The Colors Defining 2026, According to Designer Natalie Ellis

The defining colors of 2026, according to Natalie Ellis, Senior Vice President of Denton House Design Studio in Salt Lake City, embrace authenticity, tactility, and connection to the natural world. At Denton House, Ellis collaborates closely with development partner Areté Collective, a vertically integrated developer of master planned communities, leading the design of bespoke luxury residences and spaces across North America. Below, Ellis elaborates on the five key colors defining this year.

1. Rose Clay (Soft Terracotta)

Rose Clay reflects a renewed connection to the earth and a desire for interiors that feel grounded, tactile, and human. Neither red nor brown, and more sophisticated than coral, this soft terracotta sits comfortably in between, offering warmth and depth without overwhelming a space. It recalls hand-thrown pottery and natural clay, speaking to a broader return to craftsmanship and materials shaped by time and touch. Rose Clay layers effortlessly with limestone, travertine, and light oak, working equally well within warm neutral palettes or as a subtle counterpoint to cooler tones. You can use both to saturate a room with interest or a pop of color paired with neutrals. 

2. French Sage (A Soft Verdant)

French Sage reflects a quieter expression of green—drawn from the underside of leaves and the softened tones found in nature’s shade rather than its sunlit moments. I would use this as an enveloping backdrop; it brings a sense of calm and depth to a space while still reading as a subtle neutral. It will saturate a space with color without being too overwhelming. Its mineral quality allows it to pair effortlessly with warm whites, natural marbles, and walnut wood tones, creating interiors that feel grounded and timeless. When accented with black, French Sage gains a modern edge that feels timeless. 

3. Mineral Blue (A Soft Inky Blue)

Mineral Blue is a timeless, green-based blue with an earthy gray undertone that softens its depth and gives it lasting appeal. Reminiscent of historic coastal homes—something you might find on Nantucket—it feels familiar, grounded, and quietly elegant rather than sharp or saturated. In its deeper expressions, Mineral Blue becomes enveloping, drawing you into a space and creating a sense of intimacy and calm. It pairs beautifully with warm neutrals, teak, and other natural woods, offering contrast that feels balanced, collected, and enduring.

4. Aged Plaster (A Grounded Neutral/Warm Earthen Foundation)

Aged Plaster represents a return to warm, earth-driven neutrals that feel architectural rather than decorative. Ranging from soft Swiss coffee tones through layered taupes and into deeper earthy gray-browns, this palette creates a cohesive foundation that allows other colors to feel intentional and grounded. These hues serve as inspiration beyond paint—guiding wood species, stain direction, tile selection, and architectural finishes throughout a space. As a base layer, Aged Plaster brings warmth, continuity, and timelessness, anchoring interiors.

5. Warm Blush (A Neutral Pink)

Warm Blush is a soft, earthy pink that brings light and warmth without reading overtly feminine or decorative. Lighter and quieter than Rose Clay, it works as a complementary accent—layering gently into a space and adding depth without drawing focus. Its mineral quality allows it to pair seamlessly with Swiss Coffee and other warm neutrals, enhancing a room’s softness and cohesion. Used thoughtfully, Warm Blush helps balance warm and cool tones, rounding out the palette with a fresh pink.

More about Natalie Ellis: Natalie Ellis brings nearly two decades of expertise to the world of luxury residential design. As Senior Vice President of Denton House Design Studio in Salt Lake City, she has become a sought-after voice in high-end interior design, with her work featured in globally recognized design publications. Her career began in New York at the prestigious firm of Jamie Drake, where she collaborated with prominent clients on large-scale projects, including work for Mayor Bloomberg. Since joining Denton House in 2014, Ellis has led interior design initiatives for Discovery Land Company communities across the United States, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Europe—overseeing both residential spaces and club amenities with a discerning eye for detail and craftsmanship. A magna cum laude graduate of Utah State University with a degree in Interior Design and a minor in Art, Ellis has further refined her perspective through design studies in London and Paris, and general studies in Japan. Her global perspective and deep understanding of materials and human-centered design inform her approach to the colors defining 2026.