Better Homes and Gardens has unveiled Spiced Tangerine as its first Colour of the Year, marking a shift towards more expressive hues that reflect how Australians want their homes to feel.
Spiced Tangerine is colour-matched to paint manufacturer Benjamin Moore’s Racing Orange 2169-10.
The prediction reflects global shifts across fashion, design, architecture, pop culture and consumer behaviour, pointing to a growing appetite for richer, more expressive interiors.
The initiative is supported by a downloadable report that draws on insights from BHG’s 5.8 million-plus audience touchpoints and explores the cultural signals, behavioural shifts, and consumer sentiment shaping colour decisions in Australian homes.
Why richer, expressive colours are on the rise
Better Homes and Gardens editor Megan Osborne said the BHG Colour of the Year is “deep, warm and unapologetically rich.”
“If colour could capture a mood for 2026, then Spiced Tangerine would be it,” she said.
“The appeal of Spiced Tangerine lies in its duality: it is both energising and calming, sumptuous yet accessible. It nods to nostalgia (hello ’70s!) with its vintage terracotta roots, while speaking to a modern tone that values connection and comfort.”
The Colour of the Year initiative marks a new strategic partnership between Better Homes and Gardens and Benjamin Moore.
“Racing Orange 2169-10 is bold, uplifting and full of life,” says Andrew Dunn, director at Benjamin Moore Australia.
“It’s an inspiring and confident choice that reflects where design is heading.”
The Colour of the Year will be brought to life across a print feature, supported by digital content, social storytelling, email and an interactive People’s Choice vote.
Spiced Tangerine is supported by two complementary 2026 colour predictions
Dewy Eucalyptus and Roasted Butternut – both matched to Benjamin Moore shades.