When a new year begins, there’s nothing quite like a home makeover. Whether you’re a homeowner and have decided to give your living room a full revamp or you’re a renter looking to freshen up your space with some new prints or decor, an interiors project can make you feel brighter. One study found that almost seven in 10 of us report that the design of our homes directly influences our mental health.

One space that interior experts predict will be popular for a makeover this year is the utility room. Pinterest – which is a go-to for trend forecasting in the interiors space – has seen a 1,000% increase in searches for ‘utility room inspiration’ this month.

So, if you’re fortunate enough to have a utility room at home, maybe you’re thinking about giving it a revamp. “Many people think utility rooms aren’t worth the effort of painting and decorating, but that couldn’t be further from the truth,” says Michael Rolland, managing director at The Paint Shed. “There are so many colours and techniques that can transform them into a space you’ll actually enjoy.”

The great news is that the trending colours don’t just look great in utility rooms. If you don’t have one at home, you can easily refresh any storage or cupboard space with a splash of paint. Here, Rolland reveals the three colours he’d recommend trying this year…

The trend for sage green isn’t slowing down any time soon. If you’ve got a more spacious utility room, Rolland recommends adding some panelling and painting it in this hue. “Panelling works brilliantly in utility rooms [as it’s] a space that’s so often overlooked,” he says. “This technique introduces new textures, designs and a chance to add a bit of personal style. I’ve seen sage greens used in these spaces, and it really brings out that cosy, farmhouse feel that’s been so popular recently.”

Blue hues are set to be in demand this year – and you don’t need a huge space to make the most of this trend. In fact, if you’re just looking to simply revamp a storage cupboard, Rolland says this is the perfect colour to opt for. “Painting your utility room cupboards is a brilliant way to experiment with something new in a smaller space and it’s a straightforward, beginner-friendly DIY project,” he explains. “When it comes to colours, I’m a big fan of dusky blues in the utility room. Colours like this help create the illusion of that lavender, clean-feel vibe you get from fresh laundry.”

Stylist’s fashion director, Lucy Reber, predicts that pastels will be everywhere this year in the fashion world – and the trend is seeping into interiors, too. Rolland says that pastel purple will be sought after this year, adding that this shade can help “keep the room feeling open and give the illusion of space”.

Images: Farrow & Ball