Dulux Goose Down vs Polished Pebble: Which paint is better for your home?

When it comes to painting a home, greys are colours that deserve a lot of love and attention. This is because, unlike whites, they cleverly hide minor imperfections and make spaces feel cosier and more relaxed. They also easily complement even the boldest, most dramatic shades, such as reds, oranges, and yellows.

Indeed, greys are beautiful and versatile, but which exact shade should you use? This guide compares two popular options: Dulux Goose Down vs Polished Pebble. Although both might look stunning in your bedroom, only one might match your preferred style.

What colour is Goose Down?

Sometimes called a softer shade of grey, Goose Down is a Dulux grey paint with a blue undertone. As a cool colour, it is calming and relaxing and adds more light to a north-facing room, making it feel more airy and modern.

Because it is somewhere between off-white and darker grey, it works well with many colour schemes. These include Marine Splash, which is vibrant teal blue, and Ocean Ripple, which feels more serene. Some interior painters and designers also combine it with the warm and earthy Tuscan Terracotta or the ‘fruity,’ pale-coloured Sorbet.

Goose Down is available in the following sheens or finishes:

• Matte, which has the least amount of shine

• Eggshell, which is slightly in the middle

• Gloss, with the highest level of mirror-like finish

What colour is Polished Pebble?

Polished Pebble is a Dulux grey paint with no blue undertones. For this reason, some call it the ‘true grey.’ It is more neutral than Goose Down, making it easier to pair with a comprehensive spectrum of accent colours.

This light-grey paint leaves a clean look on walls and ceilings. It is also ideal for south-facing rooms, tempering the effects of full sunlight into the space. Some of the best combinations are with:

• Emerald Glade (malachite green)

• Blue Reflection (cyan blue)

• Forest Shade (medium dark green)

• Roasted Red (rusty red with brown undertones)

Dulux Polished Pebble vs Goose Down: Which is better for your needs?

Know the best grey for your living room, bedroom, walls, and ceilings by further comparing Goose Down and Polished Pebble below:

In terms of cost

Both colours cost the same in terms of paint can size. For example, for Mixing Easy Care & Washable Tough Matte, a 2.5-litre can is around £45, while a 5-litre is over £65.

You can better estimate your spending by looking into other factors:

• Type of finish: The glossier the paint is, the more expensive it gets because the manufacturing process is longer. For both Dulux Goose Down and Polished People with a silk finish, expect to pay £30 for 2.5 litres and £50 for 5 litres.

• Size of your room: The average living room size in British houses is 17 square metres. A can of Mixing Easy Care & Washable Tough Matte covers 13 square metres per litre, so you have more than enough per can. You can pick a 5-litre can to paint a living room and perhaps a kitchen.

• Number of coats: Dulux has a one-coat option for both greys, but it is slightly more expensive at £47 for a 2.5 litre and covers less space at only 10 square metres per litre.

In terms of appearance

Goose Down is a light grey Dulux paint with undertones, which means you will notice another layer of colour upon close inspection. Usually, it is blue, but sometimes it is green when paired or compared to warmer greys, such as Pebble Shore, Misty Mountain, and Perfectly Toupe.

With no discernible undertone, Polished Pebble makes any room work like a blank canvas. So, what colours go well with Polished Pebble? A lot. It accentuates warm shades, such as mustard yellow or bluish pink and complements teal, navy blue, and emerald green. It also creates a stunning contrast with bolder colours like charcoal grey and even black.

On the other hand, these grey colours appear the same, regardless of the finish. For example, they look muted or soft when matte and polished and reflective when glossy. The eggshell variety adds more depth and dimension to the surface.

Undertones have more influence on the sheen under certain lighting conditions. Goose Down might reduce the shine of eggshell paint in bright but cool-toned lighting.

You might ask, ‘Can I mix Dulux Goose Down and Polished Pebble to create a custom shade?’ The answer is yes, but the shade might be inconsistent and difficult to recreate if a can is inadequate.

In terms of versatility

Polished Pebble is more versatile than Dulux Goose Down as far as pairing with another colour goes. Because it is more neutral, it works well with warm (terracotta, mustard yellow), cool (teal, navy blue), and bold accents (black and pops of yellow).

It also complements various materials, such as wood, metal, stone, and fabrics of different textures and shades. This makes the colour ideal for the living room, kitchen, and hallway. When used to paint ceilings, it creates a more cohesive look.

However, Goose Down usually evokes tranquillity, peace, and relaxation because of its cool, blue undertone, making it one of the best choices for the bedroom. If you’re decorating, it complements green furnishing and can help you achieve a beach theme for your home.

Goose Down is highly recommended for north-facing rooms because it spreads the light. The space then feels more airy and brighter. Consider this option for small bathrooms, too, especially when they have light-coloured fixtures and warm accents, such as wood or beige towels.

How about as a feature wall? Both paint colours work, but their effects differ. Polished Pebble might appear sleeker but fail to create a dramatic contrast when compared to other colours, especially reds and oranges.

On the other hand, Goose Down adds more flair to the wall and makes a small room feel bigger as long as it is not south-facing. Otherwise, it only heightens the brightness.

In terms of durability/longevity

Both Dulux Goose Down and Polished Pebble are interior paints, so they can turn flaky and dull in a few years when used outside. Some variants are ideal for specific rooms. For example, Dulux has Easy Care Bathroom Sheen paint, which is highly resistant to moisture and prevents mould growth.

Regardless of colour, paint is more likely to adhere for years when the surface is clean, smooth, and stable. So, when using either Dulux Goose Down or Polished Pebble to paint high walls, be sure the surfaces are resistant to moisture and do not have holes, cracks, or other structural issues.

Note that in rainy or moist cities like London, paint is more vulnerable to mould and mildew. Meanwhile, Manchester and Aberdeen can experience significant temperature fluctuations, resulting in the peeling or warping of paint. Polished Pebble paint, when used in south-facing rooms with intense sunlight, is likely to become dull and might need more upkeep.

In terms of eco-friendliness

Paint colours primarily affect the absorption and reflection of radiant heat. With that in mind:

• Lighter paint shades, such as White Mist and Rock Salt, can reflect more solar radiation and contribute to a cooler feeling. They are ideal for warm climates because they reduce heat gain.

• Wall paint with shades of grey, like Polished Pebble and Goose Down, reflect only a decent amount of heat.

Heat radiation indirectly influences energy consumption. You might use the air-conditioning unit less in the summer if you go for lighter paint colours, but they might increase heating in the winter. The cool undertones of Goose Down can create a perception of an even cooler space. This might lower thermostat settings when the sun is out, lowering cooling costs.

Know that as a brand, Dulux is making strides in becoming more sustainable:

• The quick-dry variants are water-based paints, so they have fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

• The likes of Easy Care Washable are more long-lasting.

• The brand has a zero-waste plan that includes donating leftover paint to communities, taking back testers, and creating paint from recycled content.

Paint your home interiors with Airtasker

Ultimately, picking colours like Dulux’s popular Goose Down or Polished Pebble is straightforward, but achieving an expert finish takes skill and practice. If you’d like to avoid the stress of a DIY project, simply follow these steps:

1. Sign up for a free account.

2. Post a task detailing your timeline, budget, and preferred paint colour. Painters may work with interior designers to help identify the best shade of grey for your space.

3. Wait for quotes or proposals from Taskers, compare their reviews and ratings, and then choose the best.

Whether you’re painting ceilings or walls, Airtasker makes it easier to find pros for your home improvement project.