Colour advice

Emerging colours
If you like to stay on trend, you might want to consider concrete shades or urban whites, which are a consistent theme for this year. These shades are versatile yet have the potential to transform rooms, giving a clean and neutral feel. Another big colour for the upcoming season is bold yellow, which can be toned down to earthy orange or mixed with pastel hues if you want something tamer.

Changing times
The world is changing at a faster pace than ever before. New colour palettes reflect the movement and social change seen in the current global climate in a variety of ways.

Strong, fresh and vibrant colours can be used to showcase the sense of empowerment to the people, with bright blues and bold yellows showing optimism and a fresh approach to life. Experiment with these in bathrooms or lounges to inspire and revive you in the home, bringing the best elements of the outside world in.

Emerging shades of grey ranging from natural stone colours to metallic granite denote that the digital age has well and truly arrived. Yet the constant to-ing and fro-ing between old and new means that you could try combining these harder colours with the softness of earthy shades like clay and persimmon to bring about a compromise symbolic of the changing times.

Compare and contrast
If you want to create a respite from the busy, fast-paced 21st century world, why not experiment with calmer colours such as pale blues, greens and sand shades. These work well in bedroom areas where they can help to achieve a sense of cocooning Zen.

In contrast, go bold in smaller areas such as a powder room or utility area. Push the boundaries with bright strong colours such as a hot pink or a firey red.

It’s up to you
The latest trends can be ideal for inspiring and influencing your interior decorating ideas. By seeking advice from magazines, colour charts or design guides, you’ll be struck by combinations you wouldn’t have previously considered. The ultimate decision however is up to you so think about what you want from the colours, the feeling you want to create in your home or workspace and the personality you want to reflect.

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