I've renovated countless houses and although some experts say blue is tricky to use in interiors, here's how I'd use the Dulux Colours of the Year 2026

First off the starting blocks this year in the annual paint trend predictions is Dulux, who have gone with not one, but three shades of blue. All very different, but equally all likely to cause a stir when it comes to using them on your walls.

Despite being the world's most popular colour, blue is often criticised for being a cold colour, and one that's lacking in warmth. Personally, having used blue in many different rooms from bedrooms, through to my current blue and pink open plan kitchen living room, I tend to disagree.

So, if like me, blue is one of your favourite shades, but you're not sure how to get it right, here's how to use the Dulux Colours of the Year 2026 to create a home that's not just on trend, but a delight to look at too.

What are the Dulux Colours of the Year 2026?

There are three shades of blue in this year's Dulux Colours of the Year 2026, all of which have a different feel:

• Mellow Flow – described as an airy light blue
• Free Groove – a more vibrant shade of indigo
• Slow Swing – a dark, inky sophisticated shade of blue

Although I personally think all three don't sit that well together if you want to use them in one room, Mellow Flow, the lighter of the trio certainly compliments the other two shades and could be used along with a neutral, or even contrasting colour.

This year's selection is certainly a vast difference to Dulux's Colour of the Year 2025, which was True Joy, a bright vibrant yellow. However, shades of blue are arguably more useable and adaptable across more areas of your home and here's how.

How to use the Dulux Colours of the Year 2026

Use Mellow Flow in bedrooms

When choosing how and where to use the Dulux Colours of the Year 2026, start by thinking about the overall look you are hoping to achieve.

If you lean more towards a light and airy interior, creating a colour palette using Mellow Flow, shades of denim, light oak and off white would be a great combination for an older children's bedroom idea or even for your guest bedroom ideas.

Try a Free Groove inspired kitchen diner

For something more punchy, Free Groove paired with zingy lime green or even yellow will bring even the darkest of rooms to life, and pack a punch where other colours may fail.

Try it for a bright and colourful kitchen diner idea, using blue as your cabinet colour then accessorising with green or yellow kitchen decor ideas, choosing them perhaps as the colours for your dining chairs and table.

Colour drench your snug with Slow Swing

Or, if you prefer a richer colour scheme, why not adopt the colour drenching paint technique and coat your walls, ceilings and woodwork in Slow Swing, and then pair it with with rich burgundy and vibrant metals for warm and cosy snug ideas.

Or, you could even use it in hallways on your wall panelling ideas for a grand and elegant entrance.

Blue bathrooms are a great option too

If you are worried blue can be too cool in other rooms, one of the best places to use it in your home is in your bathroom ideas. But, the key to making blue work in bathrooms? Don't be tempted to create a pastiche to the seaside.

Instead, pair Mellow Flow painted walls with a feature wall of these Wild Botanicals Porcelain Blue tile by Clarissa Hulse from Hyperion Tiles, add crisp white sanitaryware and matt gold taps and accessories for a clean but sophisticated look.

Or, use Slow Swing as your inspiration and choose dark inky blue bathroom furniture, large format marble tiles such as these Onyx Blue in Polished and Matt Tiles from Hyperion Tiles, and finish the look with black taps and hardware.

For those of you who prefer something brighter of a morning? The brighter shade of Free Grove combined with Mellow Flow, white tiles and lighter toned woods won't fail to give you a Scandi inspired dopamine wake up call each and every day.

Our top picks

If I had to pick my favourite of the Dulux Colours of the Year 2026, I'd definitely opt for Slow Swing and Mellow Flow. I think the shades lend themselves to other colours more easily, making them more suited to lots of different interior ideas.

And, I'm not alone in my preferences, as Homebuilding & Renovating's editor, Beth Murton is also a fan of Slow Swing.

"I’m naturally drawn to colours that remind me of the sea and expanses of water, so blue is a colour I’ve used throughout my own home," says Beth. "With its myriad shades and tones, blue is such a versatile colour, working equally well as a calm backdrop in a restful bedroom as it does when used in a dark and cosy living room.

"My favourite of the three blue shades in Dulux’s Colours of 2026 is Slow Swing, as I naturally gravitate towards this shade’s dramatic, inky tones that remind me of the sea on a dark and blustery day – often my favourite time to be walking on the beach! If painting your walls in such a bold colour feels a step too far, don’t forget you could introduce it more subtly with a sofa or accent chair, a rug or a few well-chosen accessories."

Beth Murton

Beth became editor of Homebuilding & Renovating in 2023 with a wealth of experience, having been a homes journalist and editor for more than 20 years. She has worked for and contributed to a number of leading magazines and websites in the UK, including Grand Designs, Homes & Gardens, Real Homes, Ideal Home and Period Living. She has fully renovated two houses, including her current property, a 1930s house in the Midlands. Her passion for all things homes-related means that she's always planning a new project in the house.

For more inspiration on using blue in your home renovation plans, take a look at these navy kitchen ideas and if you're keen to add in some different shades, find out what the experts recommend for mixing and matching colours in a kitchen.