Say Goodbye To Earthy Tones: This New Color Palette Will Take Over 2026 Trends

There's no denying that forest-inspired tones dominated interior design trends in 2025, with earthy shades of green and blue being paired with browns and taupes, often with gray undertones. While calming, grounded earth tones will still be popular in 2026, they're shifting in a warmer and more sun-drenched direction — taking us from the forest straight into the desert. According to interior designer Phoenix Grey, the desert palette is set to take over next year. "What's great about this desert palette is it gives this really beautiful lived-in look because we're moving away from that neutral beige and we're bringing in those richer desaturated colors," he explained on TikTok, "Think dusty browns, ochres, and even terracottas." And as for neutrals, bone whites and sandy beiges fit the desert palette perfectly.

It's no surprise that nature-inspired hues are continuing their rise, especially with more people gravitating toward calming, spa-like colors to make their homes feel like a retreat from the chaos of the modern world. Shades like ochre and terracotta are particularly impactful, as they both have a multitude of positive psychological associations. Terracotta offers the same grounding and soothing qualities of brown, but its orange overtones will help to keep the space balanced and uplifted. The same goes for ochre, which blends yellow and brown to create a color that is both cheerful and comforting. This type of color palette is a no-brainer for the walls and furniture in southwestern-inspired homes, but it also lends itself well to minimalist interiors, bohemian decor, and even Mediterranean-influenced homes.

When it comes to creating a cohesive color palette for your home, the 60/30/10 rule is a fool-proof formula to follow. For a desert-inspired theme, consider choosing a warm neutral like bone or sandy beige as your primary color, which should make up 60% of your palette. For your secondary desert tone, which accounts for 30%, opt for something that stands out a bit more — think terracotta, dusty rose, or dusty brown. Finally, for your accent color — which makes up the remaining 10% — choose something that complements or contrasts with the primary and secondary shades. Rust and ochre hues are great options for a desert-inspired color combination that will transform your home's interior. If you're not quite ready to say goodbye to green in 2026, you can still incorporate a warm sage tone, which is vastly different from the cooler forest and moss greens that defined 2025. 

Of course, if you really want to lean into the desert aesthetic, don't stop at color. Embracing natural materials will also help enhance the look, especially warm wood accents like furniture, open shelving, and rattan storage baskets. Texture also plays a big role in this desert-inspired design aesthetic. Think about layering natural rugs, incorporating breathable linen fabrics, and decorating with rough handmade ceramics. For the finishing touch, desert-inspired greenery such as cacti and succulents will bring even more life to the space.