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The paint-color story for 2026 spans warm, grounded neutrals, expressive browns, restorative greens, softened pastels and deep, moody shades. These five directions synthesize forecasts and Color of the Year announcements from several paint brands; they are not a measured ranking of designers’ preferences or proof of what will sell best.
How to read the 2026 paint trends
Color of the Year is each manufacturer’s own selection, not a neutral market ranking. The colors and palettes below show what several major brands are promoting for 2026, alongside broader forecast themes. Treat them as ideas to consider in your space, not a guarantee that one look will suit every home.
The scale of a forecast does not establish popularity either: Sherwin-Williams’ 2026 Colormix forecast, Anthology Volume Two, comprises four palettes curated by its Trendsight Team for 2026 and beyond. Homes & Gardens reports that the forecast includes 48 shades. Those figures describe one manufacturer’s forecast, not consumer adoption.
1. Warm, earthy neutrals
Sherwin-Williams chose Universal Khaki SW 6150 as its 2026 Color of the Year, describing it as a mid-tone neutral with a slight yellow undertone. The shade makes a warmer alternative to a stark, cool neutral. Valspar’s 2026 neutral story also points toward grounding warmth. Sue Kim, Valspar’s director of color marketing, says: “In the coming year, we will redefine our notion of neutral hues. Going beyond the classified color term, neutral refers to colors that set a grounding and inviting mood with the warmth that calms our senses.”
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Think of these hues as a base for natural finishes, timber and whites if that combination suits the room; those are styling possibilities, not prescribed matches. Sherwin-Williams recommends Emerald paint for Universal Khaki and offers color chips, peel-and-stick samples and paint samples.
2. Espresso, mahogany and other rich browns
The brown direction ranges from nearly black depth to warmer red-brown. Benjamin Moore named Silhouette AF-655 its 2026 Color of the Year, describing it as espresso with charcoal notes. Glidden’s 2026 pick, Warm Mahogany PPG1060-7, is described by the company as a rich, grounded red.
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Benjamin Moore’s Andrea Magno, director of color marketing and design, linked the choice to renewed interest in brown, classic silhouettes and timeless pieces. For a room, the practical distinction is undertone and intensity: Silhouette leans espresso-charcoal, while Warm Mahogany brings more red warmth. Glidden notes that its screen color may differ from the actual paint.
3. Restorative greens and blue-greens
Valspar’s Warm Eucalyptus 8004-28F is its 2026 Color of the Year; the company describes it as restorative and serene. Behr selected Hidden Gem as its 2026 pick. Axios characterizes Hidden Gem as “smoky jade,” a useful description to keep attributed to that publication rather than treating it as Behr’s exact wording.
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These choices place green and blue-green alongside the year’s browns and neutrals, rather than outside the broader palette story. Valspar’s page links to a sample cart and Lowe’s purchase option; product availability can vary by retailer.
4. Soft pastels and chalky color
Not every 2026 forecast leans dark or earthy. Sherwin-Williams’ Colormix forecast includes a Frosted Tints family, while Homes & Gardens highlights soft pastels and Lemon Chiffon among forecast shades. These lighter, softened colors offer a different intensity from espresso and charcoal, and can coexist with the more grounded hues in the same year’s predictions.
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5. Deep, moody shades
Deep colors provide another route to contrast and visual weight. Sherwin-Williams’ broader 2026 forecast includes dark blues and charcoal-like shades; Benjamin Moore’s Silhouette supplies a brown-charcoal example. Axios describes the wider 2026 story as including grounding darks alongside sunbaked hues and pastels.
Consider how much depth you want before choosing: a pale tint, a mid-tone neutral and a saturated or very dark shade will have different effects in a room. The forecasts establish these as available directions, not as a claim that a dark color will work equally well in every space.
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How to choose a trend color for your room
- Start with the color family and undertone. Decide whether you want yellow-warm khaki, red-brown, espresso-charcoal, green-blue or a softened pastel. Similar names can describe noticeably different undertones.
- Check the actual room and lighting. A screen rendering is not a reliable final paint decision. Benjamin Moore cautions that screen colors can differ from the finished paint, and Glidden gives a similar warning for Warm Mahogany.
- Test the intensity at the intended scale. Compare the color with the room’s existing finishes and decide whether you want a pale tint, a mid-tone or a deeper, more saturated effect.
- Use a physical sample before committing. Sherwin-Williams offers chips, peel-and-stick and paint samples; Benjamin Moore offers chips and paint samples. A suitable sample board lets you assess the shade in the room where it will be used.
What these forecasts can—and cannot—tell you
The brand announcements establish the named 2026 selections and the forecast palettes each company is promoting. They do not establish how many designers favor each direction, which shades are selling best, or which color will dominate homes overall. Choose by the color’s undertone, the light and finishes in your room, and a physical sample—not by the label “trend” alone.
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