The Dulux Colour Forecast for 2021 is inspired by the chaotic year that has been 2020, and its wide ranging impacts on social and design paradigms. The collections are aptly named Retreat, Nourish, and Reset - concepts that have become essential in our chaotic world currently defined by Covid19, civil unrest and climate catastrophes.
The calm yet stimulating palettes emphasise the duality of our increased need for relaxation and revitalisation - we are in a time of both stress and exhaustion, creating a need for grounded yet invigorating colours. The variety and versitility of these selections can be applied to a range of spaces, situations and aesthetics.
Nourish
Image from Ewen Bell https://ewenbell.com/editorial/Flinders+Ranges
Image from https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/aix-en-provence-france-travel-guide
Nourish is by far the most immediately soothing of the palettes, comprised of warm neutrals, earthy tones and greens. The scheme lends itself to a summer day by the beach, or a walk through the bush - definitely things that nourish your soul! Nourish provides a range of complimentary tones that can be mixed and matched (lighter colours for a base with bright and darker colours for feature walls or highlights), or used as a stand alone for a quick refresh to your space. I am really drawn to the relaxed earthiness of Tuft and Sedia, and love Burnside as a pop of excitement!
This palette is most suited to a residential, hospitality or retail space, but could easily be used in a commercial setting. Nourish makes me imagine a cozy living room, a light cafe, or a boutique fashion store.
Reset
Image from https://www.rawsunshinecoast.com.au/
Image from A.T.O Studio http://ato.team/
Reset aims to do exactly that - stimulate and reset your brain by provoking a sense of calm playfulness. Bold red hues create focus and stimulation, while the lighter neutrals and greens provide tranquility. Much like Nourish, this scheme is perfect for mixing and matching, but also offers a beautiful range of colours to use as stand alone features. Reset aligns itself to a bouquet of native flowers or a cool, refreshing autumn breeze.
This scheme is perfect for retail, hospitality and commercial spaces, where stimulation and tranquility are both required. In a residential setting, this palette is perfect for a living room or study, when you want to feel awake but comfortable.
Retreat
Image from https://www.pixelatedtales.com
Image from https://thespaces.com/portos-torel-1884-hotel-draws-on-the-citys-seafaring-past/2/
Retreat offers a range of cool neutrals and bold yet diffused feature colours that creates a feeling of strength and rootedness. While Nourish offers immediate relaxation, Retreats provides a deeper sense of security and strength. This palette evokes the feeling of being inside on a stormy day - of being able to escape and find shelter somewhere calm.
Retreat is definitely suited to commercial spaces or larger hospitality settings, and would also be perfect in a residential kitchen, dining or living room.
The 2021 Dulux Colour Forecast has been meticulously developed to provide a calm and beneficial colour selection for any space in any setting. Every palette offers and infinite range of design options that work in harmony to provide a sense of nourishment, resetting, and retreat.
Our interior designer Kate has a passion for solving problems, creating incredible spaces, and sharing her design tips and tricks.