This year marks the 25th anniversary of the annual Dulux Colour Forecast!

Led by the Dulux Colour Team — made up of Colour and Communications Manager Andrea Lucena-Orr, Colour Forecaster and Stylist Bree Leech, and Colour Manager Lauren Treloar — the forecast draws on year-round research into the latest global and local trends that are predicted to impact Australian design and how we live.

It’s no surprise that global events influence the way our homes look and feel, and the colours we’re drawn to. As a result, the history of the Dulux Colour Forecast now serves as its own intriguing time capsule, offering a unique window into the past.

‘Throughout the last 25 years, Australians have faced a number of cultural moments that have influenced and inspired our interior colour trends,’ Andrea says. And a lot has changed since the landmark forecast began in 1999.

Below we reflect on some of the most memorable moments from the last two decades!

2023 – Living authentically

This year has been all about earth-drawn neutrals, natural textures, and an array of vibrant colours that will brighten up our spaces. Nature continues to inspire trends, bringing in rich tones like moss, wasabi, sandstone, cinnamon, pairing Dulux Whisper White alongside warmer accents such as Dulux Bongo Skin and Dulux Basset Brown. On the contrast, the Dulux Colour Forecast also picked a palette of happy colours featuring sunshine yellow, blues, and variations of pinks as others sought to inject a sense of authentic personality into their homes.

2021 – The pandemic pushes connection through colour

When the global pandemic put a halt to daily routines, people took refuge inside their homes and it kicked off an interior renovation boom! Soothing shades of earthy greens and gentle mauve-greys were a favourite in the 2021 forecast, allowing for moments of optimism and playful mash-ups of pink and terracotta, hinting to 70s nostalgia – inspiring a wave of retro-inspired interiors that’s continued to grow in popularity today.

2019 – Australians’ confidence with colour grows

Shades of pink (think millennial pink!) were a hot topic in the design world. The 2019 Dulux Colour Forecast noted that Australians’ had become more confident with colour, embracing trends like clashing patterns and unexpected colour combinations, and styling repurposed vintage pieces against backdrops of neutrals, saturated greens and citrus brights, like Dulux Apricot Fool and Dulux Sunbird Orange.

2017 – Greiges reign supreme

Scandinavian-inspired interiors were the trend of the moment in 2017, when the Dulux Colour Forecast tipped ‘greiges’ to reign supreme! Dulux Beige Mystery was one of the highlighted colours of the year, as minimalism was having its moment in the spotlight, with chalky greys, whitewashed timbers and grey stone benchtops brought in a sense of calm to our homes.

2016 – A bold and moody forecast

2016 was a bold and dramatic year for colour, however these impactful hues were contrasted with splashes of acid colours, such as Dulux Ripening Grape, Dulux Loose Leather and Dulux Emerald Forest.

2015 – Reconnecting with nature

2015’s colour palettes were all about incorporating shades of green within our homes to feel closely connected to nature, counteracting the growing influence of technology and the feeling of being constantly ‘plugged in’ — something that still rings true today, where our homes continue to be anchored in earthy hues! These tones were softened with textures like timber, fur, leather. Remember when cow hide rugs were trending everywhere?

2013 – Social change pushes monochrome 

In 2013, Dulux identified six quite restrained palettes reflecting global trends — revealing the popularity of monochromatic schemes, concrete greys, metal and stone finishes and muted pastels. These pared back palettes were influenced by the continued rise of social media, technology, and growing social change of the digital era.

2011 – Yellow makes a comeback

Yellow has always been a divisive colour but in 2011, the Dulux Colour Forecast saw the bold hue make a ‘huge comeback’ after years of being unfashionable. The report also noted the emergence of warm reds, oranges and pinks that filled the home with ‘positivity’ off the back of the recent economic downturn. Today, yellow is beginning to pop up again in our interiors once again, with the rise of the trending yellow kitchen!

Find out more about the Dulux Colour Forecast here, and stay tuned for the Dulux Colour Forecast 2024 launching on August 31!