The Expressive trend: Bold, bright, and joyful

This year, the colour trends shift towards optimism and self-expression, proving that a shade can transform both a room and our mood. Now is the time to let your inner child free and imagine an optimistic and playful style, one that is rich in colour.

The Expressive trend encourages you to explore, mix and match, and discover the vibrant shades that make a home truly feel like your own. It says goodbye to the all-beige look and embraces bright, high-energy hues and unexpected pairings. 

The Expressive trend is all about feel-good design that brings you joy – the happy palette of vivid blues, greens, yellows and reds proves it. Rather than following traditional rules, everything is possible.

Colour blocking is a great way to make a space feel dynamic. In this lively living room, soft peach walls meet a bold red archway, while pastel greens and lavenders add a charming touch. There is a mix of paint finishes for added contrast: the walls are painted in matte while the ceiling is in high-gloss.

This room’s design eschews beige tones and instead embraces vivid, bold hues. Colour of the Year, olive-lime Secret Safari (PPG1110-4), is the perfect building block for some colour play. Combine it with blueberry blue Boudoir Blue (PPG1244-4), salmon red Lobster Claw (PPG1189-6), soft lime-green Lively Laugh (PPG1218-3), and muted orange Enchanted Desert (PPG1068-3) for an unexpected effect. 

Rounded furniture and sculptural objects keep the space feeling fresh and a little quirky. It’s a perfect example of combining softness with creative drama for a one-of-a-kind space.

In this chic lounge, mint green pops against blush and pale lavender, creating a layered, lighthearted palette. It’s Expressive in a quieter way and embodies the cheerful style through its inventive use of shape, colour, and texture.

There is a quiet allure in the pastel palette. The walls are painted in Still Lake (PPG1175-3) with a section of Enchanted Desert (PPG1068-3) running at the top. The upbeat scheme is complemented by Bleached Spruce (PPG1223-4) painted on the columns and the niches of the bookcases. 

Curved shapes and inflated forms create a sense of playfulness in the elegant room. Vintage furniture, open shelving, and interesting light fixtures – both on the wall and in the ceiling – add dynamic movement to the room.

Expressive design is about having fun, so don’t be afraid to take risks and create a space that feels adventurous, playful, and uniquely yours. Skip the rules and add a combination of colours, shapes and styles. 

Here, a little weirdness is good. Instead of a plain wall, why not try a bold geometric pattern, a stunning mural, or even a dreamy two-tone fade? Or consider painting a circular motif behind a round mirror or chair. It’s an easy way to give your space a unique look. 

Coordinate wall shapes with quirky furniture. Decorate with curved and puffy silhouettes, wavy mirrors, and abstract decor pieces. Play with textures by combining glossy surfaces, sheer fabrics, plush rugs, and glowy lighting. Shiny or see-through elements add another layer to the scheme, enhancing the surreal, dreamlike aesthetic. 

The Expressive trend allows you to express yourself and use colour with confidence. See also the Authentic and Visionary trends and determine which one appeals to you the most to transform your own space.