Colour doesn’t have to be SCARY

Colour doesn’t have to be hard work:
We'll help you make confident choices in your renovation.

When it comes to renovating, nothing creates more hesitation than choosing colour, especially in permanent fixtures like tiles. We often hear people say, “I just want to play it safe” or “I’m worried I’ll get sick of it.” But here’s the good news: colour doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, with the right approach, it can elevate your space, reflect your personality, and add timeless character to your home.

At Walkers Design Centre, we help clients every day take the fear out of colour. Whether it’s bold or subtle, colour is about balance, not bravery. Here’s how to embrace it with confidence—especially when it comes to your tile choices.

What's trending in tiles right now?

Colour is back, but it's more refined than ever.

Nature Inspired Green and Earthy Tones

Soft sage, olive, and eucalyptus tones are huge in bathrooms and kitchens. These colours pair beautifully with natural textures like timber and stone, bringing calm and warmth to the space.

Blues with Depth

From soft powder blue to deep indigo and navy, blue tiles are being used to create mood and elegance, especially in splashbacks and feature walls.

Pastels and Soft Neutrals

Think blush pinks, dusty lilacs, and muted clay tones. These bring a gentle pop of personality without overwhelming the space.

Terracotta, Rust and Ochres

These sun-drenched tones are perfect for a Mediterranean feel, and pair well with creamy whites and aged brass finishes.

Zellige and Handmade Look Tiles

Glossy, irregular glazes in soft colour palettes add richness and texture, especially popular in soft blues, greens and pinks.

Feature Colour vs. Full Saturation: How bold do you go?

Feature Colour

Using colour as a feature, like a splashback, niche, or shower wall, is a great way to introduce personality without overpowering the space.

  • Great for those testing the waters
  • Easy to style around
  • Creates a focal point without commitment to full saturation

Full Colour Saturation

Going all-in with colour, on all walls or floors, can create a truly immersive space. This works beautifully in small bathrooms or powder rooms, especially when paired with bold styling or contrast trims.

  • Dramatic and designer-like
  • Best when well-planned with consistent styling
  • Ideal for confident renovators or those working with a designer

Pops of colour through styling

Still nervous about committing to colourful tiles or paint? No problem. You can bring personality and flair into your space through easily changeable styling elements, making colour both flexible and fun.

Here are a few ways to do it:

Bathroom Colour Accents

Use towels in vibrant tones, mustard, forest green, terracotta, or blush for an instant refresh. Add a coloured soap dispenser, bath mat, or vase to liven up a neutral space. Switch out items seasonally or for special occasions to keep things feeling fresh.

Kitchen Styling Ideas

Bring in colour through small appliances like kettles, toasters, mixers, or even coffee machines. Use coloured ceramics, glassware, or open-shelf décor to tie in your accent tones. Swap out bar stools or pendant lights in a bold finish for high-impact styling without full commitment.

The best part? These additions can be updated over time as your tastes evolve—so you still get your colour fix without the pressure of permanence.

Tips for Choosing Colour with Confidence

  1. Start with what you love, not what’s trendy
    If you’ve always loved green or navy or soft blush, that’s your anchor. Trends come and go—personal connection is timeless.
  2. Use samples in your home’s natural light
    Colours can shift dramatically depending on the light. Always test tile samples in the space they’ll be installed.
  3. Pair colour with texture
    Coloured tiles with a glazed, handmade, or textured surface add depth and interest, making even subtle colours feel more dynamic.
  4. Keep the palette simple
    If you’re using colour in tiles, balance it with neutral cabinetry, stone, or flooring. Three key materials or tones is usually a good rule of thumb.
  5. Use grout to your advantage
    Want the tile colour to stand out? Use a contrasting grout. Want it to blend? Match it. It makes a big visual difference.

The bottom line: colour is an expression, not a risk.

Colour doesn’t mean chaos. It can be quiet and tonal, or bold and bright—it’s about reflecting how you want to feel in your space. With expert advice, great samples, and a clear vision, colour becomes your best design tool—not something to fear.

Walkers Design Award Night 2025

Walkers Design Centre recently held their inaugural Design Award night. The event was attended by over 120 people from the building industry. Attendees where able to see first hand the design centre renovation which includes new brand and ranges we had sourced from around Australia and the world.

The award night is driven by the need to celebrate the creativity, craftsmanship and innovation of Walker’s clients. The quality of the entrants was extremely high and the task of choosing the most suitable winners was not easy. Our judges consisted of:

Judges

While there are many hundreds of categories we could provide awards for, we wanted to focus on the major categories. After much debate we settled on the following categories for our inaugural design night.

Award Categories

Category:
Designer of the Year

Kennedy & Co

Category:
Renovation of the Year

Hegert Building

Category:
Commercial Project of the Year

Hamilton Clark

Category:
New Build Under $2 million

Spicer Building

Category:
New Build Over $2 million

Evans Building Group

Category:
Peoples Choice Awards

MJS Built

Kennedy & Co Interiors

No.5 Torquay House

Winner of the Walkers Design Awards
2025 Designer of the Year

DESIGNER

Tara Kennedy

AWARD

Designer of the Year 2025

PRODUCTS SUPPLIED

Tiles

LOCATION

Torquay

Hegert Building – Two Goats

Hegert Building – Two Goats

Winner of the Walkers Design Awards
2025 Renovation of the Year

BUILDER

Hegert Building

AWARD

Renovation of the Year 2025

PRODUCTS SUPPLIED

James Hardie: Internal VJ Linings, Oblique and Linea
Velux Skylights
Phoenix Bathware
Walkers Plaster & Insulation
Walkers Victorian Bluestone

LOCATION

Wallington