Australian Interior Design Trends 2026 | The Colour Trends That Stuck
Welcome to my Australian interior design trends report — the colour edition. This one first went up as a 2025 round-up, and I’ve refreshed it because something unusual happened: most of these trends didn’t do the normal twelve-month burnout. Colour drenching, warm browns, cherry red and yellow are all still going strong, which almost never happens with a colour trend. So here’s what actually stuck, what shifted, and what I’d be happy to put in a real home. If you want the broader picture beyond colour, I’ve also written about the biggest interior design trends for 2026.
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Colour Drenching: Still the Biggest Shift in Australian Homes
If you’ve ever spent weeks agonising over paint charts and buying endless sample pots, you’re not alone. Once upon a time, the default approach was to paint walls a nice shade and leave ceilings and woodwork plain white. But not anymore.
The biggest shift in Australian interior design over the past couple of years is colour drenching. This means painting everything—walls, ceilings, skirting boards, doors, and even architraves—in the same or complementary shades. It’s a simple trick that makes rooms feel more immersive and dynamic. Just scroll through Pinterest or Instagram, and you’ll see how this bold approach transforms spaces.
Instead of treating ceilings and trims as an afterthought, colour drenching makes them part of the whole design story. This works particularly well in smaller spaces, where dark hues can create a cosy, cocoon-like feel. A deep navy or rich terracotta can make a small lounge or TV room feel intimate and inviting.
Why More Aussies Are Embracing Colour Drenching
There are plenty of practical reasons to give this trend a go. Painting doors and trims the same colour as the walls helps disguise scuffs and wear. Plus, if you’re getting a pro to do the job, they might even charge less since there’s no need for tricky cutting in!
Another bonus? It makes a space feel calmer. When everything is the same colour, the eye moves smoothly around the room without jarring breaks. This is especially useful for open-plan spaces or homes with pitched ceilings, where keeping things seamless makes the whole space feel more harmonious. One warning from experience: a drenched room lives or dies on the undertone, so test it properly on the wall rather than trusting a chip — Dulux’s own guide to testing colour is a good starting point, and if you’d rather not gamble on it at all, that’s exactly what a design consultation is for.
Pushing the Boundaries: Double Drenching
For those ready to take it a step further, double drenching is the next big thing. This means using two tones in one space—perhaps a lighter shade on the ceiling to create a sense of height or a darker hue to bring a high ceiling down to a cosier level. It’s a clever way to highlight architectural features and balance proportions.
If you’re thinking about giving this a go, start with a matte emulsion for walls and ceilings, with a tougher eggshell finish for woodwork. Feeling extra adventurous? High-gloss ceilings are making waves too, bouncing light around in small or dimly lit spaces like powder rooms.
The classic white ceiling isn’t disappearing completely — and if a white is what you’re after, I’ve compared my 7 favourite Dulux whites and what each one really does in a room. But white is certainly not the default anymore. With colour drenching and double drenching taking centre stage, Aussie homes are bolder, more cohesive, and packed with a lot more personality than they were five years ago.
Want practical design advice for your home? Contact me for expert design consultation on home renovations or any home improvement tips, starting from just $550!
Pantone’s Colour of the Year: Does It Actually Matter?
Since the turn of the millennium, the Pantone Colour of the Year has been more than a forecast — it’s a cultural marker, and it does genuinely shape what turns up in showrooms and paint ranges a season or two later. Each shade the Pantone Colour Institute picks is meant to reflect the collective mood of the moment.
Here’s my honest take, though. By the time a Pantone colour filters down into Australian homes, Pantone has usually announced the next one. It’s a fashion and branding signal first and a home decorating instruction a distant second. So I read it as a direction of travel, not a shopping list — and the direction it has been travelling for a few years now is warm, soft and slightly muddy rather than crisp and cool.
Which brings us to the pick that has outlasted its own year: PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse, the 2025 Colour of the Year. A delectable, muted brown that evokes chocolate and coffee, all comfort and understated sophistication. Brown was the least fashionable colour in Australian interiors for about two decades, and it has come back properly.
Mocha Mousse, and Why Brown Stuck Around
Neutrals have always been the safe bet — timeless, adaptable, a kind of permanent “Tone of the Year” in their own right. In 2024 we had Peach Fuzz, a warm soft beige with just a hint of colour, bridging the gap between neutrals and statement shades. Mocha Mousse followed the same instinct but went deeper and richer, and that is precisely why it didn’t evaporate in January.
A colour survives its year when it happens to be useful, and brown is useful. It behaves like a neutral, so you can commit to it on joinery and big upholstery without dating the room. It flatters timber instead of fighting it, which matters in a country full of oak and blackbutt floors. And it works with the warm metals — brushed brass, bronze — that have been dominant for years now.
What Mocha Mousse Actually Pairs With
Say hello to PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse—a gorgeous, muted brown that brings to mind chocolate, coffee, and all things cosy. This shade is all about comfort, warmth, and understated sophistication. It’s elegant but unpretentious, classic yet modern. It takes the idea of brown from simple and grounded to luxurious and aspirational.
Mocha Mousse pairs beautifully with a whole range of complementary colours. Think earthy tones like Willow and Rose Tan, soft organic greens like Tendril, and richer hues like Cornflower Blue and Voila. If you want to understand why those combinations work rather than just copying them, my guide to the basics of interior design colour theory covers the relationships underneath all of this.
Red Is Still Going Strong
If you thought red was just a passing trend in 2024, think again. Cherry Red was everywhere last year, and it’s not going away anytime soon. This bold, fiery shade commands attention and adds instant energy to any space. It’s dramatic, daring, and just the right amount of rebellious.
Designers have embraced the idea that even the smallest touch of red—whether it’s a lamp, a chair, or an artwork—can completely transform a space. It’s one of those colours that doesn’t need to match perfectly to work. Just a pop of red can lift a whole room, and we’re still seeing it everywhere. I’ve written a whole post on how to make an unexpected red actually work if you want the practical version.
Rich, Luxe Reds – Enter Cherry Lacquer
For those who love a deeper, moodier take on red, Cherry Lacquer is the shade to watch. Inspired by themes of rebellion and self-expression, this colour is bold, sexy, and full of personality. It looks incredible with glossy finishes.
Yellow is the New Green
Move over green – yellow is here to steal the show! For years, green has been the go-to bold colour for interior, but now, yellow is taking the spotlight. Bright, cheerful, and full of energy, yellow brings a fresh and uplifting vibe to kitchens and interiors.
From soft pastels to deep mustard tones, yellow works with almost any style. Try it on cabinetry, splashback tiles, or even a statement wall — my breakdown of kitchen colour schemes and cabinet colours goes through how to build a whole palette around a decision like that. It pairs beautifully with deep reds, soft pinks, and warm browns for a rich, inviting feel. Want something a little more understated? Balance the brightness with timber accents or natural stone finishes for a grounded and sophisticated look.
Yellow isn’t just for nurseries anymore – it’s popping up in commercial spaces, residential homes, fashion, and interior design everywhere. It’s the new neutral. Bright, glowing, and full of life, yellow brings warmth and positivity into any space. Think sunshine, moonlight, and starlit skies – it’s a colour that radiates joy and reassurance.
Pair it with soft greys, terrazzo floors, or pink hues for a balanced, modern feel. Feeling bold? Use it as an accent colour to brighten up neutral spaces. Don’t be afraid to experiment – even bright colours can create a sense of calm when used thoughtfully.
Sleek Stainless Steel
Stainless steel has made a strong comeback in Australian kitchens. It’s modern, timeless, and effortlessly stylish. Whether it’s a full stainless-steel benchtop or just a few key features, this material blends seamlessly with a range of styles, from industrial to ultra-modern — and it sits surprisingly well against warm timber, which is worth knowing before you rule it out. If you’re weighing it against the alternatives, I’ve compared the best materials for kitchen cabinets and joinery in detail.
Beyond its good looks, stainless steel is incredibly durable, easy to clean, and even recyclable. It’s perfect for those who want a sleek and functional kitchen without the fuss. Not ready to commit fully? Start small with stainless steel appliances, bar stools, or cabinet handles to test the waters before diving in.
The Bit Trend Reports Never Tell You
Almost every project I’ve published made its colour and material decisions inside the walls it already had — the plan stayed where it was and the services didn’t move. That’s not a limitation, it’s the cheap part. If the room itself doesn’t work, no amount of drenching will rescue it, and that’s a different job: my Fix My Floor Plan service gives you a personalised layout for one room for $297, and a full design consultation is the option if you’d rather talk the whole thing through.
What I’d Actually Do With All This
As I always say — trends are just inspiration. Don’t feel pressured to follow what’s popular if it doesn’t suit your style. These Australian interior design trends are here to give you ideas, but your space should tell your story. Whether you love bold colours, timeless materials, or something entirely unique, create a home that reflects who you are. At the end of the day, your space should feel like you.
So have fun with it, mix things up, and make your interiors truly your own.
One perk of working with an interior designer is supplier access — and here’s a bit of that passed on to you. Anyone shopping bathware at The Blue Space through my link gets a discount — the amount varies by product, and there’s no code to type in, it comes through the link. Worth saving it somewhere if a bathroom is on the cards.
Still not sure what’s right for your own place?
That’s the part I do — and there are two ways in, depending on how much you need sorted.
Fix My Floor Plan — $297 a room. Send me your floor plan and a few photos. I’ll tell you what I’d change: where the furniture goes, what’s making the room feel awkward, and the practical next steps to fix it. Back with you in 5–7 business days, and there’s not a single meeting involved.
Or a Design Consultation — $550. Ninety minutes on your whole space: layout, colours, materials, joinery, storage, or just a second opinion before you commit to something expensive. Online, wherever you are in the world.
