Colour trend forecast 2026

The design community has largely distanced itself from sharp minimalist whites in favour of warm calico or ivory and spiced shades of terracotta, cinnamon, bronze, sienna, buff, and peach. Gentle inflections of blush pink, celadon, and duck egg welcome contrasts of acid green and ochre – evoking less nature, more citric acid. Whilst these are true colours, we treat them as foundational neutrals within our palettes and interior schemes.

At the core, Near Neutrals is about layering textures, celebrating craft, and the comfort of the handmade. By incorporating dimensional upholsteries, open weave draperies, and irregular, gestural patterns, we can invite colour confidence into our spaces at a palatable scale.

Passive patterns and biophilic designs are comfortably tied to this palette. Scientifically proven to aid in relaxation beyond the idea of escapism, tonal displays of foliage are ‘nearly neutral’ themselves – camouflaged within our environment to offer the mere hint of a pattern.

Dark, moody shades continue to grow in popularity across all surfaces – from lacquered walls to dimensional textiles. Now familiar shades of burgundy, martini green, and chocolate brown find nuance alongside deep washes of eggplant, mustard, and royal blue.

This rich palette is brought forth luminously by sateen weave and pile textiles like corduroy, jacquard, taffeta, velvet, and chenille. Complex Darks are made for depth and dimension, and freshened by optimistic accents in imperfect plum and cherry pink which add punch to the palette as effortlessly as vibrant shades of yellow, cobalt, or clean Copenhagen blue.

Passive patterns and biophilic intentions are represented here too, as our fondness for leafy, deconstructed florals and distorted tapestry designs evoke the depth and mystery of the sublime whilst offering ambiguity in design.

We’re witnessing the rise of an antiquated palette and time-worn look on fashion runways and cinema screens. Referencing peeling paint, fading velvet, and mellowing frescoes, our Antique Pigments palette evokes once-grand residences in romantic disrepair.

Colours traditionally derived from stones, plants, and creatures ground into powder and revived as paints and dyes fuse themselves into this palette in shades of oxblood, mustard, ochre, russet, lapis, and indigo. Evoking ideas of ancient alchemy, these vintage tones are not stark or overly confronting, instead they offer an approachable sense of history.

Patinaed or hammered metals in warm bronze or rose gold complement our Antique Pigments and can be mimicked in textile form with stainless steel yarns, jacquard velvet weaves, or metallic inks. Additionally, mid-scale patterns bring sophistication to traditional designs while accentuating the soft, imperfect edges of the artist’s hand to offer designs which are contemporary rather than fussy.