Instagram bloggers are favouring calming shades of grey, blue and green for their walls, research reveals.
Property advice website homehow.co.uk analysed paint colour hashtags on Instagram to reveal the 15 shades garnering the most interest on the social network.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given its rise in popularity in recent years, it is a shade of grey that comes out on top. There is also significant interest in soft, dusty shades of pink and peach, with three different colours making the cut.
British paint giant Farrow & Ball is the most popular brand, accounting for more than half the list. More affordable Dulux is also well represented, with four of the 15 shades from the decorating stalwart.
To help explain why each shade has been such a success, FEMAIL spoke to Alex Willcocks, the director of London-based Burbeck Interiors, who offered his professional opinion on each.
1. Paris Grey, Zoffany
Paris Grey is a soft gentle colour, inspired by the elegant chateaux or old Swedish manors. It’s popular due to its versatility and simplicity. It is easy to accessorise and works well in all rooms
2. Green Smoke, Farrow & Ball
This colour is popular for country homes and exteriors. It adds a subtle pop of colour, and works particularly well in kitchens, or bathrooms. It’s usually chosen as it works for all seasons, and rarely needs updating
3. French Grey, Little Green
This colour provides both green and grey hues, which looks great when well-lit. The colour is popular because it brings a room to life. It’s soothing, so works well in living rooms, bedrooms, and guest rooms. It’s also a great exterior colour, or for garden furniture
4. Bancha, Farrow & Ball
Bancha is great for a statement wall and is popular in rooms that are well-lit, or window heavy. It’s a strong colour and creates a Zen-like atmosphere in a room. Browns, pinks, and creams are natural compliments, and it works well with a minimalist style
5. Jitney, Farrow & Ball
This earthy brown works well for high walls, or in homes by the sea. The colour gives off relaxing vibes and creates a more traditional feel. I would recommend using bold and stylish furniture to lift the colour and bring it to life
6. Sulking Room Pink, Farrow & Ball
This is soft and warm, without being overpowering. It works best with creams, and greys, as well as overly bold and bright colours, which makes it even more appealing
7. Hale Navy, Benjamin Moore
Hale Navy is the perfect colour for kitchens and dining rooms. Whether it’s for a statement wall, or cupboard doors, this hue breathes a lot of energy into the space and is incredibly stylish. It also works well for exteriors, and front doors, or smaller porch areas. The colour is strong and gives off a feeling of power and strength
8. Denim Drift, Dulux
Denim Drift has been a popular colour for many years, and I don’t think it’s going anywhere. It’s popular because it is incredibly versatile and can be styled and accessorised in many ways. It’s a fun colour and can be utilised in any room to add personality
9. Spiced Honey, Dulux
This is a relaxing colour, ideal for bedrooms, meditation rooms, or yoga studios. It’s popular because it creates a laid-back luxury. It’s great when paired with undertones to bring it down. It doesn’t work with louder colours that lift. Pair with darker hues of browns, blacks, and oranges
10. Purbeck Stone, Farrow & Ball
Neutral and natural colours will always be popular. They make you feel safe, you can accessorise them with most colours, and you can use them to inject personality into your home. Homes with neutral colours are also more likely to sell when on the market. It works in any room, any style of home and with any theme
11. Skimming Stone, Farrow & Ball
This colour is particularly popular for bathrooms, or bedrooms. It can be dressed up, or down, though brighter colours tend to work best for a modernised look. Match with wooden floors, soft furniture and dramatic wall accessories, such as paintings and large mirrors. It is also popular due to the clean finish it provides
12. Polished Pebble, Dulux
Polished pebble is a popular colour as it opens space, and makes a room feel bigger and brighter. It’s a good colour for staircases, hallways, reception areas and porches, and reflects the light well. The colour is seen on the cabinets above
13. Setting Plaster, Farrow & Ball
This is a beautiful backdrop colour, and is more popular in older, larger houses and rooms. It works well with darker browns, and creams, and light greys for a more modern look. It almost gives a historic feel when added to a room, and makes you feel welcome
14. De Nimes, Farrow & Ball
This is elegant, stylish, and instantly uplifts any room. It has a royal feel to it and holds dominion over other shades. It works particularly well against oak wood and natural, rustic elements
15. Chic Shadow, Dulux
One of the most popular shades of grey, as it is bold, yet subtle. It works best when paired with both bright and dark colours, so match yellows with blacks, and blues with dark browns. It also creates a calming emotion and is a grey that works nicely with metallics