Can you guess which colour has beaten grey as the nation's most popular paint shade?
We're turning to the dark side
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter

The Home Of Great Ideas For More Than 100 Years
Thank you for signing up to . You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
If you are looking to redecorate your home, step away from the grey paint swatches. New research reveals that homeowners are turning away from the grey (opens in new tab), as navy blue becomes the UK's most popular paint colour.
At the start of the year (opens in new tab), we declared grey as the most popular paint colour. However, the research carried out by Drench.co.uk (opens in new tab) has revealed that many households are planning to take their walls for a spin on the dark side.
Drench.co.uk analysed the annual Google search volume of paint colours from Farrow & Ball (opens in new tab) and Dulux (opens in new tab). They found that in every room, a deep blue topped the list as the most popular shade.
Buy now: (opens in new tab)Hague Blue 2.5l, £48, B&Q (opens in new tab)
Farrow & Ball Hague Blue was found to be the most popular colour in the kitchen, living room and bedroom. This rich colour has green undertones, helping create a timeless, deep and dramatic blue.
Dulux Sapphire Salute was found to be the number one shade in the bathroom. While Hague Blue was a close second. Sapphire Salute is a gorgeous deep navy blue and perfect for adding drama to a room.
However, we haven't abandoned grey altogether. The shade is still one of the nations favourite new neutrals. Farrow & Ball Cornforth White, an understated grey, crept into the top five most popular paint colours in the kitchen and living room.
While the iconic Farrow & Ball Elephant's Breath, a gorgeous warm grey, came in as the second most popular shade in the living room. It also cracked the top five colours for the kitchen and bedroom.
For the bathroom, two grey shades from Dulux – Chic Shadow and Polished Pebble – made the top five.
If you fancy trying out a beautiful dark blue shade in your home you will need to be a little more careful than when using grey. Remember to use a combination of different surfaces and textures to add depth.
In the kitchen pair with wooden countertops and gold, copper or brass fixtures for an on-trend look. In the living room consider opting for a mid-tone grey sofa that will contrast with the dark blue walls.
Related: An interior expert reveals the one thing you should never do when painting your walls
Are you team navy or team grey?

Rebecca Knight has been the Deputy Editor on the Ideal Home Website since 2022. She graduated with a Masters degree in magazine journalism from City, University of London in 2018, before starting her journalism career as a staff writer on women's weekly magazines. She fell into the world of homes and interiors after joining the Ideal Home website team in 2019 as a Digital Writer. In 2020 she moved into position of Homes News Editor working across Homes & Gardens, LivingEtc, Real Homes, Gardeningetc and Ideal Home covering everything from the latest viral cleaning hack to the next big interior trend.
-
DIYer leaves drab kitchen unrecognisable with stylish pink and green scheme
Despite having to start all over again when painting the cabinets, she only spent £260
By Millie Hurst
-
DIY kitchen ideas – 16 savvy ways to refresh your look for under £50
Looking to update your kitchen space on a budget? These clever ideas and tips are worth checking out
By Tamara Kelly
-
New build garden ideas to fill a new outdoor space with colour and character
Stop your new build garden looking the same as your neighbours with smart planting and design ideas
By Jayne Dowle