The Most Popular Blue Shades for Home Interiors — and Why They’re Boosting Brits’ Mood

New research from B&Q, reveals as many as 82 per cent of the nation’s homeowners have painted (or plan to paint) their interior or exterior this year – with as many as 89 per cent of those, saying they are actively moving away from neutral colours.

And it’s less fifty shades of grey, beiges or whites – and more fifty shades of blue, with 35 per cent voting blue tones, their top paint choice for 2025.

Green (28 per cent) and teal (19 per cent) are also popular colours to paint walls this year, according to the study. 

Half (51 per cent) of those surveyed, say they currently prefer striking, statement colours to neutral tones.

And it’s not just about aesthetics, or Insta worthy rooms, 54 per cent say painting their rooms in a colour, has lifted their mood, and 34 per cent admit it has made them happier overall.

Clinical psychologist Dr Sophie Mort explains why this splash of colour might be exactly what our homes and our minds need. “Colour, in particular, has a powerful psychological effect – warm tones such as yellow or orange can feel energising, while blues and greens often promote calm,” she says.

“We often underestimate just how much our surroundings shape the way we feel. Painting your home isn’t just cosmetic: it shapes the emotional signals your brain receives, gradually affecting mood. What I also love about this trend towards brighter homes is that it reflects a bigger psychological principle: self-expression.

“Choosing bold colours can be a way of telling the world something about who you are, and that kind of authenticity tends to be good for wellbeing. If the home feels like it genuinely reflects you, you’re more likely to feel comfortable and grounded in it.”

A third (31 per cent) believe you can tell someone’s personality by the colours in their home, with 60 per cent saying those with colourful spaces like to express themselves, 54 per cent describing them as joyful, and 42 per cent calling them unique.

B&Q commissioned the survey, to celebrate their new range of, “Best of British” paint palettes – inspired by some of the UK’s brightest and boldest locations.

And Brits clearly agree – more than three-quarters (77 per cent) say they’d love to live on a brightly painted street.

Laura Dollimore, B&Q’s Head of Paint, adds: “We know that colour has the power to completely transform how a home feels. The new ‘Best of British’ palettes are all about capturing the vibrancy of some of the brightest and boldest places in the UK and making it easy for customers to bring that same joy into their own spaces. Whether it’s a calming blue, or a joyful yellow.”

When it comes to finding inspiration, Brits are turning to their screens, with TV shows (38 per cent) and social media (38 per cent) topping the list, followed by places they’ve visited (33 per cent), colourful UK towns (23 per cent) and holiday destinations (22 per cent).