The next big colors in home design
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.


2026 will be awash in sunbaked hues, pastels and deep, grounding colors, according to big paint companies.
Why it matters: Paint remains one of the most affordable ways to refresh your home.
Driving the news: Paint giants Behr, Valspar and Sherwin-Williams recently announced their picks for the next big colors in home design.
- Behr chose Hidden Gem, a "smoky jade," as its 2026 color of the year.
- Valspar tapped "naturally restorative and serene" Warm Eucalyptus.
- Sherwin-Williams' lineup of 48 shades includes cozy clays, golden yellows, frosted lavenders, dark blues and more.
Between the lines: Top-sellers don't always match predicted trends, though Behr's pick for 2025 — ruby red Rumors — was its top-selling color in four states earlier this year, excluding neutrals, according to data shared with Axios.

What we're hearing: Lately, shoppers are reaching for all things retro — including warm, nature-inspired paints that are reminiscent of the '70s.
- "There's that innate warmth and comfort level with it, but there's also this sense of nostalgia that we keep seeing as a common theme, especially with the younger generation," Emily Kantz, Sherwin-Williams color marketing manager, tells Axios.
Calming blues and greens that became (and remain) popular post-pandemic are now joined by purples and getting a softer, pastel look, Kantz says.
Reality check: Neutrals are still on trend. Sherwin-Williams' forecast features familiar grays and whites, plus bolder picks like blue-black, charcoal and brown-black.
- Behr's 2026 palette includes warm neutrals like Rodeo Tan and Wheat Bread.
Friction point: Whatever tint's your vibe, good luck agreeing on it with your partner.
- Paint colors are one of the top home features that couples clash about, per a new survey by Houzz, a design and remodeling site.
What we're watching: Expect more pops of retro orange as Taylor Swift makes it the color of her new era.
Editor's note: This story and map were corrected to reflect that Rumors was Behr's top-selling color in four states (not 13).
