As a lover of neutrals, here's how I recommend using 2026’s Colours of the Year – you'll be as surprised as me when you discover how much you like them

Divine Damson red on walls and door of a bootroom.

Home decorator and content creator Leah Hodson is one of Ideal Home's new Open House contributors, sharing her thoughts on overhauling a home with clever DIY and decorating tricks. See the rest of her articles here.

Every autumn when big paint brands release their Colour of the Year, I wonder how I am going to use that shade of paint in my very neutral home. Am I about to be pressured into painting my home Living Coral or Classic Blue? These shades always look incredible on Pinterest, but I don’t think I’d be able to put up with it surrounding me in real life!