Men, You Can Finally Stop Living in Beige

You're not alone if you woke up in 2026 to find yourself drawn to colourful designs and interior pieces. After a decade of pared-back minimalism, 2026 is bringing our interiors a burst of personality, color, and yes—sheen. But many men looking to redecorate their home space might find themselves playing tug of war between going all guns out with the colours and sticking to the cool tones like the Cloud Dancer that's been named the colour of the year.

According to a forecasting report published by Pinterest for 2026, many are turning away from a long hiatus from maximalism but going for a modern Art Deco revival (but with a twist). The app has recorded a surge in searches for red bathroom floors upto 80 per cent and antique bar carts 100 per cent.

"After years of heavy minimalism, this retro aesthetic is back with thick chevrons, fan arches, and other geometric hits, all edged in chrome or brass," the 2026 trends report stated. The return of maximalism can very well be observed in the rise of what many millennials and GenZ are terming dopamine decor.

Dopamine décor is all about creating bursts of joy through colour. But it’s more than just a visual statement—it’s an emotional strategy, designed to counteract the monotony, anxiety, and emotional neutrality often associated with minimalist interiors. According to the Associated Press, the style gained momentum after pandemic lockdowns, when people began reimagining their homes not as neutral refuges, but as energising, inspiring spaces that reflect personality and mood.

On TikTok, the trend exploded under the hashtag #dopamineroom, amassing millions of views. Creators and interior enthusiasts share jaw-dropping makeovers, transforming bland, forgettable spaces into vibrant, personality-packed rooms where colour takes centre stage—turning interiors into emotional experiences as much as aesthetic statements.

Yet, the world of interiors isn’t united on just one mood. While Pinterest urges us to sparkle, Pantone, an American company best known for creating the Pantone Matching System (PMS), a standardised system for identifying, matching, and communicating colors, has predicted a softer turn: Cloud Dancer, a vanilla-whipped off-white as the Color of the Year. The shade evokes serenity, minimalism, and a gentle clearing of mental clutter. It is a visual sigh in a hyper-connected, overstimulated world. As Pantone executive Lee Eiseman notes, “Cloud Dancer expresses our aspiration for a future free from toxicity and excess.”

Pinterest

So which trend truly defines our rooms? One signals the return of maximalism while the other retains the trend that has been set for many years around a neutral palette- —ecru, mineral blue, soft taupe—represent a quieter, more reflective ethos.

By contrast, Pantone’s Cloud Dancer and related neutral palettesIn a world that never stops scrolling, muted tones offer refuge: airy, spacious, and endlessly versatile. The idea is not to stimulate the senses, but to soothe them.

Cloud Dancer’s charm lies in its subtlety: it’s a canvas rather than a performance, inviting layering of textures, accent hues, or even a single statement piece. In this vision, interiors become a sanctuary, rather than a spectacle—a soft pause between work, notifications, and the outside world.

So, Which Way Should We Go?

2026 is, paradoxically, a year of duality. Our rooms are oscillating between dopamine-fueled exuberance and Pantone-approved serenity. For some, Art Deco revival and bold maximalism are a way to reclaim joy after years of restraint. For others, Cloud Dancer and muted hues are a visual exhale in an overstimulated society.

Perhaps the real trend is synthesis: a velvet sofa in burnt orange against walls of off-white, geometric brass mirrors reflecting light across a serene neutral backdrop. One part maximalist pleasure, one part mindful simplicity. A space that sparks without overwhelming, glimmers without screaming, and ultimately, mirrors the contradictions of life in 2026.

In other words, our rooms are no longer just places to live—they are mood machines, carefully curated for joy, calm, and everything in between.