Paint Color Trends 2026: 15 Shades Worth Trying at Home

The 2026 paint trends lean warm and earthy: deep espresso browns, khaki and ivory neutrals, muted greens and brick reds. The early 2027 announcements push further into greens. Below are 15 real, named shades with their codes, so you can pull a sample at the store.

The old version of this post used invented color names. This one sticks to colors the paint companies actually published, with their official numbers.

As a broker, I also add a practical note: what works in a home you live in is not always what works in a home you are about to list.

The 2026 colors of the year

1. Silhouette AF-655 (Benjamin Moore)

Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year 2026 is a deep espresso brown with faint charcoal undertones. It works on cabinetry, a study or a dining room with good daylight. In a dark room it can feel heavy, so test it on a large sample board first.

2. Universal Khaki SW 6150 (Sherwin-Williams)

Sherwin-Williams picked a sandy khaki that sits between beige and taupe. It is the easiest 2026 color to live with and pairs well with white trim, oak floors and stone.

3. Warm Eucalyptus 8804-28F (Valspar)

A mid-tone green with gray and blue undertones. It suits bedrooms, bathrooms and spaces that look out on gardens or vines.

4. Melodious Ivory 313-2DB (Dutch Boy)

A warm, slightly yellow cream. Use it where you want a soft white that does not look stark in afternoon sun.

5. Warm Mahogany PPG1060-7 (Glidden)

An earthy color between red and terracotta. It is a strong choice for a dining room, a powder room or a front door.

6. Epernay C2-639 (C2 Paint)

A champagne-toned neutral with warm yellow undertones, named for the French Champagne town. It fits naturally in wine country kitchens and living rooms.

From the Benjamin Moore 2026 trend palette

Benjamin Moore published an eight-color palette around Silhouette. These four are the most useful for everyday rooms.

7. Swiss Coffee OC-45

A creamy, soft white and one of the most widely used whites for walls and trim. It is a safe base for nearly any room.

8. Narragansett Green HC-157

A deep, historic green. It looks good on built-ins, a library wall or exterior shutters.

9. Southwest Pottery 048

A clay-toned orange. Good as an accent in a kitchen nook or entry with natural wood.

10. Raindance 1572

A soft, light tone from the same palette that balances the darker shades. Sample it next to your flooring, since light colors shift a lot with the room.

Early 2027 picks

Several brands have already named their 2027 colors. If you are painting this winter, these show where things are heading.

11. Celery SW 6421 (Sherwin-Williams 2027)

A soft, muted green with yellow undertones. Sherwin-Williams suggests it for living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms and reading nooks.

12. Webster Green HC-130 (Benjamin Moore 2027)

A green that sits between bright emerald and deep evergreen. Designers have called it a nature-based neutral.

13. Grounded T27-01 (Behr 2027)

An olive-to-moss green with subtle brown undertones, announced in August 2026.

14. Cottage Door 8004-38E (Valspar 2027)

A mid-tone powder blue with gray undertones. It is calm without being cold.

15. Deep Rooted 311-7DB (Dutch Boy 2027)

An orange-infused terracotta. It pairs well with stucco, tile roofs and warm wood.

How to choose and test a color

1. Start with fixed finishes. Floors, counters, tile and stone do not change. Pick paint that works with them.
2. Use large samples. Paint two-foot squares or use peel-and-stick sample sheets. Small chips mislead.
3. Check at three times of day. Morning, midday and evening light change colors a lot, especially with west-facing windows.
4. Mind the sheen. Flat or matte hides wall flaws. Eggshell or satin cleans more easily in halls and kitchens. Semi-gloss is for trim and doors.
5. Plan the flow. Pick one main neutral for connected rooms, then use stronger colors in rooms with doors.

Painting a home you plan to sell

Trendy colors are fun to live with. Before you list, they can work against you. Buyers want to picture their own furniture, and photos look best with light, warm neutrals.

• Use a neutral like Universal Khaki, Swiss Coffee or Melodious Ivory in main living areas.
• Keep a bold color only where it clearly suits the room, such as a dark green study.
• Fix scuffs, patch holes and repaint trim. Fresh trim makes a home look cared for.
• In older homes, check for lead paint before sanding. Federal rules require a lead disclosure for most homes built before 1978.

For a full pre-listing plan, see our checklist to prepare your home for sale and our list of home staging mistakes to avoid.

Colors that suit wine country homes

In Sonoma and Napa, strong sun, oak trees and vineyard views shape how color reads. Warm whites, khakis and muted greens tend to look natural here. Deep greens and browns suit board-and-batten exteriors and barns.

If you own a Sonoma farmhouse-style home, crisp white or ivory siding with dark window trim is a classic look. For historic homes near the Sonoma Plaza, check with the City of Sonoma about any design review before changing exterior colors.

For more ideas beyond paint, see our decor tips for every room.

Questions people ask

What is the 2026 color of the year?

It depends on the brand. Benjamin Moore chose Silhouette AF-655, Sherwin-Williams chose Universal Khaki SW 6150, Valspar chose Warm Eucalyptus, Glidden chose Warm Mahogany and Dutch Boy chose Melodious Ivory. Pantone, which is not a paint brand, chose an airy white called Cloud Dancer.

Are gray walls out of style?

Cool grays have given way to warmer neutrals like khaki, taupe and cream. Gray is not wrong, but warm tones photograph and feel better in most homes right now.

What color should I paint before selling?

A warm, light neutral in the main rooms. It makes spaces look larger in photos and lets buyers picture their own style.

Does fresh paint add value?

It rarely adds value on its own, but it often helps a home show better and can reduce buyer objections. Ask your agent which rooms are worth painting.

Getting ready to sell?

Paint is one of the cheaper ways to improve how a home shows. If you want a second opinion on what to change before listing, request a home valuation and we will walk through it with you.

Sources & notes

• Benjamin Moore: Color of the Year 2026, Silhouette AF-655 and Color Trends 2026 palette
• HGTV: Sherwin-Williams 2026 Color of the Year, Universal Khaki
• Homes & Gardens: 2026 colors of the year by brand (codes)
• Sherwin-Williams: Color of the Year 2027, Celery SW 6421
• Wallpaper: Benjamin Moore Color of the Year 2027, Webster Green HC-130
• Valspar: Color of the Year 2027, Cottage Door
• Midwest Design: 2027 colors of the year (Behr Grounded, Dutch Boy Deep Rooted)
• U.S. EPA: Real estate disclosures about lead-based paint
• Screen and print colors differ from paint. Always test a physical sample.

Last reviewed October 2026 by Matthew Martinez.