Dulux has revealed its annual colour of the year, chosen to reflect the mood of the moment in home interiors. For 2026, they have announced not just one colour but a trio of versatile blue shades called Rhythm of Blues.
This new collection captures the different paces of modern life, from calm reflection to carefree bliss and bold fun, offering you the freedom to choose the right tempo for your home.
If you are wondering how to use blue at home, this guide explores Dulux’s three shades for 2026, their colour stories, and inspiration for bringing these timeless tones into your space.
Why Rhythm of Blues
Source: Dulux
This is the first time Dulux has launched a collection as its colour of the year. Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director at Dulux, explains the choice:
“Blue has been the world’s favourite colour for years, but it’s far from one note. It delivers a sense of fluidity, relief, stillness, and freedom, which is exactly what’s needed in today’s fast-paced world.”
Rooted in nature, blue brings both serenity and energy. Think of the calm clarity of a spring sky, the grounding depth of the ocean, or the carefree fun of poolside days.
Rhythm of Blues offers a shade for every mood, helping you create the right atmosphere to suit your home, whether you love calming blue interiors, vibrant accents, or slow-living spaces.
Meet the 2026 colours
Source: Dulux
- Mellow Flow™: A soft, light blue that brings clarity and calm. This airy shade is reminiscent of seaside strolls, open skies, and a sense of breathing space. It is perfect for bedrooms and living rooms where you want to unwind.
- Slow Swing™: A deep, velvety blue with grounding warmth. Like an inky night sky, it brings cosiness, reassurance, and depth to dining rooms or snug corners.
- Free Groove™: A vibrant, energising blue with a playful edge. Brimming with optimism, this shade sparks creativity and joy, ideal for social spaces like kitchens, offices, or kids’ play areas.
How to use blues in your home
At Oak Furnitureland, we love bringing the timeless shades of blue into the home through furniture and interior colour schemes that balance elegance with practicality. Here are a few ways to introduce it into your space:
1.Ground your room with our Richmond inky-blue cabinetry. Its bold yet soothing tone adds instant sophistication to hallways, living, and dining spaces, making it the perfect anchor for natural textures, light walls, and warm wood finishes.
Richmond sideboard | @housechic_8
2. Play with vibrant accents through accessories or statement furniture, such as the Montgomery velvet sofa, to instantly lift a space without overpowering a room. Combined with tactile warm neutral décor, it creates a snug retreat that’s perfect for cosy evenings in.
Montgomery sofa | @rachelducker
3. For a serene setting, drench your walls in a denim blue shade to create a soothing backdrop. Pair with natural oak furniture, such as the Newton range, to bring a restful balance to your bedroom.
Noah chest of drawers | Grace mirror
Colour stories for 2026
To inspire your next decoration project, Dulux has created three colour stories that showcase how the Rhythm of Blues palette can be styled alongside other shades.
The Free story
Designed for those seeking creativity and optimism, this palette pairs Free Groove™ with playful brights and warm accents. Perfect for eclectic homes where colour takes centre stage.
Source: Dulux
The Slow story
Grounded and reassuring, this subtle palette combines Slow Swing™ with earthy colours and natural textures. It’s ideal for creating welcoming, cocooning spaces that feel a little more traditional.
Source: Dulux
The Flow story
The Flow palette layers Mellow Flow™ with whites and soft tones for an open, airy look. This scheme works beautifully in relaxing bedrooms and living rooms designed for rest and recharging.
Source: Dulux
For more inspiration on styling the world’s favourite colour in your home, read our blog about decorating with blue. Looking for additional colour of the year ideas? Discover our guide to the Dulux 2025 colour, True Joy™, or visit Dulux online to see even more colour ideas.
Lead image source: Dulux
