ruby glaze

 

CALLUM colour of the year 2026

The CALLUM Colour of the Year 2026 is the second annual forecast of colour trends from CALLUM’s growing team of colour, material and finishes experts.

The CALLUM Colour of the Year for 2026… Ruby Glaze.

  • Bold yet timeless. Passionate yet grounded. Ruby Glaze is a deep, resonant hue that reflects our collective desire for authenticity, emotional resilience, and beauty in a world that continues to evolve at speed.

    Emerging from years of rapid innovation and shifting global priorities, 2026 calls for a tone that expresses strength without aggression and warmth without fragility. Inspired by the ruby gemstone, long a symbol of courage and protection, Ruby Glaze offers a powerful visual language for power grounded in empathy, confidence, and enduring craftsmanship.

    As CALLUM’s Colour of the Year, Ruby Glaze represents a renewed focus on emotional connection, meaning, and expressive design across automotive, interiors, lifestyle, and technology. It is a colour designed not only to be seen, but to be felt.

  • Inspired by recent projects, the team has redefined its approach to colour, centring on its impact and the emotional responses colour can evoke.

    By selecting a signature shade for the year ahead, the brand anticipates and influences design trends while demonstrating its creativity and innovation, reinforcing its position as a forward-thinking leader in design.

Emerging from global priorities and shifting cultural landscapes, Ruby Glaze responds to the warmth and urgency of the moment. It balances strength with sophistication, offering a grounded sense of power without fragility. Inspired by the depth and lustre of a gemstone finish, Ruby Glaze symbolises protection, vitality, and enduring value - mirroring a renewed focus on craftsmanship, meaning, and emotional connection in design.

A complimentary palette

 

To support Ruby Glaze, the CALLUM colour, materials and finishes team has curated a complementary palette that enhances its depth and versatility. Together, Ruby Glaze, Smoked Chestnut, and Steel Drift form a confident, expressive colour trio. This colour trio offers a perfect balance for playful and exciting designs, while retaining the composure and refinement required for premium applications across multiple sectors.

“Ruby Glaze is rich, confident, and emotionally engaging. Its depth allows it to feel both bold and timeless, while Smoked Chestnut and Steel Drift provide balance - enabling playful expression without sacrificing refinement.”

— Lara Donfrancesco, colour, material and finishes designer at CALLUM.

  • Smoked Chestnut is a warm, earthy tone that grounds Ruby Glaze, introducing richness, stability, and natural sophistication.

  • Steel Drift is a cool, refined metallic grey that adds contrast and modernity, balancing warmth with precision and restraint.

“Colour is one of the most powerful tools in design. Ruby Glaze reflects the passion, resilience, and grounded confidence shaping the world as we move into 2026.”

— Ian Callum, design director at CALLUM.

How to use callum’s ruby glaze

  • Ruby Glaze delivers an emotive yet controlled presence for exterior finishes and interior accents, conveying performance, confidence, and craftsmanship.

  • From woven fabrics to supple leathers and soft-touch surfaces, Ruby Glaze introduces warmth, depth, and tactile richness.

  • Used as a focal or accent colour, Ruby Glaze energises spaces while remaining grounded and timeless, ideal for both residential and commercial environments.

  • Ruby Glaze brings desirability and character to cutting-edge products, reinforcing innovation with a sense of premium quality.

To mark the Colour of the Year 2026, CALLUM will subtly integrate Ruby Glaze across its branding and future projects, while engaging in conversations with partners and collaborators to explore innovative interpretations of the colour across disciplines.

 

Fill out the form below to be sent your CALLUM Colour of the Year 2026 Report.