2026 Color Trends & How to Apply Them at Your Hotel

The colors a designer chooses within a hotel’s interior are critical, since they have the power to set the tone for the entire guest experience. Here we explore which color trends are shaping up in 2026 and how ID Studio is applying them within new and existing properties.

Hospitality design is seeing a profound shift, moving away from the "safety" of sterile grays and minimalism towards colors that influence hotel guest moods by fostering connection, restoration, and a touch of the unexpected. These emerging colors, which we feature below, prioritize emotional resonance, sustainability, and sensory richness.

Midnight Green & Mineral Teals

"Midnight Garden" is a deep, sophisticated green, much like the shade of a forest at dusk—moody, rich, and grounding. Along with "Transformative Teal," these tones bridge the gap between nature and luxury.

One challenge is that deep greens can be tricky with brand standards. Therefore, ID Studio looks for opportunities to inject these colors in smaller spaces to create a high-end feel without overwhelming a hotel’s overall theme and footprint.

Sunbaked Sands & Universal Khaki

We’re saying goodbye to "Millennial Gray" and in its place, we’re seeing "Universal Khaki" and "Sandstone Beige" emerge. Rather than deserving the label of just "beige," these newer neutrals are warm, tactile, and reminiscent of natural fibers and raw earth.

To keep these colors from feeling flat, ID Studio layers them with heavy textures—think bouclé upholstery, fluted wood panels, and honed stone.

Plum Noir & Wasabi

After years of minimalism and stark white, "Maximalism" is making a refined comeback. We’re seeing pops of Plum Noir, a deep, charcoal-infused purple, and Wasabi, an electric, citrusy green.

These are perfect for "Instagrammable" moments of joy in lobby artwork or statement furniture pieces. Accents with these hues can create a playful mood that drives social media shares and guest satisfaction.

Implementing the Colors of 2026

When designing for a new build hotel, a designer usually has plentiful opportunities and budget with which to manifest 2026’s new trends across FF&E and finishes. However, implementing these colors into existing hotels and design schemes without making a big investment can be a bit more challenging. To make this easier, here are a few cost-efficient ways ID Studio recommends to apply these new colors:

·        Within existing seating, new accent pillows area great way to inject new hues

·        Replacing selected pieces of artwork, especially those with colors the new trends are moving away from, can go a long way towards introducing new tones, textures, and themes

·        New lighting substitutions can deliver a big impact

·        Adding in plants with the emerging shades of green listed above can create a new dimension in public spaces

At the end of the day, trends are exciting, but inhospitality, longevity is king. An experienced design firm like ID Studio doesn’t just follow the 2026 color forecast, but instead translates it into brand-approved, revenue-generating reality. Contact us to begin a discussion about today’s color trends and how your hotel can benefit from them in a lasting way.