At Apollo we love seeing how a powerful colour palette can completely transform a space. And Dulux’s Colour of the Year always makes for a particularly exciting opportunity for switching up your home décor.
This year, Dulux has broken from tradition by announcing a trio of colours, rather than just one hero shade, for 2026. The paint giant’s Rhythm of Blues selection has three distinct shades of indigo blue in the mix, resulting in a versatile, sophisticated palette that shifts from soft and airy to vibrant and energising to deep and meditative.
Mellow Flow is a lighter soulful blue that promotes tranquillity, Free Groove is playful, dynamic and full of personality, and Slow Swing is inky and dramatic – perfect for creating a comforting, cocooning aesthetic. It’s a timeless spectrum that works across all spaces and moods.
And blue shades are recognised as a powerful tool in home décor, promoting psychological benefits that go beyond being simply visually appealing. Blue hues offer a sense of fluidity and grounded serenity. In short, they’re the perfect panacea to today’s busy lifestyles.
Wondering how to add Rhythm of Blues to your interiors? The good news is they work well alone, in contrast or layered with neutrals or other complementary colours. And we’ve got heaps of window dressing ideas to make your blinds and curtains really sing with these on-trend shades.
Choosing Blue Blinds: Which Wall Colours Work Best?
If you fancy window dressings in Mellow Flow, try pairing with pale walls in crisp whites, warm creams, or muted greys to emphasise the airy vibe and create a seamless flow. Soft pastel shades like blush pink and pale sage green will provide the perfect gentle contrast, and pale wood furniture will further complement the scheme.
Soft off-white or light neutrals walls provide the ideal background to let Free Groove coloured blinds really pop. If you room benefits from lots of natural light, deeper charcoals and greens will pair well and give a richer, more enveloping feel.
And for blinds and curtains in Slow Swing’s darker, inkier blue, lighter surrounding colours will help your space from feeling too closed in. Or try a feature wall in the same shade as the window dressings with a lighter colour on the other walls. Warm wood furniture and brass, gold, or copper accents work brilliantly with rich indigo and provide a touch of warmth and comfort.
If your walls are painted in one of the Dulux shades, opt for blinds in that same colour for a tonal, soothing vibe or plump for a contrast colour for dramatic layering.
Twilight Blinds
When it comes to style, the type of blind you choose can make a big difference in mood, light, and texture. Twilight blinds, with alternating solid and sheer fabric panels, are especially effective with deeper shades like Slow Swing, offering dappled light and privacy in one. For a softer look, try Twilight blinds in a lighter blue like Mellow Flow paired with lime green walls – the calming blue balances the vibrant green, while the layered light effect keeps the scheme fresh and contemporary.
Roller Blinds
Clean, minimal, and versatile, roller blinds are an easy way to introduce colour into any room in the home. A roller blind in a blue like Free Groove makes a striking feature against neutral walls. If you opt for a darker shade, be sure the room has plenty of natural light – or add layered lighting – to avoid it feeling too enclosed. Plain blues are bold enough to stand alone. Simple, impactful and a great style statement.
Roman Blinds and Curtains
For a truly luxurious look, floor-length patterned curtains in cream and indigo set against Slow Swing walls look super stylish. The depth of the dark blue creates a dramatic backdrop, while the pattern lifts the scheme and adds elegance. Patterned window dressings that feature one of Dulux’s blue shades are a clever way to soften the intensity and help weave in other tones from the room. To finish the look, scatter cushions that echo the curtain print make the scheme both cohesive and layered.
Pairing Roman blinds with matching or contrasting curtains – also known as double dressing windows – is a timeless way to achieve a look that feels both luxurious and cosy. Here are some of our favourite combinations using Dulux’s 2026 palette:
- Mellow Flow + Soft Neutrals: Roman blinds in a Mellow Flow hue with curtains in soft cream, ivory or flax create a calm, airy feel – perfect for living rooms and bedrooms where tranquillity is key.
- Free Groove + Muted Contrasts: Roman blinds in a Free Groove-inspired shade dressed with moss green or mustard curtains deliver lively contrast that energises dining areas and kitchens without overwhelming the space.
- Slow Swing + Warm Accents: Roman blinds in Slow Swing’s hue paired with curtains in warm bronze, gold or deep rust bring depth and drama. Think formal sitting rooms, drawing rooms or moody bedrooms, with heavier fabrics like velvet or silk to match the richness of the shade.
- Tone-on-Tone Blues: For a seamless finish, choose blinds and curtains in coordinating shades of blue – one lighter, one darker – so the window dressing itself becomes a striking design feature rather than a contrast.
If you’re looking for window dressings that capture the spirit of Dulux’s 2026 palette, why not book a design visit with us – we love helping make the look work in real homes!