How to Style Wall Art with Dulux Colour of the Year 2026 in the Living Room

Each year, Dulux’s Colour of the Year sets the tone for how Australian homes evolve. It influences paint choices, furniture finishes, and increasingly, how we style wall art within our living spaces. For 2026, the focus shifts toward colour that feels calm, expressive, and quietly confident, making it particularly relevant for living rooms where comfort and connection matter most.


If you are planning a refresh or simply want to update your space without a full renovation, styling wall art alongside the Dulux Colour of the Year 2026 is one of the easiest and most impactful ways to do it. Wall art allows you to reflect colour trends in a flexible way, offering depth, contrast, and personality without committing to a single painted surface.


This guide explores how to style wall art with Dulux’s 2026 colour direction in the living room, helping you create a space that feels modern, calming, and thoughtfully curated.


Understanding Dulux Colour of the Year 2026


Dulux Colour of the Year 2026, Rhythm of Blues, is built around a layered palette rather than a single flat shade. It explores blue as an emotional colour, calm but expressive, grounding yet adaptable.


The palette includes:

  • Softer, muted blue tones that feel restorative

  • Deeper blues with warmth and depth

  • Mid-tone blues that sit comfortably between cool and earthy

What makes this colour direction so effective for living rooms is its versatility. Blue has the ability to anchor a space without overpowering it, making it ideal for interiors that aim to feel relaxed rather than dramatic.


When paired with wall art, this palette creates opportunities to introduce contrast, texture, and movement while maintaining a cohesive, calming environment.


Why the Living Room Is the Perfect Space to Embrace Colour Trends


Living rooms are one of the most influential rooms in the home. They are where we relax, entertain, and spend the most shared time, which makes colour choices here particularly important.


Unlike bedrooms, which often lean toward neutrality, or kitchens, which prioritise function, living rooms can comfortably embrace colour when it is balanced correctly.


Using wall art allows you to:

  • Reflect colour trends without repainting

  • Introduce multiple tones through one focal point

  • Adjust the look seasonally or over time

  • Tie together furniture, textiles, and décor

This makes wall art the ideal medium for incorporating Dulux Colour of the Year 2026 into your living room.


Choosing the Right Wall Art for Blue-Based Living Rooms


When working with blue-based palettes, especially those inspired by Rhythm of Blues, the key is balance. Wall art should either complement the blue tones or provide gentle contrast without clashing.


Complementary wall art colours


Artworks that work beautifully with Dulux’s 2026 blue palette include:

  • Warm neutrals like sand, stone, and oat

  • Soft greys and off-whites

  • Muted greens and olives

  • Earthy browns and clay tones

These colours soften blue walls and create a sense of warmth, preventing the space from feeling too cool.


Using blue within the artwork


Another approach is to choose wall art that already contains blue tones. This helps echo the wall colour while introducing variation through texture, pattern, or brushwork.


Abstract art with layered blues, painterly movement, or tonal depth works particularly well in modern living rooms.


Styling Wall Art with Dulux Colour of the Year 2026


Create a strong focal point


One of the most effective ways to style wall art in a blue living room is to use a single statement piece as the anchor for the space.


Position a large artwork above the sofa or console and allow it to guide the rest of the styling. This creates visual structure and helps the room feel intentional rather than scattered.


For best results:

  • Choose artwork that is wide enough to relate to your furniture

  • Keep surrounding décor minimal

  • Allow negative space around the frame

Layer texture through artwork


Blue walls can sometimes feel flat if not balanced correctly. Wall art with texture adds depth and softness, making the space feel more inviting.


Look for:

  • Painterly abstracts

  • Art with visible brushstroke effects

  • Layered compositions with tonal variation

Even premium art prints can create a textured look when the artwork is designed with depth in mind.


Matching Wall Art to Different Blue Tones


Not all blues behave the same way, and the specific shade you choose from the Dulux 2026 palette will influence how you style your wall art.


Soft, muted blues


Lighter blues work beautifully with:

  • Minimal abstract wall art

  • Soft landscapes

  • Neutral-toned prints

These combinations feel calm and airy, ideal for relaxed living rooms.


Mid-tone blues


Mid-tone blues benefit from:

  • Art with contrast, such as deeper accents or darker outlines

  • Warm neutrals to balance the coolness

  • Organic shapes that soften the palette

This creates a living room that feels grounded and modern.


Deep, moody blues


Darker blues allow you to be bolder with wall art choices. Large-scale artwork, darker frames, and richer colour accents work particularly well here.


Pair deep blue walls with:

  • Black-framed wall art

  • Textural abstract canvases

  • Earthy tones like rust or deep brown

This creates a sophisticated, layered look that feels intentional rather than heavy.


Framing Choices That Elevate Blue Living Rooms


Frames play a crucial role when styling wall art against blue walls. The right frame can enhance contrast and polish the overall look.


Recommended frame options include:

  • Natural timber frames to warm up cooler blues

  • Black frames for modern, high-contrast interiors

  • White or off-white frames for lighter, coastal-inspired spaces

Avoid overly ornate frames, which can compete with both the artwork and the wall colour.


Using Wall Art to Tie Colour Palettes Together


One of the biggest benefits of styling wall art with Dulux Colour of the Year 2026 is its ability to link different elements in the room.


A well-chosen artwork can:

  • Connect blue walls with neutral sofas

  • Echo accent colours used in cushions or rugs

  • Introduce secondary tones that add depth

For example, an abstract artwork featuring blue, beige, and soft grey can bridge a painted wall, linen sofa, and timber coffee table without needing additional décor.


Gallery Wall Styling with Blue Living Rooms


Gallery walls can work beautifully in blue living rooms when styled thoughtfully. The key is cohesion rather than symmetry.


To create a successful gallery wall:

  • Stick to a limited colour palette

  • Use consistent frame tones

  • Mix artwork sizes but keep spacing balanced

Gallery walls are particularly effective in larger living rooms or open-plan spaces where a single artwork might feel lost.


Styling for Different Living Room Styles


Modern living rooms


Pair blue walls with abstract wall art, clean frames, and minimal styling. Let texture and scale do the work rather than decorative clutter.


Coastal living rooms


Choose lighter blues, white frames, and artwork with soft movement or nature-inspired elements. Keep the overall look relaxed and breathable.


Contemporary Australian interiors


Combine blue walls with earthy artwork, timber accents, and layered neutrals to create a grounded, lived-in feel.


Why Wall Art Is the Easiest Way to Update Your Living Room in 2026


Paint trends come and go, but wall art offers flexibility. It allows you to experiment with colour trends like Dulux Colour of the Year 2026 without committing to permanent changes.


By updating your wall art, you can:

  • Refresh your living room seasonally

  • Adapt to evolving colour trends

  • Personalise your space with minimal effort

This makes wall art one of the smartest styling tools for modern homes.


Bringing It All Together


Styling wall art with Dulux Colour of the Year 2026 in the living room is about balance, texture, and intention. Blue-based palettes offer calm and versatility, while wall art introduces warmth, personality, and depth.


Whether you choose a bold statement piece or a curated gallery wall, the right artwork can transform your living room into a space that feels current, comfortable, and thoughtfully styled.


Explore Urban Road’s range of wall art and canvas designs to find pieces that work beautifully with Dulux’s 2026 colour palette and help bring your living room to life.

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