New colour trends in interiors for 2025 and 2026

While neutrals will certainly almost always have their place, a revolution is taking place (and I love it!)

More homeowners are stepping out of the shadows of magnolia and embracing vibrant, expressive palettes that reflect personal taste, regional pride, and a post-pandemic desire for joy and individuality within domestic spaces.

From colour-drenched lounges to statement stairwells, the North West is developing a distinct aesthetic identity rooted in both tradition and rebellion. And while such colour trends are about style, they’re also about storytelling, mood management, and creating homes that feel energising and alive.

With a little help from North East-based house painters, Tulip Decor, I’ve come up with some of the best and boldest colours we can expect to see in interiors for the rest of 2025 and 2026.

Hopefully I can give you the inspiration you need to transform any space from bland to bold with precision, confidence, and artistic flair.

 

Deep, earthy tones

As the outside world grows more chaotic, you might find that you’re more attracted to warm, grounding colours. Deep terracottas, rich ochres, clay reds, and forest greens are replacing cool greys and whites, offering a more rooted and comforting ambience.

   

Experts believe this is a psychological response to uncertainty. Colour theorists from the British Institute of Interior Design note that earthy palettes help people feel more connected to nature, especially in urban areas.

This resonates strongly in Chester and Manchester alike, where residents may live in terraced housing or modern apartments but still crave a link to the rolling Cheshire countryside or the green expanses of Delamere Forest.

 

Professional decorators are capitalising on this shift by pairing earthy hues with textural contrasts—matte finishes, reclaimed wood trims, and even stone-effect paints—to craft interiors that feel stable yet luxurious.

 

Jewel tones

In a region rich with Georgian terraces, Victorian villas, and Edwardian semis, it’s no surprise that heritage colour palettes are experiencing a comeback, but with a twist.

Jewel tones such as sapphire, emerald, and amethyst are adorning homes across Chester and leafy Cheshire villages, as well as city-centre apartments in Liverpool and Manchester.

   

These colours, once associated with aristocracy and opulence, are being reimagined in contemporary settings. Instead of heavy velvets and baroque furniture, decorators are using clean lines and metallic accessories to give these hues a modern edge.

Dark green dining rooms, navy staircases, and burgundy accent walls are turning up in both period homes and new builds.

 

Pastels

With the North West’s famously grey skies, many decorators are leaning into pastels, and not the washed-out tones of nurseries, but grown-up, sophisticated variations such as pistachio, dusky rose, muted lavender, and pale mustard.

   

These colours reflect light beautifully, making smaller or north-facing rooms feel more spacious and welcoming. In apartments across Chester’s historic rows or new builds in Warrington, decorators are transforming compact living areas into luminous retreats using pastel feature walls, ombré blends, and chalky matte finishes. The result is a gentle, lived-in elegance that also enhances mood and mental wellbeing.

A study by Colour Affects UK, a psychology consultancy, notes that pastels stimulate calm and focus, making them ideal for bedrooms, work-from-home setups, and reading nooks. You can even incorporating pastel trims — powder blue skirting boards or mint green doorframes — as subtle yet striking departures from the usual whites and woods.

 

Moody darks

Minimalism may have defined the last decade, but in 2025, moody maximalism is taking centre stage in North West interiors.

Homeowners are increasingly using dramatic palettes—charcoal, inky blues, blackcurrant purples—not just on walls, but across ceilings, window trims, and cabinetry.

This bold approach has gained particular traction among younger homeowners in creative hubs like Manchester’s Northern Quarter or Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle, where self-expression often extends from fashion and music into home design.

   

These moody interiors are frequently balanced with lush textures — velvets, leathers, layered rugs — and gleaming fixtures in brass or bronze.

Decorators from leading firms are helping clients embrace the look without overpowering their space. A common technique is the “three-wall wrap,” where bold colours frame a lighter accent wall. Others opt for tonal layering, such as different shades of the same colour in varying intensities across walls, furnishings, and accessories.

 

Accent ceilings and colour blocking

For those not ready to abandon beige completely, decorators are offering an intermediary path — strategic pops of colour. Accent ceilings, painted doors, colour-blocked alcoves, and geometric trims are turning up in homes from Chester to Altrincham.

This trend allows homeowners to experiment without committing to a full room transformation. A soft pink ceiling paired with off-white walls can soften a living space, while a mustard yellow back panel in a bookshelf adds flair to a reading room.

Decorators often begin with a client’s favourite object—a cushion, artwork, or vase—and draw a colour palette from it. Using tools such as Farrow & Ball’s Colour Consultancy or Dulux Visualizer, they help clients see how a little boldness can go a long way.

   

Warm neutrals

While boldness is trending, not everyone wants bright walls. Enter the new neutrals: shades such as mushroom, biscuit, ecru, and greige are redefining what it means to go “safe” with colour.

These hues offer a sense of calm while avoiding the sterility of plain white. They work beautifully with wood tones, brass fittings, and natural fibres such as rattan and jute, making them ideal for Scandi-boho interiors or Japandi designs that are becoming increasingly popular across Cheshire homes.

Skilled decorators can layer these shades to avoid flatness, using techniques such as limewash, brushed textures, or dual-finish paint to introduce subtle complexity. This trend caters to those who appreciate refinement without flash, elegance without effort.

   

I do think there’s something special in a limewash, that additional texture.

 

How does colour psychology work in interiors?

One of the most exciting developments in the region’s interior decorating scene is the intentional use of colour psychology. Decorators are helping clients select palettes not just for beauty but for how they affect behaviour and emotion.

Colour psychology is all about how different shades influence our mood, behaviour and even the way we experience a space. It’s one of the reasons why choosing a paint colour can feel like such a big decision. It’s not just about style, it’s about how a room feels.

Take blue, for instance. Lighter tones are known for their calming, soothing qualities, making them perfect for bedrooms or bathrooms where relaxation is key. Meanwhile, deeper navies can create a sense of drama and sophistication, ideal for dining rooms or cosy snug spaces. Greens are strongly associated with balance and nature, which is why they’ve been such a favourite in recent years. They bring a sense of renewal and harmony indoors.

Warmer tones, like terracotta, blush, or earthy oranges, tend to feel comforting and grounding—great for living rooms or kitchens where you want warmth and connection. On the other end of the spectrum, vibrant yellows and sunny ochres are energising and uplifting, injecting optimism into a space (though best used sparingly unless you really love a cheerful wall).

What’s interesting about 2025’s trending colours is that they often work on two levels: they reflect the aesthetic mood of the moment and tap into these deeper psychological effects. For example, muted pastels are making a comeback, not just because they look pretty, but because they create a sense of softness and calm in a world that often feels too fast-paced. Likewise, rich, earthy palettes echo our collective desire for grounding, comfort and a closer connection to nature.

When you think about colour trends this year, it’s about how these shades can actively support the way we live and feel in our homes.

 

Conclusion

Colour trends in 2025 aren’t just about following fashion. They’re about creating homes that feel personal, uplifting, and deeply connected to the way we want to live. Whether you’re tempted by moody jewel tones, soft grounding neutrals, or playful pops of pastel, the palette you choose has the power to change not only how your space looks, but how it makes you feel.

What’s clear across the North West is that homeowners are getting braver, more expressive, and more thoughtful with their choices. By weaving together tradition, psychology, and a splash of rebellion, our interiors are becoming true reflections of who we are.

So if your walls are still whispering beige, maybe 2025 is the year to let them sing.