If colour could capture a mood for 2026, then Spiced Tangerine would be it.
Our BHG Colour of the Year is deep, warm and unapologetically rich.
Your Colours for 2026
We recently set up online polls to see what your colour predictions were.
This shade has quietly crept from fashion runways and pop culture into interiors and lifestyle products, and it’s poised to be the defining colour of 2026.
From sunbaked terracotta walls to persimmon-hued accessories, this burnt orange embodies an indulgent optimism that feels both vintage-inspired, energetic and modern.
The resurgence of warm colours
Recent months have seen a resurgence of warmer, richer tones, perhaps as a collective craving for connection.
We noted how shades like baked clay, toasty terracotta and earthy ochres provide depth and reassurance in a time of global uncertainty.
Why we chose Spiced Tangerine as our 2026 Colour of the Year
The BHG colour of the year, Spiced Tangerine, is joyful, down-to-earth and deeply connected to human creativity.
“It is the ultimate ‘everything has potential’ colour,” says BHG creative projects editor Geneva Vanderzeil. “It adds instant warmth, works with every texture and makes even the simplest DIY feel elevated.”
Say goodbye to beige
“We have officially moved past beige!” says interior designer Jono Fleming. “People want warmth, character, and the comfort of colour that actually feels lived in. This shade is grounded and expressive at the same time, which is rare. And it still sits beautifully alongside the tones we already use in Australian homes.”
“Better Homes and Gardens has made an inspiring, confident choice,” says Andrew Dunn, director at Benjamin Moore Australia. “Racing Orange 2169-10 is bold, uplifting and full of life.”
Orange is the ‘it’ colour
Variations of orange started to appear across 2025, showing up in fashion houses and celebrity social feeds.
We saw icon Zendaya wearing a burnt orange dress on the Golden Globes red carpet, while designers at Saint Laurent, Burberry, Miu Miu, Versace, Ferrari, Loewe, Bottega Veneta and Dries Van Noten included orange as a key colour in their runway shows.
Orange tones were appearing in everything from the latest Apple iPhone release to McLaren’s Formula One racing liveries.
Its cultural footprint extended to music, too, with Taylor Swift’s orange-themed Life of a Showgirl album imagery influencing global style trends. Latin American singer Karol G’s orange album release, Tropicoqueta, reached millions worldwide.
(Credit: Getty)
The symbolism of burnt orange
Burnt orange hues are becoming a visual shorthand for warmth, modernity and optimism across interior design.
From an earthy rug to a velvet-covered couch, Spiced Tangerine works across textures and finishes, creating rooms that are as inviting as they are striking.
Style icons such as Martha Stewart have paired it with jade and foliage to create spaces that feel grounded yet vibrant.
Why is spiced tangerine so appealing?
The appeal of Spiced Tangerine lies in its duality: it is both energising and calming, sumptuous yet accessible. It nods to nostalgia (hello ’70s!) with its vintage terracotta roots, while speaking to a modern tone that values connection and comfort.
“It has this timeless, sun-washed warmth that never goes out of style,” says Geneva. “It’s the colour I reach for when I want a room or project to feel cosy and lived-in.”
Geneva draws similarities between the BHG Spiced Tangerine and terracotta. “I joke that terracotta is basically my personality in a colour – a little rustic, warm, and happiest when paired with a good DIY project.”
In summary: It’s a total vibe
As we look ahead to 2026, it is clear that Spiced Tangerine is more than a fleeting trend. It’s a colour that reflects how we want to feel in our homes and in our lives: vibrant, grounded and creatively alive.
Your colours for 2026
Plot twist: Turns out you guys love colour a lot and one People’s Choice Colour of the Year award winner wasn’t enough! Three colours actually tied as your favourites!
How to style your home with Spiced Tangerine
Ready to bring Spiced Tangerine home? Grab the latest issue of Better Homes and Gardens (look for the no-bake freckle-inspired cheesecake on the cover!) for styling tips, bold colour palettes and combinations that’ll ignite your creativity.
