Hardwood Floors December 2025/January 2026

By Bryan Hodges

COLORS OF THE YEAR AkzoNobel’s Global Aesthetic Centre has been translating trends into colors for spaces for more than 30 years to create its annual ColourFutures trend forecast. Our Colors of the Year is the result of extensive research into the color, design, cultural, economic, and social trends that shape our society, and it draws on the skill and experience of our team, as well as international architects, designers, and journalists. AkzoNobel’s Colors of the Year 2026 bring Rhythm of Blues™ to the wood finishes market with a trio of upbeat and versatile colors that are calming, connecting, and creative. The colors, textures, and special effects that take center stage in the collection have been designed to help designers and manufacturers find on-trend wood coatings to differentiate their projects, while making it easier for customers to choose colors and combinations that match their design preferences.

Organic “boney” whites, soft bleached wood tones, and earthy shades such as terracotta, blue, and green also continue to resonate strongly with consumers. Favored as complementary colors and accent tones, these hues offer a refined way to introduce personality and a splash of color into interior spaces. These accents not only create visual interest but also allow designers to experiment with subtle contrasts that highlight the natural beauty of wood. Each shade is subtly muted with white and softened by an ashy touch of black, resulting in a gentler overall aesthetic that complements open-plan living concepts and pairs seamlessly with the warmth of popular brown wood tones.

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