Modern interior paint and wall trends 2026

If there’s one tool that transforms a home without moving a wall, it’s paint. The colour of wall paint can immediately overhaul a room.

“The right colour instantly adds character, depth and style, making a room feel more inviting and thoughtfully designed,” Fiona Dawson, National Colour and Design Manager at Taubmans, says.

“A feature wall creates an instant focal point and helps define how a space is used. In 2026, we are seeing some modern interior design ideas, including wall cladding inside the home, that your clients will love,” adds Nicholas Kaiko of Kaiko Design Interiors. “It can be joinery, panelling or a shift in material.”

Here are seven of the biggest paint and wall interior design trends for 2026, so you can talk to your clients about it with confidence.

Tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves and a mask, for example) when required on the job. Always follow the instructions that come with the product or equipment you are using.

What are the modern interior wall and paint trends in 2026?

Here’s some of the trends we’re seeing in 2026:

• Colours and tones inspired by nature. Embrace earthy colours, like muddy greens and deep browns, for a sophisticated, warm aesthetic.
• Colour drenching. Utilise colour drenching to create immersive spaces by painting walls, trims and ceilings in a single shade.
• Refined textures such as limewash, mineral finishes or natural wallcoverings for subtle depth.
• Timber-clad walls with vertical, fluted or slatted profiles for added dimension and warmth.
• Extending colour to the “fifth” and “sixth” walls. This means painting your ceilings and floors, which will dramatically alter a room’s mood and character.

Wall paint trend #1: Earthy colours

For 2026, it’s all about warm, earth-drawn tones. “Think muddy greens, teals, dusky pinks, ochres and deep browns – colours that feel more grown-up than cool grey,” Nicholas says.

Fiona sees two leaders: grounded greens, such as Taubmans Team Spirit, and warm neutrals like Taubmans Baby Bear.

“Greens suit living rooms, bedrooms and home offices, while earthy neutrals shine in dining rooms, entryways and open-plan living,” she says.

Lauren Treloar, Dulux Colour and Design Manager, also points to deeper browns, such as Dulux Chocolate Treat, which “anchor interiors with warmth and depth” and pair well with velvet, marble, glass and mid-tone timbers.

Remember, darker colours are less forgiving, so allow extra prep and consistent undercoats to avoid flashing and visible surface imperfections.

Wall paint trend #2: Colour drenching

Q: What is colour drenching?

A: Colour drenching uses one shade across walls, trims and ceilings, with subtle sheen shifts to create depth. “Varying the finish, such as matte walls with satin or gloss trims, adds richness to a space, without adding more colours,” Nicholas says.

The effect is immersive and cocooning, Lauren adds, making it a natural fit for bedrooms, studies and snug living rooms. Layering texture, such as timber, linen and wool, keeps the scheme warm and lived-in.

Wall paint trend #3: Colour capping

Q: What is colour capping?

A: If a room feels too tall, too low or slightly out of balance, colour capping is a smart way to reset the proportions without rebuilding. A close cousin to drenching, it shifts tone at the ceiling or upper wall to change how the space reads. “It’s great where you’d like to visually lower or lift the ceiling line,” Nicholas says.

Lauren describes it as using related shades. “For example, a darker pink on the ceiling, then softer pink on the walls.” The technique lifts a dull room using just paint and tape, creating height and depth in every space.

Wall paint trend #4: Refined texture

Wall texture in 2026 is heading in a softer, more nuanced direction. Nicholas is seeing “limewash, chalky mineral finishes and plaster-like depth – surfaces that catch light differently across the day.”

Natural wallcoverings are strong, too. “Grasscloth, linen, sisal, jute – anything handmade and tactile,” he says. These wall finishes add warmth without a loud pattern and suit bedrooms, studies and dining rooms. Many are low-VOC (volatile organic compound) and made from renewable fibres, which helps when clients ask for sustainable options. Because textured coatings highlight imperfections, the base needs careful preparation before application.

Wall trend #1: Timber wall cladding

Do your clients want to add depth and dimension to their home? Tap into the trend for timber-lined walls. This year, the look is moving on from classic tongue-and-groove into more contemporary territory – vertical, fluted and slatted profiles that create subtle shadow lines and a tailored finish. As for timber tones, think light oak, warm walnut and clear-finished blonde timbers.

Why choose timber wall cladding for interior walls?

Timber’s big drawcard is that it brings texture you can see as well as feel. “Real, physical textures, such as grains, knots and subtle imperfections,” Anthony Chiu, Associate Buyer for Indoor Timber and Boards at Bunnings, says.

Timber lining also has a practical upside – it can help soften sound in open-plan spaces.

What are the cons of timber wall cladding?

Something to be aware of when using timber wall cladding is that the lining will gain and release moisture over time, meaning that it expands and contracts as temperatures and moisture levels fluctuate. However, Rob Bennett, sales manager for Porta at Bunnings, says these tips will help keep your timber linings straight, stable and looking sharp long-term:

• Acclimatise boards before installation.
• Use flexible construction adhesive, such as Sika 11FC.
• Fully seal products prior to install.
• Follow manufacturer guidelines to avoid movement and joint issues.

How can I use wall cladding in interior design?

Think beyond straight feature walls, with these options:

• Half-height linings.
• Kitchen islands wrapped in flexible vertical panels and curved installations, adding a gentler, more bespoke feel to everyday rooms.
• Laundry features to give an extra design lift.

Is using curves in interior design in?

Yes, they are! Rob is seeing an increase in the use of curves. “For feature walls, kitchen counters, in-built seating and numerous other curved applications,” he says. For clients considering natural timber, he suggests starting small with “under a kitchen bench or a short feature wall for low-risk, high-impact.”

Wall trend #2: New-look wallpaper

Look-at-me wallpaper is set to be huge in 2026. Nicholas points to murals, painterly washes and tactile wallpapers and larger-scale repeats that give a room instant personality without relying on colour alone.

Where does wallpaper work best in the home?

When you want to add impact the moment someone walks in, like entries, dining rooms, landings or behind a bed or banquette. “Let the wall do the talking, then keep surrounding pieces quieter,” Nicholas says, so the space feels balanced, not busy.

How do I prepare to hang wallpaper?

Planning is key. Take time to map where joins fall with large repeats and check how the pattern will meet cornices, skirtings and light switches before you start.

Get the right adhesive. Many of the newer papers are textured, so matching the right adhesive to the product – and avoiding lighting that can highlight seams – will deliver a cleaner finish.

Wall trend #3: Fifth and sixth walls

Q: What do people mean when they refer to the “fifth” wall?

A: The “fifth” wall means ensuring ceilings are now part of the colour plan. “Painting the fifth wall completely changes the mood of a room without adding clutter,” Nicholas says. Painted doors and trims are also gaining ground as understated ways to introduce colour without major works, adds Lauren.

Q: What is the “sixth” wall in interior design?

A: The sixth wall in interior design means painted floors. “They extend a scheme in a playful way. It’s bold and characterful, but it suits homes that can wear a bit of patina over time,” Nicholas says.

Q: What floor areas are okay to paint?

A: Think lower-traffic zones, where wear becomes part of the look rather than a problem. Choosing hard-wearing coatings and talking through maintenance requirements with clients beforehand will set the job up for success. Low-traffic areas you could use paint on the floor include:

• Guest rooms
• Studies
• Smaller entries

Photo credit: Dulux/Lisa Cohen.