AkzoNobel’s Colors of the Year 2026 bring the Rhythm of Blues to the coil and extrusion coatings market with three versatile shades designed to inspire calming, connecting, and creative applications.

The Rhythm of Blues family includes Mellow Flow, a light blue; Slow Swing, a dark blue; and Free Groove, a vibrant blue. Together, the colors offer wide-ranging design options for the construction and domestic appliances markets.

Credit: AkzoNobel

“Over the last decade, the popularity of warm natural tones has been continually rising, complemented recently with growing interest in palettes of versatile blues,” said Heleen van Gent, creative director of AkzoNobel’s Global Aesthetic Center. “Our Rhythm of Blues collection brings these trends together with a harmonious mix of vibrant colors that enable different moods to be expressed, while supporting on-trend color choices in both the home and the built environment.”

The palette reflects research into cultural, economic, and social trends that influence design. According to Henri Bijsterbosch, color product marketing manager for AkzoNobel’s industrial coatings business, “Our Rhythm of Blues family provides inspiration for architects, designers, fabricators and coaters to create stylish color combinations that reflect customer tastes. They enable us to personalize our environments to fit the times we live in, while bringing calm, comfort and vibrancy to projects and products.”

AkzoNobel’s Global Aesthetic Center has translated trends into color guidance for more than 30 years. Its annual ColourFutures meeting brings together in-house experts and global designers to examine how societal changes shape color choices.

For more information, visit https://www.akzonobel.com/en/about-us/initiatives/color-of-the-year-2026. 

Check out more in color trends.