Design week: avoid 1 paint trend
Interior experts told The Mirror that one overused paint trend is falling out of favor this spring and homeowners should consider fresher alternatives. (mirror.co.uk) The same outlet also ran a spring decor roundup highlighting 15 shoppable picks from retailers like Next, M&S and Anthropologie. (mirror.co.uk)
This spring’s paint backlash is aimed at one familiar look: flat beige-and-grey walls are being pushed aside for warmer, deeper colors and more layered schemes. (express.co.uk) In a report published April 11, Wickes’ Lewis Janes told the Daily Express that “muted tones such as beige and grey” are losing favor in 2026, while deep greens, burgundies and stronger blues are taking over. (express.co.uk) Janes also said single-color saturation, often called “colour drenching,” is fading as homeowners move toward “colour capping,” with ceilings, walls or trim painted in contrasting or complementary shades. Wickes’ kitchen team pointed to terracotta, forest green and burgundy as current picks. (express.co.uk) That advice lines up with what major home retailers are selling in April 2026. Marks & Spencer’s spring decor section is built around “pastels, florals and brighter hues,” while Next says its spring homeware range is “nature-inspired” and designed to “breathe life” into a room. (marksandspencer.com) (next.co.uk) Anthropologie’s spring decor shop is stocked with floral table linens, colored glass, wreaths and bud vases rather than monochrome basics, and its new home collection is positioned as a seasonal refresh across decor, storage and furniture. (anthropologie.com 1) (anthropologie.com 2) Wickes is also selling that shift directly. Its bespoke kitchen paint service offers 10 shades, and product pages describe the palette as a way to “mix and match tones” instead of sticking to a single neutral finish. (wickes.co.uk 1) (wickes.co.uk 2) The wider 2026 design market is moving the same way. Luxe Interiors + Design said on April 2 that this year’s palettes are defined by “grounded tones” and “rich layers,” and Homes & Gardens reported in late 2025 that designers were pushing further away from cool tones into deeper warm schemes. (luxesource.com) (homesandgardens.com) For homeowners, the practical update is smaller than a full renovation: keep the walls light if needed, but add color through trim, ceilings, cushions, bedding or vases. The stores pitching spring 2026 style are selling exactly that mix. (marksandspencer.com 1) (marksandspencer.com 2) (anthropologie.com)
