Dulux's Colour of the Year 2025 is guaranteed to bring you joy
True Joy, a warm, energising yellow, is the Dulux Colour of the Year 2025.
This dopamine-inducing colour – that encourages us to embrace change and simply 'take a leap' – is aptly named True Joy for its ability to instantly uplift a space and fill it with optimism and energy.
Yellow has long been recognised as a colour that brings vibrancy to walls and a smile to faces – simply put, it's a colour that makes us feel happy.
The popularity of this feel-good colour has skyrocketed as of late (Google searches for 'sunny yellow paint' has risen by 250 per cent in the UK over the past year), so it's perhaps not surprising that Dulux has chosen this vibrant yellow as its shade du jour.
Use this versatile citrus shade to uplift a hallway, provide a fresh wake-me-up in the kitchen, or to bring warmth to a cosy family space. Rich but not overpowering, it has a cheerful brightness that will leave you (and your home) feeling energised, radiating sunshine all year long.
While True Joy can be used alone as a bold statement, pair it with complementary colours (from orange to blue to grey) to create unique spaces true to your own style. Even if you only want to use it sparingly, start small by painting shapes (scallops, dots, stripes etc.) on walls, or painting a niche or alcove, or framing windows or doors. It's great as an accent colour for furniture and zoning spaces.
'It may be difficult to immediately picture where yellow paint could seamlessly slot into your home, but it’s actually much more versatile than you may first think,' says Marianne Shillingford, creative director and colour expert at Dulux. 'Whilst yellow is one of the bolder colours on the spectrum, True Joy is complementary to a vast range of palettes, it brings out the positivity in even the most neutral of shades and is the figurative glue that binds more daring colour stories together.'
Dulux's highly anticipated COTY announcements have been going strong since 2004 (to recap, 2024 was Sweet Embrace, a delicate pale pink). The build-up to the annual event sees the Dulux trend forecasting programme, ColourFutures, gather leading designers, architects, editors and thought leaders from around the world to identify a colour that captures the global mood.
'The meaning behind the colour's choice is so impactful,' says Marianne. 'The sheer bliss the colour exudes physically pushes us to create something better for ourselves; it allows us to put the past behind us and gives us the inspiration we need to forge a future for our proudest, most confident selves. Put simply, True Joy is a call to action.'
Dulux has curated three palettes to show how True Joy can be used in combination with other hues in the home, encouraging us all to 'take a leap out of traditional colour comfort zones'.
1. Lively and adventurous
Bold colour palette
Perfect for creating bold and uplifting interiors to bring spontaneity and energy to a space, these colours will instil an inspiring, creative and imaginative environment in the home. The combination of bright blue and orange contrasted with accent yellow is delightfully spontaneous.
Shades include:
2. Neutral and artisanal-inspired
Human colour palette
A palette that makes us feel grounded and in touch, this pared-back look can be combined with artisanal touches and raw materials (wood, clay etc.) that celebrate human craftsmanship.
Shades include:
3. Rich and eclectic
Proud colour palette
Create a living space that feels rooted and homely: rich and warm, not overpowering, somewhat cocooning, but still confident. This eclectic palette is inspired by local cultures around the world and the layering of colour celebrates rich heritages that make each of us unique.
Shades include:
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