WE all want to add a little bit of colour to our homes – it can make a space feel uplifted, energised and cosy whilst also showing off a little bit of our personality.
And greens and blues are popular choices since they create a calm environment, which also feels bright, relaxing, and inviting.
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But there’s one newly discovered shade in this colour range that interior experts have urged homeowners to stay clear of, explaining that it is too brash for your house.
Scientists have recently found the colour ‘Olo’, which is an ultra-saturated, blue-green hue, and it is already making waves online.
But experts at The Paint Shed have said that it is the kind of shade that is better admired from afar than splashed across your walls.
Olo is only visible when the eye is manipulated, and Prof. Ren Ng, one of the researchers behind Olo, explains that this is because the remarkable shade as more saturated than any colour you can see in the real world.
As a result, the professionals predict that it will inspire a peaked interest for similar shades with extreme saturation.
But they have urged homeowners to think twice before bringing similar colours into their interiors.
Michael Rolland, paint expert and Managing Director at The Paint Shed, said this is because it can be too brash and bold for a home and can even ruin the vibe of a room with “colour overload”.
He said: “There are many blue and green shades that work beautifully in the home.
“From lighter green pistachios to rich, heritage-feel navy, many hues are versatile, easy to style, and easy to work with.
“However, ‘Olo’ is described as the opposite, making the world’s other bold colours feel like pastels.
“If homeowners seek this kind of saturation for their interiors, they might be left with colour overload.
“Highly-saturated shades like Olo can bring difficulties with them, chiefly being too bold and brash.
“Especially in spaces that should be cosy and calm, for example, the living room.
“If you want to use a more saturated shade of green in your home, try incorporating it into alcoves and as feature points rather than a full room or wall, as this could create an overly harsh look and feel.”
So, what shades should you use in your home, if not ones that are Olo-inspired?
The Paint Shed has revealed that no paint company can recreate Olo because the saturation of it can make it feel overwhelming.
However, the experts say they think the colour most similar to Olo on the market is the formula S 1050-B80G by Dulux Trade.
Michael added: “Many paint companies don’t make a shade that comes close to the saturation of this colour, as it can be so overwhelming.
“As such, unless you’re painting a small feature or accent, I’d recommend opting for a more subdued turquoise for interior projects.
“For example, Little Greene’s Green Verditer or Brighton, which is significantly more pastel in tone.”
Experts explain where to use greens and blues in the home
IF you are thinking about adding greens and blues to your home, then don’t worry – the experts have you covered.
Design pros at The Paint Shed shared their top tips on how and where you can use them in different rooms across the house.
Bathrooms: Forest green – “Forest green works beautifully in bathrooms. This shade is easy to create a well-executed, stylish space that feels incredibly luxurious and unique.”
Recommendation: Hunter Green by Benjamin Moore
Bedrooms: Navy – “Although not traditionally a go-to choice, navy is an excellent option for bedrooms. In 2024, we saw a rise in moody, romantic interior trends, and navy is a perfect way to embrace this aesthetic. It provides a depth and richness that overly saturated, more neon shades simply lack.”
Recommendation: Basalt by Little Greene
Hallways: Summer blue – “Hallways are great opportunities to add a bold summer blue shade to your home decor. In these smaller spaces, using shades which reflect the light can work well to give the illusion of a bigger space. Blue-green paint shades, paired with white details, can give hallways and bathrooms a clean, airy and fresh feel, perfect for enhancing the light.”
Recommendation: Lulworth Blue by Farrow & Ball
Living rooms: Pistachio – “Pistachio shades are perfect for the living room. They are calming, easy to work with and the perfect gateway shade from neutrals to colour. Pair with organic neutral shades of wood browns and pastel pinks for a perfect finish.”
Recommendation: Willow Tree by Dulux