COLOURFUTURES 2022
INTERNATIONAL COLOUR TRENDS
TM
AkzoNobel Decorative Paints
Global Aesthetic Center
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Contact: Media.Relations@akzonobel.com
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This ColourFuturesTM reference manual is and remains the property of AkzoNobel N.V. and is
loaned on condition that it is used solely to specify products manufactured/or supplied by
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returned to AkzoNobel N.V. on demand. The contents of this reference manual are for
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We have reproduced paint colours as faithfully as printing will allow. However, the shape, size
and lighting of a surface can influence the appearance of the final c
olour.
Design – Redwood London, redwoodbbdo.com
Content – AkzoNobel Global Aesthetic Center
COLOUR OF THE YEAR 2022
THE EVOLUTION OF
COLOUR TRENDS
BRIGHT
SKIES
The Dulux Professional Global Aesthetic
Center is committed to helping specifiers
create better, more comfortable spaces
with credible, on-trend colours. Each year,
it invites a group of design experts to
share their global trend knowledge. Using
these insights and a wealth of colour
expertise, the team then chooses a Colour
of the Year, and builds four new,
easy-to-use paint palettes around it.
TM
Dulux Professional Colour of
the Year 2022 is an airy, light blue
that’s fresh, open and invigorating.
Reflecting the limitless skies
around us, it delivers a flavour
of the natural world and brings
a breath of fresh air to a space.
Used alongside a range of
complementary palettes,
Bright SkiesTM is the perfect colour
for updating both interiors and
exteriors across a wide range of
sectors and environments.
LAST YEAR
I
n 2021, we saw unprecedented global
change. This led Dulux Professional to
develop palettes around a warm, natural
tone – Brave GroundTM. Evoking stability,
growth and potential, this harmonious,
bolstering tone provided a firm foundation
and helped to create balanced, restorative
and unifying spaces across all sectors.
THE WORLD TODAY
The effects of a global pandemic have
accelerated change in all aspects of our
lives and brought key questions into
sharper focus. When we can work from
home, what should we do with the office?
When nature feels vital to our wellbeing,
how can we keep it close? And, when we
can be digitally available 24/7, how can we
balance the social benefits of connectivity
with our personal need to switch off?
PALETTES
People want to understand how they can
reinvent their surroundings, making
them flexible and adaptable to
accommodate changing needs. They want
to know how they can integrate nature
into daily life so its positive benefits
can be felt by everyone
. They want to
know how to create soothing spaces
as a restorative escape from everyday
stress. And they want to embrace a
fresh approach to living, welcoming new
perspectives and ideas. They need a
colour that brings a breath of fresh air.
Above: our experts consider the trends that will influence the
Dulux Professional colours for 2022
3
Images: Cover top left & bottom right: Unsplash
Bottom left: Shutterstock
WHAT DOES THIS
MEAN FOR COLOR?
Around Bright SkiesTM, we’ve built
four inspiring and adaptable
palettes that offer a variety of
colour combinations for specific
sectors. These easy-to-use palettes
provide specifiers around the
world with a comprehensive suite
of on-trend, credible colours that
can refresh interiors and exteriors
across every sector, improving
spaces and delivering inspiring
results for both clients and users.
3
INTERIOR PALETTES
WORKSHOP
COLOURS
GREENHOUSE
COLOURS
BRIGHT AND UPLIFTING
STUDIO
COLOURS
FRESH AND VITAL
SALON
COLOURS
SUBTLE AND CONSOLIN
G
AIRY AND UNIFYING
ADAPTABLE SPACES
VITAL SPACES
SOOTHING SPACES
OPEN SPACES
Uplifting and refreshing, these are colours that hold their
own, that look good together and that work perfectly with
Dulux Professional Colour of the Year. They are ideal for
transforming hard-working environments that need to
perform several roles at once. Complementary yet
contrasting, Workshop tones can effectively define and
single out separate ‘zones’ in a multipurpose space.
Feeling connected to nature is good for wellbeing, and
these colours bring in the positive feel of the outside world.
Taken from nature’s own palette, they can make any space
feel fresher. In a rural setting, they can bring in a sense of
the surrounding landscape; in the city, they can deliver a
welcome reminder of green space and fresh air –
something that’s been shown to make people feel better.
The subtle tones of the Studio palette can add warmth and
softness to any space, private or public. Used on their own
or set against the freshness of Bright SkiesTM, these airy,
inspiring tones can maximise daylight and soothe the soul.
These are colours that can help to create the feel of a
consoling retreat – somewhere that can provide respite
from the stresses of daily life.
The airy, neutral tones of the Salon palette can give a space
a fresh start. Neutral and complementary, Salon colours
bring lightness and openness to a space, giving a fresh,
forward-thinking feel. Understated natural shades that can
provide a unified blank canvas for furnishing and
decoration, they’re the perfect ingredients for a fresh
approach in any environment.
4
B6.05.73
10YR 57/080
S9.03.81
10BB 73/039
G4.05.81
65YY 71/071
G0.10.75
47YY 62/143
E4.05.76
00YY 63/067
UN.00.86
50BB 83/006
GN.01.89
71YY 90/027
G4.40.80
65YY 70/540
F9.20.70
49YY 54/251
J5.03.71
45GY 55/052
G0.16.68
50YY 49/191
ZN.02.73
40RR 57/045
WN.02.77
24RB 66/037
T3.03.81
30BB 72/040
ON.00.83
13GY 77/016
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
T0.10.70
1
4BB 55/113
J3.14.63
30GY 41/173
R1.10.65
50BG 44/094
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
T0.10.70
14BB 55/113
W9.03.68
50RB 48/051
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
T0.10.70
14BB 55/113
ON.00.76
88BG 62/005
FN.02.77
44YY 65/034
E4.22.49
00YY 26/220
F6.55.54
34YY 31/502
N1.06.61
50GG 40/064
G5.17.58
70YY 34/180
B7.10.59
10YR 37/143
T4.04.66
30BB 45/049
ON.01.70
00NN 53/000
E7.10.53
10YY 30/106
LN.00.87
11GY 85/016
S7.19.59
06BB 39/179
S0.10.50
87BG 27/077
F3.28.38
30YY 17/209
C4.30.49
29YR 27/355
ZN.02.56
50RR 32/029
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
T0.10.70
14BB 55/113
E4.06.35
95YR 16/038
Images: First from left: Shutterstock,
third from left: Unsplash
D3.32.55
60YR 31/368
5
EXTERIOR PALETTES
WORKSHOP
COLOURS
GREENHOUSE
COLOURS
BRIGHT AND UPLIFTING
FRESH AND VITAL
Multicoloured and vibrant, this light, bright palette is
perfect for adding personality to a building. Its bold,
positive colours deliver energy and dynamism, and they
are also ideal for defining separate elements of an exterior.
6
STUD
IO
COLOURS
SALON
COLOURS
SUBTLE AND CONSOLING
Inspired by the tones of nature, the colours in this palette
work naturally together and bring a blast of freshness to a
building. They deliver a connection to the natural world
that’s been shown to be good for people’s wellbeing.
AIRY AND UNIFYING
Warm and inspiring, these complementary tones can
soften the feel of an exterior and add visual interest. They
work well together and deliver an effective tonal balance
used alongside Dulux Professional Colour of the Year.
These neutral natural shades are ideal for adding a hint of
colour to an exterior while maintaining a cohesive, unified
and understated feel. Ranging in tone from earthy to airy,
they can bring lightness and freshness to a building.
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
T0.10.70
14BB 55/113
J5.03.71
45GY 55/052
G4.05.81
65YY 71/071
G0.10.75
47YY 62/143
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
T0.10.70
14BB 55/113
UN.00.86
50BB 83/006
FN.02.77
44YY 65/034
LN.00.87
11GY 85/016
F6.55.54
34YY 31/502
CO
LOUR OF THE YEAR
T0.10.70
14BB 55/113
G0.16.68
50YY 49/191
E4.05.76
00YY 63/067
T4.04.66
30BB 45/049
ON.01.70
00NN 53/000
E7.10.53
10YY 30/106
E4.22.49
00YY 26/220
J3.14.63
30GY 41/173
S0.10.50
87BG 27/077
F3.28.38
30YY 17/209
C4.30.49
29YR 27/355
ZN.02.56
50RR 32/029
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
T0.10.70
14BB 55/113
E4.06.35
95YR 16/038
Images: Unsplash
D3.32.55
60YR 31/368
7
EDUCATION
BRIGHT SKIES
AND ITS PALETTES:
THE PERFECT
INGREDIENTS FOR
FRESH SPACES
TM
8
RESIDENTIAL
HEALTHCARE
Images: Top two & bottom two: Shutterstock
Dulux Professional Colour of the Year
and its palettes deliver a ready-made
way to help you improve spaces in any
sector you work with. These on-trend,
credible colours can transform
buildings, both inside and out,
creating comfortable and functional
spaces that surpass expectations.
OFFICES
HOSPITALITY
9
An uplifting palette of bright, complementary colours creates a sense of
freshness and dynamism that can support the learning process, and tha
t also
provides an effective solution for zoning different functional areas.
11
D3.32.55
60YR 31/368
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
T0.10.70
14BB 55/113
F6.55.54
34YY 31/502
Images: Getty
1. International Commission on the Futures of Education. 2020. Education in a post-COVID world: Nine ideas for public action. Paris, UNESCO, p15
EDUCATIONAL SPACES
WORKSHOP
COLOURS
ADAPTABLE SPACES
Colours: Bright tones bring
positivity and energy to a
learning environment. They
also work as accent colours to
‘zone’ different functional
areas of a space that has to
fulfil more than one role.
Relevance: Post-pandemic,
experts anticipate a need for
hybrid forms of teaching and
learning in different spaces1.
Result: A multicoloured
palette works practically and
emotionally in educational
settings, allowing open spaces
to be ‘zoned’ into smaller,
more approachable areas and
bringing dynamism to the
space with colour.
11
Images: Left: Getty, top right: Shutterstock, bottom right: Unsplash
LN.00.87
1
1GY 85/016
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
T0.10.70
14BB 55/113
G4.40.80
65YY 70/540
F9.20.70
49YY 54/251
13
OFFICE SPACES
At home or in the office, today’s workspace needs to be adaptable and
appealing. An increasingly digitised space, it can benefit from a connection
with the natural world, and a positive, vibrant feel.
15
F3.28.38
30YY 17/209
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
T0.10.70
14BB 55/113
S0.10.50
87BG 27/077
S9.03.81
10BB 73/039
Images: Top right: Shutterstock
2. 40-second green roof views sustain attention: The role of micro-breaks in attention restoration, K Lee, K Williams, L Sargent, N Williams, K Johnson, Journal of
Environmental Psychology, Volume 42, June 2015, Pages 182-189. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd
Mecanoo
GREENHOUSE
COLOURS
VITAL SPACES
Colours: Tones inspired by
nature, this palette of greens,
blues, browns and greys can help
bring in the positive feel of the
natural world.
Relevance: Integrating natural
colours into an office can help
employees feel connected to
natu
re; and time spent in the
natural world has been shown to
help refocus attention2.
Result: Natural tones can
revitalise an office space, deliver
a blast of freshness and help
increase a sense of wellbeing.
Colours that work together
naturally also provide an
instantly cohesive, easy-to-use
decorative scheme.
15
ADAPTABLE SPACES
Colours: Bright, contrasting
tones can add energy, help to
define different areas of a
multipurpose space and
provide effective wayfinding.
Relevance: People have
reassessed what they need from
an office and, going forward, will
want flexible, appealing spaces
that offer different
environments, from quiet work
areas to collaborative zones3.
Result: Vibrant, complementary
tones create an easy-to-use
palette for zoning different
areas of an office and can bring
freshness and visual interest to
what might otherwise be a
sterile, tech-heavy space.
16
Images: Top right & bottom left: Shutterstock
3. ‘In times of uncertainty, flexibility is key. 47% of UK busine
sses said they envisioned their real estate strategies to include a greater amount of flexible, serviced
or coworking space.’ Re-occupancy and Re-imagined Workplace Survey, Knight Frank, 2020
WORKSHOP
COLOURS
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
T0.10.70
14BB 55/113
LN.00.87
11GY 85/016
B6.05.73
10YR 57/080
G4.40.80
65YY 70/540
E4.22.49
00YY 26/220
D3.32.55
60YR 31/368
18
Demands on the home have increased exponentially as people across the
world have been living and working in them 24/7. Going forward, we need
homes that can build a connection to nature and that feel airy and open.
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
T0.10.70
14BB 55/113
G5.17.58
70YY 34/180
G4.05.81
65YY 71/071
Images: Bottom right: Unsplash
4. Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing, MP White, I Alcock, J Grellier et al. Scientific Reports 9, Article
7730, June 2019, doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-44097-3
RESIDENTIAL SPACES
GREENHOUSE
COLOURS
VITAL SPACES
Colours: Made up of tones that
reflect the world outside, this
palette delivers a sense of
connection with nature and
brings in a positive feel.
Relevance: Spending time in
nature is good for health and
wellbeing4. Integrating biophilic
design and natural tones into
the design of a home can help
to make it feel connected to the
world outside.
Result: A palette of natureinspired shades can revitalise a
living space, bring in a breath of
fresh air and help people feel in
touch with nature. It also
provides a ready-made cohesive
decorative scheme.
19
OPEN SPACES
Colours: A combination of airy
neutrals, this palette can create
a subtle and light ‘blank canvas’
in the home.
Relevance: With social media
increasingly perpetuating a
single-minded viewpoint5 (and
with social media use
increasing6), people need to be
encouraged to be open to new
perspectives and influences.
Result: The least divisive of all
shades, neutral colours and
Bright SkiesTM can deliver a
feeling of openness, unity and
inclusivity in the home.
An ideal
backdrop for any decorative
scheme, they can also act as a
springboard for new ideas.
20
5. How to break out of your social media echo chamber, Christopher Seneca, WIRED, September 2020
6. Social media users have grown by more than 10% over the past year, taking the global total to 3.96b by the start of July 2020 – Digital 2020, Simon Kemp,
DataReportal/Kepios, July 2020
SALON
COLOURS
FN.02.77
44YY 65/034
GN.01.89
71YY 90/027
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
T0.10.70
21
14BB 55/113
In buildings where the focus is on health and wellbeing, patients,
visitors and staff need a psychological escape from stress and anxiety. They
need soothing, restorative spaces that can help them recuperate.
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
T0.10.70
14BB 55/113
E4.05.76
00YY 63/067
C4.30.49
29YR 27/355
WN.02.77
24RB 66/037
Images: Top Left & top right:
Shutterstock
HEALTHCARE SPACES
23
G0.10.75
47YY 62/143
E4.05.76
00YY 63/067
ZN.02.73
40RR 57/045
B7.10.59
10YR 37/143
W9.03.68
50RB 48/051
WN.02.77
24RB
66/037
T4.04.66
30BB 45/049
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
T0.10.70
14BB 55/113
ZN.02.56
50RR 32/029
Images: Top left and top right: Shutterstock
7. ’Viewing our minds and bodies as intrinsically connected, medicine since the time of ancient Greece has claimed that maintaining a positive state of mind can
offer the conjoining effect of treating physical disease.’ Barbara Marshall, CF22 Trend Forecast
Subtle and consoling Studio colours, used with Bright SkiesTM, can improve
the atmosphere in healthcare spaces, bringing a feeling of softness, balance
and comfort to patient rooms and communal areas
STUDIO
COLOURS
SOOTHING SPACES
Colours: Warm neutrals, pale
pinks and lilacs, these
contemplative colours are soft,
subtle and soothing.
Relevance: Lockdown
highlighted the need for a
psychological escape from
stressful situations – something
that’s particularly pertinent in
healthcare environments7.
Warm, calming colours can help
people feel more at ease.
Result: Calm, balanced and
easy o
66/037
T4.04.66
30BB 45/049
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
T0.10.70
14BB 55/113
ZN.02.56
50RR 32/029
Images: Top left and top right: Shutterstock
7. ’Viewing our minds and bodies as intrinsically connected, medicine since the time of ancient Greece has claimed that maintaining a positive state of mind can
offer the conjoining effect of treating physical disease.’ Barbara Marshall, CF22 Trend Forecast
Subtle and consoling Studio colours, used with Bright SkiesTM, can improve
the atmosphere in healthcare spaces, bringing a feeling of softness, balance
and comfort to patient rooms and communal areas
STUDIO
COLOURS
SOOTHING SPACES
Colours: Warm neutrals, pale
pinks and lilacs, these
contemplative colours are soft,
subtle and soothing.
Relevance: Lockdown
highlighted the need for a
psychological escape from
stressful situations – something
that’s particularly pertinent in
healthcare environments7.
Warm, calming colours can help
people feel more at ease.
Result: Calm, balanced and
easy o
... ascunde