Why eicó Paints Are a Go-To for Eco-Minded Interiors

If you’ve spent any time exploring sustainable design, you’ve probably noticed a shift: homeowners and designers are no longer willing to compromise between beautiful interiors and healthy living.

Paint — something we apply generously to the walls we live with every day — is finally getting the attention it deserves. And that’s where eicó paints come in.

eicó has quietly built a strong reputation as one of the cleanest, most environmentally responsible sustainable paint brands available, all while retaining a high quality so it’s easy to see why the consumer, and designers are embracing it.

Image credit: eicó paints, Colour: driftwood j18a

Cleaner Air, Calmer Home

One of the biggest draws is eicó’s ultra-low VOC formulation. VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are the chemicals that give off that harsh “paint smell” and can linger in the air long after the room looks dry. eicó is a non-toxic paint which boasts zero APEO and keeps VOC and MIT levels to one of the lowest on the UK market giving peace of mind while making it a favourite for:

• Nurseries and children’s rooms

• Homes with allergy or asthma concerns

• Anyone sensitive to chemical odours

• Designers who want a healthier indoor environment for clients

The result is a fresher, cleaner and healthier space — without the headache.

Sustainability That Goes Beyond the Tin

What sets eicó apart is how deeply sustainability is woven into its production – paints that don’t cost our earth. The paints are manufactured in Iceland and Sweden, where factories run entirely on geothermal and hydropower energy. That means the brand’s carbon footprint is dramatically lower than most conventional paint manufacturers.

It’s a rare example of a product that’s not only low-impact in your home but low-impact in its creation too.

Image credit: eicó paints, Colour: grodan h11c

Beautiful Colours, Built to Last

With eicó, eco-friendly doesn’t have to mean ‘wishy washy’ quality. Their finishes are known for being high quality and superior durability and can be washed/wiped thousands of times without losing colour or sheen. For busy family households, rental properties, or high-traffic spaces, that longevity is a game-changer.

And with a curated palette of over 132 colours, a library of some 20,000 hues (plus the option for bespoke shades), the aesthetic possibilities are endless.

Chocolate brown is one of the strongest colour trends predicted for 2026

A Thoughtful Choice for Modern Interiors

Choosing paint is one of the most transformative decisions you can make in a room. With eicó, that choice becomes even more meaningful. You’re not just selecting a colour — you’re choosing cleaner air, responsible manufacturing, and a finish that will stand the test of time.

What colour trends to look out for in 2026?

Says Rishi Subeathar, founder of eicó paints, “Chocolate brown is one of the strongest colour trends predicted for 2026, appearing across multiple designer surveys and trend reports as a top interior shade for the year. It’s warm, grounding, and pairs beautifully with the earthy, mood-driven palettes dominating interiors right now.”

Image credit: eicó paints, Colour: sunset cloud b9a

Why Chocolate Brown Is the Colour to Watch in 2026

Designers across the UK, Europe, and the US are leaning into richer, deeper tones — and chocolate brown is leading the pack. 

What’s Driving the Trend?

• A shift toward warmth and comfort After years of greige, cool greys and stark whites, homeowners are craving cocooning, soulful spaces. Brown delivers instant warmth.

• A return to natural materials 2026 palettes are deeply tied to wood, stone, leather, and linen — chocolate brown harmonises with all of them.

• Maximalism and vintage influences Designers are embracing richer, layered interiors, where brown acts as a grounding neutral.

• Timelessness Brown is being framed as a “warm and timeless” colour that makes any room feel put-together.

How Chocolate Brown Is Being Used in 2026 Interiors

1. Full-Room Immersion

Deep brown walls create a luxurious, enveloping feel — especially in living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms. Designers are pairing it with:

• Brass or aged bronze accents

• Velvet upholstery

• Walnut or dark oak furniture

2. Brown as the New Neutral

Homes & Gardens lists chocolate brown as the number one colour trend for 2026, topping even burgundy and khaki. It’s being used the way greige was used a decade ago:

• On cabinetry

• As trim or interior doors

• In hallways for a dramatic but classic look

3. Red-Undertone Browns

Interior designers note that browns with subtle red warmth are especially on trend, adding depth and cosiness to small or large spaces alike.

4. Pairing with 2026’s Other Trend Colours

Chocolate brown works beautifully with:

• Ivory and soft whites (also trending for 2026)

• Sage green

• Black accents

• Burgundy and khaki (two more 2026 trend colours)

• Powdery pastels for contrast

Where Chocolate Brown Works Best

• Bedrooms for a cocooning, hotel-like feel

• Living rooms to add sophistication and warmth

• Kitchens — especially on cabinetry paired with stone worktops

• Home offices for a grounded, focused atmosphere

Final Takeaway

Rishi adds, “Chocolate brown isn’t just a passing trend — it’s part of a broader movement toward richer, more atmospheric interiors and eicó have several brown rich or neutral brown hues to suit .

In 2026, expect to see it everywhere: from walls and woodwork to textiles, furniture, and even lighting.”

For more info and to order your free colour card head to eico.co.uk

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Our writers like to find the latest trends for fashion and interiors. We launched the award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2015 and the luxury property and interior decor blog www.alltheprettyhomes.com in 2024 to cover all your interior design, travel and lifestyle inspiration needs.