The annual Dulux Colour Forecast is based on year-round research into the latest global and local trends that are predicted to influence New Zealand and Australian design and how we live. The Dulux Colour Forecast 2023 – led by Dulux Colour Specialists Davina Harper and Andrea Lucena-Orr in conjunction with Dulux Colour Forecaster and Stylist Bree Leech – has been informed by seminars, trend reports and editorials, fashion catwalks, product and design launches, engagement with global and international brands, and customised research.
After a chaotic couple of years filled with challenge and change, we now seek a sense of calm and order in our everyday lives. Having spent the last year post-Covid adapting to new work practises and daily routines, much of it conducted online, we’re looking to take back the reins of our day-to-day lives and prioritise our mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. We’ve seen that life is fragile and, as a result, now choose to be more considered with how and where we spend our time, energy and funds.
The idea of living simply and authentically has taken on a new appeal. The effects of climate change, waste and overconsumption are realities we can no longer ignore; and given our 24/7 newsfeed – this has caused many of us great concern. As a result, we strive to walk more gently on the earth, whether that’s with the understanding of the clothes we wear, food we eat or homewares we buy. Luxury, once a by-word for ostentation, is now expressed as ‘sustainable luxury’ and refers to quality, craftsmanship and responsible production.
We’re excited to be out there exploring the world again and connecting with the community. Commercial spaces, such as cafés, bars and restaurants, offer the chance to try new things and create those joyful, memorable experiences we’ve been missing.
With ‘work from anywhere’ arrangements increasingly the norm, meetings and Zoom calls are just as likely to happen in a café or co-working space as they are in an office. As such, we want commercial spaces to be flexible in their design and to include the digital imperatives we need to run our lives, such as charging stations and a reliable WiFi connection.
Ideally, these spaces should also reflect our values; wellness, responsible and considered design, with a connection to nature. This could be in the form of interior plantscapes, recycled and upcycled furniture, earth-drawn colour schemes, or the use of natural and eco-friendly building materials and cooking ingredients.
We’ve all reacted differently to the upheavals of the last couple of years – some crave freedom and irreverence, whilst others prefer order and reassurance. The Dulux Colour Forecast 2023 features three moving colour palettes that reflect these desires, with warm, earth-based colours that reinforce a connection with nature, oceanic blues that foster stillness and calm, and eclectic brighter hues to encourage those moments of pure escapism.
Interior design 2023 trend: Connect palette
Our homes continue to be our refuge in 2023 – the place we seek security, calm and comfort as we build up the mental and physical resilience to face an altered reality in the outside world. The Dulux Connect palette reflects our desire for a simpler lifestyle, grounded in nature. Natural and quietly stable hues, such as moss, wasabi, sandstone, muddied yellow-green and rich, purple-brown bring warmth and intimacy to interiors and commercial spaces, and set a relaxed and welcoming tone that draws people in.
“It speaks of calm, comfort and an honest approach to living, and brings in many of the pastimes we experienced during lockdown, such as a hiking, cooking, quilting and gardening. Muddied yellow-green has something of a nostalgic, country- house feel, cinnamon is grounding, whilst rich, warm brown adds an indulgent and contemporary twist,” says Davina.
Furniture is crafted from raw timber, leather and rattan, with gently curved lines that add to the cosy, sanctuary-like vibe, whilst fabrics are natural and highly textural; woven linen, cotton, hemp and fine woollen knits. Vintage and thrifted furniture sit comfortably alongside bespoke, contemporary lighting made from recycled materials, whilst handcrafted ceramics in organic shapes speak to our continued appreciation for the handmade and unique. They also bring to mind many of the pastimes we experienced during lockdown, such as quilting, cooking, gardening and hiking.
Rather than being hidden away, the marks of time are celebrated for their imperfect beauty; think charred timber wall panelling, worn leather sofas, faded tartan rugs and naturally weathered brass tapware.
Highlights from this palette include the greens, such as Dulux St Bathans and Gentle Annie, and the neutral Dulux Glinks Gully, which will play a dominant role in the year ahead.
Interior design 2023 trend: Balance palette
Not everyone is yearning for adventure in a post-Covid world – many of us seek comfort through structure and routine. The Dulux Balance palette is a refined and reassuring palette of serene marine blues, gentle greens, weathered pastels and accents of deep garnet that evoke the beauty and fluidity of our oceans and shoreline. Interiors are pared-back and considered, with the focus on immersive colour that runs from walls to ceilings, and exquisite detailing, such as the sweeping curve of a bedhead or the sliver brass border around a fireplace. These can help to create living spaces that feel both ordered and classic in their intent.
Lavish, touch-me textures, such as velvet and silk in upholstery and bed linen add a sense of luxury to living spaces and bedrooms, while accents of charcoal in lighting and architectural features add a contemporary edge. Patterns in art and décor pieces are intricate and understated and are inspired by the complex and structured patterns found in nature, such as a fern or seashell, to create something of an otherworldly feel. Technology allows for precise design details, such as delicate, laser-cut light fixtures and palm-size sculptures with intricate pleating, creating small but arresting features that make you consider nature’s fleeting beauty.
“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,” says Bree Leech.
The key colours from this palette include the blues in Dulux Kimberley Sea, Spectacle Lake and Port Jackson with a balance of warmth in Deep Garnet which respond to the importance of this oceanscape theme.
Interior design 2023 trend: Revive palette
Filled with playful, uplifting brighter colours, such as rose pink, breezy blue, sunshine yellow, emerald, violet and burnt orange, the Dulux Revive palette is an instant mood-lifter – just what many of us need after the gruelling last couple of years. With unexpected colour combinations, graphic floral patterns and furniture in cloud-like forms, the message is clear: interiors shouldn’t be taking themselves too seriously in 2023.
“As we emerge from trying times, we’re looking for lightness and a sense of freedom to revive our spirits. So, when it comes to our homes, it’s out with the rule book, and in with the possibilities to create something fun and joyful,” says Davina.
Chubby furniture, exaggerated floral and striped patterns, and colours galore – for many, the freedoms we’re enjoying are a chance to cut loose from convention and have some fun. Whilst the colours in the Dulux Revive palette are a little deeper than last year’s brighter colours, it draws from a same philosophy; it’s out with the so-called ‘design rules’ and in with personal expression. Mustardy yellows, breezy blues, rose pink, lavender and striking emerald are splashed across everything from walls to furniture to create spaces that instantly make you smile.
Standouts from this palette include emerald green, a popular hue in 2022, which will play a bigger role in the year ahead and we’ll see used in new and unexpected ways, such as fluted paneling on a kitchen island, and paper-bag orange, which helps ground Revive’s kaleidoscope of saturated hues, whilst speaking to the natural aesthetic that dominates this year.
Mixing nostalgic elements, such as 80s-style colour blocking and mid-century-style furniture with futuristic features, like digital and pixel-patterned art, this is a look best described as ‘retro futurism’. It’s also one that speaks directly to the digital generation, with a focus on creating Instagrammable moments – think one-of-a-kind accent walls (yes, they’re back), oversized, statement sofas made with modern quilting techniques, and carefully curated backdrops for video calls. The past, present and future, moulded into one.
Dulux Colour Forecast 2023 integration tips by Davina Harper
To introduce colour, try painting the skirting boards or architraves in your living room, the edge of a door, the back of a bookshelf, a bedhead in your child’s room, or breathe new life into an old lamp base, chair or front door with a coat of paint. You’ll find that colour really makes a house a home – once you get started with paint colours, you’ll never look back!
Before you start painting, it’s crucial when selecting colours for walls or soft furnishings that you consider other fixtures and fittings in your space that you can’t change easily – it might be carpet, tiles, laminate or stone, and/or curtains and blinds that you will need to ensure work with the new colour(s) chosen.
For colour surety, simply order A4 Colour Swatches or Sample Pots from dulux.co.nz in your chosen colour(s) for your space – view these colours in your home’s natural light conditions. Alternatively, Dulux has an online colour advice team and a Colour Design Service if you want a design professional to assist in curating your space.
