Asian Paints has introduced its Colour of the Year 2026, Moonlit Silk, marking a notable intersection of design, urban culture, and lifestyle trends in India. The launch coincides with the 10th anniversary of Delhi’s Lodhi Art District, where the shade was brought into the public realm through a large-scale mural, signalling a broader shift in how colour and design are being integrated into city spaces and everyday life.
Urban design experts suggest that Moonlit Silk, a muted and luminous green with warm undertones, reflects an emerging preference for calm, contemplative environments in residential and public settings. In a fast-paced urban context, the choice of a subdued, neutral palette indicates a societal inclination towards spaces that support wellbeing, mental health, and emotional grounding. By translating the colour into murals and installations, the initiative extends beyond individual homes to influence streetscapes, cultural zones, and community interaction. The mural at the Lodhi Art Festival was created in collaboration with international and local artists, incorporating subtle earthy tones that echo Delhi’s architectural heritage and verdant urban pockets. Urban planners note that such interventions demonstrate how colour can be employed as a tool for placemaking, creating visual cohesion and enhancing city aesthetics while promoting sustainable engagement with public art. Complementary installations at festival partner sites provided immersive experiences that invited city residents to interact with the palette in everyday urban contexts.
Alongside the public showcase, Asian Paints also released a curated editorial collection, documenting how Indian households inhabit and personalise their spaces. The publication emphasises lived experience over aesthetic perfection, presenting interiors as reflections of individual routines, cultural practices, and social behaviour. Housing and lifestyle analysts observe that this approach aligns with growing awareness of inclusive design, gender-neutral spatial planning, and climate-conscious material choices in urban residential development. Industry officials suggest that initiatives like Colour of the Year serve as both cultural barometers and practical design frameworks, influencing choices in materials, finishes, and spatial ambience. They highlight that when integrated thoughtfully, colour and design can support low-carbon urban development by promoting longevity, adaptability, and community engagement in built environments.
By positioning Moonlit Silk within public and private domains, Asian Paints demonstrates the potential of design interventions to influence urban culture, home environments, and everyday experiences. Experts indicate that such initiatives can encourage broader adoption of people-centred, sustainable design approaches, fostering cities that are visually coherent, emotionally resonant, and resilient to social and environmental pressures.
Asian Paints Unveils Colour Of Year 2026
