As we seek balance in a fast-moving world, the palettes entering our homes are grounded in nature, shaped by emotion, and bold in their willingness to take centre stage. Paint is becoming the ultimate tool for transformation, shaping spaces that both soothe and inspire.
“We’re seeing a shift towards palettes that are deeply tied to wellbeing and nature,” says Felicity Tragardh, Metricon’s interior design expert. “People want their homes to feel like sanctuaries, but they also want freedom to play and embrace depth and drama when it suits.”
Spanning delicate pastels through to evocative, immersive tones, four hero shades from Dulux’s palette are set to shape the year ahead.
Dulux Still
Pastels are having a renaissance, shedding their sugary reputation for something more nuanced.
“Soft, muted pastels like Dulux Still bring an understated elegance,” Felicity says. “They’re comforting, refined, and endlessly versatile.”
This midtone neutral carries a subtle green undertone, lending it an organic edge. It sits beautifully alongside pale timbers, blonde oaks, or crisp whites, creating an atmosphere of balance and calm. Paired with Laminex Seed, it achieves a refined harmony.
Dulux Daintree
Australians are leaning into richer tones - colours that anchor and evoke.
Dulux Daintree, a lush aquatic blue with a teal undertone, recalls both ocean depths and shaded forest canopies.
“It’s dramatic without being overwhelming,” Felicity notes. “This shade is ideal for feature walls or entire rooms, particularly when used in colour drenching - the European-inspired technique of painting walls, trims, and ceilings in the same hue for an all-encompassing effect.”
In a study, living space, or library, Daintree creates a cocooning sense of intimacy, while still feeling bold and expressive.
Dulux Buff It
The neutral spectrum is widening. Clean whites are making way for warmer, earthier tones that feel sundrenched and grounding.
“Dulux Buff It is a beautifully soft neutral,” Felicity explains. “It brings emotional warmth and depth, while still keeping a space fresh and light.”
The beauty of Buff It lies in its adaptability: it pairs seamlessly with creamy whites for a layered neutral scheme, or it can be pushed towards terracotta tones like Dulux Clay Court to create a palette rooted in the Australian landscape. Think sun-baked earth, golden light, and natural textures.
Dulux Namadji
At the boldest end of the spectrum, near-blacks are commanding attention. Shades like Dulux Namadji carry warmth, with brown undertones that make them infinitely more liveable.
“Dulux Namadji is one of those shades that instantly elevates a space,” Felicity says. “It’s rich, grounding, and sculptural.”
Perfect for bedrooms, gallery-style walls, or as an exterior backdrop to greenery, it creates interiors with atmosphere and impact.
For Felicity, the advantage lies in the ease of change. “Paint lets you shift your story whenever you like,” she says. “It’s fashion for your walls - and in 2026, we’re embracing colour with confidence.”
Feeling inspired? Explore our image gallery for more colour ideas and stunning interiors that bring these trends to life.