Styling ideas using Dulux’s Colours of the Year 2026

For the first time in its history, Dulux hasn’t crowned a single shade as its Colour of the Year. Instead, 2026 is all about a colour family, aptly named Rhythm of Blues. The trio - Mellow Flow, a soft, serene pastel; Slow Swing, a deep, grounding navy; and Free Groove, a vibrant, expressive mid-blue - offers a palette of moods rather than one prescribed look.

The rationale behind the move, according to the paint brand, is to shift from focusing on trends and instead encourage people to think about the emotions they want their homes to convey. And we couldn’t agree more – this is certainly something we feel is important when helping customers choose the right furniture, furnishings and accessories for their home and advising on colours.

Here’s some inspiration on how to bring Rhythm of Blues into your living room, bedroom and dining room along with product ideas available in-store and online.

Elevate a living room with blue and metallic accents

In this living room, inky blue walls make for a grounding yet glamorous backdrop. The rich wood-panelling - painted in a deep, Slow Swing-inspired shade - is echoed by the tactile blue velvet sofa, giving a seamless and cohesive vibe. The ornate mantlepiece and velvet accent chair in soft neutral shades are the perfect complement to the deep blue, while the metallic accents add warmth and a sense of elegance. The result is cocooning, but with a sophisticated sheen.

A luxurious velvet chaise sofa in a bold blue shade, paired with warm wood floors and neutral walls, instantly energises a living space. Add a rug and brass accessories to add warmth and cosiness. The key here is balance: let the blue sing, but layer in neutrals and metallics so it feels inviting rather than overwhelming.

Create a classic or cocooning bedroom with blue

Blue bedrooms aren’t new, but Rhythm of Blues is brilliant for bringing a contemporary twist to a classic. Try combining warm wood floors with crisp white furniture and inky walls, and cosy the aesthetic up with rich aubergine throws, cushions, and lamp shades. A fluffy rug will ground the look, proving that darker palettes can still feel serene when softened with texture.

Alternatively, take inspiration from our Millie velvet bed set against charcoal-grey panelled walls. Greenery is the secret weapon here - lush plants break up the moody palette and add vitality. Whether you lean towards the drama of Free Groove or the stillness of Slow Swing, the effect is a bedroom that cocoons and restores.

Dine in style by updating walls with Slow Swing

Dining spaces demand atmosphere, and Slow Swing provides exactly that. A grand eight-seater dining table in warm wood, surrounded by neutral upholstered chairs, with deep indigo blue walls creates the perfect stage for hosting a gathering.

Add blue home accessories for pops of colour in this trending colour scheme

If painting walls feels like too bold a commitment, decorative accessories are a great way to dip a toe in the Rhythm of Blues water. A Ceramic Urchin Jug in a bold blue shade brings sculptural beauty to a sideboard. The Fieldbar Drinks Box Cooler, in inky blue, doubles as a practical yet personality-driven piece. For underfoot impact, the Madmen Cracks Rug captures Free Groove’s vibrancy in an abstract design inspired by cracked ice. And the Mulberry Wall Clock in midnight blue, with gleaming metallic numerals, proves that accessories can be as dramatic as any wall colour.

Why Rhythm of Blues works in interiors

What makes Rhythm of Blues so compelling is its adaptability. Mellow Flow calms, Slow Swing steadies, and Free Groove excites. Each shade offers something different, yet they all share the ability to soothe and energise in equal measure. By layering them with warm woods, neutrals, metallics and tactile textures, you can create spaces that feel not only stylish but also deeply attuned to the emotional rhythms of everyday life.

Find more inspiration online or come and chat to our experienced team in store.