IKEA Has Unveiled Its Color of the Year 2026 – And It Proves We Just Can't Say Goodbye to Millennial Pink

2025.12.17

We could all use a bit of playful energy in our lives. IKEA thinks so, too, and that's why the brand has announced 'Rebel Pink' as its Color of the Year for 2026.

As a punchy, vibrant shade of pink that immediately captures your attention at first glance, Rebel Pink can bring a bit of fun-loving, youthful energy to your interiors. It's a fitting shade for the ever-appealing dopamine decor color trend, which, at its core, is all about creating joyful interiors.

'Rebel Pink emerged as a bold response to the need for joy, energy, and self-expression,' Abbey Stark tells me, Home Furnishing Direction Leader at IKEA US. 'It’s playful, emotive, and can spark joy in the most unexpected places. We see it as a bold neutral that energizes everyday spaces while staying true to our Scandinavian simplicity. It replaces white walls with a refreshing energy that feels empowering and modern.'

The color comes in association with IKEA's 'GREJSIMOJS' collection, which is set to launch in February of 2026. As a response to IKEA's Play Report, which found that children and adults today spend less time on physical play than they want to, GREJSIMOJS consists of homewares designed in playful shapes and finished in powerful colors – including Rebel Pink.

IKEA's announcement of Rebel Pink comes as a stark contrast to the many other colors of the year that have already been named, including Pantone's 'Cloud Dancer' – the crisp white shade that has seemingly become a point of contention online. Other colors of the year are rich, saturated hues that make a statement, but do so with refinement and sophistication. Rebel Pink makes a statement, but in a much different manner.

Rebel Pink is so reminiscent of the 2014 era of millennial pink, a shade we can never forget. These bold but soft pinks lean neither baby nor blush, a happy medium that's playful but chic. Rebel Pink is lively and high-spirited. But just as Abbey mentioned, it's a 'bold neutral', meaning it has the capability to fill a room with personality and energy without going overboard.

If you want to use the shade in your home with paint, try color drenching a room with Benjamin Moore's Pure Pink, or Farrow & Ball's Nancy's Blushes – two colors that are just as attention-grabbing as IKEA's Rebel Pink itself. Don't be afraid to let this shade create a youthful, borderline-rebellious atmosphere in your home. After all, that's its intention. 'Rebel Pink is designed to push boundaries and spark joy in unexpected places,' Abbey says. 'We invite everyone to take a risk, whether big or small, that brings them closer to the home they’ve always imagined.'