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The key paint colours to use right now

GREEN CREDENTIALS

Bringing the outdoors in by having green walls in your home is always a good idea; the nod to nature will create a calm atmosphere however busy the space, so integrating the colour into a well-used sitting room works just as well as in a spa-style bathroom. Greens are also said to inspire creativity, making them ideal for a home office. Benjamin Moore’s Veronese Green would find the perfect setting in an east-facing room, as the moody feel of its blue pigments will feel brighter in the morning - while calming that strong early light – and cosier in the afternoon and evening. Veronese Green soft touch matte, from £11 for 118ml, Century collection, Benjamin Moore →

WHITE ON

White has so many nuances and selecting the right one can be overwhelming, so it’s key to take time to find suitable tones for your home. A good rule of thumb is that for sitting rooms, white with a touch of yellow or orange will give a vibrant feel. For home offices, choose white with a dash of blue to help concentration. In bathrooms, a pink-based white will add a spa-like warmth. For bedrooms, go for one with a blue or green hint for a calming vibe. This versatile hue from Paint & Paper Library has a chalkiness to its finish that hints at texture, making it work in even the darkest rooms. Walls in Minim architects matt, £55 for 2.5ltr; units and stripe in Opus architects eggshell, £68 for 2.5ltr; island in Kohl architects eggshell, £68 for 2.5ltr, all Paint & Paper Library

FRESH MINT

Named Dulux's Colour of the Year 2020, the minty Traquil Dawn subtly changes based on light and surrounding shades. Use it in an east-facing spot as it benefits from morning sun, when its white tones come alive adding energy. Tranquil Dawn mixing paint matt emulsion, £29.16 for 2.5ltr, Dulux

RHAPSODY IN BLUE

When using blue in a north-facing space like this hallway, offset the cool light with warmer tones, such as the yellow-based turquoise on the floor and the Klein blue on doors. Floor in Air Force Blue intelligent floor paint, £70 for 2.5ltr; doors in Smalt intelligent eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, both Little Greene

Embrace the mood-boosting power of yellow. The red-based hue on the lower part of this wall is a perfect choice for adding warmth to darker spaces. Lower wall in 1974; upper wall in Hay Bale, both matt emulsion, £45 for 2.5ltr; shelf in Peach Juice eggshell, £30 for 1ltr, all Claybrook

PRETTY IN PINK

Blush pinks are one of the most timeless colours to use in interiors, working just as well in a sleek, modern build as they do in traditional settings. This Farrow & Ball shade offers a gentle softness due to the inclusion of yellow, which creates a slightly dusty mood. Rooms in pinks feel warm and inviting throughout the day, regardless of how much natural light is on offer, while in the evening, artificial lights will create a delightfully cosy atmosphere. Use in north- or west-facing spaces to warm up the cool light. Setting Plaster estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

NATURAL BEAUTY

After weeks of being confined inside, it’s no surprise we’re now drawing colour inspiration from the great outdoors.

Fresh and invigorating, Sanderson’s English Pear, with its dash of lime, is a modern twist on a classic green. In rooms, marry it with soft cream furnishings and dark wood pieces for easy elegance, and take it to woodwork outside where it will sit comfortably in its surroundings. English Pear water-based eggshell, £47 for 2.5ltr, Sanderson at Style Library →

DEEP BLUE

Navy has had a huge resurgence in interiors, bringing with it a sophistication that’s easier to live with than black and more richly toned than turquoise. This end of the blue spectrum is generally suited to smaller rooms that are starved of natural light, where you can embrace the darkness. The chalky finish of this Annie Sloan paint creates natural variations in pigmentation, making it ideal for using on the walls and ceilings as the colour doesn’t appear too block-like and some levity gets introduced to the darkness. Plus, by enveloping the entire space in one shade, it adds a wonderful illusion of extra height. Oxford Navy chalk paint, from £19.95 for 1ltr, Annie Sloan →

SEEING RED

A deep red can be a miracle worker for walls, both lifting the cool light of north-facing spaces and adding a cheerful glow to sunnier south-facing spots. Red hues are said to provoke conversation, so they work well in kitchens and family areas; a rouge dining space might extend those lazy supper parties while adding visual drama. There are so many shades available within the red range, but the crimson and brown tones of this Earthborn pigment give a wonderfully inviting gleam. Lady Bug claypaint, £43 for 2.5ltr, Earthborn