Transform your space into a wellness studio

Wellness is moving beyond spas and studios and into the home, with more homeowners creating dedicated spaces designed to support health and wellbeing. Tapping into this growing lifestyle shift, Interior Designer and Stylist Kerrie-Ann Jones has partnered with Dulux to bring the trend to life, designing her own at-home wellness studio.

Kerrie-Ann explains that while a dedicated wellness space may feel like a luxury, creating a place at home to pause and decompress can be incredibly valuable. "Whether it's used for exercise, meditation, or simply unwinding at the end of the day, having a space in your own home that's intentionally designed for wellbeing can have a meaningful impact on both mental and emotional health."

Kerrie-Ann adds how colour plays a pivotal role in shaping the mood of a home, with Dulux's Most Loved collection of neutrals leading the way as her go-to choice for creating calm and restorative wellness spaces. "Warm neutrals work beautifully in our climate because they create softness while still feeling fresh and contemporary, making them ideal colour choices for creating a dedicated area for mindful activities and hobbies in the home. They also pair effortlessly with natural materials like timber, linen and stone, which are commonly used in Australian interiors."

The space in question has had a few iterations over the years, Kerrie-Ann explains, including a guest bedroom and a photography studio. "What the space had always lacked was personality and soul. It's a large, long room, so as a guest bedroom it never quite felt cosy or grounding".

Transitioning the space again, this time to create a serene wellness studio, Kerrie-Ann was drawn to two popular shades from Dulux's Most Loved collection, Dulux Vintage Beige and Dulux Natural White™. "The vision was to create a space that felt restorative, calming and reflective of my style, avoiding the cold and clinical aesthetic of typical home gyms. This space is used for both movement and relaxation, so colour played a huge role in softening the space and creating a foundation that instantly felt inviting."

Dulux Vintage Beige was chosen for the walls for its soft and warm tone. "From contemporary to mid-century, this colour is super versatile, making it perfect for any interior style as it complements without overpowering the space. Dulux Natural White™ was used on the door and skirting boards to create a gentle contrast. As a bright white, it adds freshness and lightness, making the overall look feel balanced and timeless."

Kerrie-Ann then looked to introduce tonal colours, natural textures and soft lighting to complete the room's transition to an immersive retreat. "Paint was the starting point because it instantly shifts the emotional feel of a room," adds Kerrie-Ann. "From there, I layered sheer curtains to diffuse light, warm timber for grounding, sculptural forms for interest, burgundy and sage green accents for depth, and a touch of chrome for a contemporary edge." The result is a grounded space that is peaceful, restorative, and designed for both movement and rest without ever feeling over-styled.

Kerrie-Ann explains how homeowners are now craving softer, more grounding interiors. "Neutral doesn't just mean white, beige or grey anymore. We're seeing soft sage greens, earthy pinks, terracotta tones, warm browns and even sky blues becoming increasingly popular because they bring warmth and personality while still feeling calm and timeless - it's a really exciting time for Australian interiors."

On incorporating neutral colours in your own home, Kerrie-Ann advises there are some key considerations to keep in mind. "Australian homes are filled with beautiful natural light, allowing neutral tones to look stunning throughout the day. However, don't forget to think about the undertones of the paint and how the natural light in the space can change throughout the day, as it can completely change the way a space looks and feels."

The materialities used to complete the look are equally important, Kerrie-Ann adds. "It's the synergy of all elements that truly transform a room. Warm paint tones set the mood, while the right mix of materials such as linen, natural surfaces like timber and stone, metals, and other soft furnishings infuse depth, creating a textured, lived-in feel." Kerrie-Ann explains.

For homeowners ready to embrace a new neutral makeover in their own home, Dulux's Most Loved colour range offers plenty of inspiration. For more information head to Dulux.com.au.

• Dulux Vintage Beige: This cozy mid-tone neutral with ochre hints makes for a stunning wall or trim choice indoors and out. It shines alongside Dulux White Polar Quarter and Dulux Parchment Paper for a soft, inviting look.
• Dulux Natural White™: A true classic! Perfect with timber and stone, this versatile shade harmonises effortlessly with any palette.
• Dulux Oyster Linen: With a touch of green undertone, this warm mid-tone neutral is ideal for trims or main walls. It also complements neutral whites beautifully, especially Dulux China White.
• Dulux Tavern: Rich and grounding, this darker neutral brings warmth and depth. Pair it with Dulux Beige Royal Quarter and Dulux White Cloak Quarter for a welcoming and inviting aesthetic. 
• Dulux Basketweave Beige: This lovely warm, brownish neutral sets a grounding tone. It looks stunning with a complementary blue-grey like Dulux Tinker or the classic Dulux Neutral Lexicon.

1. Create a mood board. Collate images in a mood board which encapsulate the mood you want the space to evoke. Pick a paint colour that fits that mood, then choose furniture, lights, and accessories to match. For wellness areas, use equipment that fits the style of the room for a seamless look.
2. If in doubt, start with a warm beige. For those hesitant to move beyond traditional whites, warm beige tones are a great place to begin. Dulux Vintage Beige is timeless, yet also adds softness and depth.
3. Styling on a budget. Repainting a room is one of the most affordable and effective ways to completely transform a space. Try also rearranging your furniture layout before buying anything new. Sometimes moving just one or two pieces can instantly change how a room feels, and it costs nothing to do.
4. Add accents for colour. To enhance the personality of your space, keep a neutral base for the main wall colour, then introduce colour through accents such as furniture, artwork, and accessories. This approach allows for playful colour experimentation while still maintaining a calm, balanced feel.
5. Experiment with paint placement. Applying neutrals in unexpected ways - like painted ceilings, colour-drenched rooms, tonal walls and trims, and painted architectural features - are becoming increasingly popular. Try wrapping a room in a single soft neutral for a cozy, cocooning effect.
6. Test samples in different light. Neutrals can shift dramatically depending on the time of day, so it's important to test samples in different light.  
7. Play around with textures. Layering whites with texture through fabrics, timber and styling is key to creating warmth and depth in the space so it feels inviting and interesting rather than flat.