‘Use bold colours in an active pursuit of a spontaneous home that will make you feel adventurous.” The quote comes from Colour Futures 2025 (CF25), an annual prediction of trends by the paint company, Dulux. It’s accompanied by the unveiling of Dulux Colour of the Year (drumroll), a bright sunflower yellow called True Joy.
The name taps into the trend for dopamine decor, which uses cheery colours to stimulate positive emotion. True Joy costs €28.95 for a 2 litre can.
If only it were that easy. Dulux Colour of the Year, True Joy In the real world, the use of bold colours is fraught with hazard. Injudiciously applied, they can make one feel many things (uneasy, over-stimulated, depressed) as well as joyful.
There are two elements to this. Firstly, the emotional response to colour is deeply individual. Yellow brings joy to some but sends others into a tooth-grinding rage.
My dopamine hit of choice — a sugary pink-and-orange combo — makes other people want to brush their teeth. Those who live alone can do as they please, but shared living spaces require consensus. Dulux Colour of the Year, True Joy Secondly, any room is a complex entity.
It contains many objects and has many functions. Only one of these is to bring joy. Bold colours are all very well, but what do you combine them with? Here’s what the CF25 document has to say on the matter: “It’s easy to shy away from using bold colours in your home but when used with a neutral base they complement each other pe.
