Marshall Announces 2026 Color of the Year: "Rhythm of Blue"

Marshall introduces "Rhythm of Blue" as the colour of 2026. A colour family composed of Black Sea Song, Aegean Melody and Mediterranean Air tones, offers options harmonising with different moods, bringing peace, harmony and freedom to living spaces. Marshall announced this palette, synthesising long-standing insights from global company AkzoNobel, to the world.

In the tempo of life in constant change, our reactions to events vary. Sometimes we seek calm, sometimes we want to boost our energy and taste freedom. Nowadays people either slow down and settle, strengthen their bonds with loved ones, or take bold steps to live life more colourfully and pleasantly.

Marshall, drawing from exactly these feelings, has for 30 years conducted the ColourFutures Trend Meeting under the leadership of AkzoNobel's Global Aesthetics Centre, bringing together company experts, international architects, designers and journalists to share insights into how our reactions to world events influence our colour choices. These insights determine the colour of the year.

Courage and Freedom Against the Search for Peace and Security
As every year, experts who came together this year identified 2026's colour as "Rhythm of Blue". Comprehensive trend research concluded that people both globally and in Turkey seek two fundamental emotions: the search for peace and security and the desire for courage and freedom.
"Rhythm of Blue" palette, drawing inspiration from Turkey's rich geography, embraces both moods and presents a colour story integrated with our cultural bonds. Its three-colour palette is defined by three strong identities:

Black Sea Song
Composed of a vibrant, energetic and cheerful blue tone. Reflecting the rhythm of the Black Sea's waves, this tone brings peace, security and attachment to roots to living spaces.

Aegean Melody
A bright and refreshing blue. Like the breeze felt on the Aegean shores, it adds freshness and harmony to spaces. For those who love sharing, being together and making connections, the Aegean's melody slows down and brings introspection, adding an elegant balance to the tempo of daily life.

Mediterranean Air
Composed of deep and calm blue tones. Carrying the light and enthusiasm of the Mediterranean, this tone reflects courage, freedom and creativity. It becomes an inspiring choice for those who want to bring movement, dynamism and a free spirit to their spaces.

Three Different Rhythms, Three Different Emotions
Heleen van Gent, Creative Director of AkzoNobel Global Aesthetics Centre, says, "We see that people react differently to everything happening in the world. Some want to slow down and renew their energy, feel in harmony with others and celebrate togetherness. Others choose to be brave, have fun and live freely."

Van Gent notes that three different colour palettes will help create living spaces answering everyone's individual decorative needs and adds: "Knowing that colour is a personal choice connected with emotions, we selected a colour family harmonising with different moods for 2026. This colour palette built on three different rhythms allows you to change the tempo of your living spaces as you wish."

Choose Your Colour Palette According to Your Mood
Starting from the idea that colours reflect emotions and emotions are personal, Marshall, with its "Colour of the Year" project, offers the opportunity to select a colour variant suited to your mood by bringing colour families together with customers rather than presenting a single colour. With this work, Marshall differentiates itself by presenting the story of colours beyond presenting colour trends.

With "Rhythm of Blue", whether you bring out your energy with the Black Sea's calm song, find balance with the Aegean's melody, or embrace freedom with the Mediterranean's air... 2026's colour brings to your living spaces not only colour but also a spirit, an energy and a new beginning. Blue, which has a multi-layered meaning like the infinite sky and sea, is not only a global trend but also finds a strong resonance in Turkey's collective memory.