Starting the year in neutral - Colour of the Year 2026

21 Jan 2026

Meryl Southey, Resene colour consultant (pictured above), is fully on board with this year’s Pantone Color of the Year, which is a celebration of all things neutral. Meryl is shown with Resene Triple Sea Fog. 

Since 2000, US-based colour institute, Pantone, has been releasing its ‘Color of the Year’ proclamation to a highly engaged global group of design aficionados, eager to disseminate said colour into the consciousness of the wider populace.

For 2026, the company heralded ‘Cloud Dancer’ a warm, off-white it called: “A whisper of tranquillity and peace in a noisy world”. Turns out social media wasn’t ready for tranquillity and peace and the resulting cacophony all but drowned out the company’s intention.

However, despite the negative comments, there is a reason why neutrals, especially whites, continue to dominate residential and commercial design, says Resene colour consultant Meryl Southey.

“White is the ultimate colour facet, comfortably acting as either the primary or accent shade in any design scheme. The secret to getting the most out of it comes down to texture and contrast.”

Colour me Hamptons: wall painted in Resene Black White, floor in Resene Colorwood Dark Ebony, Console and coffee table in Resene Merino. Milford Sofa in Grey from Johnston Imports/Ji Home, cushions from The French Home, Bed Bath and Beyond and Ji Home. Stylist: Vanessa Nouwens. Photographer: Wendy Fenwick.

“Texture adds impact, elevating your scheme to another level, while the flexibility of white, in all its permutations, means you can team it with a warm or cool colour palette.”

Across New Zealand and Australian markets, popular shades include Resene Sea Fog and Resene Black White, both of which are versatile neutrals that work well in either commercial or residential settings.

“Softer whites, such as Sea Fog, work particularly well in commercial schemes when teamed with warm, natural materials like timber – floors, furniture, shelving – and richly veined marbles.  Add further layers of texture with greenery for biophilic-friendly designs or colourful artworks that reinforce brand recognition.

Whiter shade of pale: wall painted in Resene Quarter Sea Fog, floor and door in Resene Double Sea Fog, trim in Resene Half Dusted Blue, wall art in Resene Double Sea Fog and Resene Nomad. Chair from Kiosk. Stylist: Kate Alexander. Photographer: Bryce Carleton.

“For a subtler, monochromatic aesthetic, layer shade variations – Triple Sea Fog, Half Sea Fog and Half Black White – on the walls, trims and ceiling and then incorporate darker accents such as navy and charcoal, for a moody, contemporary look.”

Monochrome magic: arched wall painted in Resene Kinship, left wall and back wall in Resene Sea Fog and floor finished in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Timber partition in Resene Colorwood Tiri. Floor vase in Resene Boris. Console and armchair from Matisse, lamp from ECC and rug from Ligne Roset. Stylist: Amber Armitage. Photographer: Wendy Fenwick.

The reverse is equally true for large-scale residential and hospitality projects, says Meryl.

“For public area spaces, choose navy, charcoal or chocolate tones – Resene True Blue,  Resene Bright Charcoal,Resene Milk Chocolate – and use Sea Fog or Black White as an accent. Gold-toned metallic elements can be incorporated to further enhance this look.”

Whether you’re wanting to achieve a breezy, coastal feel or a sophisticated, urban vibe this year, look no further than the 2026 Colour of the Year, and the Resene The Range Whites & Neutrals fandeck, for inspiration.

Published: 21 Jan 2026