As soft whites and safe neutrals continue to shape colour forecasts, Better Homes and Gardens is making a decisive break for 2026. The launch of its first-ever Colour of the Year signals a shift towards richer, more expressive colour choices that reflect how Australians want their homes to feel and function.
Grounded in extensive trend research and cultural analysis, BHG’s 2026 Colour of the Year, Spiced Tangerine, is colour-matched to paint manufacturer Benjamin Moore’s Racing Orange 2169-10. The prediction reflects global and local shifts across fashion, design, architecture, pop culture and consumer behaviour, pointing to a growing appetite for richer, more expressive interiors.
The initiative is supported by a downloadable Colour of the Year report, offering industry insight drawn from BHG’s 5.8 million-plus audience touch points across print, digital, social and email. The report explores the cultural signals, behavioural shifts and consumer sentiment shaping colour decisions in Australian homes.
Curated by Better Homes and Gardens Editor Megan Osborne, the final colour selection is supported by expert commentary from BHG creative projects editor Geneva Vanderzeil, interior designer Jono Fleming, and Andrew Dunn, director at Benjamin Moore Australia.
“If colour could capture a mood for 2026, then Spiced Tangerine would be it. Our BHG Colour of the Year is deep, warm and unapologetically rich,” says Megan. “The appeal of Spiced Tangerine lies in its duality: it is both energising and calming, sumptuous yet accessible. It nods to nostalgia (hello ’70s!) with its vintage terracotta roots, while speaking to a modern tone that values connection and comfort.”
“We have officially moved past beige!” says Jono. “People want warmth, character, and the comfort of colour that actually feels lived in. This shade is grounded and expressive at the same time, which is rare. And it still sits beautifully alongside the tones we already use in Australian homes.”
The Colour of the Year initiative marks a new strategic partnership between Better Homes and Gardens and Benjamin Moore, aligning two of the most trusted authorities in homes, colour and design. “Racing Orange 2169-10 is bold, uplifting and full of life,” says Andrew. “It’s an inspiring and confident choice that reflects where design is heading.”
Spiced Tangerine is supported by two complementary 2026 colour predictions – Dewy Eucalyptus and Roasted Butternut – both matched to Benjamin Moore shades.
Access the Better Homes and Gardens 2026 Colour of the Year report
