- Dulux has unveiled its annual Colour Forecast for 2025, comprising three palettes: Still, Recollect, and Emerge
- Each of the palettes focuses on uplifting and soothing colours, with warm brown undertones featuring throughout, alongside an increased use of various shades of green (including olive, sage, and bright yellow-green)
- Dulux predicts that rich burgundy and wine shades will become more popular in residential interior design over the next year
An annual occasion, the Dulux Colour Forecast uses the world around us to influence how we create spaces for respite and retreat. Informed by both the zeitgeist of the time as well as fashion runways and campaigns, global and local trends, and international design events such as Milan Design Week, the Dulux Colour Forecast 2025 was crafted as a response to recent periods of uncertainty. A desire to cultivate an uplifting and soothing tone in residential and commercial spaces has been distilled into three distinct colour palettes: Still, Recollect, and Emerge. Each palette has been designed to work together cohesively, with shades able to be seamlessly mixed-and-matched within palettes.
“During times of instability, such as the current cost-of-living crisis and ongoing overseas conflicts, reduced consumer sentiment tends to see colour trends shift less dramatically. However, colour can be a powerful antidote to lift spirits and provide a sense of comfort and warmth, which is evident with this year’s colour palettes.” says colour and communications manager Andrea Lucena-Orr, who adds that a continual connection to the digital world and the rise of AI can cause Australians to feel overwhelmed, with the Dulux Colour Forecast acting as a visual interlude.
“There is a sense to slow down and appreciate life’s everyday moments, to look for joy in our surroundings and find comfort in reminiscing about times when we felt safe and secure. These shifts have informed the three Colour Forecast palette trends for 2025 in a way that’s relevant for Australian interiors.”
The Dulux Colour Forecast is based on research led by the Dulux Colour Team, which comprises Lucena-Orr, alongside colour manager Lauren Treloar and colour forecaster stylist Bree Leech. While each palette takes on its own unique tone, they’re bonded by common shades that make their way into each colour scape. Warm neutrals appear within all three palettes, with these juxtaposed by brighter, more joyful shades. Green tones also appear throughout, with shades adapted to suit the palette in which they sit.
Here’s what you need to know about the Dulux Colour Forecast 2025 palettes.
Dulux Colour Forecast 2025: Still
As the name suggests, Still is inspired by the slow life. Designed to foster a deeper connection to nature while tapping into the quiet luxury trend, the subdued palette sees warm grey serve as an accent to yellow-based neutrals and greens, as well as calming cool blues.
“Dulux Still is a palette that is likely to prove popular with home enthusiasts as it features beautiful warm neutrals including Dulux Studio Cream, Dulux Clay Pipe and Dulux Mellow Beige, alongside muted darker tones, Dulux Nighthawk, Dulux Pesto and Dulux Pacific Spirit.” Lucena-Orr explains.
The palette can be complemented by biophilic textures and materials. Stylish Bree Leech suggests “stone ceramics, wood, organic cotton, linen and hemp…alongside patterns that feature primitive line work style patterns.”
Dulux Colour Forecast 2025: Recollect
Recollect approaches comfort through a different lens, proposing a moody palette replete with rich shades that evoke a sense of nostalgia while creating an elegant space.
Yellow-based greens and deep olive shades such as Dulux Zingiber and Dulux Olive Blend are teamed with rich wine shades like Dulux Plum Sauce and Dulux Grapeshot, each of which feature as key colours for both walls and accessories.
Lucena-Orr predicts Dulux Plum Sauce will be a colour to watch in the coming year: “It’s a colour that’s gained a much bigger personality, it’s grounded and adds a level of sophistication and a feeling of cosiness we’re searching for.”
Leech recommends pairing the richness of the Recollect palette with equally grand materials and vintage-leaning pieces. “Dark timbers such as walnut will feature on furniture, alongside high gloss in solid colours, coloured glass, and glass brick,” she says. “Texturally, we will see rich coloured fabrics with clashing patterns alongside crushed velvet, chenille and damask to evoke a feeling of opulence.”
Dulux Colour Forecast 2025: Emerge
Crafted with the intention of evoking joy without overwhelming a space, the Emerge palette is replete with soft and mid-tone shades; think muted greens and mauves, complemented by reed red.
“Evoking a sense of cautious optimism, the Dulux Emerge palette is a balanced curation of warm muted hues including biscuit yellow, warm orange-based pinks, greyed off lilacs, and a hint of brown and light grey blue,” says Treloar.
The joyful palette is complemented by neotenous, organic, and curvilinear furniture and decor. “Coloured boucle, soft velvet and buttery suede set a cosy mood, whilst large scale terrazzo brings a bold and textured statement to floors and countertops,” explains Leech. “In artwork, digital imagery and quirky florals take hold in a mix of pastel and bolder hues serving as focal points.”
Words by Esmé Duggan
