From Muted Bronze to Earthy Pink: These 6 Paint Colours Are Trending in 2021

After a year in which many people spent an unprecedented amount of time at home and indoors, home décor trend forecasts for 2021 skew heavily towards two things: nostalgia and the natural environment. Paint manufacturers in Australia and the US, from Dulux to Sherwin-Williams, indicate a shift towards colour palettes that mirror the beauty and complexity of the natural world.

Speaking to Architectural Digest, Sherwin-Williams' director of colour marketing Sue Wadden noted the increase in popularity of dark wooden furniture and metallic features. "One of our stylists works with a really luxurious furniture line, and they're shifting their wood tones," she said.

The company named "Urbane Bronze" their colour of the year for 2021. It's a muted grey-brown that is both bold and subtle at the same time. There's an element of nostalgia at play, which is very on point in a year of extreme weather, global pandemic and ideological unrest. "We talked about this duality between nature and this sanctuary space and where technology's going to take us," she said. "We want the balance point of what’s familiar and what we understand.

Read on to find out which five paint colours you'll see everywhere in 2021, and why they indicate a growing demand for security, sensory stimulation and a more relaxed mood at home.

Muted bronze

Muted bronze tones on a grey-brown spectrum are tipped to be 2021's most popular paint colours. Exemplified by Sherwin-Williams' colour of the year, this hue is a great way to connect with nature and imbue your home with comfort, turning it into a cosy sanctuary. Feel like nesting? Consider a fresh coat of muted bronze on your walls.

Earthy pink

Not surprisingly, earthy pink is tipped to be a go-to paint colour for 2021. From pink clay to more muted orange-pink tones, this is definitely a spectrum we welcome with open arms. Picture this: you, your bed, and four walls clad in a fresh coat of subdued rosé... heaven. For inspiration look to Sherwin-Williams' "Reddened Earth" or Dulux's "Terra Rose"—or tour the thoughtfully curated home of interior decorator Claudia Stephenson, whose bedroom features a wall painted with a subtle, brown variant of earthy pink wall paint.

Olive green

Soft olive features in Dulux's "Nourish" palette", which promises to encourage a more mindful mood at home. The nurturing hue offers comfort and tranquility, and pairs perfectly with warm neutrals and all kinds of white. Pale wood furnishings and refined, minimalist textures will keep olive green feeling modern, and also freshen up rustic country décor.

Milky coffee

Call it beige if you wish. Next year will see plenty of creamy coloured interiors, which is no surprise given the gentle warmth it offers in contrast to stark white. If you're prone to minimalist décor, consider selected a subtle alternative to your outdated, off-white walls.

Coastal blue

Harmonious blue hues do wonders for the mood of any space. Balanced with crisp whites or diffused greys, Sherwin-Williams' "Blustery Sky" or Dulux's "Five Finger Peninsula" makes for a soothing update to a living room or home office. Painting all four walls in one of 2021's coastal blues would be a bold move, but a single wall adds just enough interest and depth beside a neutral base.

Upbeat brights

While subdued earth tones are set to rule in 2021, modernist pops of colour will prove a popular way to boost the mood through home décor. Anchored by classic charcoals, greys and blues, Sherwin-Williams' "Continuum" range includes an upbeat aqua, a daring lilac, a complex yellowy green and a peacock teal. Meanwhile the company's "Tapestry" range includes a gorgeous periwinkle and a trio of rather compelling greens. When taking the leap and choosing a non-neutral paint colour for your home, it's best to do ample tests patches and give yourself some time to decide. Ultimately though, just trust your intuition and how the colour makes you feel when you look at it.

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