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Dulux Reveals The 'It' Colours + Trends For 2023

Believe it or not, we’re fast approaching the end of the year – which means the Dulux Colour Forecast is back, revealing the tones and trends that we’re set to see a lot more of in 2023.

The annual forecast is based on global and local research, and next year is tipped to be all about living simply and authentically.

Whether that means pared back interiors or expressing our personalities through playful homewares and design, Dulux’s three unique palettes feature a mix of earth-drawn neutrals, natural textures, and an array of vibrant colours that will brighten up our spaces as we continue to redefine how we live, work, and play in a post-pandemic world.

Written

Christina Karras

Supported by Dulux

Dulux Colour Forecast 2023 – Balance palette. Feature wall: Dulux Green Alabaster Half. Hallway: Dulux Casper White. Sofa and cushions from House of Orange. Coffee table by Mobilia. Side table and glass bowl from Domo. Rug by Jenny Jones. Lamp from District. Glass vessel from Frey Home. Artwork: ‘Pink Cliffs’ by Peter Summers, Studio Gallery. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2023 – Balance palette. Main wall: Dulux Nephrite. Feature wall: Dulux Kimberley Sea. Chairs by Mobilia. Glass vessels by Ikos Home. Vase on table from Makers Mrkt. Artwork: ‘Peony Portrait’ by Simon Barlow, Studio Gallery. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2023 – Balance palette. Staircase: Dulux Green Alabaster Half. Walls: Dulux Casper White. Side table from Modern Times. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2023 – Balance palette. Lower walls: Dulux Pure Blue Half. Upper Walls: Dulux Kimberley Sea. Sofa, cushions, and ottoman from Mobilia. Coffee table and side table from Space Furniture. Console from Grazia & Co. Bowl on coffee table and vessels from Frey Home. Small ceramic on coffee table from Modern Times. Rug by Jenny Jones. Artwork: ‘Samsara’ by Gabrielle Jones, Studio Gallery. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2023 – Balance palette. Shelves: Dulux Casper White Quarter. Walls: Dulux Domino. Table from Modern Times. Chairs from District. Vases on table and vase with handles (middle right) by Formantics. Glass vessels (top right) and glass geometric bowl (bottom right) from Ikos Home. White fluted bowls (bottom left and middle right) from Frey Home. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Writer

Christina Karras

31st of August 2022

The Dulux Colour Forecast is back for 2023, revealing three exciting palettes set to dominate our homes in the year to come.

Led by Dulux colour and communication manager Andrea Lucena-Orr and Dulux colour forecaster and stylist Bree Leech, the annual forecast suggests that the ongoing challenges of the pandemic and a growing interest in sustainability will encourage people to embrace living simply and authentically.

‘We have all reacted to the upheavals of the last couple of years in different ways – some people crave lightness and whimsy, whilst others seek order and reassurance,’ Bree explains.

‘The three palettes in the Dulux Colour Forecast 2023 reflect these differing needs, allowing you to create beautiful living spaces that reflect where you are in your life’s journey.’

Balance

Balance features serene marine blues and gentle greens in a calming palette for anyone seeking a simple, but sophisticated, aesthetic. Coastline-inspired colours such as Dulux Kimberley Sea and Dulux Nephrite are paired with the richness of Dulux Deep Garnet in a combination that Bree suggests is perfect to elevate inner-city apartments or terrace homes.

‘Balance is very much inspired by a ‘less is more’ philosophy, with minimal detailing and a restrained approach to decorating. Instead, the focus is on immersive colour and the beauty of complex, structured patterns found in nature, such as a simple seashell or fern frond,’ she says.

Luxe textures like velvet and silk, furniture with exaggerated, curved silhouettes, abstract art, and décor pieces with organic shapes and delicate pleating complete the look.

Dulux Colour Forecast 2023 – Connect palette. Walls: Dulux Whispher White. Beams: Dulux Wasabi. Arch: Dulux Stilted Stalks. From left: Side table from Boyd Blue. Sofa and vessels from Jardan. Chair and small vessel on coffee table from Angelucci 21st Century. Coffee table from District. Side table (right) from Dean Norton & Modern Times. Lamp from Trinket Solo. Chair (right) and console from Cult Design. Rug from Behruz Studio. Vessel (on side table) and cushion (third and sixth from left) from Designstuff. Vessel (on console) from Modern Times. Cushion (first and fifth from left) from Penney & Bennett. Cushion (second and fourth from left) from Halcyon Lake. Artwork: ‘Ancestral Art’ by Lindsay Nelson, Modern Times. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2023 – Connect palette. Arch: Dulux Apparition. Walls: Dulux Basset Brown. Vessel (top) from Ikos Home. Vessel (bottom right) from Modern Times. Vessel (bottom left) from Pepite. Vessel (second from bottom) from Makers Mrkt. Chair from Angelucci 21st Century. Artwork: ‘Dried Flowers and Lemons’ by Jesse Dayan, Studio Gallery. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2023 – Connect palette. Walls: Dulux Whispher White. Beams: Dulux Wasabi. Arch: Dulux Stilted Stalks. Chairs from Jardan. Console from Cult Design. Candelabra on table and vessel (on console) by Lindsay Nelson, Modern Times. Vessel (on table) from Makers Mrkt. Lamp from Figgoscope Curates. Wall light from Angelucci 21st Century. Artwork: ‘Ancestral Art’ by Lindsay Nelson, Modern Times. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2023 – Connect palette. Walls: Dulux Sandy Day. Sofa from House of Orange. Coffee table and glass vessel (on floor) from GlobeWest. Chair (on left) from Angelucci 20th Century. Buffet from Tide Design. Chair (on right) from Cult Design. Rug from Hali. Vessel (on coffee table) and ceramic sculpture (on buffet) from Pepite. Knot ceramic (on coffee table) by Deborah Sweeney. Lamp from Milk & Sugar. Timber vessel (on buffet) from Ikos Home. Blanket by Trinket Solo;;Cushion (on sofa left) from Halcyon Lake. Cushion (on sofa right) from Fenton & Fenton. Cushion (on chair) from Figgoscope Curates. Artworks: ‘Ceramic Study Framed Screenprint’ by Middle of Nowhere. ‘Cleo’ by Rachel Castle, Castle and Things. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2023 – Connect palette. Walls: Dulux Reservation. Footstool from Cult Design. Bedside table from Tide Design. Wall decor from Boyd Blue. Large vessel (on bedside) from Jardan. Small vessel (on bedside) and striped, tartan and olive cushions from Designstuff. Throw, quilt cover and European pillowcases from Linen House. Sheet set from Aura. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2023 – Connect palette. Walls: Dulux Namadji. Chair from Angelucci 20th Century. Table from Tide Design. Baskets from Ikos Home. Pendant light from Lights Lights Lights. Bowl (on table) from Formantics; Small vessel (on table) by Deborah Sweeney; Tall vessel (on table) from Pepite. Artwork: ‘Pines’ by Matilda Dumas, Studio Gallery. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Connect

As nature continues to inspire trends, Connect focuses on bringing the rich colours of the great outdoors inside our homes. Featuring earthy tones of moss, wasabi, sandstone, cinnamon, muddied yellow-green and burnt charcoal, the palette reference actives like hiking, cooking, quilting, and gardening. It combines classics like Dulux Whisper White with warmer pops of colour such as Dulux Bongo Skin and Dulux Basset Brown as inviting feature walls.

‘Muddied yellow-green has something of a nostalgic, country-house feel, cinnamon is grounding, whilst rich, purple-brown adds an indulgent and contemporary twist,’ Andrea adds.

The palette is complimented with simple furniture in natural materials like timber, leather and rattan, alongside stone flooring and bespoke, modern lighting made from recycled materials for a rustic and cosy look.

Dulux Colour Forecast 2023 – Revive palette. Walls: Dulux Lexicon® Quarter. Ceiling: Dulux Perplexed. Feature back wall: Dulux Day Glow. Feature side wall: Dulux Golden Sand. Sofa and blue glass bowl from Jardan. Side table (on left) from House of Orange. Ottoman and side table (on right) from District; Coffee table from Grazia & Co. Chair (at back) from Mobilia. Lamp and yellow striped vase from Cult Design. Chair (at front) from CCSS. Rug from Behruz Studio. Blue checked vase from Formantics. Crystal bowl (on coffee table) and sold orange cushion from Fenton & Fenton. Sculpture (on coffee table) by Dion Horstman. Yellow candelabra (on coffee table) from Makers Mrkt. Round cushion (on chair) from Bungalow Trading Co. Yellow check and orange striped cushion from Bonnie & Neil. Purple checked, purple wave and blue striped cushion from Middle of Nowhere. Tued multi-coloured cushion from Sage & Clare. Artworks from left to right: ‘Classic (With A Touch Of Lime)’ by Brent Hallard, Studio Gallery. ‘Can I See You’ by Kasper Raglus, Modern Times. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2023 – Revive palette. Walls: Dulux Lexicon® Quarter. Feature Wall: Dulux Princess Pink. Table from Angelucci 20th Century. Chairs from Ajar. Ceramic vessels from Bonnie & Neil. Glass vessel from Jardan. Artwork: ‘Tilda’ by Melanie Macilwain, Fenton & Fenton. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2023 – Revive palette. Walls: Dulux Diorite. Ceiling: Dulux Pharaohʼs Gem. Throw from Bonnie & Neil. Bedlinen and cushions from Castle and Things. Bedhead from Family Love Tree. Side table from Billy Furniture. Lamp from House of Orange. Glass bowl from Jardan. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2023 – Revive palette. Cabinets: Dulux Lexicon® Quarter. Island: Dulux Perplexed. Walls: Dulux Paper Brown. Stool from Ajar. Blue glass jug and tea towel from Bonnie & Neil. Glass from Naaytu. White vase, bowl, yellow jug and salt and pepper shaker from Makers Mrkt. Artwork: ‘Petite Fille’ by Jean Paul Mangin, Studio Gallery. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2023 – Revive palette. Walls: Dulux Lexicon® Quarter. Ceiling: Dulux Breezy Half. Side table (green) from District. Sofa from House of Orange. Ottoman from Anaca Studio. Lamp from Modern Times. Shelving by Objects by Kit; Chair from Angelucci 20th Century. Side table (pink) from Domo. Rug from Halcyon Lake. Pink, gold, striped and round cushions from Kip & Co. Blue checked cushion from Bonnie & Neil. Orange checked and flower motif cushion from Castle and Things. Yellow candle holder (on ottoman) from Modern Times. Aqua candle holder (on ottoman) from Makers Mrkt. Glass vessel (top shelf) and vessels (middle shelf) from Bungalow Trading Co. Blue Knot decor (top shelf) and glass bowl (bottom shelf) from Jardan. Planter from Capra Designs. Artwork: ‘Realm’ by Clare Brodie, Studio Gallery. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2023 – Revive palette. Walls: Dulux Lexicon® Quarter. Ceiling: Dulux Breezy Half. Bench from Modern Times. Planter from Capra Designs. Rug by Objects by Kit. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2023 – Revive palette. Walls: Dulux Lexicon® Quarter. Stripes: Dulux Breezy Half and Dulux Paper Brown. Front door: Dulux Pink Chi. Rug from Halcyon Lake. Planters and plants from Into the Wild Interiors. Chair from Mobilia. Artwork: ‘At Play 2’ by Callum Francis, Studio Gallery. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Revive

After all the doom and gloom of recent years, Dulux’s latest forecast also suggests that playful, happy colours are set to brighten up our everyday lives. The Revive palette draws on the maximalist interior spaces you’ve probably seen across your Instagram feed, characterised by unexpected colour combinations, graphic geometric patterns and chunky, wavy furniture in cloud-like forms! It’s all about having fun and filling a space with personality.

Sunshine yellow, gold and breezy blues paired with Dulux Purple Celebration are destined to be instant mood-boosters, softened with variations of rose such as Dulux Princess Pink and Dulux Pink Chi. It also features deeper takes on recently trending jewel tones such as cobalt blue and emerald.

‘Pairing retro influences with futuristic features, such as pixel patterns and digital art, the Revive palette cleverly merges the past and present. And with its colourful, look-at-me accent walls and statement seating, it creates the perfect Instagrammable moment,’ says Andrea.

See all shades in Dulux’s 2023 Colour Forecast here.