Asian Paints Unveils Moonlit Silk as Colour of 2026

• ‘Moonlit Silk’ unveiled as Asian Paints’ Colour of the Year 2026

• Public mural introduced at Lodhi Art Festival for the first time

• ‘The Way We Live’ book explores real Indian homes and lived spaces

Asian Paints has unveiled ‘Moonlit Silk’ as its Colour of the Year for 2026. The soft, luminous shade was introduced not just as an interior trend, but as part of a larger cultural moment — including a public mural at Delhi’s Lodhi Art District.

The announcement coincides with the 10-year milestone of the Lodhi Art District, India’s first open-air public art district. For the first time, Asian Paints has taken its Colour of the Year beyond homes and into the city’s shared spaces.

Described as gentle, warm, and quietly radiant, Moonlit Silk is a neutral green inspired by worn book pages and everyday rituals. The shade reflects a growing preference for softer, emotionally grounding spaces rather than bold, attention-seeking palettes.

In an era marked by fast consumption and highly curated aesthetics, the colour signals a shift toward comfort, authenticity, and subtle luxury. It is designed to offer presence without excess — a visual pause in a world that rarely slows down.

The Colour of the Year is part of Asian Paints’ long-running ColourNext initiative, now in its 23rd year. The programme studies cultural shifts, lifestyle patterns, and design behaviours across South Asia to forecast emerging moods and translate them into colours and materials.

To mark the occasion, a mural inspired by Moonlit Silk was unveiled at the Lodhi Art Festival. The artwork, created by Polish artist Pener, integrates butterscotch tones referencing Delhi’s architecture, deep greens inspired by its parks, and muted blues reflecting the city’s night sky — all anchored by the 2026 shade.

The festival itself, supported by Asian Paints and led by the St+art India Foundation, celebrates a decade of transforming Lodhi Colony into a vibrant public art district featuring over 50 artists from around the world.

In addition to the mural, an immersive installation was set up at Raw Mango, the festival’s culture partner. The installation featured oversized inflatable floral forms that transformed everyday surroundings into reflective spaces, bringing the mood of Moonlit Silk into the public realm.

Alongside the colour launch, Asian Paints’ décor platform Beautiful Homes introduced its first editorial publication, “The Way We Live.”

Unlike conventional décor books focused on perfect styling, this publication documents lived-in homes across India. Through essays, poems, and photography, it highlights how spaces reflect memory, identity, and daily rhythms rather than aesthetic perfection.

Homes from cities such as Bengaluru, Delhi, Manipur, and Chennai are placed in conversation, revealing both contrasts and shared sensibilities. The book aims to reframe the idea of “home” as an emotional and cultural experience rather than a showcase of trends.

The publication will be circulated privately and is not intended for commercial sale.

Founded in 1942, Asian Paints has grown into India’s leading paint manufacturer and one of Asia’s largest. With operations in 14 countries and manufacturing facilities across the globe, the company has expanded beyond paints into integrated home décor offerings, including modular kitchens, wardrobes, bath fittings, lighting, and furnishings.

By launching Moonlit Silk in both interior and public contexts, the company is positioning colour not just as a design element but as a cultural expression.

As Indian homes evolve toward softer palettes and emotionally resonant spaces, Moonlit Silk appears to reflect a broader lifestyle shift — from spectacle to substance, from curated display to lived experience.