With 2026 just around the corner, the paint colors rising to the top of designers’ lists have one thing in common: they’re warm, bold, and inspired by the natural tones that help a home feel calm and lived-in. While earthy neutrals remain in favor, these seven trendy paint colors go beyond a standard creamy white or sandy beige. If you’re looking to add a pop of color that feels modern and on-trend to your home in 2026, look no further than these designer-favorite hues
Deep Purple
Interior designer Mugdha Girish Uma says that deep, eggplant-inspired purples are on her radar for 2026. Purple paint adds drama and a sense of luxury while still feeling cozy and calming, especially in dark, muted tones.
“A warm , deep brinjal color looks beautiful on cabinetry as well as walls,” she says. “The color has beautiful, rich red undertones, making it the perfect moody paint in your home.”
Inky Blues
Similarly, dark inky blues are predicted to be big in the New Year. While blue never really goes out of style, it’s deep tones and muted hues that designers are currently loving, which is a departure from the soft blues of years past. Think deep indigos, rich navy blues, and dark and muted teal tones.
“We are moving away from neutrals and embracing vibrant hues, unapologetically,” says Jessica Shaw, Interior Design Director at NYC-based Turett Collaborative. “Dramatic blues are taking over and being integrated into everything from walls and cabinetry to furniture.”
Khaki
If you’re looking for a neutral with a bit more personality than a standard off-white or light beige this year, Girish Uma says khaki is a great choice.
“This color is absolutely versatile and is a great substitute for rooms where we want to opt for a different shade than regular off white, keeping the tones light and bright but leaning slightly towards a darker shade of beige,” she says.
It can work in any room of the home and looks great on walls, cabinetry, furniture, doors, trim, and moulding.
Yellow Ochre
Butter yellow had its moment in 2025, but in 2026, designers are leaning towards something a bit deeper and more enduring: ochre. Evidently, paint companies agree, with C2 paints highlighting Epernay—a historical ochre shade—as its 2026 Color of the Year.
It may be moodier than the light-and-bright butter-yellow trend, but designers agree it’s a far more timeless choice that can instantly elevate any room in the home.
“This is an absolutely cheerful color tone and works well with dark tones of wood, making it perfect for a library or even a guest bedroom,” Girish Uma says.
Terracotta
Another neutral-adjacent tone designers are loving for 2026 is terracotta.
“An upbeat color, it’s perfect to brighten up your space and still add so much charm and warmth. It looks gorgeous on flooring with light or dark-toned furniture, making it easy to work with,” says Girish Uma.
This earthy hue has been a favorite for a couple of years and it’s not going anywhere in the New Year. It’s warm, nature-inspired, and nostalgic—working beautifully in a variety of spaces and design styles.
Earthy Greens
If there’s one paint color that has dominated interiors over the past few years (aside from neutrals) it’s green. Warm, nature-inspired tones bring a cozy, grounded feel to any space, and have been used so widely in interiors that many are calling green the ‘new neutral’.
According to designers, the love affair with earthy green is set to continue in 2026, but it’s deep shades of green that they really have their eye on. Think olive green, muted forest greens, and more.
Dunn-Edwards’ 2026 Color of the Year pick—Midnight Garden—is a perfect example, offering calm sophistication with a touch of drama.
Dramatic Jewel Tones
Jewel tones have been on designers’ radar for a few years now, and in 2026 that’s not set to change. While these rich hues may not be everyone’s cup of tea, they’re perfect for those looking to add a bold pop of color to their space.
“Emeralds, sapphires, deep teals, and rich burgundies are bringing depth and drama into spaces, replacing those lighter, more subdued muted palettes of years past,” says Shaw.
This bold trend is evident in many of the 2026 Color of the Year announcements, with Behr, Graham & Brown, and Clark + Kensington all favoring jewel toned shades as their top picks.