RESONATE
TREND BEYOND COLOURS 2026-27
welcome
For professional architects and designers, the why will always be as important as the how. This ethos has informed our approach to this new edition where you’ll find deeper insights into the drivers and influences that ultimately inform the trend and colour forecast. In a rapidly shifting and often uncertain world, we note an instinctive human response to seek reassurance by navigating towards what most reflects an individual’s core values and desires. It was this observation that gave rise to our central theme RESONATE. Whether that desire is for sustained wellbeing, mindfulness, future possibilities, or finding the balance in between, our aim is to resonate with that feeling.
As you navigate this book, you’ll discover the macro drivers informing design trends, and the diverse responses individuals may have to them. In turn, these radiate out into four diverse directions, each with a clear aesthetic, colour and materials palette and a key signature colour. This forecast therefore is not about forcing trends from the top down but embracing the receptive process of analysing the global landscape. From this point, we strive to anticipate the moods that will resonate in the coming years, and we thank you for coming on this journey with us.
KEY COLOURS
Our four key colours are designed to capture the essence of each story.
Together, they reflect the mood for 2026-27.
This is more than a colour forecast. By capturing the cultural shifts and emotional undercurrents of today’s landscape, we reveal the drivers influencing how we live, work and design. Through the lenses of wellness, mindfulness, possibilities, and the space in-between, this edition invites architects and designers to create spaces that go beyond surface aesthetics to truly RESONATE.
RESTFUL SPOT
NP N 3261 P
Signalling calm amid the chaos, Restful Spot is aptly named.
This barely-there tint of yellow-green has a balance of softness and clarity that elevates it from an everyday white.
SWEET MANUKA
NP N 3255 D
Sweet Manuka expresses nature’s beauty in a single hue. This is a colour of feel-good familiarity, designed simply to comfort.
BLUE PLANET
NP PB 1506 D
Calling to mind endless seas and skies, the immersive and uplifting rounded hue of Blue Planet simultaneously expresses serenity and dynamism.
SPORTS GREEN
NP BGG 2617 A
A pure and joyful hue, Sports Green is designed to evoke the space between the biophilic greens of fantasy and reality.
FOREVER WELL
How do we live well for longer? Where do we look for solutions? And what will generations accustomed to style and quality expect from products and environments designed for a longer life?
As longevity increases and birth rates decline across nations, consumers are re-evaluating their future in this evolving landscape.
DRIVERS
INCREASED
LONGEVITY
By 2030, one in six people worldwide will be aged 60 or over. Between 2015 and 2050, the proportion of the global population over 60 is set to nearly double, rising from 12% to 22%.
AGEING
POPULATION
The demographic shift towards older populations began in high-income countries. In Japan, for instance, 30%of the population is already over 60 years old. But now, the most significant changes are occurring in lower to middle-income nations.
RESPONSES
PAST, MEET FUTURE
Increased interest in sustainability, clean beauty and natural ingredients is driving a renewed focus on traditional medicine and ancient botanicals.
Reframed for a younger, independent-minded consumer, Kampo from Japan, acupuncture from China, Jamu from Indonesia and Ayurveda from India are being positioned as elevated wellness options.
It is unsurprising then that Asian countries from Thailand to Indonesia and South Korea are emerging as leading wellness tourism destinations. In India too, medical spas are becoming increasingly common.
In this sphere of natural health, the product, practice and environment are as one. This necessitates the use of materials and colours that support a natural approach to wellbeing.
SENIOR INFLUENCERS
‘Senior influencers’ are already well-established in countries like Japan, South Korea, China and Taiwan, gaining significant traction on social media by showcasing their style and daily lives.
China’s largest social media platform, Xiaohongshu, announced that its number of active users aged 60 and over surpassed 30 million by the end of 2024. To support
this growing demographic, the platform has
introduced an enhanced accessibility guide and an elderly-friendly user manual featuring bold text and 1:1 smartphone interface diagrams.
As the consumer population ages, architects, interior and product designers must respond to needs and desires that differ from those of previous generations.
PREVENT NOT CURE
A pragmatic approach is emerging in the path to wellness and the realities of living well for longer. This ranges from a resurgence of interest in ancient practices such as tai chi and yoga to modern preventative measures.
While data on exceptional longevity in ‘Blue Zone’ regions such as Okinawa, Japan, may be incomplete, the distinctive lifestyles of their populations remain a focus of study for insights
into healthy ageing. Beyond diet, two key principles stand out: older adults maintaining close social bonds, ‘Moai’, fostering a sense of belonging and emotional well-being, while ‘Ikigai’, reason for being, is a concept that emphasises finding purpose in life, whether through family, work or pastimes.
These responses call for spaces designed for flexibility, freedom of movement and purpose.
FOREVER WELL
NATURAL – BOTANICAL – CLEAN – LIGHT – SOOTHING – DELICATE
With a delicate and natural feel, this is a gently uplifting story. Nature as medicine comes through in clean botanical and mineral references, from the mood-boosting effect of wide-open spaces to the healing properties of plants.
Soothing yet fresh, a light futuristic aesthetic acknowledges the pragmatism in balancing the ancient with the new in the pursuit of being Forever Well.
FOREVER WELL
COLOURS
This ethereal, botanical and mineral-inspired collection features tonal, analogous and complementary harmonies for endless soothing combinations.
The foundation of the palette is a nuanced interplay of yellows and greens with varied undertones; Ixora and Magnolia harmonise with By the Pond, Coastal Water and Restful Spot.
A pale pink duo of Rose Thoughts and Lychee Float add a delicate floral feel with a highlight of Lilac White further lifting an airy group.
PALETTE
These gentle hues call for restraint in material choices. Subtlety is key here, either allowing natural variegations to shine through or processing minimally, and then only to enhance not disguise the inherent materiality.
1. Engineered pale wood panelling 2. Reeded, frosted glass 3. Recycled natural rubber composite 4. Light cork 5. Pale green marble
FOREVER WELL
KEY COLOUR
เปี่ยมความปีติ/ สว่างสดใส / เสริมความคึกคัก / แสดงออกอย่างโดดเด่น/ เรืองรอง เปล่งประกาย
Embracing botanical greens and palest pastels, Restful Spot is the epitome of calm.
Ideal for applications in spaces designed for rest and relaxation, the barely-there undertone of yellow-green makes this colour a sophisticated alternative to a classic white. Combine with complementing pales for an ethereal atmosphere, or simply as a gentle partner to a deeper tonal green.
RESTFUL SPOT
NP N 3261 P
COLOUR
MOOD 1
This whisper-soft pastel group features a complementary harmony of red and green undertones. Gently shaded Coastal Water and delicate Restful Spot are the perfect partners to the soft pink duo of Lychee Float and Lilac White.
COLOUR
MOOD 2
While still delicate, there’s a more defined botanical feel to this group of nuanced pastels. A shared yellow undertone connects fresh Ixora, calm green By the Pond and warm Magnolia. Continuing an analogous harmony, delicate pink Rose Thoughts completes the mood.
TRUE SELF
In today’s fast-paced, high-pressure world, is working harder, longer and consuming more really a true marker of accomplishment, or a path to fulfilment?
Motivated by increasing concerns for the environment and volatility in work markets, younger generations are questioning established norms with a more mindful approach to what success and contentment really means.
DRIVERS
OVER-
CONSUMPTION
Natural resources are being used 1.7 times faster than the Earth can regenerate1, and waste production continues to rise exponentially, with no signs of slowing down.
WORK-LIFE
FLUIDITY
A combination of pandemic-led workstyle changes, increased mental health awareness and shifting generational priorities have led to a more fluid approach to work and home-life. In many regions, this has become the main consideration when choosing an employer.
TRUE SELF
RESPONSES
IT’S MY LIFE
Economic uncertainty and a challenging job market are prompting a reassessment of traditional career and life paths. Millennials and Gen Zs in Asia are increasingly prioritising personal fulfilment over workaholism. Viral social media trends such as ‘lying flat’ and ‘let it rot’ have emerged in response to the pressures of the Chinese 996 work culture and Japan’s Karoshi (‘death from overwork’).
More broadly, digital nomadism and the concept of ‘work-cations’ appeal to those with tech-based skills.
This shift is driving the popularity of alternative employment models, from part-time roles and job-sharing to side gigs. The ultimate goal is to have more time for hobbies and a healthier lifestyle.
MINDFUL CHOICES
Japanese professor Kohei Saito’s book Slow Down: The Degrowth Manifesto became an unexpected bestseller, both in Japan and internationally. Widespread concerns about climate change and sustainability have fuelled the rise of the anti-materialist trend ‘underconsumption-core,’ with social media hashtags such as #minimalismlife and #lowdesirelife generating tens of millions of views globally.
As a rejection of overconsumption, ‘made to last’ becomes a key ethos, with sustainability as valued as the craftsmanship and unique aesthetic of labour-intensive creations. This mindset also aligns with the rising popularity of lower-carbon domestic travel and the increasing appeal of slow and quiet pastimes, from birdwatching and physical book reading to museum visits.
RENEWED BELIEFS
Uncertainty is shaping consumer behaviour, and turning to spirituality and superstition is a notable response to these challenges. A new study suggests Gen Zs are far less likely to be atheist than their parents and grandparents, with many more identifying as ‘spiritual’.
In India, double-digit growth in faith-based tourism is being supported by a social media-literate and curious younger generation.
In China, 1 Global Footprint Network interest in astrology, divination and the I Ching is rising, while visits to Buddhist temples have surged by 310% in the past year. In multicultural Singapore, alternative spirituality is reflected in a growing number of New Age shops, holistic healing centres and even bars that host tarot readers.
TRUE SELF
AUTHENTIC – TRADITIONAL – CRAFTED – ORGANIC – GROUNDED – TACTILE
Slow and mindful living sees a rejection of the transient and throwaway, with a reappraisal of long-established crafts and practices. In this story, the traditional provides a grounding anchor in a changing world where little is assured.
Here, we recognise the importance of the past as we look to protecting the future, both of the planet and our own wellbeing.
The vision for this direction is to strip back all that is unnecessary to reveal a calm familiarity that resonates with the True Self.
TRUE SELF
COLOURS
Grounded and harmonious, this palette reflects the influence of craft and sustainability through a series of rich natural hues and organic neutrals.
Softened hues that blend yellow and red, from deep Soprano and rich Brick House to honeyed Sweet Manuka and warm neutral Basket Straw are the heart of this palette.
A pair of nuanced neutrals, Woven Straw and Nightingale bring calm, while deep Postman Blue and Muted Emerald deliver a complementary anchor and accent.
PALETTE
With a paint colour palette grounded in nature, sustainable materials complete the vision. Here, the imperfections are embraced with visibility of the raw material and process from woodgrain to weave and tile-setting.
1. Fired bricks 2. Wicker basketry 3. Organic mosaic 4. Hemp 5. Walnut
TRUE SELF
KEY COLOUR
เปี่ยมความปีติ/ สว่างสดใส / เสริมความคึกคัก / แสดงออกอย่างโดดเด่น/ เรืองรอง เปล่งประกาย
Rounded and warm with a shaded overtone, the perfectly named Sweet Manuka is a honeyed beauty.
Bringing comfort to any space, this is a hue that sets the tone for nature-inspired décor. Sweet Manuka has visual impact and yet is gentle enough for an all-over application. Combine with soft neutrals or complementary darks for the ultimate cocooning mood.
SWEET MANUKA
NP N 3255 D
COLOUR
MOOD 1
In an effortless colour mood, a pair of red-cast yellows, Basket Straw and Sweet Manuka find their natural complement in a cooler pairing of deep Postman Blue and softly shaded Muted Emerald.
COLOUR
MOOD 2
Here, the dynamism of deep red Soprano and rich earthy Brick House is enhanced by the choice of neutrals. The subtle green-cast of shaded Nightingale complements the reds while clean, light Woven Straw highlights the group.
NOW IS NEXT
The challenges facing younger generations are fuelling widespread sentiment that if tomorrow is uncertain, might it be better to take a risk and live for today? This mindset is igniting bright sparks of opportunity, exemplified by the explosion of AI, and influenced by a global space race.
For many, now is a time for innovation, entrepreneurship and fearless exploration. Here, what comes next is in the hands of the bold.
DRIVERS
UNCERTAIN
FUTURES
While studies show that 75% of people believe it is natural for each generation to have a higher standard of living than their parents, for many, considering the prevailing landscape, this feels increasingly unattainable.
AI BOOM
There are now around 70,000 artificial intelligence companies worldwide and the AI market is projected to exceed $826 billion by 2030. In 2024, 35% of U.S. startup investment has gone to AI-related companies.
NOW IS NEXT
RESPONSES
SELF STARTERS
Since the pandemic, there has been a significant increase in the number of startups, with a surge from emerging markets beyond Silicon Valley. A mindset shift towards entrepreneurship is driving India and Southeast Asia to diversify the global startup landscape.
In 2023, Singapore entered the top 10 startup ecosystems for the first time, while India is now the world’s third-largest startup hub.
In this favourable entrepreneurial climate, alongside growing scepticism about the cost-versus-benefits of a university degree, it’s unsurprising that some surveys indicate that half of Gen Zs want to be founders.
ADVENTURE TOURISM
How people spend their vacation time is a key indicator of wider trends. A surge in adventure tourism, whether it’s adrenaline-fuelled activities or out-of-this-world experiences, reflects a growing live-for-the-moment mindset.
Space tourism, even if only just beyond the stratosphere for now, is gaining traction, with new space travel companies emerging and competition in the global space race intensifying. The lunar economy is estimated to grow to $170 billion by 2040, and the influence on design trends is already apparent.
SMARTER LIVING
Autonomous innovation was a key feature of the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) with practical advancements, such as next-generation robot vacuum cleaners and a device that charges a phone in seconds, receiving widespread praise. This supports the idea that consumers are seeking technology that simplifies their lives, giving them more free time to enjoy what brings them pleasure.
The AI-powered smart home technology market is projected to reach $57.3 billion by 2031. The fastest-growing trend is remote control of devices, from heating and lighting to home security systems, all managed via smartphone apps.
NOW IS NEXT
SLEEK – BOLD – STRUCTURED – PRECISE – TECHNICAL – POLISHED
This is a story where resilience gives rise to optimism, drive and daring. Precision and intent are fundamental here, with each element considered and nothing left to chance.
An explosion in smart technology and the ever-closer reality of lunar travel converge to inform an aesthetic that is dynamic yet full of wonder. Taking control of the future, we’re looking beyond the now to the possibilities of what comes next.
NOW IS NEXT
COLOURS
Otherworldly coolness and an artificial glow emerge from this futuristic palette of space-age layers and dynamic contrasts.
Black Night and Dark Energy set a dramatic tone with Pearl and purple-tinted white Monsoon Light bringing a clean highlight.
A dynamic duo of Blue Planet and Windsurf are complemented by radiant Palest Glow, while nuanced green-cast neutral Pumping Iron adds a welcome note of softness.
PALETTE
From sleek mirror finishes to heavily textured moon-inspired ceramic glazes, here we explore how man-made precision, and the serendipity of natural materials create equally compelling colour and material combinations.
1. Bleached wood 2. Lava ceramic glaze 3. Black marble 4. Technical weave 5. Perforated metal panelling
NOW IS NEXT
KEY COLOUR
เปี่ยมความปีติ/ สว่างสดใส / เสริมความคึกคัก / แสดงออกอย่างโดดเด่น/ เรืองรอง เปล่งประกาย
Full and balanced, Blue Planet is a singular hue designed to simultaneously immerse and uplift.
Evoking nature’s seas and skies, this blue promotes feelings of serenity and focus making it an ideal colour for both home and workspaces. Pair with quiet neutrals to make a contemporary statement or layer with softer blues and greys for a nuanced yet captivating outcome.
BLUE PLANET
NP PB 1506 D
COLOUR
MOOD 1
A subtle play on the blue-cast hues of the palette. A tonal pairing of bold Blue Planet and soft, pale Windsurf is the focus, anchored by the grounded grey of Dark Energy and lifted by a delicate highlight of Monsoon Light.
COLOUR
MOOD 2
Monochrome Black Night and Pearl are accented with the radiance of Palest Glow. Nuanced green-grey Pumping Iron adds subtlety to a dramatic combination evoking light and shadow.
BETWEEN WORLD
The human desire for physical connection has created a new dilemma for the extremely online.
A duality lies in the tension and increasing fluidity between real and digital worlds. At the same time, participation in real-life events and experiences is on the rise, signalling a conscious rebalancing of physical and digital interactions.
DRIVERS
EXTREMELY
ONLINE
86% of Gen Z see technology as essential to their lives. In most countries, around nine in ten adults are online, rising to 99% in South Korea.
ALONE
TOGETHER
Technology designed to connect people has, in many cases, contributed to a sense of disconnection. In a global survey, 84% of respondents felt that people are less present today because of increased technology use.
BETWEEN WORLD
RESPONSES
INTENTIONALLY SOCIAL
Growing awareness of the negative effects of social media may be contributing to year-on-year declines in usage. Evidence suggests that time once spent in digital spaces is now shifting towards real-world experiences.
In China, attendance at live music events has surged by 239% since 2019, while a 2024 survey in South Korea found that 53% of respondents had attended a Korean pop music concert in the past year.2 On a more intimate scale, dinner parties are making a big comeback. No longer formal or designed to impress, they are intentionally fun, with an emphasis on the experience.
URL TO IRL
One of the strengths of digital connectivity is its ability to help people find and build communities with like-minded netizens. In a survey of 18–35-year-olds, 81% said their interests were ‘somewhat’ or ‘very’ niche3 and they are looking for spaces and events that recognise the fluidity between digital and physical worlds.
Eventbrite, a marketplace connecting event organizers with attendees, coined the term
Fourth SpaceTM to describe the in-person socialising preferences of a generation that grew up online and want to develop their online community connections into real-world experiences and real-life friendships.
EXTRA-EXPERIENTIAL
The rise in immersive art installations and dynamic public spaces, such as Changi Airport and Shanghai’s L+Snow Resort, owes much to the otherworldly possibilities of digital creativity.
Large-scale works of art designed to immerse the viewer in a multi-sensory environment reflect this experiential movement.
In Seoul, Théâtre des Lumières has become a 1 , 3 Sonar | 2 Statista destination not only for mesmerising art experiences, but also for new music and luxury brand launches. While these are digitally-enhanced spaces, the emphasis is on physical scale and shared participation.
BETWEEN WORLD
VIBRANT – COLOURFUL – ESCAPIST – YOUTHFUL – EXPERIENTIAL – DIGITAL/PHYSICAL
This story explores the pull between the fantastical visuals and aesthetics made possible by technological advancements and the undeniably stronger emotional impact of experiencing creativity in its physical form.
What if it were possible to experience both? This is the aim of an increasing number of physical destinations where digital aesthetics escape from the small screen and become reality. This idea informs a vision of the colour possibilities of a life lived between these two worlds.
BETWEEN WORLD
COLOURS
With both visual impact and underlying nuance, this is a palette designed to reflect the potential of the physical world beyond the digital.
A series of attention-grabbing hues from around the colour wheel signal the mood. A trio of juicy warm brights, pink Fascination, orange Party Time and Orangelicious are balanced by the striking Sports Green.
The tonal duo of Glitzy Blue and Sailor’s Cap add an optimistic sky aesthetic, while deep green Diving Pool and white Melted Cream add a defining anchor and highlight.
PALETTE
True to a story that explores physical and digital worlds, light-refracting, texturally ambiguous and colour-shifting materials play with perceptions. Here, we blur the lines between what the eye sees and what the hand feels.
1. Iridescent coating 2. Coloured, brushed stainless steel 3. Textured glass 4. Jumbo velvet cord 5. Digitally printed textile
BETWEEN WORLD
KEY COLOUR
เปี่ยมความปีติ/ สว่างสดใส / เสริมความคึกคัก / แสดงออกอย่างโดดเด่น/ เรืองรอง เปล่งประกาย
Intense and uncompromising, this is the green of fantasy sports fields and the rolling hills of digital landscapes.
Beyond the fantastical, there is a fresh vibrance to Sports Green that resonates with continuing trends for biophilic greens. This makes it an ideal zoning colour for community and outdoor spaces where natural planting is a feature. Within the home, this is a bold and exciting statement.
SPORTS GREEN
NP BGG 2617 A
COLOUR
MOOD 1
A pair of clean sky blues, bold Glitzy Blue and pale Sailor’s Cap are complemented by the full warm glow of Orangelicious. The addition of white Melted Cream adds to the open-air feel of the group, giving the colours space to breathe.
COLOUR
MOOD 2
This is a recipe for show-stopping immersive colour. A double helping of warm brights, Fascination and Party Time are harmonised with two complementary greens, Diving Pool and Sports Green.
COLOUR
OVERVIEW
Bringing the 32 colours for 2026-27 together in colour families gives a view of the colour space.
Either clear and light, or softly shaded, Yellows have a neutral quality that leans towards the soft and natural.
Oranges and Reds span the full range of tint and tone with clean pales, saturated brights, a shaded mid-tone and a dark with an earthy feel.
Pinks and Purples are in the main supportive pale highlights, with a single bold, bright as a standout accent hue.
Favouring clarity over shade, Blues feature a balance of central, red-cast and green-cast hues in both highlights, mid-tones and anchors.
Nuanced light Greens function as neutrals, marking an important direction. A singular dark and a saturated bright complete the group.
Neutrals are completely balanced between cool and warm creating scope for tonal layering from within the neutral family.
YELLOW
ORANGE & REDS
PINKS & PURPLES
BLUES
GREENS
COLOUR
OBSERVATION
Here, we deconstruct the trend palettes to view the full colour forecast through an aesthetic lens. This brings a fresh perspective and showcases the colours within like groups.
TINTED WHITES
As a key feature of Forever Well and Now is Next, these barely-there pales are whites with personality. They are best combined with stronger hues using the slight undertones as a guide to complementary harmonies.
GLOWING PASTELS
Another key element of Forever Well and Now is Next is a series of glowing pastels. These hues combine with the tinted whites to create nuanced layers and a subtle intensification of colour.
EARTH TONES
With a warm, earthy aesthetic, these hues give True Self its grounded personality. Their natural quality makes for effortless layering and combinations with other nature-inspired hues, notably complementary greens.
SEA & SKY
A simple message, one that resonates with consumers looking for those natural blues that can create either a sense of calm or energy. Combine in duo tones or contrast with complementary oranges to maximise the effect.
SATURATED BRIGHTS
Vivid and dynamic, these brights are the essence of Between Worlds. While undeniably bold, the balance of warm and cool with underlying complementary harmonies makes for a fun yet usable group.
GREYSCALE
Ranging from a true black to a purple-tinted white, with a cool dark grey and a green-cast neutral in between, this is a nuanced take on a classic greyscale. Varied undertones create interest in an superficially monochromatic scale.