Give your home an instant update by referencing some of the new colour trends for 2018. From dramatic purple to muted neutrals, there’s a shade for everyone.
Dulux’s Rye colour from the Heart Wood range
According to Dulux, the colours we should be using to decorate our homes should balance the complex challenges of everyday life. “As life gets faster, now is the time to press pause,” says Rebecca Williamson, senior colour and design expert. “Our home needs to be a place where we can turn down the noise, shut the door on the outside world and step into a place that is uniquely ours. Our home needs to be our sanctuary… A Welcome Home.”
Dulux’s Pink Parchment from the Heart Wood range keeps it soulful
The brand has taken this theme – of ‘A Welcome Home’ – to encapsulate its Colour of the Year, which is Heart Wood: a warm neutral, with a hint of heather. As well as this harmonious palette, which includes cocoa and bolder tones of ink blue and purple, the brand is also forecasting white clay and blush pink tones in its ‘Comforting Home’ collection. There are cool shades of blue and sea-green in its ‘Inviting Home’ range, while the ‘Playful Home’ palette features hues inspired by nature – think: rich and yellow-toned greens working seamlessly alongside golden shades, which combine to create a serene environment.
Benjamin Moore’s Texas Rose pink is thoroughly modern
Talking of which, colourists at Benjamin Moore paints, which was founded in the USA in 1883, are also championing a range of colours that will bring grace and character to a home. “Whether complementing its surroundings or contrasting for a stand-out effect, a touch of colour can go a long way in bringing a space to life,” Helen Shaw, marketing director, says. “The calming coloured neutral hue of ‘Excalibur Gray’ is the ideal choice for a bedroom while the delicate yet standout ‘Texas Rose’ pink sits beautifully against the white sanitary-ware of the bathroom.”
In then pink: add a metallic hue like Crown’s deep pink for interest
At Crown Paints, meanwhile, its ‘Bloom’ range of colours, inspired by the soft pinks and muted greens of spring-time, reflect the beauty of an English garden. “Bloom is the romantic token of nature at its most magnificent, with fresh floral tones on a long spectrum, from lively greens to deep-seated pinks and purples,” says Neville Knott, Crown colour consultant. “This collection of colours is a joyful acknowledgement of the promise of summer, where every colourful bloom is layered one over the other.”
Serenity Living is Argos’ new SS18 interiors theme
Argos’s new Serenity range of homewares is also inspired by spring. “Serenity is all about capturing the soothing stillness of a spring morning,” says the brand. “Illustrative watercolours and light mirrored surfaces create a sanctuary from the rush of the modern world. Hushed pastel hues of rose and mint are accented with inky blues and metallic references. The tranquillity of nature is brought to your home through glazed ceramics, natural linens and marble tones, making an understated haven for relaxation.”
Amtico’s White Ash flooring adds sophisticated appeal
Continuing the subtle approach to colour, look to the flooring in your home as a simple way of lifting a room’s scheme. Kelly Alders, senior product designer at Amtico, agrees: “We will be looking at lighter, fresher colour tones in 2018, driven by an increasing interest in well-being. We want healthier environments that make us happy and there’s a trend for softer, more muted colour palettes, avoiding aggressive colours.”
Brintons’ Amethyst carpet
Meanwhile, channelling Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2018 – which has been named as Ultraviolet – is heritage carpet brand Brintons. “For 2018, purple and the spectrum that Pantone’s ‘ultra violet’ encompasses, will be a key theme,” says Natalie Littlehales, consumer marketing manager. “It is both a warm and cool tone, depending on the rest of your interior scheme. Pair with ochres and warm oranges for warmth, or with greys for a cooler décor.”
The Enya Bedframe from Furniture Village in deep purple
From ‘eggplant’ velvet cushions to regal violet bedframes, there’s a whole host of pieces which reflect the purple trend at Furniture Village. Malcolm Walker, director of buying, gives his take on the colour: “Carrying connotations of royalty and wealth, this rich and uplifting hue will brighten any room. For those who love to make a statement, this bold shade can be paired with other jewel tones to create an opulent scheme. If you’re looking to create something a little softer, try introducing an array of complementary hues alongside it such as heather, lavender and aubergine.”
Ravello Dining Table by MY Furniture
While purple is the leading colour for 2018, when it comes to bolder schemes, other shades – such as bright teal, fiery red and matt black – are also emerging as modern hues to consider. Whether it is My Furniture’s mid-century inspired Ravello Dining Table, with its teal velvet chairs, or one of the stand-alone tubs from the Albion Bath Company, which are available in a range of colours – all you need is just one eye-catching piece to add a touch of drama.
Albion Bath Company’s Tubby Tub comes in a range of colours, including gloss black
Rebecca Hughes, MD of Rebecca Hughes Interiors, a London-based luxury design studio, puts her money on inky blues or matte black – which is surprisingly more adaptable than many think: “Although I love embracing dark walls, for me matte black works particularly well when seen on individual products such as a lamp base, mirror or even a statement crittal shower screen. I particularly like the use of matte black sanitary-ware, where taps or marble vanity tops become a strong feature. Mix the colour up with dusky pink tones, soft greys and copper accents so it doesn’t look too austere.”
When it comes to wallpapers, keep it light and modern with Graham & Brown’s Terrazzo Blue
Wallpapers are also another creative way of incorporating a pop of colour to a room. Graham & Brown’s new collaboration with Hemingway Design includes the Terrazzo wallpaper, inspired by the luxury flooring of an Italian palazzo, and Dots wallpaper, a playful graphic pattern in complementary pastel shades. While 1838 Wallcoverings is predicting a lean towards the glorious shades of nature – think berry, invigorating green and earthy sand tones.
The Margot Chaise in Peackock Blue Velvet from Made.com
Finally, at Made.com, it’s all about rich earthy shades, such as burnt orange and cactus, matched with vibrant hues, such as peacock blue, tomato reds and ochre. They will “inject fun, wit and warmth,” which British designer, Steuart Padwick, one of Made.com’s first designers, sees as being a key component in 2018 design.
Allegra Hicks, a Made.com designer recognised globally for her work in textiles and prints, notes she is particularly excited about “the combination of different textures and cold and warm colours together, such as olive and turquoise.”
The Gower armchair at DFS
PURPLE POWER
DFS Design Director Philip Watkin chooses his top three purple-hued products
- The Bailey Wool Armchair in Lavender, £999
Available in wool or velvet, this chair is traditionally inspired and elegantly styled with beautiful button detailing.
- The Gower Armchair in Damson, £899
This classic design gets a dramatic purple velvet update to combine comfort with a touch of chic.
- The Laze Large Sofa in Herringbone Purple, £449
The DFS Laze from the Capsule Collection gives a curvy retro look that will work for years to come.
MY TOP TEN COLOUR PICKS
Berry Ilaria Pendant Shade, £29, made.com
Green Ticking Stripe Vase, £12, sainsburys.co.uk
Distressed Edge Cushion, £25, marksandspencer.com
Clara Espresso Cup, £8, oliverbonas.com
Double Cloth Tassel Throw, £50, monsoon.co.uk
Pink and Sage Green Rosa Pendant, from £96, urbancottageindustries.com
Giant Recycled Bottle Vase, £75, furniturevillage.co.uk
Dizzy Wonders Clock, £30, artwow.co
Parisienne Filippe Brown Porcelain Tile, £78 per m2, sacw.co.uk
Phoebe Velvet Bedroom Chair, £230, sweetpeaandwillow.com
This article is also published in the February issue of The Cambridge Edition Magazine
2 comments
A good trend for design in Vietnam
Your colour palette is so pretty! And with the colour blocking, you’ve made it a practical, lovely and fun space for a family home. But I like you Velvet Bedspreads style . Thanks For Share .