Being a paint manufacturer is much more than producing colors. It’s about understanding the impact of colors and shaping color trends.
That’s why we have developed and presented our own Colors of the Year for years. In 2026, they show: Resilience is fast becoming the theme of our time, and these three colors demonstrate how colors and materials reflect social development. Explore “Tree House”, “Ice Water”, and “Sour”, and how our design experts translated the color shades in the high-gloss world of coatings.
Ice Water - Clarity in Action
Ice Water combines contrasts: coolness and activity, concentration and ease. In these times of global warming, coolness is sought after as a symbol for balance and sustainability.
The sheen of Ice Water is reminiscent of flowing water and represents focus and serenity. This shade is a visual response to the need for calm in a complex world—a color that plays with wide vistas and elegance without emitting coldness, thus combining a clear esthetic with emotional depth.
Tree House - Grounding during Change
This shade represents a search for stability in turbulent times. The deep brown of Tree House is reminiscent of wood, leather, and coffee—natural materials that feel permanent and familiar. In an increasingly digital world, Tree House conveys warmth, tranquility, and a sense of security.
It symbolizes a return to craftsmanship, durability, and a longing for authenticity. With its timeless elegance, Tree House fits seamlessly into design concepts that combine tradition with modernity.
Sour - Courage to be Joyful
Sour makes a statement: fresh, lively, and full of energy. In times dominated by uncertainty and being overstretched, this shade offers a sense of playfulness and optimism. Its subtle sheen is reminiscent of tangy citrus notes—almost as if the surface is quietly tingling.
Sour shows that humor and joie de vivre are just as important as structure and function. It is visual proof that color can evoke emotions and a zest for life.
What is the significance of this annual selection of three colors?
It doesn't necessarily mean you should go out and buy your next pair of shoes in apricot or curtains in mint after they are announced. Nor is the aim for their immediate implementation by industry. It's more a kind of flirtation with the zeitgeist. Colors of the year are always topical, they should inspire, be fun and make you think. Those who publish colors of the year contribute to a lively, public discussion about current trends. Sometimes is does happen that the new colors find their way into the design of new products and interiors.
In the case of coatings, the design of the surface, such as its gloss level, structure and feel, adds to the color tone. This makes it a little more exciting, but certainly not easier.