Teal Is the Jewel Accent Color Designers Are Using This Fall
If you keep an eye on the latest trends, then you’ll know that teal is quickly becoming a go-to shade in interiors, and this fall, designers are using it as an accent to add depth and richness to rooms.
Offering a classic look that gives rooms a timeless feel, decorating with teal is a versatile choice that can go from feeling rich and moody to bright and vibrant. Either way, it’s a sophisticated color trend that offers a stylish way of using jewel tones.
Why is Everyone Loving Teal?
Paint & Paper Library’s Nori, a dark and moody teal paint, adds richness and a cozy feel in this living room.
(Image credit: Paint & Paper Library)
Teal has been making its way into lots of stylish interior schemes recently, not least since appearing in 2026 Color of the Year reveals, such as Behr’s Hidden Gem. A classic color that feels opulent and elevated, teal brings depth to homes, working especially well as an accent color. It’s a jewel tone that avoids feeling stuck in the past, bringing a sense of luxury and a cool, moody feel.
‘Teal is a rich and enveloping hue, creating spaces that feel cocooning rather than cold,’ says Helen Shaw, color expert at Benjamin Moore. ‘This deeper shade of blue almost has a moody quality about it, creating a sense of atmosphere and depth that feels both timeless and forward-looking.’
Teal is especially appropriate for the winter months, bringing a layered, cozy feel that makes a fresh alternative to the likes of burgundy or forest green. ‘In living rooms, shades like Mediterranean Teal work perfectly as they create a cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere, especially when paired with warm brass accents and plush furniture,’ says Helen.
Another appealing quality of teal is that it’s versatile, pairing well with many other hues. ‘It can be deep and sumptuous, or airy and uplifting,’ says Andy Greenall, head of design at Paint & Paper Library. ‘Teals are easy to scheme, pairing well with deep orange, fresh peach, cool whites, darker blues, grays, and natural finishes, such as stone and wood.’
How Designers Are Decorating With Teal Right Now
From decorating with teal paint shades to adding this sophisticated color through smaller decor, these are the three key ways designers are styling teal right now.
1. Teal as a Wall Feature to Add Depth
Alongside warmer colors, teal feels balanced and fresh.
(Image credit: Aaron Leitz. Design: Jessica Helgerson Interior Design)
While decorating with paint is an obvious way to add teal in large doses to a room, there are other creative ways to bring it to the walls. In this open-plan living room, the brick fireplace in a glazed teal adds contrast and almost creates a complementary color scheme against the room’s warm wood tones.
‘Teal, especially when it’s deep in tone, is truly magnetic,’ says Mira Eng-Goetz, the lead designer at Jessica Helgerson Interior Design. ‘It’s a peaceful and dynamic color that we associate with the temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest. We love pairing it with warm, natural wood.’
Teal paneling makes a stylish addition to traditional bathrooms.
(Image credit: Christopher Horwood. Design: Sims Hilditch)
For rustic and traditional decorating ideas, wall paneling is a great place to introduce teal. ‘In this bathroom, the teal paneling creates a striking backdrop that’s softened by lighter surfaces, adding contrast while emphasizing architectural details,’ says the designer Christina Bull of Sims Hilditch.
‘Perfectly balanced between warm and cool tones, teal works beautifully in any area of the home,’ Christina adds. That said, choosing the right shade of teal for your paneling is key, especially in rooms like bathrooms that should feel calming. Look to shades such as Farrow & Ball’s Dix Blue, which isn’t too dark.
2. Teal Shades for a Moody and Dramatic Scheme
Here, the teal shelving adds depth and richness to the room’s white walls.
(Image credit: Jared Kuzia. Design: Nicole Lanteri Design)
While color-drenching with teal is the best way to create a high-impact scheme, especially in small rooms, designers are using the best teal paints as an accent color in larger, social spaces.
‘Teal can envelop you in a space when used in the right scale and texture,’ says the designer Nicole Lanteri, who used Farrow & Ball’s Vardo on the cabinetry in this living room. ‘Even though they are large in scale, the bookshelves help make this otherwise formal living room feel approachable and fun.’
For an on-trend look, use a rich teal paint on the upper portion of your walls.
(Image credit: Brian Wetzel. Design: Michelle Gage Interior Design. Stylist: Kristi Hunter)
Designers are also loving the color-capping trend when decorating with teal, adding it to the upper portion of a wall to add drama without overwhelming the room. In this living room, Michelle Gage used Benjamin Moore’s Largo Teal on the upper part of the wall, teamed with the lighter Thunderbird below.
3. Teal Decor for a Timeless, Cozy Look
Teal doesn’t need to be bold – smaller additions of this shade are a great way to add depth.
(Image credit: Aimee Ryan. Design: Styled by Storms)
Teal makes a wonderful addition to all sorts of color schemes, from neutral rooms to pink room ideas, and even a small introduction of this hue can help bring richness to a room.
‘Teal is a misunderstood color,’ says the interior designer Sarah Storms. ‘I often think people associate it with the pastel aqua when the richness and depth of teal can really transform a space.’
‘It’s a color that can be a chameleon and enliven all the other pieces surrounding it,’ Sarah says, who opted for subtle additions of teal in this bedroom. ‘Teal often finds a way into my projects because of the balance of blues and greens.’
In this bedroom, the dark teal headboards ground the space and create a moody feel.
(Image credit: Christopher Horwood. Design: Sims Hilditch)
In this children’s room, the dark teal headboards pair wonderfully with the light color scheme, adding depth and contrast while still feeling fairly neutral. ‘Teal is a remarkably versatile color – it can feel bold and dramatic or calm and soothing, depending on how it’s applied,’ says Christina Bull of Sims Hilditch. ‘In the bedroom, teal headboards introduce warmth and depth, keeping the space fresh, contemporary, and inviting.’
Shop The Teal Decor Trend Edit
You can easily bring this timeless shade into your home this fall with teal decor, and below, we’ve rounded up our favorite pieces for you to shop.
McGee & Co.
Abbey Silk Fringe Pillow Cover
If you’re looking for teal decor that leans more green than blue, go for this textural silk pillow cover with gorgeous fringed edges.
CULTIVER
Linen Tablecloth – Bluestone
Tablescapes for the holidays often favor warm colors, but why not switch it up with a teal scheme? This linen tablecloth would set a stylish base for holiday entertaining.
CULTIVER
Quilted Bedcover – Bluestone
Add teal to your bedroom color scheme with this bedcover that would provide a lovely amount of contrast to light neutrals.
Mud Australia
Pebble Large Porcelain Bowl
Decorating with teal doesn’t need to be bold – this bowl makes a subtle nod to the trending shade.
Chris Loves Julia x Loloi
Bradley III Hand-Tufted Wool Rug
Ground a room with a dark teal rug. This one features a textured pattern detail and is available in a range of sizes to suit your space.
H&M Home
Extra-Large Stoneware Vase
We love the glazed finish on this teal vase – a simple yet effective way to add this hue to entryways, living rooms, or kitchens.
From using teal as an accent wall color to adding smaller touches with teal decor, we’re sure this is a color trend here to stay. If you’re looking for more expert tips for your scheme, take a look at the colors that go with teal, from neutrals to complementary tones.
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