After working with homeowners for over 15 years, I’ve seen paint colour trends come and go. Some stick around because they work well in our climate, others disappear as quickly as they arrived.

Thought I’d share what I’ve learned working with Perth City Painters about sustainable paints in 2025 and what eco options tend to work best for Perth house painters dealing with our unique conditions.

The thing about choosing paint colours for Perth is that our light is different from other places. Its intense and changes throughout the day in ways that can make colours look completely different.

I’ve learned this the hard way on several jobs where colours looked perfect in the sample but strange once they were on the walls.

Interior colours that actually work in Perth

Natural White from Dulux is still everywhere and for good reason. It handles our harsh light well without looking too stark. I probably use this colour more than any other for main living areas. Its not the most exciting choice but it works consistently.

Lexicon Quarter is another one I’m using heaps lately. Sort of a warm off-white that doesn’t go yellow in our strong sunlight like some whites do. Great for open plan areas where you want something warmer than pure white but still neutral.

Actually, speaking of whites going yellow – that’s always been a problem in Perth. The UV here is so strong that warm whites can look quite yellow by afternoon, especially on west-facing walls. Something to keep in mind if your choosing warm whites.

Whisper White is nice too but it can feel a bit creamy in rooms that get lots of afternoon sun. Works beautifully in south-facing rooms though, where you need that extra warmth.

For something with a bit more colour, Monument has become really popular for accent walls. Its a dark grey that doesn’t feel too heavy in our climate. Clients love it for feature walls behind TVs or in bedrooms.

Domino is darker than Monument and looks almost black in some lights. Bit dramatic for most people but when it works, it really works. Has this blue undertone that becomes obvious in natural light.

Warm neutrals that don’t look daggy

Half Strength is this lovely soft grey that works well in bedrooms and quiet spaces. Not too cold, not too warm. Safe choice that most people are happy with.

Hog Bristle Quarter – weird name but its a beautiful warm neutral. Sort of beige but not boring beige if that makes sense. Popular with clients who want warmth without going too yellow.

Vivid White is the other white I use constantly. Brighter and more modern feeling than Natural White. Good for contemporary homes or when you want a really fresh, clean look.

Oh, and I should mention – always test these colours in your actual room before committing. Paint large samples, not tiny colour chips. I’ve had too many situations where people loved the colour chip but hated it on the wall.

Popular greys and cooler tones

Greyology 1 is a lovely light grey that works well in rooms with lots of natural light. Can feel a bit cold in darker rooms but perfect for north-facing areas.

Limed White is interesting – its got green undertones that can look really fresh in the right space. Bit risky though, green undertones can clash with certain brick colours.

French Grey is deeper than Greyology but still light enough for main areas. Good compromise if you want grey but not too pale.

From what I’ve seen, people are moving away from the really cool greys that were popular a few years ago. Perth’s warm climate seems to suit warmer neutrals better.

Exterior colours for Perth conditions

This is where climate really matters. Dark colours get stupidly hot in our summers and light colours show every bit of dirt from our sandy soil.

For weatherboard houses, Natural White or Vivid White work well for the main colour. Pair with Monument or Domino for trims and window frames. Classic combination that doesn’t look dated.

Render homes can handle slightly different colours. Half Strength or Lexicon Quarter give you that modern look without being too stark.

Surfmist is popular for roofing and coordinates well with most wall colours. Though I’m not involved in roofing – just notice what colours work well together.

Brick houses are trickier because you need to work with the existing brick colour. Cream brick looks good with warm whites, red brick suits cooler whites generally.

Colours to be careful with in Perth

Yellows and oranges can look really intense in our light. What looks like a nice warm yellow in the showroom can look almost fluorescent on your walls by midday.

Dark blues and greens are gorgeous but get extremely hot on exterior walls. Had one house with a dark blue feature wall that you couldn’t touch in summer.

Pure whites like Antarctic can look harsh in our strong light. Fine for trim work but overwhelming on large wall areas.

Trending colours I’m seeing more of

Terracotta and warm earthy tones are coming back. Not the orange terracotta from the 80s – more sophisticated, muted versions. Works well as accent colours.

Sage greens are popular for bedrooms and bathrooms. Calming colour that works well with natural timber and stone.

Navy blues for front doors and feature walls. Classic choice that never really goes out of style.

Actually, front doors are worth talking about separately. Navy, black, or dark grey doors look smart and hide dirt well. Red doors can work but they fade quickly in our sun.

What doesn’t work in Perth homes

Anything too trendy usually looks dated within a few years. Better to stick with colours that have staying power.

Really dark exterior colours unless you enjoy touching up paint regularly. The UV damage happens faster than you’d think.

Cool colours in south-facing rooms. They can feel quite cold, especially in winter.

Room-specific considerations

Bedrooms work well with warmer, softer colours. Half Strength, Lexicon Quarter, or even soft pinks and blues in kids rooms.

Bathrooms need colours that handle humidity. Stick with quality paints in lighter shades. Dark colours can make small bathrooms feel cramped.

Kitchens get lots of use so choose colours that hide marks well. Natural White or Vivid White are practical choices.

Living areas are usually best in neutral colours since they’re the main spaces people spend time in. Easier to change accessories than repaint if you get bored.

Testing colours properly

This is probably the most important advice I can give. Paint decent sized samples – at least A4 size sheets. Look at them at different times of day because colours change dramatically in different light.

Live with the samples for at least a week. What looks good on day one might annoy you by day seven.

Test colours on different walls if possible. North-facing walls look different from west-facing walls.

Practical finishing thoughts

Don’t get too stressed about colour choices. Most neutral colours work well in Perth homes and you can always repaint if you change your mind. Just be sure to disucss what you wnat when talking to your home builders and painters.

Consider your furniture and existing fixtures when choosing colours. No point picking colours that clash with expensive items you cant replace.

Quality of paint matters more than the exact colour sometimes. Good paint in an average colour looks better than cheap paint in a perfect colour.

The finish you choose affects how colours look too. Low sheen hides imperfections but can make colours look flat. Semi-gloss reflects more light and makes colours appear brighter.

Oh, and dont forget about primer if your changing colours significantly. Good primer makes any topcoat look better and last longer.