Paint a free-form shape with Coral & Dulux Colour of the Yea

It’s time to leap out of your comfort zone!

Coral & Dulux Colour of the Year 2025, True Joy™ works perfectly as a bold accent colour, that contrasts beautifully with neutral shades making it perfect for any number of paint effects, such as this exciting free-form wall.

Using our Colour of the Year 2025 plus three other shades from the Human Colour Story, you can create a free-form shape that feels personal to you and energises any space. Ready to go for it? Here’s how to get the look…

Step 1: Gather your materials

Sketch design on paper
Tin of each of your chosen paint colours
Paint stirrers
x 1 big roller and tray
x 3 small rollers and tray
x 3 small paint brushes
Tape measure
Chalk
Masking tape
Paint tin opener
Gloves

A collection of painting tools and supplies, including paint cans, brushes, rollers, trays, and a measuring tape, neatly arranged on a dust sheet, ready for a DIY project. This setup is part of a guide on how to confidently paint a free-form shape using Coral & Dulux Colour of the Year.

Step 2. Make your own design

It’s time to experiment and play. Draw your sketches on paper first to find what feels right for you and your home. Start by sketching one big shape that fits your wall and scale it to your interior wall. Make sure you indicate the dimensions on the drawing where the horizontal and vertical lines should go. And don’t be worried about making mistakes, this is the time to do it! Then choose the colours that you like to give it an interesting composition.

In this design, we used a neutral tonal combination, but feel free to choose another Colour Futures colour palette as well.

A person holds up design sketches and colour swatches, carefully planning the shape and palette for their free-form painting project, keeping the overall aesthetic in mind.

Step 3. Prepare

Once you're happy with your design, it’s preparation time. Use masking tape around the sides of the wall so you don’t go over the edges. Now you can put your base colour down. Choose a neutral tone and cut in the edges with a small brush, while using a roller for the rest.

Step 4. Measure & Draw

Let the fun begin! Draw your free-form shape to give it a human touch. Then, with your tape measure and chalk, carefully mark the points on the wall for the horizontal and vertical lines, dividing your shape into squares by drawing lines by hand from top to bottom and from left to right to your desired layout and composition.

Tip: Use chalk instead of pencil because chalk is soft and can easily be wiped away if you've made a mistake.

A hand holding chalk next to a wall and tape measure

A hand carefully marks a wall with chalk while using a tape measure, preparing to map out a design with precision.

Step 5. Apply your second colour

Now it’s time for your second colour. Use a smaller brush to do the outline first, then a roller to complete the middle sections.

Someone using a roller to paint a coloured shape.

A person carefully uses a paint roller to outline a free-form shape on the wall, adding a creative touch to the space.

Step 6. Apply your third & fourth colour

When applying your third and fourth colours, make sure not to let the colours touch (or wait for them to dry between each colour). This way, you'll get a tighter design. Keep working through the process with the final colour True Joy™ to bring energy to your design until you’re finished.

Someone applying the finishing touch to a free-form shape with a smaller paint brush.

A person carefully adds the finishing touch to a free-form shape on the wall using a small paintbrush, ensuring clean edges and smooth transitions between colors.