3 simple ways to transform your home with colour ready for spring

A little paint and lots of creativity can go a long way

A living room with cream sofas and brown-painted walls with an irregular scalloped effect painted by hand
(Image credit: Dulux)

Spring is the perfect time of year to lean in and celebrate colour in our homes. After a long winter, vibrant tulips and daffodils are poking their heads out of the ground, and frothy pink blossoms are adorning trees. However, this riot of colour isn’t just for the garden, it’s for inside the house too, and there are so many easy DIY projects you can do to add a shot of colour to your home while we wait for spring.

Over the last year colour experts have all noted a trend towards using bolder and more playful colours in the home. Dulux’s 2025 colour of the Year, True Joy, a vibrant and sunny yellow, demonstrated this. However, you don’t need to drench a whole room yellow to be bold with colour. One of my favourite paint ideas at the moment is colour accents which are the perfect weekend project.

A spacious living room painted in a dark green shade with brown curtains and Dulux True Joy paint shade used on the door frame

Dulux True Joy paint shade used on the door frame and Moody Cobalt on the walls.

(Image credit: Dulux)

These accents only need a small tin of paint or a few paint testers for a quick and easy transformation. At the moment, Dulux is offering free delivery when you buy 3 or more of its testers, including its ‘Peel and Stick’ testers so stock up and try your hand at one of these simple ideas.

1. Paint a border

Brown and yellow kitchen

Dulux True Joy used on window and walls in Rustic Chestnut

(Image credit: Dulux)

One of the most strikingly simple, but effective paint ideas is painting a colourful border around a window or door. It is a project that will take less than a day and can be painted over easily if you get bored with it.

All you need is one of Dulux’s roller testers and some painter's tape, or you can use a small tin of Dulux’s simply refresh one coat. For a crisp finish, paint over the tape with leftover paint in the same colours as the wall first, then leave it dry for a few minutes before following with your chosen colour.

When thinking about your colour choice you can try out Dulux’s new 'Colour Play’ Tool for inspiration on what will work with your existing colour scheme. But don’t be afraid to go bold, try a contrasting colour or the same colour in a different tone.

2. Revamp light switches

Pink, red and brown Dulux bedroom

Dulux Heart Wood and Summer Pecan used on wall.

(Image credit: Dulux)

Peel and stick wallpaper samples are a great and affordable way to jazz up or disguise light switches. Start by choosing the paint sample, it can either be the same colour as your walls to perfectly blend in, or reuse leftover peel-and-stick paint samples to make it a feature.

There are two ways to do the next step. The most budget-friendly is to cut the sample to size, with space cut out for the switch and a small patch to cover the switch and stick it on. The other option is to follow the same steps but switch to a clear light switch cover that will sit over the paint sample, making it more durable.

Either option will give you a fresh look in less than an hour.

3. Create a furniture accent

Dulux colour of the year 2025 true joy used in a kitchen with shades of blue as part of the Bold Colour Moment

Dulux True Joy used on cabinets and Intense Azure behind cooker.

(Image credit: Dulux)

Most paint including Dulux can be used on walls and furniture as long as you prime the furniture properly before painting. If you’re a renter who isn’t able to paint the walls, a quick furniture upcycle is the perfect way to introduce a splash of colour.

The front of drawers, table legs, and handles on a wardrobe can all be elevated with paint. A paint tester is perfect for covering these small focal points. If you want to go bigger try painting bookshelves in a contrasting colour like red or purple to make a real statement.

Get your home ready to look as colourful inside as the world is outside this spring.

Rebecca Knight
Deputy Editor, Digital

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.