The internet has spoken and it said that if you use these colours in 2026 you’re behind the times. Obviously you can do what you like, we’re just here to keep track of what’s in and out. And here’s what’s out:
Stark White
The unforgiving sharpness of bright white often comes across a little clinical and lacking in personality, even when paired with warmer, more vibrant tones. Instead the more recent preference is for creamier, cosier neutrals that add subtle richness rather than a cold chill.
Greige and Grey
Cool tones have fallen out of fashion in the past few years after endless influencers saturated our screens with the same sofa and house flippers flooded floors with greyscale wood. Again, contemporary tastes skew towards warmth, selecting browns and earthy neutrals instead.
Pale Pink
The hate for Millennial Pink isn’t over yet. Numerous outlets have reiterated that this light blushy shade is OUT, believing it misses the mark on depth, comfort, and softness. Instead the message is go darker, go bolder.
Sage Green
Possibly the most surprising banishment is sage green – a beloved, low key shade that works almost everywhere. Unfortunately some experts think it’s peaked and its time is over (whilst others think it’s just getting started).
Dainty Pastels
Following the trend for hating on softer shades, it seems all pastels are being given the boot. Along with blush and sage green, powder blue and chalky tones are being skipped over for more intense colours.
Stay tuned to see if 2026’s Colours of the Year agree and the shades we have to look forward to!
A new post by Hanna Simpson, Diary of a Tile Addict, November 2025.