Colour in 2026 is no longer about making a statement for the sake of it – it’s about how a space makes you feel. This year’s leading paint brands are moving toward palettes that bring calm, and emotional warmth into our homes, while still allowing for bold personality where it matters.
I believe the right colour can completely transform how a room works, not just how it looks. Here are the key colour directions for 2026 – and how to use them beautifully.
Soft, Intelligent Whites – Pantone’s Cloud Dancer
Pantone’s 2026 Colour of the Year, Cloud Dancer, is a gentle, warm white that feels light without being cold. Unlike stark brilliant whites, it has a softness that works with natural light and doesn’t flatten a space.
How to use it:
This is the perfect whole-home base colour. We love it in open-plan living areas and hallways where it creates flow between rooms. Pair it with textured finishes – stone floors, timber panelling or woven fabrics – to keep it from feeling too clinical.
Blues with Soul – Dulux’s Rhythm of Blues
Dulux’s 2026 Colour of the Year collection is a family of indigo-based blues – from the light, airy Mellow Flow to the rich Slow Swing. These blues are calm yet full of character.
How to use them:
Use the lighter blues in bedrooms and bathrooms for a spa-like effect. The darker shades are beautiful on cabinetry, feature walls or in studies where you want to feel wrapped in the space. They pair especially well with brass, walnut and natural linen.
Espresso Browns – Benjamin Moore’s Silhouette
Benjamin Moore’s 2026 Colour of the Year, Silhouette, is a deep espresso brown that works as a modern neutral. It replaces black and charcoal with something far warmer and more sophisticated.
How to use it:
This is a stunning choice for kitchen cabinetry, library walls or dining rooms. Use it where you want to create intimacy and drama. Balance it with lighter walls, soft lighting and warm metals so the space still feels welcoming.
Plum & Aubergine – Little Greene’s Adventurer
Little Greene’s standout colour for 2026 is Adventurer, a deep plum-aubergine shade that feels both luxurious and earthy. It brings a sense of heritage and elegance into modern interiors.
How to use it:
Perfect for bedrooms or dressing rooms. Use it on walls or even ceilings for a jewel-box effect. Pair with pale stone, warm whites or brushed brass to keep it refined rather than heavy.
Earthy Reds & Blush Tones
Little Greene’s sunset-inspired colours such as Ashes of Roses and Nether Red reflect the shift toward warmer colours. These aren’t bright pinks – they’re muted, dusty and grown-up.
How to use them:
These are beautiful in living rooms, kitchens and dining spaces. They add warmth and glow, especially in north-facing rooms. Use on walls or as accent colours on joinery or shelving.
Natural Greens
For brands like Little Greene, and Farrow & Ball, eucalyptus, olive and mossy greens are everywhere in 2026. These colours connect us back to nature and promote a sense of calm.
How to use them:
Perfect for kitchens, utility rooms and home offices. Greens pair beautifully with wood, stone and brass and are incredibly easy to live with long-term.
Deep Neutrals Instead of Grey
Grey continues to fade, replaced by warmer neutrals: taupe, mushroom, soft brown and stone. These tones have depth and character without dominating a room.
How to use them:
Ideal for main living spaces and bedrooms. Use them as your “new neutral” instead of grey for walls, sofas and cabinetry.
Moody Feature Colours
Rather than bright accents, 2026 is about rich, enveloping feature colours – navy, aubergine, forest green and espresso.
How to use them:
Feature walls, alcoves, headboards and built-ins are where these colours shine. They bring architectural interest and make spaces feel considered and layered.
Tonal Layering
We are no longer choosing one colour per room. Instead, we’re using 3–5 tones from the same family – light, mid, and dark – to create depth.
How to use it:
For example, pair Cloud Dancer on walls with a warm stone ceiling and a deeper taupe or blue on joinery. This creates harmony without feeling flat.
Emotional Colours
More than ever, colour is being chosen for how it supports wellbeing. 2026 interiors feel calm, grounded and personal – not overly styled or trend-driven.
How to use it:
Choose colours that make you feel relaxed and at ease. A beautifully painted home should feel like a sanctuary – not a showroom.
2026 is not about following one colour of the year – it’s about building a palette that works for you. With brands like Pantone, Dulux, Benjamin Moore and Little Greene all embracing warmth, depth and emotion, this is a wonderful time to create interiors that feel both stylish and deeply comforting.
If you’d like help selecting the perfect palette for your home, we’d love to guide you through it – beautifully, thoughtfully and with longevity in mind.
