Every year, paint giant Dulux unveils its eagerly anticipated Colour of the Year, a hue carefully selected through an extensive collaboration between Dulux’s renowned colour specialists and a diverse team of leading international design experts. This annual announcement isn’t just about a colour; it reflects a broader global sentiment and emerging design trends. For 2021, the comprehensive trend forecast highlighted a collective reassessment of priorities in our lives, leading to a desire for comfort, stability, and connection with the natural world. In response to this profound shift, Dulux proudly introduced Brave Ground – a wonderfully warm, inviting, and inherently natural neutral shade. This versatile colour acts as a grounding anchor, allowing other hues to truly flourish around it, embodying a sense of strength, resilience, and rootedness in our homes.
Brave Ground, with its rich, earthy undertones, is remarkably easy to integrate into virtually any interior design scheme. Its adaptability makes it a perfect choice for homeowners and designers alike, seeking both style and comfort. When paired with vibrant, spicy shades of orange and yellow, Brave Ground can infuse a dark dining room with an unexpected warmth and radiant energy, creating an inviting atmosphere for meals and gatherings. For a more dramatic and playful touch, combine it with shades of red and pink to make the colour pop, adding layers of personality and contemporary flair. Alternatively, for a serene and effortlessly chic work area, Brave Ground blends seamlessly with soft creams and muted greys, fostering a calming environment conducive to focus and productivity. To evoke a minimalist yet cozy Scandinavian (Skandi) aesthetic, consider pairing Brave Ground with tranquil shades of blue and refreshing greens, creating a harmonious and nature-inspired sanctuary.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Brave Ground from Dulux is practical, offering a variety of finishes to suit different applications and surfaces within your home. Whether you need a durable finish for high-traffic areas, a matte look for a sophisticated living room, or a soft sheen for bedrooms, Dulux provides options to meet every requirement. To experience this transformative shade firsthand, tester pots are readily available from Dulux, with prices starting at an accessible £1.90. This allows you to confidently try Brave Ground in your own space, ensuring it perfectly complements your existing decor and lighting before committing to a larger project. Visit the Dulux website to explore the full range of finishes and order your tester pot today.
Elevate Your Space with Brave Ground: Furniture and Accessories
Once you’ve fallen in love with Dulux Brave Ground and decided to make it the cornerstone of your home’s colour palette, the next exciting step is to select furniture and accessories that will harmoniously complement and enhance this beautiful, grounding hue. Integrating elements that resonate with Brave Ground’s natural warmth can transform your living spaces into cohesive, stylish, and deeply comforting havens. From elegant dining chairs to plush throws and practical rugs, here are some carefully curated ideas to help you incorporate the essence of Brave Ground into every corner of your home, creating an interior that feels both modern and timeless.
Set of Two Tulip Dining Chairs in Warm Beige, Pepper Sq.
The iconic Tulip chair design is a testament to timeless elegance, renowned for its sleek lines and ergonomic comfort. This set of two dining chairs, presented in a beautifully warm beige, offers the perfect blend of classic aesthetics and contemporary appeal. Their neutral colour ensures they integrate effortlessly into both modern minimalist and traditional ornate interiors, promising a sophisticated look that will never feel dated. The subtle warmth of the beige upholstery perfectly echoes the understated elegance of Brave Ground, creating a cohesive and inviting dining space. These chairs are not only visually appealing but also offer practical versatility, being available in several other colours to match various decor schemes. Invest in lasting style and comfort; a pair of these exquisite chairs costs £439 and can be purchased directly from Pepper Sq.
Harbour Stripe Throw, Tori Murphy
Throws and cushions offer a fantastic, low-commitment way to introduce a new trend or add a layer of texture and warmth to your living space. This exquisite Harbour Stripe throw, featuring a sophisticated blend of ecru and mushroom tones, is an ideal choice for enhancing a Brave Ground themed room. Crafted from 100% Merino lambswool, it promises unparalleled softness and luxurious comfort. The meticulous production process speaks volumes about its quality: it is expertly woven in Lancashire, gently washed in the pristine waters of the Yorkshire Dales, and skillfully finished in Nottingham. Each throw is then hand-finished with a traditional blanket stitch, adding a touch of artisanal charm. Originally priced at £180, this beautiful piece was available for £126 during the summer sale, making it an even more enticing addition to your home. Discover this handcrafted beauty at Tori Murphy.
Go Solo Ottoman in Brave Ground, Made Below
Embrace bespoke craftsmanship with the Go Solo Ottoman, a piece that perfectly encapsulates both functionality and refined style. This ottoman is meticulously handcrafted and sumptuously upholstered in fabric sourced from one of England’s most historic mills, ensuring both quality and a connection to rich textile heritage. The robust frame is constructed from sustainable British wood, reflecting a commitment to environmental responsibility, while its elegant legs are hand-turned, showcasing traditional artisanal skills. Filled with firm foam, this ottoman offers excellent support and stability, making it ideal not only as a footrest but also as a convenient surface for resting a tray of tea, a book, or decorative items. Made Below prides itself on offering customizable furniture, with every piece made to order, allowing you to tailor dimensions and colour to perfectly fit your interior vision. This particular Go Solo ottoman is available in the official Dulux Brave Ground colour, ensuring seamless integration with your chosen palette, and is priced at £458 from Made Below.
Ludlow Linen Effect Upholstery Fabric, Yorkshire Fabric Shop
For those who love the creative process of DIY and custom home decor, this exquisite Ludlow linen effect upholstery fabric presents an unmissable opportunity. Offered in a versatile cream beige, it’s the perfect material to craft your own unique accessories that beautifully complement the subtle warmth of Brave Ground. This fabric is incredibly versatile, making it suitable for a wide array of projects, including refreshing upholstery, crafting bespoke cushions, designing elegant curtains, or creating other soft furnishings. Made from 100% polyester, it combines the luxurious look and feel of linen with enhanced durability and excellent value for money, ensuring your handmade items stand the test of time. Transform your living space with personalized touches. This fantastic fabric is available at just £11.99 per metre from the Yorkshire Fabric Shop, empowering your creative vision.
Natural Walberswick Stripe Cushion, Garden Trading
Inject effortless style and comfort into your home with the Natural Walberswick Stripe Cushion. Its allure lies in its captivating soft texture, combined with a clean, simple design and naturally appealing neutral tones, making it an incredibly versatile and easy choice for any room. This cushion is thoughtfully crafted from natural and lightweight recycled cotton, highlighting a commitment to sustainable living without compromising on quality or aesthetics. The subtle stripe pattern adds a touch of understated elegance that perfectly complements the grounding nature of Brave Ground, bringing an organic and inviting feel to sofas, armchairs, or beds. An exceptional blend of eco-consciousness and chic design, this cushion offers fantastic value, costing just £16 (originally £20). Elevate your comfort and style responsibly by finding this beautiful piece at Garden Trading.
Beige Frills Rug, Rose & Grey
Discover the irresistible charm of the Beige Frills Rug, a piece that has captured our hearts with its distinctive artisan texture and rich character. This chunky rug features an intricately woven pattern complemented by soft, inviting tassels, creating a tactile experience that adds significant depth and warmth to any room. Its generous size and luxuriously thick pile make it an ideal anchor for various living spaces, particularly well-suited for adding a cozy, welcoming feel to a reception room, dining area, or bedroom. The neutral beige tone harmonizes beautifully with Brave Ground, enhancing the earthy and grounded aesthetic of your interior. At £385, this rug represents an investment in both style and comfort, promising to be a cherished focal point in your home. Find this captivating piece at Rose & Grey.
Eivissa Round Jute Rug, Pepper Sq.
Introduce an element of natural elegance and robust practicality with the Eivissa Round Jute Rug. This unusually braided, circular-shaped rug is meticulously crafted from 100% natural jute fibres, celebrated for their organic beauty and exceptional durability. The texture of jute brings an earthy, tactile quality to your floors, perfectly complementing the natural warmth of Dulux Brave Ground. Naturally hardwearing and incredibly resilient, this rug is an excellent choice for high-traffic areas within your home, such as bustling hallways, active living rooms, or busy kitchens, where it can withstand daily wear and tear while maintaining its aesthetic appeal. Its unique shape and organic material add an inviting, bohemian-inspired touch to contemporary or traditional interiors. Elevate your home with this sustainable and stylish piece, available for £139 from Pepper Sq.
What Other Colours Harmonize with Brave Ground?
The beauty of Brave Ground lies not just in its individual charm, but in its incredible versatility as a foundational shade. If you’re eager to expand your colour palette beyond this anchoring neutral, you’ll be delighted to discover a wealth of options that blend seamlessly, creating diverse moods and stylish interiors. Brave Ground acts as a perfect canvas, allowing for both subtle enhancements and bold contrasts, making it an interior designer’s dream. Let’s explore some captivating colour combinations that will bring your vision to life.
Tonal Combinations: Earth’s Embrace
Brave Ground is distinguished by its deep, warm brown undertones, a quality that makes tonal combinations particularly successful and soothing. When selecting accompanying colours, seeking out other shades with similar earthy undertones will create a sophisticated and cohesive palette. Think about richer terracotta hues, deep caramels, or muted mocha shades. These colours, when used together, build a layered effect that feels inherently natural and comforting, much like a landscape. The subtle variations in depth and warmth add interest without overwhelming the senses, promoting a sense of calm and organic flow throughout your home. This approach ensures your space feels grounded and deeply connected to nature.
Neutral Combinations: Sophisticated Simplicity
As a true neutral, Brave Ground naturally excels when combined with other timeless neutrals such as soft beige, creamy off-whites, and even pale greys. The magic happens when you play with different shades and textures within this neutral spectrum. Imagine layering a Brave Ground wall with an ivory linen sofa, complemented by a chunky knit throw in a soft oat colour, and wooden furniture with a warm stain. This strategy creates incredible depth and visual interest, preventing the room from feeling flat or monotonous. Incorporating varied materials like wool, linen, wood, and stone will further enhance the richness of your neutral scheme, creating an inviting, sophisticated, and utterly timeless interior that exudes understated elegance.
Combine it with Warm Greys: Unexpected Harmony
While a pairing of brown and grey might not initially spring to mind as the most obvious combination, the inherent warmth of Brave Ground works surprisingly well when juxtaposed with equally warm-toned greys. The key is to select greys that have a subtle yellow or brown base rather than cool blue undertones. This creates a balanced, contemporary look that is both inviting and modern. For a chic and dynamic effect, consider painting two walls in Brave Ground and an accent wall in a complementary warm grey. To elevate this sophisticated pairing further, introduce metallic silver or brass accents through lighting, mirrors, or decorative objects. These metallic touches will catch the light, adding a touch of glamour and refinement to your beautifully balanced space.
Use it to Balance Bold Colours: A Grounding Anchor
The earthy, stable tones of Brave Ground are perfectly suited to act as a powerful grounding element for more dramatic and darker bold colours within a room. Imagine a feature wall in a deep navy, an elegant charcoal, or even an impactful black. Brave Ground can be strategically used on adjacent walls, trim, or skirting boards to soften these intense shades and prevent the room from feeling too heavy or overwhelming. For example, using Brave Ground to paint skirting boards against dark walls provides a subtle yet effective contrast that visually lifts the space. Small, thoughtful touches of black, perhaps in picture frames, lighting fixtures, or decorative accents, also work remarkably well alongside a predominantly Brave Ground painted room, adding a sophisticated edge without detracting from the overall serene atmosphere.
Try Brave Ground with Sage Green: Nature’s Embrace
Sage green has emerged as a truly popular and enduring paint and home decor colour, celebrated for its calming and restorative qualities. When paired with Brave Ground, these two earthy tones create a harmonious, biophilic-inspired environment that promotes relaxation and well-being. Both colours draw inspiration from the natural world, evoking lush landscapes and tranquil forests. Consider using a combination of sage green and Brave Ground on your walls to create a soothing backdrop. To amplify this connection to nature, integrate an abundance of natural materials such as light wood furniture, woven jute rugs, linen textiles, and, crucially, plenty of indoor plants. This holistic approach will transform your room into a peaceful sanctuary, a true escape from the bustling outside world.
Use Brave Ground with White for Contrast: Crisp & Inviting
While white paint can be undeniably crisp and clean, it sometimes risks feeling stark or cold in certain environments. Brave Ground offers the perfect antidote, providing a beautifully soft and warm contrast that tones down the brightness of white, imbuing it with a much-needed sense of inviting warmth. When used together, Brave Ground acts as a grounding element, giving depth and richness to a predominantly white scheme. Imagine Brave Ground on an accent wall, or in key architectural features like archways or fireplaces, surrounded by fresh white walls. This combination is particularly effective in creating spaces that feel airy and expansive, yet simultaneously cozy and welcoming. It’s a sophisticated way to add an element of earthiness and sophistication, creating a balanced and timeless aesthetic that feels both modern and deeply comfortable.
Embrace Terracotta and Rust: Desert Hues
Expanding on the warm undertones of Brave Ground, introducing colours like terracotta and rust can create a stunning, sun-baked aesthetic. These shades, reminiscent of desert landscapes and artisan pottery, naturally complement Brave Ground’s earthy feel. Use terracotta in pots and decorative items, or incorporate rust-coloured fabrics in cushions and throws. This combination evokes a sense of warmth, travel, and natural beauty, perfect for creating an inviting, globally-inspired living room or a cozy reading nook. The rich, organic feel is both comforting and stylish.
Subtle Pastels: Soft and Dreamy
For a softer, more ethereal touch, Brave Ground can also be beautifully paired with gentle pastel shades. Think of muted blush pinks, soft sky blues, or delicate mint greens. When used in conjunction with Brave Ground, these pastels retain their light, airy quality but gain a grounded foundation, preventing them from feeling too saccharine or juvenile. This combination is ideal for bedrooms or nurseries, creating a serene and dreamy atmosphere that feels both tender and sophisticated. The neutrality of Brave Ground ensures the pastels shine without overwhelming the space, resulting in a balanced and peaceful interior.
Metallic Accents: Glamour and Shine
While Brave Ground is inherently natural and understated, it can be dramatically elevated with the strategic placement of metallic accents. Gold, brass, and copper tones, in particular, harmonize beautifully with Brave Ground’s warm base, adding a touch of glamour and sophistication. Imagine brass light fixtures, gold-framed mirrors, or copper decorative bowls shimmering against a Brave Ground wall. These metallic elements introduce a reflective quality and an element of luxury that contrasts exquisitely with the paint’s earthy texture, creating a modern, chic, and polished aesthetic perfect for contemporary living. Ensure these accents are used sparingly to maintain balance and impact.
Main image (c) 2020 Dulux