Do not paint your house this colour in 2025 – and the three interior trends you’re about to see everywhere

White and grey may be go-to paint shades for many home renovators, but an interiors expert has recommended people steer clear of them in 2025 for a modern look.

Dulux Colour and Communications Manager Andrea Lucena-Orr told FEMAIL that the ‘cool white minimalism’ trend is well and truly over, and that this particular shade of white should now only be ‘used sparingly’.

The reason? ‘Pure white is seen as too clinical for modern homes,’ explained Andrea.

‘Instead, homeowners are leaning towards warmer, softer whites that add depth, and create a more inviting, cohesive feel throughout the space.’

Perhaps more surprisingly is the colour expert’s assessment that ‘grey in all its tones’ is now also considered ‘out’.

In the home décor realm, ‘millennial grey’ has been a beloved neutral interior shade for years – particularly when it comes to paint.

But following the recent announcement of the 2025 Dulux Colour Awards finalists, Andrea said that renovators should re-think the tone.

‘Grey and all its variations will always be popular, however, there has recently been a move away from the cooler greys to those with warmer, friendlier undertones,’ she explained.

‘It’s all part of a shift away from sterile minimalism towards cosier, more personal interiors that actually feel like home.’

The other outdated trend Andrea identified was the common practice of using ‘white as a trim colour’.

‘Painting skirting boards, doors, and trims in bright white is falling out of favour,’ the colour expert explained. 

‘The overly crisp contrast of a white trim disrupts the visual flow rather than enhancing it.’

‘In its place, we’re seeing a rise in tone-on-tone colour schemes where walls, trims, and sometimes even ceilings are painted in the same shade or tonal variations of it.

‘This creates a seamless, cocooning effect that feels more curated and modern.’

On the other end of the spectrum, Andrea outlined three key interior colour trends that are set to be big in 2025.

The first is the ‘the rise of the painted ceiling’.

‘No longer an afterthought, painted ceilings are becoming a design feature,’ Andrea explained. 

‘Whether it’s a bold splash of colour or a soft hue that complements the walls, painted ceilings can dramatically expand a space and create a unique atmosphere.’

Dulux colour finalist project The Collectors by Julia.Cox.Co pulled this off brilliantly, with Andrea praising their use of coloured ceilings to ‘frame intimate spaces’.

Another modern colour trend that’s not for the faint hearted, is ‘bold colour blocking’.

‘This trend is especially popular in retail environments, but it’s also finding its way into residential interiors,’ Andrea said.

In some Dulux colour finalists projects, including the Cobden Terrace project by Matt Gibson Architecture + Design and the Coronation House project by Brunsdon Studio, Andrea noted the use of ‘pops of colour and contrasting prints and patterns to liven up the space and guide movement throughout the house’.

Finally, Andrea recommended that home renovators embrace the idea of ‘tonal graduation’ – particularly when working with a neutral colour palette.

What this means is ‘rather than using a single colour throughout, designers are embracing subtle shifts in hue and tone’.

The design expert noted this sophisticated trend was achieved brilliantly in Dulux colour finalist Stellar House by Robson Rak, which layered tonally graduated neutral shades so that it created a layered effect.

‘Minimal doesn’t have to mean monotone,’ she confirmed.