Hello everyone and welcome to Interiors by Style. My name is Bozica, and I’m a qualified interior designer and colour specialist. In today’s Vlog, we’re reviewing another Dulux paint colour that many of you have asked about — it’s called Polished Opal.

This colour is a beautiful soft neutral, but like most neutrals, it hides an undertone that you need to be aware of before committing. So let’s break it down.

What Undertone Is in Dulux Polished Opal?

At first glance, Polished Opal may look like a simple warm neutral, but once you compare it to a pure white like Dulux Vivid White, you’ll notice it clearly reveals a pink undertone. Because of this, I would categorise it as a very light taupe with a pink undertone.

LRV (Light Reflectance Value):

• LRV: 73
  This tells us it’s in the ideal range for open space living — bright enough to reflect light, but still has some warmth and depth.

Where to Use Dulux Polished Opal

This colour is best suited for interiors only.

✅ Perfect for:

• Open-plan living areas

• Bedrooms

• Entryways

• North, South, East, or West-facing rooms

When natural light hits it, the pink undertone becomes more visible, especially in rooms with morning or afternoon sun. In north-facing rooms, it may appear a little darker, but it still holds warmth beautifully.

Where I Wouldn’t Use It

❌ Exterior use:
I don’t recommend using Polished Opal on the exterior of a home. That pink undertone will pop even more outdoors and, in my experience, it’s not a timeless look. Facades with pink undertones age quickly and can be hard to style around long-term.

What Whites to Pair With

• Dulux Vivid White – Perfect for architraves, skirtings, and doors. It gives a crisp contrast without introducing another undertone.

• Avoid pairing it with cool whites or cream whites — they’ll clash with the pink undertone.

Pairing Neutrals with Polished Opal

If your fixed elements include:

• Grey with pink undertones

• Taupes with pink undertones

• Warm stone or tiles with a slight blush or pinky base

Then Polished Opal can be a perfect match.

💡 Pro tip: Always test against a pure white background and in large A4 samples, not just the little chips. And most importantly — compare it next to your fixed elements like flooring, tiles, and benchtops.

What Flooring Does It Suit?

• ✅ Dark timber flooring – creates beautiful contrast and softens the space.

• ❌ Avoid strong orange or red-based floors – too many warm undertones will clash and overwhelm the space.

• ✅ Works with neutral grey carpets that carry a pink or taupe base.

What About Kitchens or Bathrooms?

If you’re renovating or updating your kitchen:

• Choose stone or splashback with similar taupe/pink tones

• Ensure your tile selections don’t clash — especially if using large format tiles on the floor or wall.

Here’s an example:
If your stone has soft veins of taupe or blush, Polished Opal can tie your cabinetry and wall colour beautifully together.

Final Thoughts

Neutrals like Dulux Polished Opal can be stunning — but only when you know how to work with their undertones. This is why understanding undertones is essential before choosing any paint colour.

If you love this colour, make sure you test it in your space, compare it to your fixed elements, and trust your gut. Trends come and go, but your home should reflect what you love.

If you’re feeling unsure, I’ve created an online course that walks you through exactly how to choose colours based on your finishes — no design background needed!

And as always, if you have a colour you’d like me to review, feel free to send it through. I’d love to help.

🎁 Free Downloads to Help You Choose the Right White

Still unsure? Before you even pick up a brush, make sure you actually understand how to choose white paint and neutrals for your home. I’ve created two free downloads that will walk you through:

📌 Read This Before You Renovate or Build
📌 Understand the 4 Types of White + How to Choose the Right One for Your Home

They’ll help you avoid costly mistakes and feel more confident in your decision-making.

🎓 Want Step-by-Step Colour Selection Help?

If you're ready to learn how to choose white paint, test undertones, and create a full neutral colour scheme for your home, then join my online course. It's designed for homeowners who want to get it right the first time—without needing a designer.

👉 Check out the course here
It’s packed with visual guides, video tutorials, and includes access to a private Facebook group where you can ask me questions directly.