Dulux Colour of the Year 2022 – Bright Skies
It’s that exciting time of year again when various companies start to announce what colours they believe will be popular next year. For me, the Dulux announcement is always the most exciting as it is purely an interiors focussed announcement. The Pantone Colour of the Year is always a bit hit and miss I find as it covers not just interiors, but also fashion and graphic design so it is a bit broader and doesn’t always seem to work quite so well for interiors (remember Ultra Violet?)
For 2022, Dulux has opted for an airy light blue called Bright Skies™ which it says captures the hopeful mood of the moment and the desire for a fresh start and a wave of hope and optimism that is set to dominate 2022. Seems pretty accurate to me as I think we all agree that we’d like some more positivity and optimism next year.
This is the 19th Year that Dulux has announced its Colour of the Year, which is decided upon by a panel of leaders in design, fashion, colour and the built environment. Normally they all meet in person at the Global Aesthetics Centre, but this year the discussions took place virtually as the expert panel took into consideration the trends, innovations and events that will impact the way we all live and work.
Obviously, the Pandemic has had dramatic consequences for the way we live and work as millions of people around the globe have now adopted hybrid home and office patterns. This has led Dulux to choose a colour that is flexible and open and that works for this new multi-purpose lifestyle and the increasing demands that we put on our spaces.
Right now, people want to feel revitalised and enjoy the freedoms that are returning to them, to look out and bring in new ideas. What better inspiration can we take than the endless skies around us? It is widely known that nature makes us feel better and taking steps to bring the outside in enhances our sense of wellbeing. So whether we are working or relaxing, creating or exercising, it is essential to have a space that reflects the optimism and desire for a fresh, new start that is top of the agenda for the year ahead. However, Bright Skies™ is not about idle day-dreaming. It is about turning those dreams into reality and forging ahead with the changes that we want to make. This is why the Dulux Colour of the Year 2022 and its supporting palettes are practical, open and flexible to all kinds of requirements.
Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director of Dulux UK
Supporting Colour Palettes that encapsulate the mood
The Dulux Colour of the Year 2022 is accompanied by four colour palettes that can be used to inspire decorating projects throughout the home. Bright Skies™ can be used in conjunction with Greenhouse, Salon, Studio and Workshop.
For those that crave a touch of biophilic design, Greenhouse is full of fresh greens and blues that provide the perfect backdrop for bringing nature into a room with all its positive effects. Add plants and natural materials such as bark or cork to complete the look.
Salon is a pale and soft colour palette that enables fresh ideas and creative thinking. It is for those who want a room, or a home, that’s ready for anything.
Studio features a mix of pale pinks, reds and oranges designed for spaces that seek to soothe. Subtle and inspiring, this palette creates a sanctuary, away from the hustle and bustle of modern life.
Finally, the Workshop is full of light and positive colours that make the functional fun. It is designed for use in adaptable, multi-purpose spaces such as studio flats or home offices.
Top Left: Studio | Top Middle: Salon | Top Right: Workshop | Bottom: Greenhouse
“Over the past 19 years, we’ve seen a dramatic shift from a concentration on brighter tones to an emphasis on neutrals. This year, however, vibrant colours and light tones are re-emerging – a reflection, perhaps of our need for positivity and a fresh approach. After a spell of feeling shut in, we crave expansion – the great outdoors. The 37 curated colours in this year’s collection help to make it easy to choose on-trend shades.
Heleen van Gent, head of the AkzoNobel Global Aesthetics Centre
To inspire complete home makeovers, Dulux has also teamed up with partners Houzz, DFS, Topps Tiles and Stoves to take Bright Skies™ beyond paint and into other elements of homes and interiors this year.
DFS Furniture in Dulux Colour of the Year 2022 Bright Skies™
Inspired by the Dulux Colour of the Year 2022, Furniture retailer DFS has produced a sofa in Bright Skies™ and complementary cushions in palette colours.
DFS Java four-seater velvet charging sofa in Dulux Colour of the Year 2022 Bright Skies™
The popular Java range from DFS, including a swivel chair, armchair, footstools, a two, three or four-seater sofa and a generous corner sofa, will be available in Bright Skies™. DFS customers will also be able to choose from an additional five shades from Dulux’s complementary Greenhouse palette, including Calming Meadow, Tranquil Dawn™, River Valley™, Denim Drift™ and Fresh Foliage.
These shades are inspired by nature and reminiscent of dewy meadows and meandering rivers. They are the ideal way to bring a touch of nature into your living room.
We’re pleased to add yet another reason for our customers to love the Java range with the addition of the Dulux Colour of the Year 2022 colour and complementary shades to the collection. With these new colours, customers will have the option to create a whole Colour of the Year look with a sofa, swivel chair, footstools and cushions, or simply add to an existing look with a couple of key pieces in their favourite shades.
Lauren Harris, Senior Designer at DFS
Stoves Range Cooker in Dulux Colour of the Year 2022 Bright Skies ™
Kitchen appliances manufacturer Stoves is rolling out its Richmond Deluxe collection of range cookers in the Dulux Colour of the Year 2022 Bright Skies™.
We’re increasingly seeing consumers use colour in the kitchen, especially on their appliances. It’s a great way of adding that touch of personal style to one of the most-used areas of the house. Bright Skies™ is such a joyful, adaptable shade – it works in so many palettes – and we’re expecting it to be really popular across our range cookers.
Nina Harrison, Campaign Manager at Stoves
Topps Tiles Tile Range in Dulux Colour of the Year 2022 Bright Skies™
Topps Tiles has worked in partnership with Dulux for a number of years now and this year it has chosen to transform its popular small format tile range Flute. The colour of the Flute tile perfectly matches the Dulux’s Bright Skies™ paint shade creating a seamless design between tile and wall.
Topps Tiles Tile of the Year Flute in Dulux’s Colour of the Year 2022 Bright Skies™
So what do you think of the Dulux Colour of the Year 2022 Bright Skies™? Is this a colour you can see yourself decorating with next year? Is it a colour you expected or were you predicting a different colour as Colour of the year 2022? Let me know in the comments.
