Would You Cover Your walls in Dead Salmon? The Great Paint Debate

In this three-minute read, we look at the paint colours that are making a splash in 2021

For millions of Brits, getting through this pandemic has been a case of “Keep Calm and Carry On with DIY”.

To stop themselves from climbing the walls from boredom and frustration, they’ve turned to painting them.

As a result, DIY chains such as B&Q have recorded surging sales, while paint company Dulux had to ration the sale of paint pots and testing kits last year to cope with rising demand.

As so many people are giving their homes a fresh lick of paint right now, let’s look at what’s popular in the world of colours.

Call of the wild

A few years ago, magnolia was very much the colour du jour for interiors (in fact, just about every property that came on the market was a vision of yellowy-white).

The perceived wisdom was that magnolia was the best way to create a welcoming but neutral base for home decorating.

But times have changed, paint firms and interior design experts report that being cooped up so much over the past year has made us yearn for nature and fuelled a desire to bring a little bit of the great outdoors indoors.

As a result, earthy tones are the “new magnolia”.

It’s only natural

Dulux’s Colour of the Year 2021 is Brave Ground, a warm natural shade with a strong brown undertone (some cynics call it beige).

While over at Farrow & Ball, the earthy brown tone Jitney is popular, as is Satin Slipper (an off-white shade akin to a traditional ballet slipper) and Dead Salmon (yes, that really is what it’s called).

The Little Greene Paint Company has also jumped on the ‘earthy’ bandwagon, by unveiling Stone, a range of 36 natural colours that includes the warm neutrals Portland Stone and Travertine.

Meanwhile, Valspar has Seven Sisters or the very bold Aged Cognac.

Greens and blues

Many home renovators are also looking to create tranquil, calm spaces at home (perhaps to counteract all the stress from home schooling and Zoom calls).

As a result, blue and green shades are proving popular. Valspar has Sapphire Earbobs, Secluded Cove and Cobblestone Moss, while Farrow & Ball has Green Smoke and Card Room Green, and Ultramarine Blue and Stiffkey Blue (a navy that we’ve seen used in lots of Victorian terraces).

Should homeowners stay neutral or make a statement?

Potential buyers can indeed find bold colours and strong prints a turn-off when viewing a property.

But to state the obvious, it is your home, so of course, it should reflect your tastes. The great thing about paint is you can paint over it.

So, if you are going to opt for bold colours, use them on the walls – you can go over them later without too much trouble – but stick to neutral tones for skirting boards and ceilings (which are fiddlier and faffier to reach).

We’re living through strange times. Anything that makes you feel more secure or calm in your home can’t be a bad thing.

From all of us here at Bayzos, stay safe and remember better times are coming.