Rooted in nature

Earthborn announces Freckle as Colour of the Year 2026

Eco-friendly paint brand, Earthborn, is delighted to announce its Colour of the

Year 2026 as Freckle – a naturally warming shade, rooted in nature.


Soft, earthy and inviting, Freckle is a versatile shade that brings a grounding

presence of comfort and connection to any space. Chosen not only for its visual

warmth, but also for its sustainable simplicity, Freckle in Earthborn’s signature

Claypaint finish is a naturally occurring clay colour and completely free from

colourants – a true expression of the brand’s eco-friendly roots.

The versatility of this colour is one of its greatest strengths. Whether chosen for an

accent wall, adding a pop of colour to ceilings or introducing personality to kitchen

cabinets, Freckle works beautifully alongside bold shades and neutral schemes.


To showcase Freckle’s adaptability, Earthborn has curated a series of colour palettes

designed to inspire every style of home. From playful pastels to rustic earthy tones,

contrasting retro shades to pared back Scandi combinations, Freckle sits at the heart

of warm, balanced interiors. Bailey Williams, Colour Expert at Earthborn, shares her

favourite colour pairings to combine with this versatile shade:

“Our ‘Playful’ palette pairs Freckle with the fun, pastel tones of Splashing and Rosie

Posie. An aquamarine shade that has chameleon charm, appearing more green or blue depending on the light, Splashing is the ideal partner to Freckle. Combined with the

petal pink tones of Rosie Posie, which perfectly capture the essence of summer roses, the three colours combine to create refreshing and vibrant spaces."

"For a more rustic, earthy look, our ‘Baked Earth’ colour pairing highlights the orange

undertones in Freckle with the deep jewel tones of Lady Bug and the lightness of Peach

Baby. Suitable for almost any space, Peach Baby sits elegantly alongside the earthy

shade of Freckle, while Lady Bug adds dramatic contrast to create depth.”

“A nostalgic colour combination that taps into retro-inspired interiors, our ‘Contrasting’

palette combines the deep, dark sky blue of Balloon Ride with the freshness of Tick-

Tock. The result is a rich trio of shades that help to highlight the orange tones of Freckle

for a welcoming, warm palette that will stand the test of time.


For Scandi spaces and pared-back homes, pair the richness of Freckle with Flutterby,

the crisp, enduring neutral that offers an alternative to white and the ever-popular Secret

Room - a simply stunning enveloping green. Our ‘Nature’ palette is balanced

and organic which works beautifully in almost any room.”

Chosen in response to a growing desire for slower living and nature-connected interiors,

Freckle reflects the movement towards mindful design, where comfort, sustainability and

authenticity go hand in hand.


Freckle is more than just a colour trend, it’s a reflection of Earthborn’s commitment to

healthier, more sustainable decorating. Their signature Claypaint offers exceptional indoor

air quality, as certified by Eurofins Air Comfort Gold, is virtually VOC-free, provides superior

coverage and is a certified safe choice for all, including children and pets.


Freckle is available in Earthborn’s full range of interior finishes.

About Earthborn

Earthborn have been providing environmentally friendly paints for over twenty years. They have over 70 beautiful colours in their range, in a variety of finishes from their iconic breathable Claypaint, to their durable and wipeable Lifestyle finish as well as Eggshell No. 17 and external Silicate Masonry Paint. Their paints are free from harmful emissions, virtually VOC and odour free, water-based, child and baby safe, vegan friendly and proudly carry the EU Ecolabel.

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