Interior designer Anna Jacobs declares that powder blue is set to replace earthy tones as the dominant colour trend in 2026, moving from what she describes as a 'woodland' aesthetic to a 'meadowland' palette. The shift follows a period dominated by browns, burgundies, and deep earthy shades, including Mocha, Pantone's 2025 Colour of the Year.
From Earthy to Airy: The Colour Shift
According to Jacobs, who previously taught Colour for Interior Design at Chelsea College of Arts and now runs her own homeware line, the move away from dark tones reflects a broader societal need for calm. 'Warm reds and grounding browns really came in because the world has been in chaos. People have wanted to feel comforted, cocooned and close to a sense of earthliness,' she explains. Now, with Pantone's 2026 Colour of the Year, Cloud Dancer, a light blue shade, the focus is on creating space to breathe.
Jacobs, known as the Colour Doctor with over 62,000 Instagram followers, admits that as a maximalist, she initially found the choice controversial but ultimately supportive. 'In the midst of colour and chaos and intensity, a white or very light shade punches through it and offers some relief,' she says.
Scientific Basis for Blue's Calming Effect
The trend is not merely aesthetic but rooted in psychology. Jacobs notes that 'blues and greens are psychologically proven to relax us, partly due to the subconscious association with water. The colour blue can literally lower your heart rate in times of stress. That's why pastel blues and greens are often used in hospitals.' She adds that most people are unaware of how colour constantly affects their brain through different lightwaves.
In her own home renovation, Jacobs has chosen powder blue bedsheets for her new farmhouse, a shade matching Dulux's 2026 Rhythms of Blues forecast. 'I've never had blue linen before, but I was craving the colour — I just needed it in my life,' she says, noting it contrasts well with warm pinks in her bedroom.
Broader Palette: Corals, Pinks, and Mineral Greens
Alongside pale blue, Jacobs observes a rise in light corals, pinks, and cooler mineral greens, replacing warm olive tones. 'They're still natural colours, but everything's softening slightly,' she says, indicating a continued 'biophilic design' era that integrates natural elements.
Jacobs advises homeowners to choose colours based on personal emotion rather than trends. 'Look at the colour of your clothes, how wearing those colours makes you feel,' she suggests. She encourages individualistic approaches: 'Don't be afraid of injecting soul into a place with colour, but don't be bullied into using colour if you don't want it. If neutrals are right for you, go with that. If a bright orange room would bring you joy, enjoy it!'
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