Muddy Stilettos


<p>Interior trends are a bit like statement earrings: fabulous in theory, mildly terrifying when you actually have to live with them. In the second of our Muddy Live Q&amp;As, founder Hero Brown sat down with Dulux Heritage&#8217;s colour expert Marianne Shillingford to talk about the trends worth trying now – and, crucially, how to make them work in real homes. From grown-up feature walls, stripy ceilings and clever colour flow, here’s the useful stuff to steal before you pick up a paintbrush.</p>



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-the-big-mood-shift-calm-cocooning-colour">1/ The big mood shift: calm, cocooning colour</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1080" height="1080" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/472746873_962063382509810_9136463651027946967_n.jpg" alt="Dulux Heritage warm calming white" class="wp-image-138367" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/472746873_962063382509810_9136463651027946967_n.jpg 1080w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/472746873_962063382509810_9136463651027946967_n-600x600.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/472746873_962063382509810_9136463651027946967_n-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/472746873_962063382509810_9136463651027946967_n-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/472746873_962063382509810_9136463651027946967_n-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /></figure>



<p>Right now, interiors are leaning hard into calm. The dominant palette? Soft blues, grounding greens, warm off-whites and those nature-led shades we can’t seem to get enough of – stone, sand, clay, moss and olive. It’s not the most headline-grabbing trend (sorry, neon lovers), but it is the most liveable. These colours soothe, restore, and, importantly, go with pretty much everything. When the 24/7 news cycle creates fear and uncertainty, we all quietly crave that sense of peace and serenity.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-colour-drenching-don-t-panic">2/ Colour drenching (don’t panic)</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1080" height="1080" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/473081134_963274795722002_2453522516830275690_n.jpg" alt="Dulux Heritage Grass Green" class="wp-image-138368" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/473081134_963274795722002_2453522516830275690_n.jpg 1080w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/473081134_963274795722002_2453522516830275690_n-600x600.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/473081134_963274795722002_2453522516830275690_n-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/473081134_963274795722002_2453522516830275690_n-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/473081134_963274795722002_2453522516830275690_n-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /></figure>



<p>Despite the slightly alarming name, colour drenching is simply using one colour across walls, woodwork and sometimes ceilings. The magic lies in the illusion it creates. By removing visual breaks, the room feels more seamless – and often bigger. In smaller spaces, like a long, narrow hallway, stick to paler tones to keep things light and airy. Want to push the effect even further? Choose a colour that recedes visually, and suddenly that tricky hallway doesn’t feel quite so claustrophobic.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-feature-walls-2-0-it-s-not-just-one-wall-anymore">3/ Feature walls 2.0: it’s not just one wall anymore</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Dulux-Colour-Futures-Colours-of-the-Year-2026-Rhythm-of-Blues-HomeOffice-Inspiration-Global-29-1000x667.jpeg" alt="Dulux-Colour-Futures-Colours-of-the-Year-2026-Rhythm-of-Blues-HomeOffice-Inspiration-Global-29" class="wp-image-118573" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Dulux-Colour-Futures-Colours-of-the-Year-2026-Rhythm-of-Blues-HomeOffice-Inspiration-Global-29-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Dulux-Colour-Futures-Colours-of-the-Year-2026-Rhythm-of-Blues-HomeOffice-Inspiration-Global-29-600x400.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Dulux-Colour-Futures-Colours-of-the-Year-2026-Rhythm-of-Blues-HomeOffice-Inspiration-Global-29-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Dulux-Colour-Futures-Colours-of-the-Year-2026-Rhythm-of-Blues-HomeOffice-Inspiration-Global-29-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The old-school feature wall – one bold colour slapped on a single wall – is evolving. Now it’s about creating a focal point, not a box-ticking exercise. That could mean wrapping colour around a corner, painting a ceiling, highlighting architectural details, or even turning a piece of furniture into the star of the room. The key is placement. Bold colour will always draw the eye, so use it where you want attention, not necessarily the first wall you see when you walk in.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-look-up-ceilings-are-having-a-moment">4/ Look up: ceilings are having a moment</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1440" height="1920" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/sixtythreehouse_3737988256513142189.jpg" alt="Dulux Heritage sixtythreehouse" class="wp-image-138483" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/sixtythreehouse_3737988256513142189.jpg 1440w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/sixtythreehouse_3737988256513142189-450x600.jpg 450w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/sixtythreehouse_3737988256513142189-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/sixtythreehouse_3737988256513142189-1152x1536.jpg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: @sixtythreehouse</figcaption></figure>



<p>If you’re feeling a bit braver, the ceiling is your new best friend. Painting it – whether a single colour or subtle stripe – adds interest without overwhelming the space. It keeps walls free and makes the whole room feel more considered. Stripes, in particular, can look incredibly chic, but keep the tones close together for a softer finish. High contrast might look dramatic, but it can tip into overpowering very quickly (and not always in a good way).</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-dark-colours-use-with-care">5/ Dark colours: use with care</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1440" height="1439" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gemmaberlyn_3739075429126960289.jpg" alt="Dulux Heritage gemmaberlyn" class="wp-image-138489" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gemmaberlyn_3739075429126960289.jpg 1440w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gemmaberlyn_3739075429126960289-600x600.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gemmaberlyn_3739075429126960289-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gemmaberlyn_3739075429126960289-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gemmaberlyn_3739075429126960289-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gemmaberlyn_3739075429126960289-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: @gemmaberlyn</figcaption></figure>



<p>Deep shades like navy, forest green or aubergine can look stunning, but they do come with a caveat: they visually advance. In other words, they come towards you, which can make a room feel smaller or heavier. That doesn’t mean avoiding them altogether. Instead, soften the approach. Opt for mid-tones or slightly muted versions, or use darker shades on furniture and accents rather than entire walls.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-mix-colours-without-chaos">6/ Mix colours without chaos</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1706" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Dulux-Colour-Futures-Colours-of-the-Year-2026-Rhythm-of-Blues-Livingroom-Inspiration-Global-24M-scaled.jpeg" alt="Dulux-Colour-Futures-Colours-of-the-Year-2026-Rhythm-of-Blues-Livingroom-Inspiration-Global-24M" class="wp-image-118574" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Dulux-Colour-Futures-Colours-of-the-Year-2026-Rhythm-of-Blues-Livingroom-Inspiration-Global-24M-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Dulux-Colour-Futures-Colours-of-the-Year-2026-Rhythm-of-Blues-Livingroom-Inspiration-Global-24M-600x400.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Dulux-Colour-Futures-Colours-of-the-Year-2026-Rhythm-of-Blues-Livingroom-Inspiration-Global-24M-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Dulux-Colour-Futures-Colours-of-the-Year-2026-Rhythm-of-Blues-Livingroom-Inspiration-Global-24M-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Dulux-Colour-Futures-Colours-of-the-Year-2026-Rhythm-of-Blues-Livingroom-Inspiration-Global-24M-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></figure>



<p>If you’re juggling multiple colours, structure is everything. Start with a clear palette: one main colour, a few supporting shades and a neutral to anchor everything. Once you’ve got that, take it with you – literally – when choosing furniture, fabrics and accessories. It keeps everything cohesive without feeling overly matchy.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-7-create-flow">7/ Create flow</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1707" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Dulux-Colour-Futures-Colour-of-the-Year-2025-Behind-the-scenes-GAC-26-scaled.jpg" alt="Dulux-Colour-Futures-Colour-of-the-Year-2025-Behind the scenes-GAC-26" class="wp-image-118568" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Dulux-Colour-Futures-Colour-of-the-Year-2025-Behind-the-scenes-GAC-26-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Dulux-Colour-Futures-Colour-of-the-Year-2025-Behind-the-scenes-GAC-26-600x400.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Dulux-Colour-Futures-Colour-of-the-Year-2025-Behind-the-scenes-GAC-26-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Dulux-Colour-Futures-Colour-of-the-Year-2025-Behind-the-scenes-GAC-26-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Dulux-Colour-Futures-Colour-of-the-Year-2025-Behind-the-scenes-GAC-26-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></figure>



<p>If your home feels a bit disjointed, colour flow can help. That doesn’t mean painting everything the same shade. Instead, use a consistent base of warm neutrals across spaces, then layer in personality through furniture, art and textiles. Think stone, clay, grey-green and soft earthy tones that link rooms together without flattening them. Keep woodwork and architectural details consistent, and suddenly the whole house feels more cohesive.</p>



<p class="has-text-align-center"><a href="https://duluxheritage.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">For more decorating inspo, head to duluxheritage.co.uk</a></p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/national/dulux-heritage-interior-paint-colours-improve-mood-feeling/">Feel better! The paint colours in your home that make (or break) your mood</a></li>



<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/home/interiors/dulux-colour-of-the-year-2026-three-shades-of-blue/">Blue crush: Shop Dulux’s Colours of the Year 2026 trend</a></li>



<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/home/interiors/tile-trends-2026-claybrook/">The 5 hot new tile trends you need to know for 2026</a></li>
</ul>


Interior trends you won’t be ripping out next year

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