling and Dulux Cornstalk on the walls and decorative arch at the end of the space.
“Kiwis love entertaining at home and introducing sunny colours are an obvious choice to instantly add a sense of fun and uniqueness to your own home this summer,” Harper said.
Summer styling tips using the Dulux Colour Forecast 2025 Emerge Palette:
- Mix and match: any mix of colours from the palette can be used to capture the trend of Dulux Emerge palette. However, a good starting point is to use larger portions of the warmer shades to inspire wall and ceiling choices and bigger furniture pieces. For accents, reference cooler colours within the palette throughout decorative objects, cushions and artwork.
- Joyful colour is key for summer: in addition to mixing and matching colours from the palette, have fun playing with patterns and shapes. Look for quirky vessels, source still life artworks that feature florals, fruit or summer delicacies, coloured lighting and other textures that link to summer like wicker or rattan.
- Stick to organic and rounded shapes: free flowing lines, boucle textures and modular furniture help to create a relaxed, inviting environment.
- Paint instantly transforms: while investing in a statement furniture piece, decorative vessels and artwork can be cost prohibitive, adding colour to your walls through paint is a great way to completely transform your room on a budget.
- Soft blues can make a space feel larger: try Dulux Puhoi Half in smaller rooms to create the illusion of a bigger space.
- Start your colour journey in the bedroom: the bedroom is one of the easiest spaces to start exploring colour. Try to find colours from the palette within existing furniture and furnishings i.e. your favourite duvet cover and cushions, then select one, two or four walls to experiment with. Don’t forget to consider the room layout and the amount of light it receives too.
- For colour surety: Order Colour Swatches or Sample Pots from dulux.co.nz in your chosen colour(s). Alternatively, Dulux has an online colour advice team, or a Colour Design Service if you want a design professional to assist in curating your space.
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