CHARMING HUES

As we enter the second quarter of the century, TMS speaks to designers about the defining colour trends that are likely to take over homes

- KRISHNA P S

OR the past few years, minimalism has been all the rage. From interior design to furnishings, and even the hue of your home walls, everything was decided by the concept of minimal, sleek, and elegant — not too many distractions, not too many things.

However, in 2026, minimalism is about to give way to maximalism, slowly and gradually.

“Not a complete shift, but a small tilt,” says architect Kruti Mehta of 27MM Collaborative based in Mumbai.

This year’s colour prediction by the paint companies and designers all point to this new direction. A subtle but noticeable shift away from the fervour of minimalism and neutrals that took hold of the world at large.

Even before 2026 had arrived, paint companies had noticed that tired saturation in the colour scape. And promptly, their predictions and picks for the new year had included more vibrant, warm, with a dash of dark hues.

Behr has named a new shade, Hidden Gem (N430-6A), a warm blend of blue and green, as the colour of the year. For Valspar, it is Warm Eucalyptus, an earthy green.