Dulux’s Colour Forecast carries more weight in Australia than any overseas prediction, and the 2026 edition reads the mood clearly: after years of disruption, clients want calm, stability and warmth.
Why the forecast changed
The dominant narrative a few years ago was a post-pandemic reset — hence palettes built on comfort, nature and optimism. In 2026 the story has settled: less dramatic, more practical. The three palettes are designed to be lived and worked in, not just photographed.
Palette 1 — Evoke
Rich, nostalgic and bold. Blush pinks, burnt orange, gold and deep accents. Where to use it: hospitality, retail and brand-led reception spaces. Small areas with high impact — a bar front, banquette, feature joinery or accent wall.
Palette 2 — Elemental
Calm, earthy and neutral: warm whites, soft stone tones, coffee, clay and greige. Where to use it: workplace, healthcare, education and any space that needs to age well. This is the workhorse palette of 2026 and the safest base for a long-life fitout.
Palette 3 — Ethereal
Light pastels and mid-tones — soft, bright and optimistic. Where to use it: spaces with strong natural light. In darker rooms, use these tones in lighter areas only, or as accents.
The look: how to use these colours in your fitout
- 60/30/10. 60% base neutral, 30% secondary, 10% accent. It keeps a room coherent and makes future changes cheap.
- Colour on the right surfaces. Put long-life colours on fixed elements (joinery, stone, flooring); put trend-driven colours on replaceable ones (paint, upholstery, signage).
- Warm the light. Colour and colour temperature are one decision. Warm whites and neutrals need warm-toned lighting to read correctly.
- Test on site. Sample at different times of day. Sydney’s light and your glazing will change the result.
Talk to Liteco
Liteco Projects delivers commercial fitouts across Sydney — design, approvals, construction and custom joinery in one licensed, insured contract, with 20+ years and 800+ completed projects behind us.
Get in touch to discuss your fitout and colours.
