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ARE YOU BRAVE enough to embrace this year’s boldest paint colours or will you seek the ease of 2025′s most comforting tones? From bright yellow to rich russet tones Ruth O’Connor asks the experts what we should be putting on our walls this year.
If ever there was a colour that embraced the trend for dopamine decor it’s the 2025 Colour of the Year from Dulux – True Joy. A bright, uplifting yellow hue designed to bring ‘optimism, creative energy and pride’ into our homes. It’s a colour that works surprisingly well with warm colours in the Dulux range such as Rustic Chestnut, Sapphire Splendor and and Spiced Terracotta but also with evocatively-named neutral earthy shades such as Weathered Pebble, English Earth and Wild Wonder.
“It’s a colour that immediately resembles joy or ‘a happy colour’ as my sons call it,” Jane Witter, Dulux Colour Expert tells The Journal. “We have an emotive response to the colour yellow and can be as playful with it as we wish to be. In Irish homes, it will definitely bring an uplifting feeling, but where the Irish consumer places it is up to them. The colour can be tinted into a myriad of paint finishes which can be used throughout the home – why not colour drench a downstairs bathroom, use it playfully on a ceiling, as a motif in a playroom or to bring some energy to a home office?”
For those of us nervous to embrace such a bright, bold colour Jane says that there are other new colours in the Dulux Easycare range including greens, teals and warm rich hues with red undertones which are guaranteed to bring spontaneity and energy to your space. She says that colour drenching as a major colour placement technique is still popular across home projects with both deep and light colours. There is also a move to warm neutrals with brown based undertones and a continued shift away from traditional cooler greys.
For those lacking confidence when it comes to colour, Jane suggests using the support of a colour expert. “You will be steered by expertise and given advice in relation to your specific needs. Many people don’t know where to start when it comes to colour choices, Dulux has a service called Let’s Chat Colour where we advise on both colour and product choices.”
The Colourtrend brand also offers brilliant virtual colour consultations, a proportion of the cost of which can be offset against paint purchases. “It can be a little overwhelming to know where to begin with colour,” says Edel Campbell, Colourtrend Colour Expert. “Our colour consultants have in-depth knowledge of colour theory and how different hues interact with light, architecture and furnishings. They can take your décor inspirations and combine them with your personality and lifestyle to create a well-balanced design that you will love.”
In terms of trends, Edel says that last year’s growing love for cherry reds and burgundies is continuing in 2025 with Colourtrend’s Baked Plum and Baggot Street colours perfect examples of these. “Neutral tones also remain key,” she says. “Colourtrend has a beautiful range of neutrals with soft warm or cool undertones that create a restful atmosphere. For example Batch Loaf, Powdered Shell and Shell Cove can be used in many combinations with a popular choice being to pair them with a bright pop of colour.”
For readers who fear bold or bright colours but would still like to inject their homes with something current Edel reminds us to be brave and to remember that nothing is irreversible when it comes to paint. “The best advice I can give is to push yourself out of your comfort zone,” she says. “You can take small steps to incorporate colour into your décor by painting frames and smaller units or by creating a feature wall. You could paint skirting boards or doors to bring colour into a room or begin your journey with colour in a small room such as a downstairs bathroom.” Again, if unsure, she recommends opting for a neutral with a subtle undertone such as Colourtrend’s Aged Vellum, Watch House or Lowland colours.
At the Carlow Paint Hub, Managing Director Kate Gaynor has grown up in the paint business all her life so she knows a thing or two. Kate says that she has noticed a strong trend towards dark and moody colours for 2025 across the various brands she stocks. Nordic brand Tikkurila has chosen Nocturn – a deep, rich navy as its colour of the year while at Alchemist, the paint range Kate launched in 2020, a key colour is Fine Wine – a bold and sophisticated burgundy.
“This move towards deeper tones reflects a growing demand for warm, inviting and personal spaces where colour plays a key role in creating comfort and character,” says Kate. “Homeowners are moving towards earthy hues, calming and cool tones, and dark, moody shades. They’re embracing richer palettes that add depth and personality to their spaces and brands are embracing colours that align with emerging customer trends. At Alchemist, we conducted Ireland’s largest interior survey among homeowners, and found a growing preference for colour combinations over traditional neutrals.”
Kate says that colour can have a profound impact on our mood and wellbeing – something that led to the creation of the Alchemist Mood collection in collaboration with architect and interior designer Denise O’Connor. “Alchemist Mood was created with Irish lighting, Irish landscapes and Irish homes in mind,” says Kate. “When choosing a colour for a space, consider the atmosphere you want to create. Is it a high-energy room where you want to feel uplifted and focused or a low-energy space designed for relaxation?”
“In a living room, a deep navy can create a sense of calm and comfort, while in a home office, a soft sage green can help promote focus and creativity. By selecting colours that align with both the function of the room and your personal taste, you’ll create a home that not only looks beautiful but also enhances how you feel in the space.”
In order to help customers get the right balance when it comes to the overall decor, the Carlow Paint Hub has created a ‘palette of the year’ which includes dark, moody tones. “Deep tones work beautifully with Ireland’s soft natural light, making them an easy way to add depth and personality to a space. Fine Wine, Lace and Just Right create a perfect balance – bold yet inviting – adding depth and personality to any space.”
Kate says that her extensive research shows that, while neutral tones such as beige, grey and white remain popular, more and more Irish homeowners are opting for colour. “Personality-driven design is on the rise, with people moving away from trends and choosing colours that reflect their individuality and style. This shift mirrors what we’re seeing in fashion with the rise of dopamine dressing, where people use colour to boost their mood. They’re bringing that same energy into their homes, selecting shades that enhance their happiness and well-being.”
Over at Colourtrend, Edel Campbell echoes this sentiment. She says that more and more people want spaces that reflect their personalities and lifestyles. “Interior design and decorating is definitely an area where one size does not fit all and our customers always bring their own unique style to their projects. All tastes can be catered for from subtle neutrals to deeply pigmented bold hues that can be mixed and matched to produce a stunning overall effect. All our colours are available in every finish so there are no limits to creativity.”
Colourtrend offers 30/ 60 minute Virtual Colour Consultations some of the cost of which can be offset against paint purchases. Dulux offers free Let’s Chat Colour consultations over email and phone and the Carlow Paint Hub is always online to offer advice to customers via email and Instagram. To find out more visit:
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