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With its new colour trend report RAL COLOUR FEELING 2026+, RAL COLOURS shows what the colour trends of the future will look like. The nuanced colours serve to make confident and contemporary colour decisions in design, architecture, industry, trade and retail. Tried and tested, inspiring suggestions for designing both physical and virtual products, collections and spaces for 2026 and beyond are offered under the title KNOW + IMPROVE. The practical design tool, the RAL Trendbox 2026+, with 75 colour and material samples, is also being offered for the third time.
Design is currently caught between innovation and reinterpretation of the familiar. At the same time, many people are better informed than ever before. There is a growing demand for products that are affordable, practical and emotionally appealing, while also being environmentally and ethically responsible. Context-sensitive and inclusive design remains a central element in promoting well-being. The current trend report is characterised by the values mediating, informed, nuanced, focused, open and adaptive.
The new colour palette for 2026+ from the colour experts in Bonn meets the complex requirements of the coming years. It combines warm and cool, subtle and bold, as well as forward-looking and historically inspired nuances. Stronger contrasts also take into account the needs of people with visual impairments and colour vision deficiencies. Since all shades can be freely combined with each other, the colour palette offers a particularly high degree of flexibility. It is suitable for a wide range of design applications – from architecture and interior design to the automotive industry and fashion, as well as graphic print products and user interface design.
‘This year's RAL Colour Trend Report continues to build on the proven and valued combination of inspiration and continuity,’ says Markus Frentrop, Head of RAL COLOURS. Five shades from the previous year have been included again and ten new colours have been added. All shades come from the RAL DESIGN SYSTEM plus, which enables systematic expansion and easy combinability, even with earlier editions. ‘This approach allows us to offer unique possibilities for sustainable and future-oriented designs.’
Once again, RAL COLOUR FEELING 2026+ was created in close collaboration with the IIT Institute International Trendscouting at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Hildesheim (HAWK). It is based on scientific trend research, economic and ecological considerations, sound colour psychology and many years of experience in sophisticated colour design.
The RAL Trendbox encourages practical work with the trend colour palette and highlights the interplay between colour and material. Each of the 15 colours has been translated into five different materials, making them ideal for mood boards and concept visualisations. The RAL Trendbox was created in cooperation with Covestro, Object Carpet, TIGER and Gabriel.
Further background information on the trend report, press material, suggestions, support and professional design tools are available on the RAL COLOURS website. The RAL Trendbox 2026+ is now available from the RAL online shop and from selected specialist distributors.
