3 Days of Design 2026: Colour & Material Trends

Published 22 June 2026

Author

8 min read

This year’s 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen (June 10-12) felt abuzz with human creativity. From explorative approaches to materiality and a commitment to waste reuse, to details designed to encourage slower, more mindful engagement, we select the colour and material highlights and emerging aesthetic trends. For more coverage of 3 Days of Design, read our Product Trends report.

Waste as Valuable Resource

Devotion to Making

Take Note, Take Care

Essential & Elementary

Thoughtful, sustainable thinking was a key pillar at this year’s 3 Days of Design. Repurposing waste is high on the agenda for many brands and designers, while long-term planning sees others working to establish new circular models and systems.

Jump to section

The reverence for hands-on making was evident across the city. Feeling celebratory and indulgent, installations focused on craft, process and material experimentation – demonstrating the labour, care and expertise that go into shaping every product, and resulting in a deeply rich materiality story.

Jump to section

Countering the world’s constant distractions, this year's exhibitors invited slower, more mindful engagement, advocating we all take note, take care, and ultimately be more present in our daily lives. Details are designed to reward curiosity, dynamic surfaces seek to inspire contemplation, and evocative colour and light helps to support wellbeing. Also see Product Trends.

Jump to section

Reflecting a growing investment in timeless, conscious design, a refreshing direction emerged centred on simple, functional and elementary principles. Here, utilitarian colour palettes come together with modular constructions, practical detailing, clean lines and uncomplicated, resilient materials.

3 Days of Design 2026: Colour & Material Trends

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?

Want to see the full report?

Offering access to over 350 consumer and cross-industry reports annually, Stylus Membership is your window to tomorrow’s most exciting opportunities.

We already arm more than 500 of the world’s most forward-thinking brands and agencies with the creative insights they need to make transformative business decisions.

We’d love to do the same for you.

Book a demo with us today to discover more.

Membership