After the calm of 2024’s blues and the drama of 2025’s splashy maximalist colors, the Paint Colors of the Year for 2026 bring us back to earth with warm, grounded hues, with hints of nostalgia.

The Paint Color of the Year choices are of particular interest for new-build homeowners, as paint is an easy DIY to personalize a brand-new space and fast-track emotional connections that make a house a home.

Last year marked a bold return to color, and this year’s palettes suggest homeowners have grown more confident with their choices.

“We’re seeing consumers unapologetically selecting colors that bring them joy, worrying less about resale value and creating more curated, personalized spaces that don’t abide by a specific design theme. With this growing behavior, consumers have become more comfortable with color, and bold color too,” says Ashley McCollum, color marketing manager, Glidden.

Warmth defines 2026 color trends. With a range of earthy greens, taupes and creams, the Paint Colors of the Year are authentic and versatile. Here is a look at the paint picks (so far).

Secret Safari by PPG

Green shades will be everywhere in 2026, with several variations leading the color palettes. Secret Safari by PPG is yet another green hue on offer with the Paint Colors of the Year for 2026, but this one has distinct yellow undertones, leaning towards lime or honey dew. It’s energizing and playful, with hints of Art Deco-inspired joie de vivre.

Irina Hanhisalo, PPG color category lead, architectural coatings, says Secret Safari “evokes a sense of calm in natural daylight and reveals layered depth in shadowed or low-light settings.”

PPG is playing up this color’s ability to blend into any palette, making color choices look intentional and curated, hence the paint color name. “Secret Safari is a versatile shade that adapts to its surroundings,” she says.

Universal Khaki by Sherwin-Williams & HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams

For the first time, Sherwin-Williams and HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams have teamed up to reveal a joint Paint Color of the Year. Universal Khaki, a mid-tone tan with yellow undertones, is grounded and versatile, and embraces a back-to-basics philosophy that practicality and simplicity are luxuries.

Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, says the earthy hue was inspired by the ”enduring elegance of the everyday, like the familiar comfort of a favorite jacket or the quiet resilience of natural materials.

The color khaki is practical and understated, yet it always feels put together. Choosing this color for 2026 speaks to a broader return to essentials in design: a focus on what’s timeless and functional, without excess. It’s a reminder that simplicity can be incredibly sophisticated,” she says.

Epernay by C2

C2’s Epernay is a pale yellow, with hints of champagne, named for a French village, nestled in the countryside. Think rolling hills, vineyards and limestone architecture. Like other paint colors for 2026, this hue has nostalgic influences, in Epernay’s case, historic style, and a nod to the Beaux-Art period, with an appreciation for craftsmanship and attention to detail

“C2 Epernay has long been tied to European influences and is now emerging in contemporary design for its classic, versatile ambiance. This historic hue helps us retell the wondrous stories woven through history via the inseparable threads of color, art, furnishings, and nature. It reminds us to appreciate the personal touches that make a home uniquely ours—and to live with reverence for the stories we’re creating every day,” says Philippa Radon, interior designer + C2 colors specialist.

Hidden Gem by BEHR

A key theme for this year is home is a place to gather and connect. BEHR’s Hidden Gem, a smoky jade that finds the sweet spot between blue and green, is intended to be a backdrop for togetherness, with a cozy atmosphere that doesn’t overwhelm.

While last year’s jewel tones dazzled, Hidden Gem is quieter, with a sense of stability that homeowners crave. It can easily transform a space entirely, or step back and play a supportive role as a neutral, letting other colors shine.

“There’s a growing appetite for colors that challenge convention and bring an unexpected sense of wonder to everyday spaces,” said Erika Woelfel, VP of color and creative services at BEHR Paint. “Hidden Gem captures that spirit in both name and color.”

Warm Mahogany by Glidden

Warm and nostalgic, with mid-century modern vibes, Glidden’s Warm Mahogany is a deep red, with toasty brown undertones.

“When forecasting the Glidden 2026 Color of the Year, our team of color experts focused a lot on where warm tones are moving, specifically cinnamon browns and coppers, which are a natural evolution from the terracottas we’ve been seeing in the market,” says McCollum. “The push towards Warm Mahogany stemmed from the desire to return to tradition in a very curated and individualistic way.”

It’s an extension of many of the elegant reds seen in last year’s color trends, but with a more approachable vibe, part of a “color evolution driven by consumer cravings for warmth, stability, and feeling rooted and grounded.” says McCollum. The beauty of this shade is how it strikes the balance between bold, but livable and enduring.

Melodious Ivory by Dutch Boy

Home is where you should express yourself freely, which is the inspiration behind Dutch Boy’s Melodious Ivory, a pleasant, creamy beige. Lisbeth Parada, color marketing manager, Dutch Boy Paints says, “Melodious Ivory offers a classic backdrop that beautifully supports the textures, elements and personal touches that make a space truly feel like home.”

While some colors lean into bright and bold to make a statement, this neutral is strategically subdued, increasing its versatility as a foundation for whatever aesthetic a homeowner chooses, from traditional to modern.

It’s also a nod to ivory and almond hues from the 1990s that are seeing a revival, as homeowners seek to integrate feel-good memories from childhood in their brand-new homes.

Warm Eucalyptus by Valspar

Valspar’s pick for 2026 is an earthy green, the second so far this year with “warm” integrated in the paint color name. It’s not superlative either. This paint color’s purpose is comfort.

“Warm Eucalyptus is more than just a beautiful shade of green, it’s a reflection of the comfort we crave in our homes,” said Sue Kim, director of color marketing at Valspar. “This is a color that encourages restoration and resilience.”

Green is big this year, but as Warm Eucalyptus demonstrates, green has many different faces. This shade is clearly nature-inspired, evoking leafy images, and the restorative effect of being surrounded by greenery.

Like with other Paint Colors of the Year in 2026, nostalgia is an influence, as this green has retro vibes.

Special Walnut by Minwax

Paint Colors of the Year extend to stains and Minwax’s Special Walnut is inspired by the return to simpler pleasures: appreciation for craftsmanship, authenticity and artisanal goods.

New-build homeowners will want to take note of this stain, because of its ability to add patina and make brand new look lived in. “Special Walnut offers a rich, layered look that adds visual weight and authenticity, creating contrast and interest in both contemporary spaces and cozy, lived-in homes,” says Lisbeth Parada, color and design lead at Minwax.

Natural wood and wood tones continue to lead trends this year, thanks to – no surprise here – the ability to generate warmth in an aesthetic.

2026 Paint Colors of The Year Bring Warmth, Comfort & Nostalgia Back Home by Heather Wright | Livabl