Teal is the ‘Hero Colour’ of the Season – Why This Shade is the Ultimate Mood-Boosting Hue for Spring/Summer Home and Garden Styling
Laura James has launched its new-in collections for spring/summer 2026 – with bright mood-boosting hues predicted to be popular colourways of choice this season, Helen Barlow-Davis – product development manager at Laura James – shared her tips with us on adding pops of colour and other maximalism design elements into your home.
She said: “Teal is our hero colour of the season – a bold shade that is perfect to inject personality into your home. Whether you’re looking to make a statement or add subtle accents, teal is a versatile choice that works beautifully across furniture, soft furnishings, and accessories. By embracing the power of colour, you can easily transform your space with striking teal tones that create a sense of vibrancy and sophistication.”
“Plus, clashing unexpected colour combinations (such as pairing teal with paprika or burnt orange) is a fantastic way to add interest to spaces, creating a full-on ‘dopamine hit’. Be brave and embrace colour by layering teal with complementary shades like soft pinks, burnt orange or warm neutrals, or even metallic accents for a luxurious finish. You can also use teal as a statement colour for larger furniture pieces or as an accent through cushions, throws, and accessories.” Helen told YCB.
Image credits: Laura James
Adding more maximalism styling tips, Helen continued: “Print clashing is a bold and creative way to add personality and flair to your interiors. By mixing stripes with florals, bold colours with monochromatic patterns, and layering textures, you can create a maximalist home that feels curated and full of character. Stripes are versatile and can function as a neutral base when paired with bolder colours and prints, such as floral or abstract prints.”
Image credits: Laura James
Helen shared: “The key to styling furniture with wallpaper is to pick out colours from the print that complement your furniture pieces. This creates a cohesive and harmonious look while allowing each element to shine. While maximalism is about embracing more, balance is key… Use shades that blend well and ensure there’s a visual flow between the patterns and colours, and choose one bold piece as the anchor for your room.”
Image credits: Laura James // Conan 3 Door Sideboard – Lagoon Teal // Brea Armchair – Blue Stripe with Whitewash Legs
Helen also noted: “For the finishing touch, incorporating textured accessories – such as a mix of materials such as wood, fabric, and metal – enhances the overall aesthetic and prevent the space from feeling flat.”
Adding to this advice, Mia Slawson – garden buyer at Laura James – shared her thoughts with YCB on how to incorporate mood-boosting maximalism into your garden space this season. Mia said: “Creating a vibrant and inviting garden space is all about incorporating colour in clever and stylish ways. Garden furniture is at the heart of any outdoor space, and choosing colourful pieces can instantly elevate the look. Create a bold and modern outdoor entertaining space with our Wilder dining table set (and inject lots of playful colour by mixing and matching various colourways of the Ryder chairs), or our Saffron occasional chair in paprika features a striking geometric woven design perfect for creating a standout focal point.”
Image credits: Laura James // Wilder 6 Seater Blue Garden Dining Table Set with Ryder Chairs //Saffron White Acacia Occasional Chair (Beige/Paprika Rope) // Wilder 6-Seater Blue Garden Dining Set with Ryder Burnt Orange Chairs
Mia added: “Plus, plants and flowers are a natural way to add colour to your garden. Mix and match flowers in vibrant hues like reds, yellows, and purples for a cheerful display. If you’re feeling adventurous, paint can be a fantastic way to add personality to your garden. Refresh your garden fence or summer house with a bold colour or create a feature wall or mural for a unique and artistic touch.”
