The Dulux Colour Forecast 2026, and what it means for your home

Every year I wait for the Dulux Colour Forecast the way some people wait for a new season of their favourite show. It's not just paint chips, it's a genuine read on how we're all feeling and what we want our homes to do for us. This year's forecast is called calm and connection, and honestly, that tracks. After a few years of bold, high contrast interiors, everyone I speak to just wants their home to feel like a soft place to land.

Dulux has released three palettes for 2026. Here's the honest rundown.

Ethereal is soft and a little dreamy. Think gentle greens, mauves and blush pinks, the kind of colours that make a room feel like a deep breath out. This is the palette I reach for in bedrooms and any space meant purely for rest.

Elemental is the warm neutral, whole house palette. Warm whites, soft greiges and golden browns, with a bit of grey for structure. If you only paint one thing this year, something from Elemental as your base colour will make your whole home feel more settled, and it plays nicely with almost anything.

Evoke is the confident one. Rich terracotta, warm mustard, deep aqua and a touch of berry. It's cosy rather than loud, and it's brilliant for adding personality to a kitchen or a living space without going overboard.

My honest advice, don't feel like you need to pick just one. I usually build a home around an Elemental base, then bring in a bit of Ethereal softness in the bedrooms and let Evoke have its moment somewhere with more energy, like a kitchen or a reading nook. That's how you get a home that feels cohesive but still has character.

3 samples of Elemental, my favourite combination. Thank you Dulux Australia.

Phot by Dulux Australia

Photo by Dulux Australia

Phot by Dulux Australia