While doing a little digging into what moods, color schemes, and design elements we can expect to see shine in 2026, trend forecaster Rebecca Goesling, director of design at Goesling Group, introduced me to the concept of 'chromatic tension'. It's a technique that introduces unconventional color combinations to energize spaces and create a clear sense of character and mood. And according to the expert, it's essential.
As neutral-drenched spaces take a back seat and color palettes become more saturated and rich, chromatic tension underscores the importance of keeping contrast prominent when decorating with color. While soothing tones are critical in creating comfort, it is equally important to awaken the senses and mind through our interior design.
"A lack of tension can not only dull discomfort but also joy, inspiration, and a myriad of other experiences along with it," says Rebecca. "A healthy dose of challenging material in a space — applied in the right way at the right time — ignites action and releases emotions." So, look around. Is your space lacking the right color balance? Here's how this cool color trend could help.
What Is Chromatic Tension in Interior Design?
More than just using complementary colors, this home office implements different chroma levels, textures, and materials to emphasize chromatic tension.
"Juxtaposed hues, whether that be colors that are complementary or done in opposing saturations, can cause a pulsing or vibrating sensation, leading to what we are defining as chromatic tension," explains Rebecca Goesling.
However, chromatic tension is more than just mixing bold colors in a space. "It is the use of color to create visual restlessness," says Rebecca. Yes, looking to the color wheel for complementary color combinations is a good place to start, but the main goal is to dramatize the dialogue between the hues, tints, tones, and shades used within a single space.
For example, using a color blocking technique, while bold and eye-catching, doesn’t necessarily create tension. It can be done in analogous hues (red to orange to yellow), similar tints (all pastel), or harmonious saturations (all mid-tones), but "Chromatic tension requires some amount of dissonance," says Rebecca.
Rebecca holds a BFA in Industrial Design from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she honed her skills in research, artistic development, and technical know-how. Rebecca Goesling is a creative powerhouse who found her calling at the intersection of trend forecasting, color, material, finish design, and brand development. With a diverse background that spans independent startups and Fortune 500 giants, she's left her mark across designs ranging from decor and appliances to lifestyle brands — and her passion for discovering the new and next in design is reflected throughout Goesling Group’s interior projects.
How to Use Chromatic Tension in Interiors
Here, the lacquered dining table is in conversation with both the baby blue matte cabinetry and the chrome decor.
You may presume that chromatic tension requires you to commit to bold colors on your walls to work, and while it does (and is a true maximalist way in), it can be applied in subtle ways.
Take an unexpected piece of colorful hardware, a purple sofa in an earth-toned room, or even simply juxtaposing throws and pillows. Chromatic tension uses color to create contrast in design and to energize the room in a livable way — this is the fundamental core of the technique. The way you layer color should feel shocking, coupled with a satisfying 'eureka' moment.
The soft, but bright yellow on the wood, the deep purple sofa, and the earth tones around the rest of the room create subtle, yet effective chromatic tension.
"It's combinations like satin periwinkle and velvet chocolate, high gloss chartreuse with matte baby blue, matte tangerine next to metallic moss, or magenta with a surprisingly earthy counterpart such as mushroom coming into the conversation," says Rebecca, on the combinations she's most excited to see in 2026.
They all share an energetic, emotional hue balanced by a pragmatic, grounded color — "Striking a balance of frenetic emotion with soft, earthen color palettes," she adds. Yet, as described, playing with contrasting materials can really elevate these color palettes into a whole new dimension.
Below are a few decor ideas to kick-start your chroma-increasing color journey. The key is how you mix and match them.
The chromatic tension technique is a bit like the unexpected red theory or the strategic neon trend, as it seeks a way to use color that experiments, excites, and has room to evolve. Will you dare to add a little intrigue to your interior?
