Announcing Dunn-Edwards 2026 Color of the Year: Midnight Garden (DE5657)

Every year, our team of color experts immerse themselves in the study of social shifts, color psychology, and design trends. They look at long arcs and short ones, examining how movements in fashion, technology, and culture influence society's evolving color preferences.

This year, one color has emerged as the embodiment of our collective experience and shared aspirations: Midnight Garden (DE5657). A deep, muted green with earthy undertones, Midnight Garden evokes the tranquil beauty of a garden in moonlight. It is a hue that evokes a feeling of peace while also imparting a quality of understated elegance.

The choice for this year's Color of the Year reflects several key design trends and a growing desire for spaces that feel both grounded and refined. There's been a continued move away from stark minimalism towards a richer, more layered aesthetic. Nature-inspired hues have been gaining momentum for some time, and Midnight Garden feels like a natural progression of this trend, offering a more nuanced and refined take on traditional greens. Our collective yearning to retreat to sanctuaries, where we can escape the frenetic pace of modern life, has us gravitating toward deeper, more meaningful colors like this one.

Midnight Garden creates a bridge to the natural world—without being overtly rustic. An antidote to mass consumerism and digital overload, it has a depth that feels both soothing and contemplative, creating the backdrop for us to appreciate the luxury of simply being. This deeper quality of the color makes it suitable for a variety of design styles and uses:

• Modern Organic and Boho: With designs that embrace natural materials, clean lines, and simple forms, Midnight Garden shines. When paired with textured linens, wood furniture, and sculptural ceramics, it provides interest and balance to spaces that might otherwise feel too warm or monotone.
• Japandi: Midnight Garden's serene quality complements the clean aesthetic and natural palette of Japandi interiors, adding a subtle touch of color that feels both calm and refined.
• Traditional and Transitional: Midnight Garden harmonizes well with traditional and transitional design, as it evokes an air of elegance that is both timeless and fresh.

• Heritage / Neo-Traditionalism: Vintage styling and antique pieces feel right at home against a backdrop of Midnight Garden, which showcases their nostalgia and meaningful history.
• Farmhouse / Cottagecore: Breathing new life into these popular design styles, Midnight Garden offers a classic take on serenity that pairs well with rustic, primitive, and floral pieces.
• Commercial and Residential: Midnight Garden creates a sanctuary of calm and healing in hospital and hospitality settings, provides a cultivated, anchoring backdrop for retail and office spaces, and lends a sense of premium, timeless elegance to residential buildings.

Midnight Garden's versatility means that it works in many different types of applications, whether you're planning a bold design statement or a simple, grounding detail. Here are a few suggestions:

• Color Drenching: Painting all surfaces – walls, trim, ceiling, and even doors – in Midnight Garden can create an incredibly immersive and soothing atmosphere. In a bedroom or study, this can foster relaxation and focus.
• Accent Walls: For a less dramatic approach, a Midnight Garden accent wall can add depth and visual interest to a room. Consider using it behind a headboard in a bedroom, to frame a fireplace, or on a half-wall of wainscoting or beadboard.
• Kitchen and Bathroom Cupboards: Goodbye stark white and predictable grey! Cabinets and cupboards are trending darker and more saturated, and Midnight Garden provides a sophisticated alternative for use in kitchens and bathrooms.
• Front Door: A front door painted in Midnight Garden creates a welcoming and stylish statement, echoing outside greenery and hinting at the serene space within.
• Main Exterior Color: Used as the primary exterior color, Midnight Garden creates a handsome and grounding effect for both residential and commercial structures. It elevates curb appeal and works with a wide range of architectural styles, from Modern and Mid-Century to Craftsman and Farmhouse.

Midnight Garden is more than just a color trend; it’s a thoughtful and evocative hue that speaks to our desire for peace, sophistication, and a connection to the natural world. Its depth and versatility makes it an exciting choice for designers and DIYers looking to create spaces that are both beautiful and restorative. Take a deep breath and embrace the tranquility of our 2026 Color of the Year.

Learn more about Midnight Garden on the Color of the Year page of our website.