From light to bold: the Timber Tones shaping 2026

Meet Orleans de Loire, Murray, and Notte. The light, medium, and dark timber tones defining the colour trends of 2026. Bright and breezy, calm and collected, or quietly dramatic, these tones prove that timber is not just timeless but also playful, tactile, full of character, and trend-defining.

Before we dive into the tones themselves, it's worth understanding why these three were chosen...

The story behind the Timber Tones

Every year, Havwoods curates a selection of timber tones that capture the broader colour trends of 2026. For this year, the mood reflects warmth, honesty, and a subtle sense of play.

The Timber Tones of the Year began with a simple question: where is design heading next? With input from our teams across Australia, New York, London, and Europe, we explored the colours, textures, and moods shaping interiors today, and the changes already showing us where design is heading next.

From those shared insights, our team here in Australia selected three timber tones that captured the trends rising across the industry. Orleans de Loire, Murray, and Notte each bring their own rhythm to a space and show how natural timber can transform a room from the ground up.

“Each timber tone has its own character. Airy and bright, grounded and balanced, or rich and dramatic,” says Alyssa Heien, Creative Manager at Havwoods. “Together, they give designers a palette that feels considered, versatile, and full of personality.”

Light timber tone of the year: Orleans de Loire

From the FSC-certified PurePlank 2.0 range, Orleans de Loire is a soft, blonde timber that brings a sense of openness to any space. As one of Havwoods' timber tones for this year, its airy warmth reflects the lighter direction of colour trends in 2026.

Orleans de Loire is ideal for sunlit interiors where its pale hue and soft grain let rooms feel expansive without feeling cold. It also works beautifully in darker interiors, bringing a sense of balance and light.

“There's something beautifully honest about Orleans de Loire. It lets a space breathe. You don't design around it, you design with it," says Ambie Moore, Business Development Manager NSW at Havwoods.

Product details

Thickness: 14mm
Grade: Classic
Patterns: Plank or Herringbone
Finish: Matt Lacquered
FSC sustainably certified

Designer tip: Pair with raw stone, linen fabrics, or brushed metals for interiors that feel light and inviting. For a considered, cohesive look, carry that tone through vertical surfaces with our Flexible Natural Oak Fluted Panel from Hushwood Acoustics, or opt for White Oak R9 from our H Flex range for a more sculptural, refined finish.

Medium timber tone of the year: Murray

From the H Collection Classic, Murray is the mid-tone anchor of this year's palette. Its brunette colour brings warmth and cohesion to spaces that mix light and dark elements, making it a versatile timber tone for residential or commercial projects.

Murray also offers depth without feeling heavy. It's a great option when you want something darker that doesn't overpower a space. Its gentle warmth pairs well with the mid-century modern and brighter colour palettes that continue to influence interiors, making it as relevant as it is timeless. Murray's timber tone reflects the balanced, grounded feel driving 2026 colour trends across design.

“Murray’s charm is in its subtlety," says Mark Whalley, Business Development Manager VIC and SA at Havwoods. "It anchors a palette beautifully, giving designers the freedom to mix, layer, and play without overwhelming a space."

Product details

Thickness: 14mm
Grade: Classic
Patterns: Plank
Finish: Matt Lacquered

Designer tip: Murray pairs well with warm metals, polished concrete, or textured upholstery. For cabinetry or walls, explore the Walnut products from our H Flex collection or the Walnut Acoustic Fluted Panel from Hushwood Acoustics. Both sit comfortably alongside Murray as-is, and can be stained for an even closer tonal match

Dark timber tone of the year: Notte

From the PEFC sustainably-certified Italian Collection, Notte captures the deeper side of colour trends in 2026. It's a dark espresso timber brushed with soft smoky undertones.

As the darkest of this year's timber tones, Notte introduces depth and drama to interiors, creating a sense of intimacy and structure without dominating a room.

“Notte transforms how light moves through a space," says Brent Calow, Business Development Director NSW and ACT at Havwoods. "It’s dark timber with purpose, adding depth and presence without taking over."

Product details

Thickness: 10-11mm
Grade: Classic
Patterns: Plank, Herringbone, or Chevron
Finish: Matt Lacquered
PEFC Sustainably Certified

Designer Tip: Contrast Notte's depth with pale stone or soft, moody lighting. Carry the timber tone beyond the floor with Reclaimed Oak Rill from our Relik range for a character-rich wall panelling, or opt for Clicwall Knokke Timber-Look Panel from RealGrain for cabinetry with a refined timber-look finish.

Behind the scenes: a study in movement

For the 2026 Timber Tones of the Year campaign, Havwoods collaborated with photographer Zoe Lonergan and stylist Ellena Border to reimagine how timber is seen, felt, and experienced.

The creative concept focused on movement. How light shifts across the grain. How tone deepens or softens throughout the day. How timber's natural texture interacts with everything around it.

Rather than traditional flatlays, the team built sculptural, three-dimensional sets that gave each timber tone its own moment in motion. Props floated, shadows played, and textures overlapped, creating visual stories that captured the personality of Orleans de Loire, Murray, and Notte.

The result is a series of palettes that feel alive, a celebration of timber's ability to express mood and movement. Each scene tells a different story of tone, texture, and light. Because, just like a great artwork, timber doesn't just sit quietly in space. It moves, breathes, and changes with the light.

The palette defining 2026

The Havwoods 2026 Timber Tones of the Year are more than a colour forecast. They reflect the 2026 timber colour trends and how Australians are designing and living today: embracing natural textures, layered character, and materials that feel real.

From the airy openness of Orleans de Loire, to the grounded sophistication of Murray, and the rich drama of Notte, these products offer a foundation to explore tone, mood, and personality through timber.

"Designers and homeowners alike are drawn to timber that feels real, honest, and expressive," adds Alyssa Heien, Creative Manager at Havwoods. "These tones allow timber to be playful, sophisticated, and timeless all at once."

Experience the Timber Tones of the Year

Refresh your sample library with Havwoods' Timber Tones of the Year for 2026.

See them in person at a Havwoods showroom near you or order a Timber Tones of the Year Sample Kit to explore how these tones can bring character, depth, and personality to your next project.

Architecture & Design Team

Havwoods

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