Curious to discover what paint brand Dulux’s highly anticipated Colour of the Year for 2026 is? You won’t expect this – drum roll, please…
We’re excited to unveil that Dulux has selected not one, but three shades as part of its Colour of the Year 2026. Say hello to serene Mellow Flow, moody Slow Swing, and vibrant Free Groove, all collectively named Rhythm of Blues.
While last year’s Colour of the Year, called True Joy, oozed optimism, this year’s trio of blues reflects the paces of modern life, from moments of calm and meditation to carefree fun and celebration. The hues are closely connected to nature, so they pair well with a range of other shades, such as earthy tones and more daring pops of colour like bright yellow and fresh greens. But how can you embrace them in your interiors?
We’ve asked Marianne Shillingford, the brand’s creative director and colour expert, about the process of coming up with the upbeat Rhythm of Blues family and how to use these striking shades when decorating your home…
What was the process of choosing not one, but three colours for Dulux Colour of the Year 2026?
“Blue has been the world’s favourite colour for as long as I can remember, and for good reason, too – it brings a sense of fluidity, relief, stillness and freedom,” says Marianne. “It’s deep connection to nature also makes it a comforting, familiar colour. But what blue means to me, and how I can use it to find homeliness or inspiration, may not be how everyone else would use it.”
“With so much change and a constant overload of information at our fingertips 24/7, we wanted to take it back to basics and stick to what we know and love. We chose a colour that is already adored by us all, and highlighted three shades that champion the different atmospheres this multi-faceted colour can create, ready to align with whatever tempo your life is currently at,” she explains.
Where did you look for inspiration?
“Each year, we have an annual creative brainstorm with global trend forecasters to discuss the direction of our world and collective culture,” Marianne tells me. “We cover everything from politics to pop culture, to give us a flavour of the global mood and what people will need from their homes in the coming years.
“With these insights, colour experts at AkzoNobel’s Global Aesthetics Centre selected shades that feel universally relevant, and offer inspirational decorating solutions to help us get the most out of our living spaces.”
How do you plan on using these shades in your own home?
“Every year, I delight in painting my front door in the Dulux Colour of the Year. I’m so excited to do so again this year – I think a blue front door signals an entrance to a home of harmony and calm,” says Marianne.
“The great thing about having three different colours as part of our Dulux Colour of the Year 2026 family – Free Groove, Slow Swing and Mellow Flow – is that they can each be used to create different moods in different rooms, while still keeping a cohesive feel to the home as a whole,” she continues. “So, while the bubbly Free Groove can be used to enliven home offices and buzzy kitchens, I’m also looking forward to using Mellow Flow and Slow Swing to create more sumptuous, soothing atmospheres in spaces I want to feel my most cosy.”
Can you share a couple of decorating tips with the Rhythm of Blues collection?
“Free Groove is impossible to shy away from; it’s a proud and punchy blue that uplifts any room, whether used all over your walls or even just as an accent colour. It’s the perfect choice for lively home hubs like the kitchen to help create an energetic and sociable space,” advises Marianne.
“Mellow Flow, on the other hand, is soft and understated. It would make for a gorgeous bathroom colour, emulating light sunrise skies for morning showers, and bringing a coastal vibe to bathtime.
“If, like me, you’re also a lover of colour, on the ceiling, may I suggest Slow Swing for the bedroom’s fifth wall? Its inky deepness is so enveloping, a ceiling coated in Slow Swing would feel like falling asleep under the fresh night’s sky,” she recommends.
So, are you ready to find your own rhythm and welcome the Dulux Colour of the Year 2026 family to your home?
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