Orange is embracing and inviting. Like red, it has strength and offers stimulation but with more of a care free spirit. Its uplifting and warm tones create a playful palette. Orange combines the passion and energy of red with the joy and happiness of yellow.
Orange represents change, from day to night displayed with beautiful sunsets and from Summer to Autumn with the baking sun to falling leaves.
Orange can be used to create a warm and cosy atmosphere especially with burnt oranges. Familiar shades like earthy terracottas are perfect for creating a welcoming and warming feeling which work particularly well in social spaces like living rooms and kitchens.
The softer side of oranges like apricots and pale peaches are even friendlier and more soothing. These shades are less flamboyant than strong, robust oranges but they still bring energy into your home.
Oranges have lost the hard, aggressive edge that we have seen in recent years. Beaten and rusted metals are a big inspiration for much of the palette which is being driven by a renewed interest in craftwork.
Burnt red orange is key - a softly glowing shade that captures the magic of molten metal.
Bright corals are reminiscent of tropical reefs and koi carp- soft but brightly energetic shades that can enliven cooler neutral palettes and provide bolder feature wall shades.
Rich shades inspired by copper and rusting metals are perfect for adding warmth to your room. Why not try a robust orange like Sicilian Summer 3 or a hot shade like Tuscan Terracotta to really bring your space to life. For extra warmth, continue the same colour onto your skirting or highlight its strength with Pure Brilliant White on your woodwork for a clean look.
Tuscan Terracotta
Pure Brilliant White
Sicilian Summer 3
To Compliment and cool down this stronger shade of orange, try adding grey through your furnishings.
For extra interest and depth, bring in a strong green through cushions or other accessories like glass vases.
Cosy organic oranges inspired by our natural surroundings with tones of chalky brick, sand and shell create a warm and subtle interior colour palette. Zingy shades have vanished in favour of earthy tones that offer a softer setting. Mud Hut in your kitchen or living room will create an inviting atmosphere set off by the warm glow of Desert Light on your woodwork.
Desert Light
Rose White
Coffee Liqueur
To add interest to paler walls, why not try adding a deeper tone like Coffee Liquor to your skirting and woodwork to really highlight these features.
Dulux colour mixing Matt paint gives interior walls and ceilings a popular low sheen matt finish which minimises imperfections.
Number of coats needed: 2
Coverage: Up to 12.8m²/litre
If you've come up with your perfect scheme but would like a professional to deliver the results you need, we have hand-selected a range of recommended decorators.
Dulux Select DecoratorsHow to pick the right paint for your walls
How to buy Dulux colour testers online