Paint Color Trends for 2026: What Designers Are Using Now

Every year, the major paint brands announce their "Color of the Year" selections, interior designers share their picks, and new color palettes emerge that shape how homes look for the next several years. If you are planning a painting project in 2026, understanding these trends helps you choose colors you will love now and that will still look fresh in five years.

That said, the best paint color for your home is always one you genuinely like and that works with your furniture, lighting, and lifestyle. Trends are a starting point for inspiration, not a rulebook. Here is what is happening in color for 2026.

2026 Colors of the Year

Sherwin-Williams: Universal Khaki (SW 6150)

Sherwin-Williams selected Universal Khaki SW 6150, a mid-tone warm neutral with a slight yellow undertone. It is quiet enough for a full room and works well with natural wood, black accents, and crisp white trim.

Benjamin Moore: Silhouette (AF-655)

Benjamin Moore selected Silhouette AF-655, a deep espresso brown with charcoal notes. It suits a study, dining room, cabinetry, or a smaller accent area where a dark color will not overwhelm the space.

Behr: Hidden Gem (N430-6A)

Behr selected Hidden Gem N430-6A, a smoky blue-green. It is a stronger color than the two neutrals above, so sampling it on more than one wall is especially important.

PPG: Cracked Pepper (PPG1001-7)

PPG went in a different direction with Cracked Pepper, a warm off-black. Dark, dramatic wall colors continue to gain popularity, especially in dining rooms, home offices, and primary bedrooms. This particular shade has warm brown undertones that keep it from feeling harsh.

The Big Trends

Warm Neutrals Replace Cool Grays

The most significant color shift of 2026 is the continued move away from cool grays toward warm neutrals. The gray trend that dominated from roughly 2015 to 2022 has fully transitioned into warm territory. The colors taking over:

• Greige: Gray-beige blends like Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige and Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter remain hugely popular.
• Taupe: Deeper than greige, taupe adds warmth and sophistication. Try Sherwin-Williams Balanced Beige or Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe.
• Mushroom: A soft, earthy neutral with brown and gray tones. Think the color of a portobello mushroom.
• Warm white: Not bright white, but creamy, buttery whites like Benjamin Moore White Dove and Sherwin-Williams Alabaster.

Nature-Inspired Greens

Green continues its run as one of the most popular accent and full-room colors. The specific shades trending in 2026:

• Sage: Soft, muted green-gray. Works beautifully in bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens. Benjamin Moore Sage Wisdom and Sherwin-Williams Evergreen Fog are popular choices.
• Olive: Deeper and warmer than sage, olive green adds richness. Great for dining rooms and home offices.
• Forest: Dark, dramatic green for accent walls and moody spaces. Benjamin Moore Black Forest Green and Sherwin-Williams Rookwood Dark Green.
• Eucalyptus: A fresh, slightly blue-green that reads as spa-like and calming. Ideal for bathrooms.

Rich Blues Evolving

Navy blue is not going away, but the trending blues are shifting toward more complex tones:

• Denim blue: Casual, lived-in blue with gray undertones. Less formal than navy, more interesting than baby blue.
• Moody blue: Very dark blue that reads almost as a neutral. Perfect for bedrooms and dramatic living spaces.
• Dusty blue: Soft, muted blue with gray and purple undertones. A calming bedroom color that pairs well with warm wood and brass.

Warm Terracotta and Clay

Earthy reds and oranges are making a strong showing in 2026. Not the bright oranges of the 2000s, but softer, more sophisticated versions:

• Terracotta: A burnt orange-brown inspired by clay pottery. Beautiful as an accent wall or in a sun-filled room.
• Clay: Lighter than terracotta, with more pink. Warm and inviting in living rooms and dining areas.
• Rust: Deep reddish-brown that works as a rich accent. Pairs particularly well with sage green and warm white.

Dark and Moody Rooms

Painting entire rooms in dark colors is one of the biggest trends of the past few years, and it is still growing. Homeowners are discovering that dark walls can actually make rooms feel cozier and more intimate rather than smaller. Popular dark room colors:

• Deep navy (Benjamin Moore Hale Navy)
• Charcoal (Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore)
• Deep green (Benjamin Moore Salamander)
• Rich brown (Farrow and Ball London Clay)

The key to dark rooms is adequate lighting. Layer ambient, task, and accent lighting to prevent the space from feeling cave-like. White or light-colored trim provides contrast and keeps the room from feeling heavy.

If you are considering a dark color, know that going from light to dark (or dark to light) requires extra coats and possibly tinted primer. Our light-to-dark paint calculator gives you accurate coverage estimates for color changes.

Room-by-Room Trending Colors

Living Room

Warm whites, greige, sage green, and warm taupe are the most popular living room colors for 2026. These are all versatile enough to work with various furniture styles and easy to accessorize with seasonal decor changes.

Bedroom

Calming tones dominate: dusty blue, soft sage, warm gray, and deeper moody colors like navy or forest green for a cocooning effect. Warm whites are also popular for a clean, restful look.

Kitchen

White and off-white kitchens remain dominant, but more homeowners are adding color through painted islands (sage green, navy, or black) and accent walls. Warm white cabinets with walls in a soft neutral create a layered look without overwhelming the space.

Bathroom

Spa-inspired colors lead: eucalyptus green, soft blue, warm white, and light gray. Smaller powder rooms are going bolder with wallpaper-inspired colors like deep teal, emerald, and even black. For paint recommendations specific to bathrooms, check our guide on the best paint for bathrooms.

Home Office

Dark, focused colors like deep blue, olive green, and warm charcoal help create a productive atmosphere that feels distinct from the rest of the home. These colors also look great on video calls as a backdrop.

How to Test Colors Before Committing

Never choose a paint color from a small swatch alone. Colors look dramatically different on a chip versus on a wall, and they shift throughout the day as lighting changes. Here is the best process:

1. Narrow your choices to 2 to 3 options using swatches or an online visualizer.
2. Buy sample sizes (most brands sell small containers for $5 to $10) or peel-and-stick sample squares.
3. Paint 12x12 inch squares on two different walls in the room (one that gets direct light and one that does not).
4. Live with the samples for 2 to 3 days, observing them in morning light, afternoon light, and artificial light at night.
5. The color that looks good in all conditions is your winner.

This process takes a few days but prevents the much more expensive mistake of painting an entire room in a color you end up disliking.

Bottom Line

The 2026 color story is about warmth, nature, and personal expression. Cool grays are giving way to warm neutrals. Earthy tones like sage, terracotta, and mushroom are everywhere. Dark, moody rooms continue to gain popularity. And warm whites have replaced stark whites as the go-to neutral. Whatever color you choose, test it in your actual space before committing, and use our paint calculator to figure out exactly how much you need.