The 2026 colour conversation is shifting away from cool minimalism and into a world of grounded warmth, nuanced neutrals and confident chromatic accents. This evolution reflects broader cultural drivers – from digital fatigue to global instability – and a rising demand for environments that support emotional wellbeing.
Dulux’s 2026 Colour Forecast captures this movement, reinforced by MC&Co Trend’s expert colour intelligence and commercially focused trend reports.
For retailers, developers and designers, the message is clear: the next wave of colour isn’t just aesthetic – it’s an opportunity to craft spaces that feel memorable, human and deeply aligned with customer emotion and behaviour.
Dulux 2026 Colour Forecast: The Future Is Bright
In September 2025, Dulux unveiled its Colour Forecast for 2026 – an extensively researched and expertly curated guide that sets the tone for Australia’s commercial and residential interior design direction.
For 2026, the forecast is distilled into three warm and comforting palettes – Ethereal, Elemental and Evoke – each responding to society’s growing desire to slow down, step back from the digital noise and reconnect with nature. Featuring warm earthy reds, grounding greens, soft muted pinks and rich berry tones, these palettes will shape both residential and commercial spaces in the year ahead.
The 2026 Dulux Colour Forecast moves away from the bolder, more energetic contrast schemes of previous years in favour of rich, warm earth-based neutrals, playful pastels and a spectrum of green shades – from soft sage and spearmint to rich olive. Warm greys add depth and softness, creating sophisticated spaces that feel welcoming and restful. Among the most notable trends this year is the growing popularity of rich berry tones.
Milan’s message of warmth, depth and controlled saturation
Milan Design Week, last held in April 2025, is where designers and trend forecasters turn to for early validation of emerging colour directions. It’s also where Michael Cleghorne, CEO and Founder of trend forecasting consultancy MC&Co Trend, gathers insights to shape MC&Co’s annual Colour Forecast and commercially driven trend reports. This year, Michael noticed the strong shift toward warm reds and rich berry hues, which are poised to dominate the design landscape.
“The strongest message from Milan was warmth with depth. Across the fair, we saw a real swing into rich, earthy colour – oxblood, chocolate, rusted terracotta, caramel and ochre – often handled tonally rather than in high contrast,” says Michael.
He also informs us that green isn’t going anywhere but it is maturing. “Alongside that warmth, green continued to evolve, Michael adds. Instead of the fresh biophilic greens of a few years ago, we saw deeper moss, olive and malachite – sometimes almost tobacco-green – used in upholstery, rugs and glass.”
The third big story to come out of Milan – and also reflected in Dulux’s Evoke palette – is what Michael describes as “controlled saturation”. “Heritage brands leaned into 1970s cues – saturated reds, tomato and coral, teal, royal blue and deep purple – but always in structured, architectural ways: block-colour walls, chromatic glass, sculptural lighting, or one strong chroma story per room,” he explains.
Emotional Impact as Strategy: Colour Opportunities for 2026
In a market where consumer expectations are shifting and brands are fighting harder than ever for attention, these emerging palettes offer powerful tools to shape emotion, clarify brand identity and future-proof environments — but only when applied with strategic intent.
Michael believes the opportunity lies in differentiation through emotional intelligence.
“Earthy reds, deep greens and mineral neutrals give you warmth, hospitality and a sense of permanence – which is precisely what customers are craving after a decade of cool greys and hyper-minimalism. These palettes create significant dwell-time advantages in hospitality and workplaces because they’re inherently comforting and feel “worth leaving home for”.
For retail spaces, Dulux’s Colour & Design Manager Lauren Treloar points designers and retailers to Dulux’s Evoke and Ethereal palettes.
“Evoke’s nostalgic, vintage-inspired tones can create character-filled interiors that encourage exploration and emotional connection, says Lauren. Elsewhere, Ethereal’s soft, whimsical hues, can bring serenity and playfulness, helping retailers craft uplifting, calming environments that draw customers in.”
Following Trends vs Designing for Longevity
Jumping on the latest design trends or embracing bold colours without careful consideration can be risky when it comes to long-life commercial projects. Michael warns that overusing heavy hero colours may create density or overwhelm and the approach must be on-brand, holistic and strategic.
“If a retailer paints the entire store in oxblood or heavy green without considering light levels, materiality and customer journey, it can quickly feel oppressive or “theme-park”. The same goes for chromatic brights: used everywhere, they age fast; used strategically, they signal clarity and brand confidence.”
“In a retail fitout, we deliberately nominate areas that can carry higher-velocity colour – feature walls, POS, tier-two joinery, digital content – and specify them so they can be altered without touching the expensive core build. In a hotel, that might be soft furnishings, lighting shades and artwork. The client gets freshness without a full refit.”
The Future of Colour in Commercial Environments
We are entering a mature, emotionally attuned era in commercial and retail design where colour becomes strategic, not just a statement.
“The use of colour in commercial and retail design feels more expressive, immersive and experience-driven than ever,” says Lauren.
“We’re already beginning to see a shift in the way people are embracing colour and texture, exemplified in the Dulux Colour Awards 2025 Australian Grand Prix winner, Sarah & Sebastian’s Armadale store. Its striking use of colour and reflective surfaces created a true ‘wow’ moment, a reminder that colour can shape an entire customer experience, not just decorate a space.”
“The store also reflects a growing trend: retail environments evolving into immersive, experience-led destinations where the visit itself matters just as much as the purchase.”
With digital tools enabling precise pre-build testing and global palettes emphasising warmth, depth and tactility, 2026 marks a shift toward more human, more memorable and more commercially effective spaces.
