After the calm of 2024\u2019s blues and the drama of 2025\u2019s splashy maximalist colors, the Paint Colors of the Year for 2026 bring us back to earth with warm, grounded hues, with hints of nostalgia.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Last year marked a bold return to color, and this year\u2019s palettes suggest homeowners have grown more confident with their choices.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re seeing consumers unapologetically selecting colors that bring them joy, worrying less about resale value and creating more curated, personalized spaces that don\u2019t abide by a specific design theme. With this growing behavior, consumers have become more comfortable with color, and bold color too,\u201d says Ashley McCollum, color marketing manager, Glidden.<\/p>\n
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).<\/p>\n
Secret Safari by PPG<\/strong><\/p>\n 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\u2019s energizing and playful, with hints of Art Deco-inspired joie de vivre.<\/p>\n Irina Hanhisalo, PPG color category lead, architectural coatings, says Secret Safari \u201cevokes a sense of calm in natural daylight and reveals layered depth in shadowed or low-light settings.\u201d<\/p>\n PPG is playing up this color\u2019s ability to blend into any palette, making color choices look intentional and curated, hence the paint color name. \u201cSecret Safari is a versatile shade that adapts to its surroundings,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Universal Khaki by Sherwin-Williams & HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, says the earthy hue was inspired by the \u201denduring elegance of the everyday, like the familiar comfort of a favorite jacket or the quiet resilience of natural materials.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s timeless and functional, without excess. It\u2019s a reminder that simplicity can be incredibly sophisticated,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Epernay by C2<\/strong><\/p>\n C2\u2019s 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\u2019s case, historic style, and a nod to the Beaux-Art period, with an appreciation for craftsmanship and attention to detail<\/p>\n \u201cC2 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\u2014and to live with reverence for the stories we\u2019re creating every day,\u201d says Philippa Radon, interior designer + C2 colors specialist.<\/p>\n Hidden Gem by BEHR<\/strong><\/p>\n A key theme for this year is home is a place to gather and connect. BEHR\u2019s 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\u2019t overwhelm.<\/p>\n While last year\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a growing appetite for colors that challenge convention and bring an unexpected sense of wonder to everyday spaces,\u201d said Erika Woelfel, VP of color and creative services at BEHR Paint. \u201cHidden Gem captures that spirit in both name and color.\u201d<\/p>\n Warm Mahogany by Glidden<\/strong><\/p>\n Warm and nostalgic, with mid-century modern vibes, Glidden\u2019s Warm Mahogany is a deep red, with toasty brown undertones.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen 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\u2019ve been seeing in the market,\u201d says McCollum. \u201cThe push towards Warm Mahogany stemmed from the desire to return to tradition in a very curated and individualistic way.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s an extension of many of the elegant reds seen in last year\u2019s color trends, but with a more approachable vibe, part of a \u201ccolor evolution driven by consumer cravings for warmth, stability, and feeling rooted and grounded.\u201d says McCollum. The beauty of this shade is how it strikes the balance between bold, but livable and enduring.<\/p>\n Melodious Ivory by Dutch Boy<\/strong><\/p>\n Home is where you should express yourself freely, which is the inspiration behind Dutch Boy\u2019s Melodious Ivory, a pleasant, creamy beige. Lisbeth Parada, color marketing manager, Dutch Boy Paints says, \u201cMelodious Ivory offers a classic backdrop that beautifully supports the textures, elements and personal touches that make a space truly feel like home.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Warm Eucalyptus by Valspar<\/strong><\/p>\n Valspar\u2019s pick for 2026 is an earthy green, the second so far this year with \u201cwarm\u201d integrated in the paint color name. It\u2019s not superlative either. This paint color\u2019s purpose is comfort.<\/p>\n \u201cWarm Eucalyptus is more than just a beautiful shade of green, it\u2019s a reflection of the comfort we crave in our homes,\u201d said Sue Kim, director of color marketing at Valspar. \u201cThis is a color that encourages restoration and resilience.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Like with other Paint Colors of the Year in 2026, nostalgia is an influence, as this green has retro vibes.<\/p>\n Special Walnut by Minwax<\/strong><\/p>\n Paint Colors of the Year extend to stains and Minwax\u2019s Special Walnut is inspired by the return to simpler pleasures: appreciation for craftsmanship, authenticity and artisanal goods.<\/p>\n 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. \u201cSpecial 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,\u201d says Lisbeth Parada, color and design lead at Minwax.<\/p>\n Natural wood and wood tones continue to lead trends this year, thanks to \u2013 no surprise here \u2013 the ability to generate warmth in an aesthetic.<\/p>\n