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EN2026 brings a clear move away from raw, sterile aesthetics towards textures and colours inspired by nature and by older technology. Manufacturers of furniture, white goods and steel structures are going for depth that is increasingly hard to achieve with standard liquid paints. Here is what currently dominates in coating facilities and how these changes will translate into your production.
The industry's direction is best seen in RAL Colour Feeling 2026+ - the official trend report from the German RAL institute, which each year sets a palette that inspires designers, architects and manufacturers. Interestingly, this year's selection does not turn everything upside down. 5 of the 15 shades are returns from the previous edition - among them the warm Peanut butter, the muted Opaline pink and the intense Fox red. For a manufacturer, that is good news: a colour chosen a year ago is still on trend, and new accents can be added without replacing the whole range.
Why reach for on-trend powder coating colours?
The furniture and industrial markets cannot stand stagnation. End users expect products that look better than standard, uniform structures. Adding colours inspired by 2026 trends to your range lets you stand out from the competition without investing in expensive material-processing technologies.
A well-chosen powder coating is the quickest way to change the character of a product - from a raw, industrial object into a piece that fits modern interiors.
Metallic finishes and chrome effects
Who said metal has to be dull? In 2026 the market is returning to the aesthetics of the 80s and 90s, but in a far more durable form. Red chrome, copper and classic silver are gaining popularity, because they help a product stand out from the competition.
A bold accent in modern interiors. A powder coating with this effect creates a deep, almost mirror-like finish on metal, with a slightly ruby tint. Ideal for makers of sports equipment, designer chairs and venue fittings. It needs a precise primer to bring out the shine fully.
A classic that has stopped being just an accent. Copper finishes work beautifully with raw concrete and hide fine scratches on metal well, which cuts the time needed to sand parts before coating.
It emphasises the technical character of office furniture. Like copper, silver also masks minor surface imperfections well, which shortens part preparation before the coating is applied.
Nature returns - greens and earth tones
We are moving away from aggressive blacks towards colours that bring calm. Muted, subtle shades of green, sage and beige are currently the most common choice for garden furniture and urban architecture.
A pale green with a sage character. Cool and easy on the eyes, it works well in office furniture and medical equipment. High UV resistance keeps the colour for years, even under direct sunlight.
An olive green that gives a structure visual weight. It looks good in garden furniture and street furniture. Like sage, it shows high resistance to UV radiation.
The closest match to warm beiges in the RAL Classic catalogue. The neutrality of the shade means it goes with everything - the colour of choice for makers of shelving in small spaces. A matt finish hides dust.
The names speak for themselves - these are colours that bring kitchen and warmth to mind, not a cold office. The new trend shades from the RAL Colour Feeling 2026+ palette work well in residential furniture and premium products for the home.
Muted greens and earth tones show high resistance to UV radiation, so they keep their colour for years even under direct sunlight - a key parameter for garden furniture and urban architecture.
Read also: The RAL colour palette in powder coatings - how does the system work?
Wood textures and deep browns
In 2026, wood returns in a form that needs no troublesome maintenance with oils or varnishes. Warm, dark browns imitating walnut or oak achieve the visual effect of wood on a metal structure.
Dark brown is associated with solidity and tradition - RAL 8017 - chocolate brown fits this role well. We use it mainly in the manufacture of barbecues, fireplaces and external metal doors. A powder coating in this shade resists high temperatures, which allows the appliances to be used safely without the risk of the coating flaking.
Wood textures instead of smooth surfaces - we apply a coating with a fine, tangible texture. Such a coating is more resistant to mechanical damage than traditional smooth coatings, because it disperses impact energy better.
Read also: Surface preparation for powder coating - stages, mistakes and best practice
Muted pastels with a sheen
This year, the white goods sector and medical equipment are moving away from sterile, almost clinical white. Their place is taken by pastels with a smoky character and a delicate sheen. Appliances in these shades stop serving merely as functional equipment and become a fully-fledged part of the interior.
A soft, smoky shade that is pushing out clinical white in the white goods sector. It works well on refrigerators, coffee machines and cookers that are meant to be part of an interior, not a backdrop to it.
A muted, calm blue with an architectural character. It works well in medical equipment and premium office furniture - it adds gravitas without sterility.
A slightly dirtied powder pink, named outright Opaline pink in the new trend palette. It returns from the previous RAL Colour Feeling edition, which confirms its steady status in the design industry.
A subtle sheen reduces surface porosity, which makes the surface far less prone to letting contaminants in. In medical furniture and kitchen equipment this translates directly into ease of cleaning. A smooth, hygienic coating ensures safe use and shortens the time needed to keep a workstation clean.
Colour isn't everything - what sits next to it matters too
Colour never exists in a vacuum. A chair in sage green looks different against gallery white and different again in a dark loft bar. That is why designers increasingly think not about single shades, but about duos and triads.
- Olive + burgundy + copper - earthy and calm, works well in "eco" products
- Architectural blue + powder pink - a contrasting duo for premium products
- Sage + light ivory + matt black - a functional office, without the sterile feel
- Orange + lime + grey - a young, energetic look for B2C products
A manufacturer who plans to add several colour variants of the same product to their range gains more than one who bets on a single fashionable shade alone. A collection in a coherent palette is easier to recognise and needs no logo for a customer to remember it.
Choose quality that translates into results
Choosing a colour is only half the road to success. Just as important is the application technology that determines your final margin in the coating facility. TOPO products are designed so that the curing process runs smoothly.
Curing at 180°C for 10 minutes is our standard, which delivers real savings in energy and time.
Test the 2026 trends in your own facility
Match the finish to your project
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