Nippon Paint has curated its 2026-27 edition of Trend Beyond Colours, a collection of Colour Stories developed in collaboration with Colour Hive. Themed “Resonate,” the initiative responds to emerging global mindsets by transforming them into design-focused insights.
The new edition highlights four key macro-trends: a growing focus on wellness and longevity; mindfulness amid a fast-paced world; curiosity and openness to new possibilities; and the pursuit of balance between digital and physical experiences. These trends are grounded in human behavior insights and cultural signals, offering a foundation for meaningful design narratives.
“Colour will always play a powerful role in shaping and capturing the way we feel, think, and live in the built environment,” said Jo-Lynn Yap, Senior Manager, Group Colour Leadership at NIPSEA Group..
“With Trend Beyond Colours, we want to move beyond simply dictating which colours we think architects and designers should use. We believe that our Colour Stories have truly brought to light valuable insights that professionals can translate into useful foresights; something that will inspire and inform their creative process. As such, we are excited to partner with industry professionals to bring their creative visions to life and to shape spaces that truly resonate.”
Nippon Paint describes the Trend Beyond Colours 2026-27 as a tool for professionals to identify which macro-trends align with client needs and to incorporate them into design projects. By remaining non-prescriptive, the trends aim to foster creativity while anchoring choices in data-driven context.
According to the company, the associated colour palettes reflect these macro-trends and help to reinforce the storytelling behind design decisions.
A growing focus on wellness and living well for longer.
As people embrace increased longevity and navigate the realities of an ageing population, wellness becomes both a lifestyle and a necessity. This shift is driving a growing focus on sustainability, clean beauty, and natural ingredients, with ancient wellness practices reimagined for a new generation seeking holistic well-being. Wellness, as a whole, is taking on a deeper meaning globally, expanding from the pursuit of living well to the aspiration of living well for longer.
In response to these shifts, there’s a distinct demand for materials and colours that mirror this evolving landscape — inspiring a palette of clean and soft pastels that echo themes of sustainability, balance, and longevity. Reeded, fluted glass paired with Rose Thoughts and Lychee Float creates balanced tranquillity, while pale green marble married with Restful Spot and By The Pond invites thoughtful reflection amidst nature.
A renewed commitment to be mindful in a fast-moving world
The world is in a constant state of motion, seeming only to move and work ever faster. In light of this, individuals are embracing mindful choices and taking ownership of their lives, finding a deeper sense of identity amidst the chaos. People are increasingly rejecting the transient and material, searching instead for a more meaningful sense of security and identity in things that provide a sense of grounding.
This shift inspires a palette of rich, organic tones, reflecting authenticity, tradition, and a grounded, tactile connection to what truly matters. Wicker basketry provides a tactile and mindful element when paired with Postman Blue, while walnut finishes centre more airy, light colours like Muted Emerald and Basket Straw.
A spirit of curiosity as we embrace endless new possibilities.
In a time of uncertainty, there’s a hunger for breakthroughs. From entrepreneurial energy to the AI boom, people are chasing bold new frontiers and charting endless new possibilities. These currents converge into a sleek, bold, and polished aesthetic that is dynamic yet full of wonder, looking past the present to what comes next, with precision and purpose.
This drive is expressed through sleek metallics and bold tones, symbolising ambition, progress, and futuristic possibility. Here, Palest Glow creates a juxtaposition of light and shadow when paired with lava ceramic glaze, capturing the glow on the horizon that many seek to reach. Blue Planet and Monsoon Light, when married with futuristic perforated metal panelling, embody an otherworldly coolness that pulls our gaze to the stars.
A search for balance between the offline and online world.
As the line between the offline and online world blurs, people are increasingly navigating a landscape where digital connection and real-life presence coexist yet often leave them feeling alone together. In response, behaviour is tilting intentionally social: time once spent scrolling is moving into shared moments and experience-first gatherings, prioritising shared participation and proving that the most memorable connections are increasingly made in person.
This duality sparks a palette of vibrant, youthful colours, embodying escapism and immersive experiences that bridge the gap between the digital and physical worlds with optimism and dynamic definition. Diving Pool and Glitzy Blue balance the ever-shifting hues of iridescent coating, while brushed stainless steel adds an immersive ambiguity to Fascination and Party Time, effectively blurring the lines between digital and physical.
“The intersection of human behaviour, cultural signals, and data-driven colour choices provides a unique opportunity to create spaces that resonate deeply with the people who inhabit them,” said Nippon Paints in a release.
“For architects and designers looking to push the boundaries of their work, these insights are just the beginning.
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