Johnstone's Trade reveals Secret Safari as 2026 Colour of the Year

Latest News Tue, Oct 14, 2025 10:54 AM

A versatile yellow-green that embodies resilience, optimism, and self-expression

Johnstone’s Trade, a brand by PPG, revealed Secret Safari (PPG1110-4) as its 2026 Colour of the Year.

This versatile yellow-green blends soothing comfort with subtle energy, making it a dynamic choice for a wide range of spaces. The shade is part of PPG’s 2026 global colour theme, Parallels, which features three distinct palettes: Authentic, Visionary, and Expressive.

Selected by PPG’s global team of colour experts, Secret Safari reflects extensive research and cross-industry collaboration. The annual colour selection process draws on global insights from architecture, design, consumer behaviour, and material innovation. The resulting shade influences not only interior design but also consumer goods, industrial coatings, automotive finishes, and more.

“Secret Safari is a versatile shade that adapts to its surroundings,” said Donna Taylor, Colour Design Manager at Johnstone’s Trade. “It brings calm in natural daylight and reveals rich depth in shadowed settings—making it a compelling choice for both residential and commercial interiors.”

The Parallels theme explores how shared global influences inspire diverse personal responses. Each of the three palettes offers a unique design direction:

  • Authentic – Grounded in earthy tones and tactile textures, this palette fosters simplicity and a deep connection to nature.
  • Visionary – A bold interplay of contrast and clarity, designed for forward-thinking spaces.
  • Expressive – A celebration of colour confidence, with vibrant hues and unexpected pairings that spark creativity.

Secret Safari complements all three palettes, offering a flexible foundation for colour layering and spatial storytelling. Its botanical tone enhances interiors that aim to feel connected to nature. In hospitality settings, it creates a calming atmosphere, while in residential spaces, it delivers a bold, contemporary edge. Its ability to shift with changing light adds depth and visual interest to walls, cabinetry, and soft furnishings.

Secret Safari can be tinted across a range of high-performance coatings, including:

  • Johnstone’s Trade Perfect Matt – for flawless, low-sheen finishes
  • Johnstone’s Trade Ultralast Matt – extreme durability and stain resistance for high-traffic areas
  • Johnstone’s Trade Aqua Guard – ideal for woodwork and trim, combining water-based technology with long-lasting protection

From education and healthcare to hospitality and residential interiors, Secret Safari offers specifiers a trend-forward yet timeless colour solution. Its layered depth and natural aesthetic evoke feelings of resilience and renewal.

Johnstone’s Trade supports specifiers with advanced tinting technology, colour consultancy, and digital specification tools—ensuring seamless integration of Secret Safari into any project. With Environmental Product Declaration-backed coatings and low-VOC formulations, Johnstone’s Trade products meet the performance and sustainability standards demanded by today’s built environment professionals.

Explore Secret Safari and the full 2026 colour trends at: https://ppgac.co.uk/colour-trends


In association with Johnstone's Trade Paint


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Company Details

PPG Architectural Coatings UK Ltd
Huddersfield Road
West yorkshire
WF17 9XA
United Kingdom
T: 01924 354 354
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