The many difficult challenges of 2020 made us look forward to 2021 with great hope and anticipation. Yet, as Covid-19 continues to rage on, 2021 was ushered in not in grand celebration, but mostly in quiet nights from the safety of our homes. Now, as the holiday hype subsides and the year rolls on, we can still keep on the festive mood for the rest of the year.

For many, the ‘new’ in new year signifies hope for a better future and after months of adjusting to the new normal, now is a great time to prepare for the year of new beginnings. There are several things that we can do to change our moods and mindsets going into the new year. AkzoNobel, maker of Dulux paints, has some colour inspirations that you might like to get the new year going.

As we welcome in the new year, let us draw inspiration from the Earth colours palette from AkzoNobel’s ColourFutures 2021 colour trend-forecast. The Earth palette consists of complementary blue, green and brown shades that echo the sea, sky and soil of the natural world – inspiring us with courage to adapt as the Earth does.

Bedroom The place where you rest should embody peace and calmness. As we recharge for the year ahead, make changes to your bedroom now so that you can continue resting in the most comforting environment throughout the busy year. For example, this two-tone bedroom room goes to show that pairing rich complementary shades of blue and green can take mantras of calmness and serenity from word into embodiment.

There are many ways to spice up your living space and create a good ambience – and a fresh coat of paint is timeless and always seems to do the trick. Don’t be afraid to try new things this year; small changes can make a big difference in your mood and mindset. And after a year full of unexpected events, we all know how important it is to stay grounded and brave in the face of uncertainty. Take this opportunity to prepare your home with brave and courageous colours to bolster your confidence for yet another uncertain year.

Decorate for 2021

For smaller rooms, consider lighter shades of Earth colours to accentuate sunlight and to create the illusion of a larger space.

Children’s Study It is important to create and maintain a soothing and productive environment in the room where you spend the most energy and time in. For many, this would be the study or home office. Take inspiration from the three complementary colours being used in this example of a child’s study. The light green and gentle blue exude life giving freshness while being balanced by the neutral brown.

Living Room The first room to be entered by guests and homeowners, acting as a core to a home and connection to different living spaces. This makes the living room a great place to utilise Brave Ground. While reflecting on the year that will be historically infamous, what we needed the most was to feel the ground beneath our feet. That feeling of firm foundation gives us the courage to embrace change.

The essence of this warm and grounding feeling is captured in AkzoNobel’s Colour of the Year 2021, Brave Ground (also known as Wright Stone 10YY 30/106). This is the perfect shade to boost the feeling of calmness in the room and perfectly embodies the spirit of endurance we all need for the coming year.