Little Greene's Adventurer: A Refined Plum Hue Defining 2026 Interior Color Trends

PublishedSep 20, 2025 2:00 AM EDT

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When it comes to interior design from across the pond, one quality stands out: an effortless sense of coziness. British paint brands make it easy to envision enveloping a space in deeply saturated, character-rich color. Achieving the same effect in the States has long been more challenging, particularly because neutral palettes have dominated for so long. Thankfully, a shift has been steadily building—and a U.K.-approved aesthetic is just one paint can away.

Little Greene, a 300-year-old family-run paint house based in North Wales, recently introduced its 2026 Color of the Year, “Adventurer”—a fitting choice for any beige-weary design enthusiast on this side of the Atlantic. It’s a regal plum shade that evokes the ambiance of a classic study, ready to envelop a room in depth and character. In essence, it’s the paint equivalent of a finely tailored tweed jacket.

With many U.S. paint brands leaning toward safe neutrals such as pale yellow and eucalyptus green heading into the new year (Behr’s Hidden Gem being the notable exception), Little Greene’s bold addition arrives as a welcome surprise.

Adventurer (Quart) — Little Greene’s Signature Plum

“For 2026, we anticipate a natural progression in the use of burgundy within interior design, with shades of red, pink, and purple all gaining popularity as homeowners continue to demonstrate greater color confidence,” notes Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene. For those looking to bring this British-approved hue into their own interiors, the following applications offer refined inspiration.

Elevate the Kitchen Island with a Saturated Accent

With dark walnut cabinetry making a strong return, take inspiration from designers Karie Higgins and her husband, Lee Gibson, and consider applying Adventurer to a kitchen island. They used a comparable shade throughout their Oregon home—fridge included—achieving results that feel both grounded and serenely composed.

Introduce Refined Depth to the Laundry Room

Architecture and interior design studio Kaminski + Pew applied an aubergine shade to the laundry room of this Philadelphia residence, with results that make a compelling case for Adventurer in even the most utilitarian spaces. “It gives a space that would normally be mundane and uninteresting some personality,” noted co-founder Alexis Pew.

Layer the Hue into Bedroom Textiles

While designer Liz Hoekzema of KLH Homes was shaping this Grand Rapids, Michigan residence, she introduced an Adventurer-adjacent hue through bed linens—a refined demonstration that impactful design doesn’t always require a bold, full-scale commitment.

Translate the Shade into Upholstered Seating

Ryan Stanton of Boston’s Stanton Schwartz Design Group and his partner embraced the compact 720-square-foot footprint of their Provincetown home as an opportunity to layer colors and patterns within a single, well-considered palette. The shade of Adventurer can be translated directly into sofa upholstery, as they demonstrated, then paired with complementary wallpaper for a coordinated, character-rich result.

Apply It to a Statement Door

Applying Adventurer to a door is another refined option worth considering, as it elevates curb or hallway appeal with striking intensity. For proof, Layered founder Malin Glemme selected a kindred hue for the door of her Stockholm apartment, achieving classically cool, sophisticated results.

Kelly Dawson

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