A viewing platform in a hospital with a circular window

Transform healthcare spaces with Dulux Colour of the Year

02 January 2024

Well-designed healthcare spaces have been shown to improve patient outcomes. The nature-inspired blues and greens in the Dulux calm colour story help to create soothing, restorative spaces where people can feel rested.

There is strong evidence to suggest that well-designed healthcare facilities have measurable positive outcomes, helping patients recover sooner, improving patient and visitor experience and increasing staff effectiveness in their care.¹ So, putting patient, staff and visitor wellbeing at the heart of designing healthcare spaces is key.

Inspired by the tones of woodlands and seascapes, the natural blues and greens in our calm colour story make institutional spaces feel soothing rather than sterile. A calming setting can help patients, visitors and staff to feel less stressed and boost recovery.

¹The case for good design: Healthcare, Office of the Victorian Government Architect, September 2022

Bring balance to a therapy room

A therapy room with a vertical painted split wall effect.

A vertical split wall effect using pastel blue and Dulux Colour of the Year 2024, Sweet Embrace™, creates a subtle, balanced feel in this therapy room. The use of nature-inspired colours brings a sense of calm and clarity that helps to put patients at ease.

Which colours?

30BG 56/045

50GG 40/064

Sweet Embrace COTY24

Create calm recovery spaces

A school building with exterior walls painted in soft pink with accents painted in ochre

The shades in our calm colour story can create a restful space that helps patients, visitors and staff feel more comfortable. Here, a combination of Sweet Embrace™ and a band of coastal blue makes this hospital space feel calming and restorative, as well as adding visual interest.

Which colours?

90BG 42/106

Tranquil Dawn COTY20

Sweet Embrace COTY24

A soothing waiting room

A waiting area with walls painted with a split wall effect combining two different shades of green

The nature-inspired colours in our calm colour story can help heighten the restorative benefits of a healthcare space. Here, the use of forest greens and natural materials helps people feel connected to nature – something that has been shown to relieve stress.

Which colours?

A tranquil passageway

A bridge passageway with floor to ceiling glass and a ceiling painted in a soft pink

The use of Dulux Colour of the Year 2024, Sweet Embrace™, on the ceiling of this interior-meets-exterior passageway enhances the natural daylight that floods through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Sweet Embrace™ adds just the right amount of warmth to soften the modern, industrial feel.