As residential and commercial projects increasingly blur the line between inside and out, architects and designers are demanding coating solutions that perform as strongly as they present.
At the forefront of this shift, Dulux Acratex anticipates a year defined by natural finishes, tactile surfaces and grounded palettes that layer depth and warmth across façades and interiors alike.
Today’s specification decisions extend well beyond protection and decoration. High-performance, multi-functional and sustainable finishes now contribute directly to architectural expression.
Dulux Acratex marketing manager Georgina Raudon says designers are moving away from monolithic façades in favour of layered, mixed-material compositions that introduce rhythm and visual nuance: “We’re seeing a growing focus on seamless indoor–outdoor connectivity, with finishes and textures extending across thresholds to create cohesive, fluid living environments.”
“From a colour perspective, palettes are becoming more grounded and restrained. Earthy neutrals, mineral tones and soft beiges, taupes and greys dominate, selected for their ability to respond to light, landscape and climate.”
Concrete and cement aesthetics remain in demand, often specified to achieve the character of raw materiality without relying on a concrete substrate. At the same time, tactile wall finishes such as microcement are gaining traction for their subtle imperfections and ability to create continuity between interior and exterior spaces.
Responding to these priorities, Dulux Acratex offers a suite of interior and exterior finishes designed to unify texture, colour and materiality while meeting the durability and environmental expectations of contemporary builds. The range includes Dulux Acratex AcraStone, previously known as MicroCement, alongside its Venetian Plaster finishes which answer the growing appetite for richly tactile surfaces.
Textured roll-on finishes such as Mediterranean Classique, Tuscany Fine and Marmarino Naturale provide limestone, travertine and natural stone aesthetics, enabling designers to introduce depth without complex construction detailing. The Dulux Acratex AcraShield Concrete range further extends these possibilities, delivering a smooth, softly mottled finish inspired by Venetian plaster techniques and contemporary concrete design language.
Together, these systems allow architects and designers to explore layered finishes from a single source, balancing expressive potential with technical performance. With foundations in professional render systems and high-performance flexible acrylic coatings. Beyond decorative finishes, the Dulux Acratex provides end-to-end support across roofing systems, waterproofing and protective membrane systems including AcraSkin, as well as cladding solutions such as the recently launched StoneShield Cladding System.
By aligning aesthetics with durability and environmental performance, Dulux Acratex positions coatings not as a final layer, but as a defining architectural element. One that shapes how buildings look, feel and perform over time.
