The wall colors primed to take over next year
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Paint colors Grounded (left) and Celery (right); Courtesy of Behr and Sherwin-Williams
Next year's home paint palette is getting greener and more adventurous.
The big picture: Paint companies Behr, Valspar and Sherwin-Williams recently named their picks for the next big hues in home design.
- Behr chose Grounded, a "mossy olive," as its 2027 color of the year.
- Valsar went with Cottage Door, a comforting gray-blue.
- And Sherwin-Williams chose Celery, a pale green that looks just like, well, the vegetable.
What they're saying: "Homeowners are gravitating toward warmth, color and personality," Kayla Kratz, Behr's senior director of color and design strategy, tells Axios.
- "Grounded reflects where we see home design heading: toward richer, earthier color with character and a sense of ease."
Meanwhile, celery is moving from the plate to the walls. Sherwin-Williams says the soothing shade taps into a growing appetite for wellness spaces.
- Its broader forecast includes bold jewel tones, sunbaked clays, deep blues and nature-inspired neutrals.
Between the lines: What people actually buy doesn't always match predicted trends. But Behr's 2026 selection — a "smoky jade" called Hidden Gem — was the top-selling non-neutral paint color in 31 states earlier this year, the company tells Axios.
- Adirondack Blue led in 17 states and Washington, D.C.
Reality check: Neutrals still dominate many American homes, even as paint companies forecast a more colorful future.
- Playing it safe is deeply ingrained: A 2025 survey found 84% of real estate agents recommended painting interiors white, gray or beige before selling.
Yes, but: A 2026 Zillow analysis found sage green walls could add more than $1,000 to offer prices.
The bottom line: Personalized colors, patterns, finishes and layouts are gaining traction for homeowners who are — according to a new report by construction and design platform Houzz — increasingly designing for themselves, not for resale.
