The 2026 Paint Colors Every Major Brand Just Picked
Wondering what color to paint a room this year? The top paint brands have some ideas for you. Most of the major paint brands, including Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, and Valspar have all chosen their top colors for 2026. While some of their picks are certainly motivated by marketing, they’re also a pretty good predictor of design trends.
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Last year’s picks included deep purples and reds while 2024 saw various blues, stark whites, and soft blacks. This year’s selections shift to earthy neutral tones, rich browns, and nature-inspired greens. It’s a move towards more tactile color, reflecting the digital fatigue many are feeling in 2026.
This year we’re seeing more timeless and versatile colors that can remain constant in a room even as furniture and artwork inside of it changes and rotates. It’s a move away from modern farmhouse to a more nuanced approach:
- The Grounded Earth: Sherwin-Williams’s pick is Universal Khaki (SW 6150), a warm tan color with hints of yellow. Benjamin Moore’s Silhouette (AF-655) is a much deeper brown that combines burnt umber and hints of charcoal. Glidden blends brown with a deep red with its 2026 choice: Warm Mahogany (PPG1060-7).
- Nature Retreat: Behr and Valspar’s selections divert from browns with nature-inspired greens. Behr’s Hidden Gem (N430-6A) is a smokey jade green while Valspar’s Warm Eucalyptus invokes strong connections with sage. These are greens that have graduated from accent colors to neutral tones that can be used for an entire room.
- Calm Minimalist: Those who lean more towards lighter neutrals will be attracted to Dutch Boy Paints 2026 pick, the creamy and soft beige Melodius Ivory and Pantone’s soft white Cloud Dancer.
Courtesy of Behr.
Brand | 2026 Color of the Year | Color Description | Best Use Case |
Sherwin-Williams | Universal Khaki | Classic desert sand; warm yellow undertones. | Open-concept living areas. |
Benjamin Moore | Silhouette | Deep-roasted coffee with charcoal hints. | Accent walls or "moody" dens. |
Behr | Hidden Gem | A misty, smokey jade green. | Bedrooms and "spa" bathrooms. |
Valspar | Warm Eucalyptus | Muted sage with gray undertones. | Kitchen cabinetry. |
Glidden | Warm Mahogany | Earthy, rusted brick tone. | Dining rooms or cozy libraries. |
Dutch Boy | Melodious Ivory | Creamy, nostalgic beige. | Hallways and trim. |
Pantone | Cloud Dancer | Simple, airy soft white. | Minimalist lofts and ceilings. |
Pro-Tip: Using the 2026 Palette
- Combine with Warm Metals: Earthy tones like Silhouette and warm Mahogany pair well with brass and antique gold, which help to pull out the yellow in these colors.
- Natural on Natural: Pair these natural colors with tactile natural materials, like walnut wood, limestone and textured fabric, like boucle.
- Stick with a matte finish: Stay away from high gloss. These natural colors look best in matte and eggshell finishes, which give them a more sophisticated look.