We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
Give those busy areas a stylish (and practical) upgrade.
From the entryway to the kitchen, many areas of the home will inevitably receive more traffic than others. When it comes to decorating high-traffic zones, consider what colour palette will best suit your space — and whether you may need durable, washable paint.
'Choosing the right colours for your walls is essential, whether you're looking to bring a sense of calm to a busy living room, or give a little oomph to a high-traffic hallway,' say Dulux. 'Since we demand more from our homes now more than ever, we have picked seven colour scheme ideas ranging from deep navy blues to blush pinks, to make sure our spaces are looking and serving their best.'
Take a look at the top colours for each busy room and how you can best incorporate them...
Open-plan rooms provide a brilliant multi-functional family space. When it comes to choosing colours for your wall, Dulux advise to opt for delicate shades of pink to 'create a relaxed, laid-back mood'.
Dulux explain: 'To layer up your rose-tinted space add soft textures and pops of dusky pinks. And finally, to create contrast and a contemporary twist to your colour scheme add crisp black furniture and accessories.'
Pictured: 'Blush Pink' by Dulux Simply Refresh
Looking to transform your entryway? As one of the most high-traffic areas in the home, opt for durable colours that will hide wall imperfections.
According to Dulux, grey is a brilliant shade to choose. 'The go-to shade for stylish spaces, grey has become a colour with cult status, and this trendy shade is not going anywhere.' Instead of choosing an all-over grey, experiment with pops of colour such as red, dark green or navy to create a fabulous first impression.
Pictured: 'Mineral Haze' by Dulux
A moody blue hue is a spectacular shade for the living room. If an all-blue living room feels too daring for you, embrace a two-tone look or bring the colour in through accessories.
'Add a lick of the rich blue shade to a feature wall or a "zone" to create an on-trend multitasking room,'suggest Dulux. 'When using a dark palette, a combination of surfaces and textures will bring depth to your space as well. Pile on the sheepskin.'
Pictured: 'Sapphire Salute' by Dulux
In March 2020, our homes unexpectedly became offices. If you're lucky enough to have a study space (or a quiet area to work), why not create a 'zone' with a pop of colour?
Dulux add: 'Give your neutral colour scheme an element of interest with a playful feature wall. If your home office is less of a room and more of a "space", this patterned effect works wonders to "zone" a dedicated space visually to your work space.'
Pictured: 'Natural Hessian' and 'Decadent Damson' by Dulux Simply Refresh
Add a modern eclectic style to your dining area with blue walls. For 2021, experiment with a two-tone effect — perfect for creating instant impact in a busy open-plan room.
To achieve this look, Dulux advise: 'Keep the lighter shade on the top half to heighten the look of your ceiling. Take it one step further and use the same dark blue on the furniture too. It'll avoid any visual disruptions to the effect, making spaces appear roomier.'
Pictured: 'Denim Drift' by Dulux
Kitchens are for more than just cooking: they're spaces for children to finish homework, places to relax at the end of a busy day, and areas to dine with loved ones. If you're planning on sprucing up yours, a lighter palette of pinks, greys and creams will help to brighten up the room.
Pictured: 'Blush Pink', 'Natural Slate', 'Perfectly Taupe' and 'Polished Pebble' by Dulux.
Give your little ones a space of their own with a thoughtfully-designed space. As well as ensuring it's cosy and fun, it will spark imagination and creativity, too.
'Contrast pops of colour against this sky blue backdrop for a dynamic and eclectic look – it'll only take a few small accents to give Nordic Sky a whole new outlook. Bright cushions, flowers and artwork can be changed whenever the mood takes you so dive in.'
Pictured: 'Nordic Sky' by Dulux
Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.
Love what you’re reading? Enjoy House Beautiful magazine delivered straight to your door every month with Free UK delivery. Buy direct from the publisher for the lowest price and never miss an issue!
The best paint colours for north-facing rooms
6 of the biggest autumn paint trends to give your home a richer, cosier feel
Everything to know about the new paint trend – cloud capping
How to paint a room like a professional
