Dulux Trade announced that the Colour of the Year for 2018 is Heart Wood, ‘a warm neutral with a heather hint’. This versatile colour was developed alongside a palette of key colour predictions for the year ahead by ColourFutures, the brand’s trends forecast, with Heart Wood being selected by the colour specialists at Dulux Global Aesthetic Centre.

Heart Wood seeks to create a warm, comforting sense of home in a time of great unpredictability and uncertainty, no matter where it is used. As global trends in architecture and interior design have seen a return to the use of wood, the colour has been inspired by warm wooden tones.

Dulux

Dulux noted that a “variety of woods are growing in popularity, but we see a tendency towards warmer, light and dark shades of red, alongside violet and pinkish woods”. Rebecca Williamson, senior colour and design expert for Dulux, added, “Dulux Trade’s colour of the year for 2018, Heart Wood, is incredibly versatile, and connects beautifully with the accompanying trend palettes for the year ahead. Providing the comfort and reassurance we’re all seeking, it’s the perfect antidote to the mood of the moment – channelling a real sense of calm and warmth during such times of uncertainty. We can’t wait to see spaces across the globe transformed into true sanctuaries.”

Four colour palettes have been created that perfectly complement Heart Wood:

Modern Style – The Heart Wood Home

Dulux

This palette focuses on warm wooden tones, making it a versatile choice for a seamless transition when combining it with 2017’s Denim Drift, and allowing the use of both softer and bolder shades of colour such as cocoa with deep inky blue and purple.

Comfort – The Comforting Home

Dulux

The colours in this palette all have a muted quality, making them easy to combine into any colour scheme to create a welcoming setting.

Relaxed Family Time – The Inviting Home

Dulux

Create a sense of restorative calm with shades of blue and pale neutrals. This palette has been created to indicate the purpose of a room through coloured surfaces, or as a transition to a different space.

Playful & Dynamic – The Playful Home

Dulux

Pairing the muted shade of Heart Wood with more lively greens and yellows, this is, as the name suggests, the most playful of the four palettes. However, the addition of vibrant colours doesn’t detract from the calming nature of the neutral tones, creating an inspiring yet relaxing environment.

Create the feeling of warmth and comfort in your home with fabric and wallpapers to complement the Heart Wood palette.