Green paint is trending in KC and nationwide
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Paint colors Grounded (left) and Celery (right). Photos: Courtesy of Behr and Sherwin-Williams
Next year's 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.
- Valspar went with gray-blue Cottage Door.
- And Sherwin-Williams chose pale green Celery.
It's not just homes. We're seeing the trend at spots around town, like the dark and muted greens and blues coffee shops like Provis in North Kansas City and Remedy in downtown KCMO.
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.
- Sherwin-Williams' broader forecast includes bold jewel tones, sunbaked clays, deep blues and nature-inspired neutrals.
State of play: 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.
- Missouri and Kansas were no exception.
Reality check: 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.
💭 Travis' thought bubble: If any future buyers don't like my home's terracotta colored arch or dark green bathroom vanity, they can paint over it or get lost.