Purple is the new white, cream, and beige, or at least, that's what design experts are saying. This season, aubergine is being hailed as a 'new neutral,' earning its well-deserved place as a major 2026 color trend. It's bold, versatile, and playful.
So, how do we decorate for 'Aubergine Autumn'? Luckily, Ed Sheeran provided a roadmap. The singer shared an Instagram post from a space that appears to be his living room, and it's awash with the stylish purple shade.
Ed's space features a purplish Persian-style rug and an aubergine Ligne Roset Togo Sofa (Wayfair has created a good lookalike with this oversized bean bag chair). His cream walls, wooden floors, and the abundance of natural light in his home highlight the beauty of this palette.
If you have any apprehension about tapping into this fall color trend, Ed Sheeran's living room will convince you.
'Aubergine has emerged as a key ‘new neutral’ this season,' explains design expert Magdalena Gierasinska. 'It’s a wonderfully cocooning colour that instantly adds a sense of intimacy to a space. Its rich, velvety depth creates an enveloping atmosphere, making it particularly effective in dining rooms where you want to encourage long conversations and a relaxed, after-dark ambience.'
Incorporating subtle purple accents in your living room is the best way to bring warmth to your home this season. Here are our editors' picks.
A purple vase can instantly elevate a living room bookshelf, adding a pop of color and visual interest. It looks stunning on its own, but pairing it with greenery enhances its charm and brings a fresh, stylish touch to the space.
If a full purple sofa feels like too much, these vibrant purple cushions offer an easy way to introduce the color into your space. Pair them with a cream sofa for a mix of traditional and modern warmth.
Artless Wide Sofa & Chaise
This statement sofa is designed for ultimate comfort, offering plush, wide seating that invites complete relaxation. With a continuous arm and back, every angle is thoughtfully considered, featuring a wooden frame that cradles the sofa beautifully.
If you're not ready to replace your neutral sofa, this aubergine throw is perfect for draping over it to try out the jewel-tone in your space. The sumptuous chenille fabric and durable weave make for a true standout piece.
Cheer Collection Set of 2 Microfleece Throw Pillows
Elevate your home’s comfort and style with these plush velvet throw pillows. Crafted from premium Arctic velvet and soft microfleece, they offer a luxurious feel and lasting quality, making them a perfect addition to any cozy, stylish living room.
Black Cherry Merlot Scented Candle
Bring the richness of the color purple to another sense with this deep black cherry merlot-scented candle. Its purple container would also look gorgeous on a coffee table next to a similarly colored sofa.
As Ed's living room shows, making this shade shine comes down to couching it in earthy colors and materials. Decorating with purple comes down to creating contrasts that keep it from feeling overly dramatic.
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Magdalena advises: 'When paired with warm metallics and natural textures, it feels ultra sophisticated.'
Furthermore, breaking up a solid swath of aubergine with some pattern, as we see in this space through Ed's persian-style rug, is a wonderful option for making it feel more deeply layered. 'To style aubergine at home, I’d recommend pairing it with contemporary patterns for a timeless and confident look,' states design expert Shelley Cochrane.
I love the idea of using stripes or polka dots to make it feel ultra-modern.
This season, the top color palettes are all about leaning in to rich color and warmth. Aubergine, with its subtle mix of purple and red, is the perfect complex choice.
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