Dulux Color Family of the Year 2026: Shades of Blue
In 2026, interiors are taking a deep breath. Life outside our homes may feel fast-paced, chaotic, and overheated, but inside, the mood is shifting toward calm, balance, and creativity. And according to Dulux’s global trend research, one color family captures that spirit perfectly: blue.
For the first time, Dulux has crowned a Color Family of the Year rather than a single shade, and the choice feels both timeless and timely. Blue is versatile, dependable, and endlessly adaptable. It cools and soothes, but it also inspires and uplifts. In a year when we’re craving spaces that reflect our own rhythm, blue feels like the perfect companion.
Dulux is part of AkzoNobel; in some countries, the paint company is called Flexa, but in this article, we stay with Dulux.
Instead of spotlighting just one shade, Dulux has chosen a trio of indigos, each with its own personality: Slow Swing, a deep, contemplative blue that grounds and restores, Mellow Flow, a light, airy blue that brings softness and ease, and Free Groove, a vibrant blue with an energizing kick.
Whether you want to create a meditative corner in Slow Swing™, open up a room with Mellow Flow™, or energize a workspace with Free Groove™, these shades adapt to your lifestyle.
Every year, Dulux (part of AkzoNobel) gathers insights from international design experts to understand where the world is heading and what we’ll need most in our homes.
The 2026 forecast revealed three clear desires: spaces to slow down and recharge, environments that connect us with nature and each other, and the freedom to flow and embrace new possibilities.
The unifying idea? Rhythm. The ebb and flow of life is mirrored in the way colors move through our spaces.
Indigo blues are especially easy to design with. They echo the endless skies and shifting seas, making them feel instinctively familiar. They pair beautifully with natural materials, like oak, rattan, and linen, for a look that feels grounded and effortless.
To help bring these hues into everyday interiors, Dulux has shaped them into three design stories: slow story, flow story, and free story. Each story shows how rhythm in color can transform a room, shifting its energy and mood without overwhelming the space.
Free Story Color Palette
Flow Story Color Palette
Slow Story Color Palette
Blue has always been a classic, but in 2026, it feels especially relevant. It’s the color of pause, of reflection, of open skies and new horizons. With this family of indigo hues, it’s never been easier to create a home that moves with your rhythm, calm when you need stillness, vibrant when you crave energy, and always in tune with you.
