One of the most popular topics in doors is colour, and at this time of year, the colour/ design conscious amongst us always look to the Pantone Colour of the Year for inspiration.
This year, the leading colour authority has chosen Cloud Dancer – a white described as “lofty” and “billowy” that “serves as a symbol of calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection”. It is the first time White has been named as colour of the year and appears to have been a contentious choice that has sparked much debate.
According to Pantone, Cloud Dancer “is not just a colour, it’s a mindset” and reflects a collective desire to slow down, reset and find calm after years of visual overload. However, the BBC recently reported a lot of backlash to this colour choice with experts, leading with the line “For anyone who has spent years renting, staring at the same landlord-approved magnolia walls and dreaming of one day adding some actual personality to their home, Pantone’s 2026 Colour of the Year might feel like a personal attack.” [reference: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9w7qg2grq4o]
Cloud Dancer has been labelled “Pantonedeaf”, “doesn’t really read as a colour”, “stark and unforgiving”, you get the picture.
However, when it comes to doors, white is one of the top choices. It ranks #2 in the external door colour charts, beaten only by Anthracite Grey, and is the top choice for the internal colour amongst the DoorCo customer base.
While we agree that an all-white interior may suit a more glamorous lifestyle, it could feel clinical and highly impractical for many households. But when it comes to doors, it’s a great choice – smart, clean and inviting, it suits any architectural style on the outside from country cottage to townhouses, and on the inside, it’s a neutral choice that works with any interior style. It’s a timeless choice that never goes out of fashion.
Tatton colour matched to Cloud Dancer using our bespoke colour matching service that helps create fully customised doors.
Broadening the palette
If we look to paint suppliers, for example Dulux, they’ve gone with “The Rhythm of Blues” for 2026 – a trio of indigos:
- Free Groove™ — a vibrant, uplifting indigo
- Mellow Flow™ — a soft, airy light blue
- Slow Swing™ — a deep, meditative dark blue
Dulux describes these as flexible colours that can create calm, energy, or cosiness depending on how you use them. [reference: https://www.dulux.co.uk/en/dulux-colours-of-the-year-2026]
We salute this range. Blue has always been a popular choice in the DoorCo family, and we have 11 blues across our standard and premium colour ranges.
[image of doorco blues colour chips]
Benjamin Moore – the iconic American paint company – has chosen a deep, moody brown-grey called Silhouette as their colour of the year.
It seems we’re not moving away from the ever-popular grey anytime soon, although this shade is a nice addition to the range with its “espresso and charcoal undertones”.
[reference: https://www.benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk/colour-gallery/colour/Silhouette/AF-655/]
Bringing another alternative is Behr paint, an American paint supplier, who has named Hidden Gem as their 2026 colour of the year. “A smoky jade with an air of mystery and sophistication, this rich, dynamic colour creates spaces that feel both grounded and alive.” It’s a beautiful shade of green.
What’s clear in these nominated shades is that we’re moving away from the neutral schemes favoured in 2026 towards more expressive, nature-inspired hues.
Any colour you like
While it’s great to see what colour fashion is across the world, front door colour choices are subjective and come down to the homeowner’s personal choice. At DoorCo, we’ve created a wide range of colours to help satisfy a multitude of tastes and help our customers sell the perfect door. We have 9 standard colours and 37 premium colours to choose from, and if that’s not enough, we can colour match virtually any colour you want using the RAL colour coding system.
Having an expansive choice of colour, door designs and glass and glazing choices gives homeowners the chance to create a truly customised door. We’re looking forward to seeing what comes through the DoorCo supply chain in 2026 – will white make it to the top of the chart? Will grey remain steadfast? Or will we see an increase in orders for customised doors? Let’s wait and see!
For more information, visit: www.door-co.com
