After a year during which we spent more time than ever looking at the same walls, you'd be forgiven for wanting to give your home decor a major refresh in 2021. But what colours are going to be taking the design world by storm next year?
Home improvement specialists Insulation Express have crunched the numbers, analysing what shades are soaring in popularity as we approach the new year.
Their research suggests that Farrow & Ball's Railings was the most popular colour of 2020, and will continue to beguile us in 2021, along with other F&B shades Hague Blue and Green Smoke. Along with Dulux's Polished Pebble, these make up the four colours that are set to remain on-trend all year long.
Read on for the colour palettes set to dominate your Instagram interiors feed next year:
Spring/summer 2021 colour trends
Muted shades dominate the first months of 2021 as we emerge into spring. After a tumultuous year, it's no wonder that we are clamouring for calming neutrals inspired by the natural world, including Dulux's Colour of the Year for 2021, Brave Ground.
As the summer creeps in, we'll see retro pastel tones like Johnstone's Miami Mint and Island Hibuscus by Designer's Guild make an appearance.
'In 2021, as we continue to spend more time at home we are more likely to focus on creating calming and cosy spaces to relax and unwind in,' says Katherine Christopher, director of K Christopher Interiors.
'The spring/summer 2021 interior design trends are therefore likely to focus on a combination of neutral, warm, calming colours, fabrics and finishes.'
Katherine suggests: 'You can also add in accents of green to this colour palette to add more depth and interest to the space. Green has restorative and calming qualities and will create a sense of comfort, stability and calmness while still keeping the interior uplifting, interesting and engaging.'
Marc Hardy from interior design and architectural consultancy Space I.D. adds another trend to look out for as the weather warms up. 'Over the past year there has been a movement towards botanical colours and a 60s Miami vibe,' he says, with 'shades of pink proving prominent'.
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Autumn/winter 2021 colour trends
While our four year-round favourites remain in place, those neutral mainstays are joined by a few bolder shades - that turquoise tang of Robin Egg by Designer's Guild is an unexpected delight - as well as familiar autumnal tones of olive and deep yellow.
As the months grow colder, we are set to fully embrace the delights of dark decor, with deep and dramatic shades like Velvetine No. 442 by Crown and The Little Greene's Dock Blue.
Marc Hardy says: 'Looking ahead I wouldn’t be surprised with the prospect of an escape from 2020. That the pungent colours of pink, mustard/brass and monochrome colours and tones will come through, not just black and white.'
Katherine believes that as we transition from the warmer and brighter summer months to the colder and darker winter season, 'we are likely to switch up our colour scheme and furnishings slightly, adding warmer colours to ensure a cosy space during winter'.
Olive green is likely to be one of these colours used frequently in autumn/winter.
Blue has been a popular colour in 2020 and that’s expected to continue into 2021 but with ‘cleaner’ tones making an appearance, as these create 'the most calming and relaxing energy within a space'.
Katherine also says that 'warmer tones of red and plum are bold and rich enough to add a luxurious finish to an interior, and if used in the correct tone, can still create a sense of warmness and calm, particularly during the winter months when there is less light from outside'.
For more ideas on refreshing your home in 2021, check out our guide to the decor trends to look out for next year, and our predictions for 2021's hottest kitchen looks. Can't find the shade you're looking for? Why not check out the new collection of Lick paint colours, which include restful tones inspired by nature.
