January 21, 2026
Painting and decorating trends for 2026
The first month of the year is (almost) over, so P&D News spoke to two experts to find out the trends already on the radar for 2026.
Jim Evans from Uber Interiors:
If previous years are anything to go by, interior designers will be keeping an eye out for the Pantone colour of the year. Cloud Dancer is the first ever shade of white chosen for a Pantone colour of the year. It’s serene, it’s airy, it’s light, and it is essentially a blank canvas for fashion and interior designers to work with across 2026.
Perhaps a nod to self-reflection – inspiring designers to make new choices with the myriad of patterns and designs that can pair with this base colour tone. Its certainly a contrast from the previous colours of the year, 2025,24 and 23 all had their share of earthy or vibrant tones, it seems like Cloud Burst is Pantone’s reset button. It is very bridal, which indicates new beginnings and very light and airy, which seems to deviate from the maximalist/clutter trends designers have been enjoying recently. Perhaps it’s a sign that minimalism is coming back!
Last year was very heavy on earthy tones, again linked to the Pantone choice for 2025, we saw a lot of japandi inspired design briefs, using natural materials such as paper, rattan or wood for various fittings and furnishings. We expect the year to be a mixture of these colour tones and the clearer minimalist white.
Jack Reading from Emperor Paint:
The rise of AI means more and more homeowners are actively looking for independent third-party testing, because they want reassurance that the performance claims they are reading are real and that the paint they choose will do exactly what it says, without creating issues further down the line.
We are seeing a clear move towards quality and long-term decorating, shaped by higher labour costs, busier lives and first-hand experience of how disruptive repeat work can be. Homeowners are planning fewer projects, but expecting finishes to last longer, with longer repaint cycles now seen as part of good decision-making, rather than an upgrade. People increasingly are seeing hiring a decorator as an investment in the health and longevity of their home that helps reduce future problems.
Money is tight for many, but that does not stop people caring about their homes. What has changed is how carefully people weigh decisions, looking for reassurance, clear guidance, and the confidence that the work will last, while choosing professionals who take the pressure off and give them back time to focus on everything else in their lives.
Related posts:
