As some of us in the UAE shift towards indoor activities and the serenity of comfort zones, the craving to remain connected to Mother Nature grows. This year’s leading paint shades allow us to bring the outdoors in, with everything from grown-up sandy ochres and refreshing greens to deep plums and tranquil blues taking centre stage.
With each Colour of the Year announcement comes a fresh wave of inspiration. And while nobody’s about to overhaul their interiors annually in the name of trends, these shades do serve up plenty of inspiration for small, measured changes. Here’s how to bring them home.
Go Green
Verdant, grounding and quietly luxurious, an earthy green palette nods to restorative, garden-inspired hues that bring a sense of calm to every corner.
The children’s room designed by Indian-British designer Charu Gandhi features bespoke bunk beds in Benjamin Moore’s Raindance 1572 and a plush Jacaranda Arani Teal Blue carpet.
From moss to apple, mint to pistachio, our interiors obsession with all things clean and green shows no sign of abating in 2026, this time channelling fresh, airy hues that balance both tranquillity and warmth in one fell swoop. Case in point? Valspar has chosen Warm Eucalyptus, a restorative green tone with warm undertones, as its Colour of the Year, with Green Ground by Farrow & Ball also proving particularly popular.
Otherwise known as nature’s neutral, these earthy hues are designed to breathe with the space, creating a gentle continuity between the garden and indoors. “There’s an organic sophistication when green envelops a space; it feels personal, tactile and deeply connected to the outdoors,” Kadambari Uppal, founder and creative director of Dubai-based studio KAD Designs, tells MOJEH. Placing the hue near a window, in particular, is a brilliant way to make the eye travel outdoors, imparting an even deeper feeling of connection to nature.
A stellar shout for almost any room in the home, the versatility of earthy greens sees them work in everything from a luxury bathroom or kitchen to a private powder room. “They also work beautifully for joinery,” adds Claire Sá, director at London-based De Rosee Sa, who recently designed a bespoke vanity unit painted in Coat’s The Tobacconist — a lovely olive green — paired with a classic Calacatta Rossata marble countertop and polished brass fixtures. “It’s the perfect partner to warm timbers, making everything feel very harmonious,” she explains. “It’s pared back but at the same time can manage to feel very sophisticated.”
Speaking of pairing, layer with rattan, linen or textured plaster for an organic flow, while for complementary colours, look to warm neutrals such as soft ivory, sand or mushroom tones, and with natural textures like oak, jute or brushed bronze. “I love pairing earthy greens with warm neutrals such as terracotta or clay accents to add warmth and authenticity,” adds Kadambari. “Their beauty lies in their adaptability. They can feel as refreshing as morning dew or as cosy as an autumn evening, depending on what you pair them with.”
Easy Does It
Once dismissed as dull, the sun-warmed depth and soft, earthy elegance of the new neutrals prove beige can be anything but boring.
Clean lines, natural light and a muted palette come together in this Spanish Revival-style home in Dubai, owned and designed by Amna Chaudhry, founder of Amna Chaudhry Interiors.
Minimalist, polished and predictably safe, crisp whites and cool greys have dominated the design scene for years. Now, however, brands are finally steering interiors in a softer direction, looking to a new spectrum of warm neutrals that bring both depth and warmth to the home. Sherwin-Williams, for example, unveiled Universal Khaki as its Colour of the Year, while we’ve also recently discovered Jotun’s White Heather for a lighter take on the look. Clay, sand and ochre-inspired shades drawn from stone, terracotta and pale wood feel particularly relevant, especially in open-plan spaces that spill out to the garden.
“Creating harmony between the inside and out starts with looking at the architectural landscape of the home,” advises Jack Simpson, founder and creative director of Nomad Developments, a London-based studio which delivers bespoke design services in all corners of the world. “Warm neutrals support that flow beautifully and act as a consistent thread between spaces that invite a sense of spaciousness throughout.” Warm neutrals tend to work best for setting a calming tone when they are used in foundational elements for the space like wall colours, upholstery or larger joinery pieces, creating a canvas that allows you to introduce richer, more expressive patterns and colours without overwhelming the space.
What’s more, this season’s go-to palette is even more effective when applied through colour-drenching techniques, like painting walls, ceilings and trim in the same hue to build depth without heaviness. “I also like to add a rich range of textures,” adds Jack. “Think natural timber, linen, plaster or stone. These types of refined materials are unified under one tonal aesthetic. As a result, it creates a sense of calm and sophistication despite the material mix being quite varied.”
Deep Purple
Inspired by ripened late-summer berries and fading sunsets, plum blends natural warmth with refined, cocooning depth.
Deep berry-hued dining chairs bring a rich accent to this art deco-inspired Mayfair apartment designed by
Charu Gandhi.
Long associated with luxury, plum is another hue set to make its mark on interiors for 2026 — rich, elegant and supremely statement-making. Decorating homes since 1946, Graham & Brown has crowned Divine Damson its Colour of the Year, a deep plum with dark cherry undertones, while Little Greene’s Adventurer, a lavish plum-aubergine, proves that it doesn’t get more delicious than these shades.
Bringing the outdoors indoors in a slightly different way to the year’s other trending tones, these deep berry hues take their cues from late-summer sunsets and autumn leaves, creating a comforting feel for interiors. “It evokes a feeling of sophistication and warmth, creating an atmosphere that’s grounded and inviting,” explains interior designer Charu Gandhi, founder and director of Elicyon, who has made her mark on a host of luxe properties throughout the Middle East.
Charu herself loves working with the colour, which she says can completely alter the look and feel of a space. “We recently completed one project where we decided to accent the main reception room with deep tones, with a curated selection of bespoke cabinetry and furniture,” she explains. “We designed a large bespoke cabinet in a deep plum and smoked oak veneer, and also incorporated it through large, upholstered dining chairs. With the space benefitting from a lot of natural light, we were able to use richer tones to add depth and personality to the space without overwhelming the atmosphere.”
Hesitant to go too dark? Layer deeper tones through accessories or decorative objects to draw the eye and create subtle points of interest. “This approach utilises tonal accents to feel intentional yet balanced, retaining a sense of calming sophistication,” advises Charu. Begin with restraint, introducing the colour in a subtle yet deliberate way through a single accent piece or a curated pair of accessories.
Plum also pairs beautifully with materials that offer contrast in both texture and tone, such as boucle, brushed metals, raw silks and semi-precious stones. “These provide an additional nuance when layered thoughtfully,” concludes Charu.
Something Blue
From soothing sky tones to moody midnight hues, blue is bringing calm, confidence and a timeless sophistication this season.
Blue takes different shades in interior design. In this kitchen by De Rosee Sa, it is light and understated.
Cool, calm and effortlessly timeless, blue has long been one of the most versatile hues in interiors, equally at home in breezy coastal homes as it is in sleek, urban spaces. It’s no surprise then that various shades of the hue continue to dominate in 2026’s colour forecasts — Dulux even introduced a trio of tones including the soft denim of Mellow Flow, the deep inky hue of Slow Swing and Free Groove, a vibrant mid-blue.
As a rule of thumb, softer blues are the easiest to work with, especially in bathrooms where the right tone can feel beautifully serene. “For me, shades of pale blue have a really calming quality,” says Claire Sá. “They invite us to take a moment to pause and breathe, and are the perfect colours to introduce into our homes when day-to-day life can often feel so overwhelming.”
She’s also a fan of the hue in kitchens, nodding to her use of Little Greene’s Bone China Blue in a recent project to soften the space and create a quiet, elegant sensibility, while the much-lauded designer is also fond of drenching bedrooms in pale hues like Farrow & Ball’s Light Blue. “Layering different shades and textures in blue can add subtle depth yet still keep a scheme rooted in calmness,” she explains. “An upholstered headboard in textured blue linen or a patterned rug and bed linen with blue piping will add detail and create a room full of interest yet still feel gentle on the eye.”
As pale blue increasingly takes on the role of a modern neutral, it pairs beautifully with many shades — just steer clear of overly bold contrasts. “We tend to mix it with earthy neutrals for something understated yet sophisticated, or with contrasting patterned fabrics as an easy way to create a more modern interior,” adds Claire.
Deeper blues are equally popular, reflecting the moody tones of dusk. “Deep blue draws its calm from nature,” explains Kadambari. “It mirrors the ocean’s depth and the evening sky’s stillness and, when used indoors, brings that grounding, elemental feeling that connects the home to the natural world outside.” When working with darker tones, use them sparingly on statement walls, arches or bespoke joinery to create impact without overwhelming a space, and pair with muted taupes, greys, brushed metals and textured neutrals. “Natural stone, textured paint and even muted blush or sand tones add warmth, preventing the palette from feeling too cold or overly formal,” she adds.
Originally published in the February 2026 issue of MOJEH. Subscribe here
