A new year– and new colours

Happy New Year from Howie Architects – we hope you manage to achieve everything you hope with your homes in 2026!

Whether you are embarking upon a major project this year or just sprucing up spaces with a little new décor, we thought you’d enjoy hearing about this year’s colour trends.

Pantone has announced that its delicious 17-1230 Mocha Mousse is making way for 11-4201 Cloud Dancer, a beautiful, billowy shade.

Yes, things are getting lighter, fresher and calmer perhaps – at least as far as the Pantone Color Institute is concerned.

It describes the hue as “ethereal” and “a symbol of calming influence in a frenetic society rediscovering the value of measured consideration and quiet reflection.”

It also says it is a blank canvas, signifying a desire for a fresh start.

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, suggests: “At this time of transformation, when we are reimagining our future and our place in the world, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer is a discrete white hue offering a promise of clarity.

“The cacophony that surrounds us has become overwhelming, making it harder to hear the voices of our inner selves.

“A conscious statement of simplification, Cloud Dancer enhances our focus, providing release from the distraction of external influences.”

She continues: “An airy white hue, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer opens up space for creativity, allowing our imagination to wander and drift so that new insights and bold ideas can emerge and take shape.”

Elsewhere, interior designers are suggesting our desire for calm and relaxation will also see us seek out rich, dark, cosy colours to help create warm, embracing spaces.

Velvet plum, for example, is a gorgeous deep shade that is ideal for living spaces and bedrooms and can be teamed up with other warm tones, such as burnt orange and muted gold.

For a plush, indulgent look, it also works well with soft grey and dark green.

Another trendy shade for 2026 is teal – once again bringing a sense of comfort and immersion.

Working well in both period and more modern settings, this could be exquisite in many of the looks you may be considering putting together for 2026.

Image courtesy of the Pantone Color Institute.