A Century of Paint Colour Charts: 1880–1980
The choice of colour in the decoration of home interiors has long reflected a household’s wealth and status, as well as changing fashions. Particular eras are identifiable from the colour palettes used, as distinct hues came to dominate tastes.
The industrial revolution of the 19th century saw rapid progress made in paint manufacturing. Before the 1880s, paint had to be tailor-made for each painting job, with the pigment (colour) mixed with a binding agent (such as oil or water), usually by a skilled tradesperson. The invention of ready-mix paint revolutionised the paint industry, resulting in greater consistency and stability of colours.
Twentieth-century innovations, such as synthetic polymers, improved durability and finish, producing quick-drying paints in a wide array of hues. With the advent of ready-mix paints came the colour chart – a way of standardising and advertising each manufacturer’s range of paint colours.
This display looks at 100 years of paint colour charts, demonstrating both the changing popularity of certain colours and the evolution in colour chart design.
Showcase 1
1880s–1920s: Buffs, drabs and pastels
Paint charts from the late 1800s show a limited range of colours, predominantly shades of green and earthy tones such as drab (a dull light brown), buff and brown. At the turn of the 20th century, colours remained muted, with pastels – soft greens, yellows and pinks – becoming increasingly popular.
Showcase 2
1930s–1950s: From muted to mod
In the 1930s, interiors were still dominated by muted, earthy tones, soft pastels and warm neutrals. A military note emerged in the interior colour schemes of the 1940s, with olives, browns and greys reflecting the sombre mood and austerity of this wartime period. With the 1950s came bold, bright hues and primary colours. Together with open-plan living, colour was considered a key component of building design from this period.
Showcase 3
1960s–1980s: A touch wild, a touch earthy
In the 1960s, new art movements such as pop art influenced interior colour schemes. Purple, pink, turquoise, yellow and orange walls featured in many homes, alongside furniture upholstered in brightly coloured textiles. The 1970s saw a return to earthy tones, with mustard, avocado green and rust brown popular in homes with a more natural aesthetic. The 1980s saw the rejection of muddy tones and the promotion of new, softer colour palettes, including apricots, salmon pinks, pale greys and Mediterranean-inspired terracottas.
Caroline Simpson Library
The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000- Cafe
- Wheelchair accessible
2 March – 26 June 2026