An ethereal white hue, Pantone’s colour of the year 2026 Cloud Dancer evolves our desire for contentment and feelings of peace, unity and cohesiveness, says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute.
“At this time of transformation, when we are reimagining our future and our place in the world, Cloud Dancer is a discrete white hue offering a promise of clarity,” she notes.
With its expansive presence, Cloud Dancer invites a space where function and feeling intertwine to build atmospheres of serenity and spaciousness, providing a refuge of visual cleanliness that inspires wellbeing and lightness, whether introduced in furniture or furnishings.
Over the past decade, many interior fitout clients have favoured sombre, minimalist shades such as Pearl White, Surfmist, Charcoal, Basalt and Monument. These colours are still selected daily, says managing director of B8 Powders, David Bates.
However, more recently some of the boldest colour movements influencing Australia have come from New Zealand, where clients are embracing vibrant, high-impact shades such as Traffic Red, Lime Lightning, deep electric blues and Trinidadian Orange.
Indeed, colour plays a significant role in shaping the overall feel of an interior space and we’re seeing people become much more adventurous with their choices in both commercial and residential areas, notes Rachel Oakley, Laminex head of marketing. Bold, vibrant blues and rich greens are being used to add a sense of personality and adventure, while nature-inspired earthy tones like terracotta, sage and warm browns bring a grounded, tranquil feel to the space.
To elevate this even further, a major trend gaining traction is the use of coloured internals; adding a pop of colour or texture inside the cabinetry is a great way to create a high-end, bespoke feel that surprises you when you open a cupboard, she adds.
Additionally, in Europe, there is a noticeable shift away from darker, sombre tones like Monument towards botanical, smoky and earthy palettes –think Smoky Mustard, Orange Ochre, muted greens and burnt organic shades, while over the coming years, B8 Powders’ Bates expects earthy tones to evolve into softer, more muted, almost pastel interpretations.
Within metallics, brass, bronze and copper have dominated, often complemented by feature-wall treatments, frequently in timber tones. Finishes are moving in two distinct directions, he adds, including high-gloss reflective finishes, such as Liquid Chrome and Matt and brushed textures such as Oriana Gold and Brushed Brass. Pearlescent finishes are also gaining traction, with softer effects such as Subtle Copper entering the market.
We’re also seeing a move toward more woodgrain finishes to warm up kitchen and dining spaces, often by mixing multiple different woodgrains together, Laminex’s Oakley comments.
Designers are even playing with alternate grain directions to create a more dynamic, visually appealing look. By combining these varied textures – like a tactile woodgrain with a smooth, earthy solid colour – you can create a layered space that feels both contemporary and incredibly personal.
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Not just a pretty fitout
John Dalla Via, national business development manager at ForestOne, believes 2026 is shaping up to be a year where emotion and performance work hand in hand across commercial fitouts. In decorative panels and surfaces there is a decisive shift from cool greys to warm earth tones, layered neutrals and timber-inspired finishes with increasingly realistic texture and depth.
Woodgrains are warmer and more tactile, solids are richer and more grounded and surface finishes are moving beyond flat mattes to include subtle texture and soft metallic accents. The focus is on creating versatile environments that feel considered, human and segment-specific whether in hospitality, retail or workplace settings, he adds.
However, decorative finishes in commercial fitouts are expected to deliver more than aesthetic appeal though, according to Orafol. Designers and contractors must balance visual impact with durability, sustainability, speed of installation and minimal disruption, particularly in hospitality, retail and workplace environments.
Sustainability and wellness are key considerations, Orafol adds. Quick, low-disruption installation, low-VOC materials and refurbishment of existing surfaces help reduce environmental impact.
Refurbishment is increasingly preferred over replacement. Rather than discarding existing walls, doors or furniture, projects now explore surface renewal strategies that extend asset life and reduce landfill. Modern surface films have advanced significantly, offering realistic timber, stone, metallic and concrete effects while performing in high-traffic settings.
Dalla Via of ForestOne says that beyond aesthetics, sustainability is no longer a secondary consideration; it’s embedded in specification. Corporate policy and regulatory frameworks are driving demand for certified, low-emission substrates and transparent supply chains. Designers are looking for materials that balance responsible sourcing with durability and lead-time reliability.
State of Kin and Laminex have created a meeting room that encapsulates their philosophy while showcasing Laminex Next Generation Woodgrains in fresh, yet completely approachable ways.
Making a statement
When it comes to brand expression in high-traffic commercial spaces, decorative finishes play a strategic role, notes Dalla Via. Statement walls, sculptural ceiling treatments and custom surfaces can be layered to reinforce identity while also solving practical challenges such as acoustics, durability and maintenance. Textured panels, perforated elements and acoustic-backed systems allow designers to integrate performance without compromising visual impact. The key is cohesion; ensuring that materials, colour palette and surface detailing align with the brand narrative while remaining fit for purpose.
In high-traffic commercial environments, decorative finishes can act as a three-dimensional expression of brand identity while also addressing practical needs like acoustics and wellness, according to Jessica Lantry of Havwoods.
For fitout specialists and designers, the key is specifying surfaces that perform multiple roles. Timber wall and ceiling systems, for example, can visually anchor a brand while integrating acoustic backing or purpose-built acoustic products soften reverberation in open-plan offices, hospitality venues or retail settings.
Statement timber walls can also act as wayfinding elements, spatial dividers or focal points behind reception and point-of-sale areas – delivering brand impact without sacrificing function, she says.
Biophilic finishes introduce the warmth, tactility and variation of timber, connecting people to nature. There have been many environmental psychology theories and studies undertaken that demonstrate humans’ need for nature and the positive wellness benefits associated with introducing these elements into interiors of hotels and corporate offices such as reducing stress and improving occupant comfort.
There has definitely been a clear shift towards biophilic design, notes Belinda Worden of Austaron Surfaces, with the associated health and wellbeing benefits becoming increasingly recognised. Within residential environments, this approach can be tailored to suit the personal needs of occupants, while in commercial settings it is often implemented to support the wellbeing of a broader audience.
While the inclusion of plants remains the most obvious strategy, the extent of implementation varies depending on practicality. Being surrounded by these authentic natural elements such as alpine grasses, petals and herbs creates a cocooning effect, delivering a sense of calm, warmth and connection that is not typically achieved with conventional surface materials.
Havwoods TreeAzzo: sustainable surface featuring reclaimed woodchips in resin – designed for joinery and interior features.
Elevating the user experience
Bespoke furnishings with custom finishes further elevate user experience. Tailored joinery, feature counters and custom laminates create emotional connection and differentiation that off-the-shelf solutions often can’t achieve. The priority is ensuring these pieces are built on durable materials, with finishes selected for longevity, repairability and consistent supply, so they remain as functional over time, adds Dalla Via.
Laminates offer a level of versatility that’s hard to match with stone and other materials, says Laminex’s Oakley. Beyond being cost-effective for fabrication and installation, High-Pressure Laminate (HPL) is easy for cabinetmakers to work with, allowing for a wide range of edge profiles – from clean square edges to bullnose – across solid colours, woodgrains and mineral finishes. This flexibility means designers can achieve more dynamic outcomes without the technical or budgetary constraints of heavier materials.
The real interest in the industry right now though is how the material handles curves and seamless transitions, she adds. Because HPL can be post-formed, it allows for designs where the benchtop and splashback were created from a single, continuous curved piece. It’s this ability to move away from rigid, rectangular layouts toward more fluid, architectural shapes that is making it a preferred choice for custom fitouts. This adaptability also extends to mixing different decors to create custom shapes or unique inlaid details on the surface, moving away from rigid layouts toward more fluid, architectural statements.
Defining zones within large-scale environments can present challenges and often requires layering materials to achieve the desired spatial outcomes, says Austaron’s Worden. When selecting products for these settings, materials that are easy to implement, quick to install, durable in high-traffic areas and do not require painting stand out as particularly effective solutions.
Achieving the right balance between delineating spaces while maintaining visual openness is also important, allowing for privacy without compromising passive supervision or safety, a key consideration in many commercial fitouts.
While there are numerous ways to achieve this balance, systems supplied with proprietary fixing methods can simplify both specification and installation across a wide range of interior applications.
ForestOne materials create stylish, functional spaces where durability, warmth and design clarity support everyday use seamlessly.
On the floor
Flooring is often the largest continuous surface in a fitout, making it central to both first impressions and long-term performance, Lantry notes.
Patterned installations including chevron or herringbone or textured flooring such as cross-sawn and heavily brushed immediately elevate retail and hospitality environments, creating movement and character underfoot.
However, according to Lantry, visual impact must be balanced with specification rigour. Fitout professionals should assess slip ratings, finish type, substrate preparation and expected traffic volumes early in the design phase.
Finish selection is critical. Lacquered engineered timber finishes offer durability and ease of cleaning, while oiled finishes provide repairability and the ability to rejuvenate high-wear zones without full replacement.
Grade selection is also an important consideration. Rustic or character grades can also be advantageous in high-traffic settings as natural wear that occurs continues to build on the character of the timber.
The most successful bespoke pieces are those that age gracefully, can be maintained over time and continue to feel intentional rather than trend-driven.
Featuring Havwoods RealGrain: innovative hyper- realistic timber-look panel system designed for durable aesthetics and project efficiency.
