Neutral wall paint is so last year – Lisa Ann Walter makes the case for teal in 2026 with her bright yet calming living room

The actress's bright teal wall paint shows us that vibrant colors can also be soothing - designers explain why they approve of this bold shade

Lisa Ann Walter
(Image credit: Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)

One doesn't typically associate a bold color with a calming sensation, but blues – set to be huge in 2026 – walk the line between vibrant and soothing. Specifically, teal provides a calm yet invigorating ambience. Lisa Ann Walter proves it.

The Abbott Elementary and The Parent Trap star shared a clip of her living space on her Instagram page, and the bright choice of wall paint color – a true teal, equal parts blue and green – set a calming tone for the space.

Paired with natural, wood floors and a complementary teal footstool, the decor possibilities in this room are endless, thanks to teal's natural and brightening undertones. It truly is the best of both worlds, and an excellent blue room idea.

Shop the teal room edit

According to design experts, implementing darker blues and greens into the home is a fantastic way to make any room feel instantly softer and more relaxing.

'I love to use deep navy blues and teals in my design projects - we use many variations of this shade in our showroom for upholstery, wallcoverings and decor,' Alexander Shepel, Founder of custom furniture brand SHEPEL’ shares. 'This color reminds me of the deep calm sea. It helps to unwind, gives peace and tranquillity.'

When it comes to color pairings, contrast is always a good idea, but Alexander encourages experimenting with different shades of blue and green, too.

'Dark blues can be very traditional in style, or, at the other end of the spectrum, they can be sleek and contemporary,' he says. 'Think about the effect you want to create. Team navy blue and white for a clean, modern scheme. But dark, navy blue also works well with lighter blues. Think sky blue or even a light teal. These can create a very calming and serene vibe.'

You can also tap into the natural, atmospheric ambiance by incorporating (natural) greenery into your space with houseplants and floral arrangements in vases.

Hannah Ziegler
News Editor

Hannah is Homes & Gardens’ News Editor, with a focus on celebrity style and entertainment content. She got her start in media as a digital editorial assistant at ELLE Canada, and has since written about lifestyle and culture for publications such as Nylon and i-D.

Her love of film is rivaled only by one with a great soundtrack, and she hopes to someday decorate a Nancy Meyers-worthy kitchen.

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