House painting colour trends

If your home is in need of a bit of a lift, a fresh lick of paint should do the trick. We speak to Andrea Lucena-Orr, Colour and Communications Manager of Dulux Australia about this season’s hottest house painting trends.

What colour schemes are popular in house painting at the moment?
Schemes that are most popular currently are in the neutrals palette. Using subtle stones and beiges (Beige Royale or Hog Bristle) or whites (with hints of beige- China White) as main colours and then adding accents or splashes of colour such as earthy reds (Dulux Henna Red) or environmental greens (Dulux Olive Reserve).

What colour trends in house painting do you think we’ll see in the next year or so?
Predicted colours for the next 12 months continue to see neutrals as a dominant palette, along with deep blues, charcoals, blackened greens and mustards, yellow and dirty greens. For accents or features we are seeing reds, purple and orange in interior predictions.

How can people use colour in house painting to give the impression of space?
Colour is a great tool to enable the perception of a greater space or evening changing the feel of the space. Using lighter colours with higher light reflectance will increase the perception of space, and using cooler colours such as light blues or greens can even make it feel larger again. You can use colour to help the room feel more balanced, for example if you have a long, narrow room, choosing a darker colour at one end (on shorter wall) can help to change the perception of space. In south facing rooms, choosing warmer colours can help the room feel warmer and more intimate.

How do you go about selecting the right house paint for the job?
There is definitely a difference when selecting paint for different spaces. The most time consuming part of house painting is the preparation and the labour itself. Therefore by using a high quality paint you are increasing the timespan for when you will need to paint again. There are different paints to use in wet areas such as Dulux Wash & Wear Kitchens & Bathrooms and is guaranteed for 7 years against mould growth. You will also need to make a personal decision as to what sheen level you want to use. We would normally recommend a low sheen finish on walls in most areas (except wet areas), flat on ceilings and semi gloss or high gloss on architraves and trims.

Do you see more people tending towards low VOC paints? Why?
Most people are trying to have less impact on the environment when it comes to buying new products. With all of the media coverage and education now on sustainability and reducing your carbon imprint, most consumers are researching their product purchases more than ever before. With less than five grams of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) per litre, Dulux Eco Choice™ paints release less emissions and fewer odours into the environment, making painting more pleasant.