For larger furniture pieces, “darker, ‘safer’ colors, such as our dark olive,” remain appealing, says Lowther. Dark olive has been a popular choice in The Lacquer Company’s recently expanded Gazebo collection with AD100 Hall of Fame designer Veere Grenney.
Omar Nobil, creative director of DWR, is also betting on olive for its muted appeal and connection to the outdoors. “We see deep olives and rich rusts becoming more important as an evolution from neutrals,” he explains, noting that the two hues will be upholstery options for a new Susan Clark–designed sofa collection launching in October. “They are grounded in nature and evoke a sense of wellbeing, but have an uplifting and energetic quality.”
Ruggable echoes the rise of greens: “Olive has become an important neutral in interiors, and brighter greens are resonating as well,” says Erin Terui, Ruggable’s director of textile design. Their Annika Green Rug has emerged as a top seller, evidence of appetite for nostalgic, nature-inspired tones.
Fiery orange
Orange, long polarizing, is staging a comeback. Sara Whitaker, Le Creuset’s US director of category marketing, notes that the cookware company’s original Flame enamel has recently seen renewed interest, a trend underscored by the strong sales of Flamme Dorée—a modern, metallic spin on the heritage hue introduced for the brand’s centennial. Its success points to a broader appetite for fiery tones beyond cookware. Whether 2026 will be the year of the orange kitchen is yet to be seen, but beloved objects often serve as catalysts for interior palettes.
“Today, we see a growing comfort with color that tells a story,” says Blu Dot’s Jones. “Color in design feels more emotional than ever.” —Alia Akkam
Whether backing a bookshelf or tiling a pool, hue can add depth, reflect sunlight, or build a mood, even in the smallest dose. Here, 10 designers share their favorite ways to inject a surprise jolt of color. —Grace Bernard
While some homeowners jump at the chance to cover every inch of their space in terra-cotta or cornflower blue, others need a gentle nudge. Here, AD100 and AD PRO Directory designers reveal how they persuade skeptics to embrace color.
Tap into a client’s favorite object
AD100 designer Joy Moyler was working on the home of a client who shied from color. The only boldly hued items he felt comfortable with, says Moyler, were his books. “So I asked him to pick out two of his favorite book covers, and he pulled out a red one and a blue one,” she recalls. “Combining those shades and adding 20 percent black created a medium-tone aubergine, a sultry, deep paint color that was the perfect admixture to set off his tomes. He loved it and has been more daring ever since.”
Present physical samples
“When proposing daring colors, don’t rely purely on inspirational images,” says Tessa Kluetz Pernell of AD PRO Directory firm TKP Design. “Bring in actual swatches—like paint, upholstery, or tile samples—so clients can interact with the hues in natural light and feel the potential of the space.”
Keep it to private quarters
Many clients feel more comfortable keeping their living rooms, kitchens, and other entertaining spaces safely neutral, while indulging in color in the private areas of the home. “In a project, we experimented with super bold color combinations for the upstairs, while the public living areas of the house stayed more neutral,” says Robin Heller of AD PRO Directory firm Surrounded by Color.
Start with the extras
AD100 designer Corey Damen Jenkins uses accessories as a starting point for those who are ambivalent about color. “Start with versatile decorative elements, like a colorful rug, complementary pillows, and bold artwork juxtaposed against neutral furniture and walls,” he says. “Judiciously layering in accessories can go a long way toward infusing a space with jolts of color without tremendous commitment.”
Use renderings and 3D mockups
