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After a drab winter, people want to enjoy their space, and that means new hues
Published Apr 13, 2026 • 4 minute read
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Jenna Miller, owner of the Painter’s Daughter, says customers are willing to try something new after a long period where understated greys enjoyed unparalleled popularity.Article content
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Based on what I saw at the recent Ottawa Home and Garden Show, the city has never been so eager to throw off the dull, drab tones of late winter and embrace the sunny side of spring.
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Decorative planters placed throughout the show floor were laden with fresh tulips, daffodils, and real blooming magnolia trees, earning plenty of attention.
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I saw more than one person reach up to stroke the sherbert-esque magnolia blossoms, checking if they were real.
A hot tub from Gatineau’s Trevi Pools and Spas that glowed with multi-coloured lights is reflective of a bigger trend, people are coming out of their comfort zone and choosing colour again.
People seemed enchanted by a hot tub from Gatineau’s Trevi Pools and Spas that glowed with multicoloured lights. And over at Dalmen Windows, window casings in fire-engine red and rich teal caught everyone’s eye.
The vibrant hues at the show are reflective of a bigger trend. Slowly but surely, Ottawa residents are getting a bit bolder. “People are coming out of their comfort zone and choosing colour again, trying colours that make them happy,” shares Jenna Miller.
She’s the owner of the Painter’s Daughter, a residential painting service company, and she’s observed that customers are willing to try something new after a long period where understated greys enjoyed unparalleled popularity.
So what’s behind this push to liven things up? One explanation points to the pandemic. People who spent more time at home embraced DIY decor projects, and grey was very popular over the past five to ten years.
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But now, not only are people naturally starting to itch for a new look, they’re especially keen to leave their pandemic memories behind. Fresh paint it is!
Another factor, as with so many trends, is what we see in our media. Miller is observing more television shows which feature characters living in beautifully tinted homes – if you’ve seen the gorgeous blue interior of the Kids Ruin Everything home, you’ll know what she means!
She’s also noticed a trend among people between their mid-40s and mid-60s. Many of them are in the empty nest phase of their lives, and they’re ready to start enjoying their space. That means new hues.
Word of mouth is a powerful factor when it comes to colour and once someone sees a change in their friend’s house, they want to make a similar change for themselves. “Bravery with colour is contagious,” says Miller.
Daniele Browning, owner of River Oak Interiors observes that Ottawa tends to be a neutral-loving city but lately people have been branching out and pushing their boundaries.
Daniela Browning is another home decor expert who’s observing a similar trend. Browning is an owner and interior designer with River Oak Interiors. People were flocking to her booth at the Home and Garden Show, thanks in part to a gorgeous display of Sarana Tile.
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I was among the many fans of the richly pigmented tile. Browning’s observed that Ottawa tends to be a neutral-loving city, but lately we’ve been branching out. “People are pushing their boundaries,” she told me.
However, there’s still a hesitation when it comes to really going all the way with bright hues. It’s easy to see why. Embracing bold shades and unexpected tones looks a bit different when it comes to permanent and semi-permanent fixtures like tiles.
Unlike paint and other home elements that are comparatively easy to change, something like bathroom tile is very likely to last 20 years or more. Browning often advises people to go for what she describes as “little pops of colour” to add personality to a space and make a field of neutral tiles really shine.
Interestingly, both Miller and Browning noted that blue was trending among their clients as of late. Browning shared that both blue and green were popular among the people she works with, while Miller reported that blue was particularly popular this spring.
Is this proof that we are all craving some crystal clear skies after such a drab winter? Miller also noted that people tend to lean towards cool shades like blue in spring and summer, and she’ll see more people talk about warm tones like terracotta in fall, so she’ll often double-check with clients to make sure that they’re certain about their choice and not just swept up in all the lovely autumn leaves around them.
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So if you’re eager to add a splash of colour in a room or two, or if you’re itching to get an entirely new look complete with tiles and remodelling, how can you make sure you’re going to be happy with the work and the price?
I was able to catch Sandra Lynn Thomson’s presentation to get some insights. Thompson is Vice President at Thomson’s Edge Kitchen & Bath, and she shared that, for projects big and small, it’s crucial to: “Find someone who is unbiased who can help talk you through what each quote means.”
That’s sound advice. That way, you’ll go into your project with confidence, and the only decision you’ll have to brood over is just how bright you’ll go!
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