When I first moved into my home four years ago, the walls were freshly painted in a soft, neutral gray. It was one of those colors that blends into the background—unobtrusive, inoffensive, and just bland enough to be forgettable. At first, I appreciated the simplicity. But as time passed, that “clean slate” started feeling more like a flavorless cracker—fine at first, but quickly tiresome.
Every room—living room, kitchen, guest bathroom—was painted the exact same shade. The lack of personality became suffocating. I wanted something warmer, something more expressive. But picking new paint colors felt like a commitment, especially when you're trying to balance personal style with resale appeal. What if I chose something trendy now, only for it to feel dated in a couple of years?
That’s when I stumbled upon an interview with Ashley Banbury, color marketing manager at Sherwin-Williams for HGTV Home. She was sharing some of her predictions for the brand’s 2026 color forecast, and surprisingly, it wasn’t all about wild, edgy hues. Instead, the spotlight is shifting to shades that are warm, natural, and just a little nostalgic: sandy beiges, earthy reds, and tranquil teals with a vintage twist.
It felt like color trends were quietly time-traveling—taking us back to 1980s beachside motels, but with a modern makeover.
According to Banbury, warm tones are continuing to grow in popularity. And she’s not the only one who sees value in these color trends.
Kristin Railton, a luxury real estate advisor in Florida, says the annual color picks reflect broader design and cultural shifts. “They can help you stay ahead of what buyers are responding to,” she explains. While she doesn’t treat them as hard rules, she uses them as design tools—especially in staging homes.
Justin Riordan, founder of Spade and Archer Design Agency in Portland, Oregon, takes a more playful view: “Color-of-the-year announcements are like horoscopes for your living room.” Sometimes they’re spot-on, sometimes they’re completely off. But either way, he sees them as cultural timestamps—useful for inspiration, not doctrine.
Luka Milicevic, a contractor and agent in Nashville, urges caution. He points out that just because a paint company hypes a color doesn’t mean it’ll work in every home. Some “trending” colors have received backlash from the designers he works with, and trends don’t reset on January 1. Some colors hang around for years—and some don’t even make it past the sample wall.
So, what are these 2026 shades, and where do they actually work?
Retro Teals That Channel Coastal Calm
Sherwin-Williams’ 2025 Color of the Year is “Quietude,” a teal with subtle retro vibes. Think ocean tile, mid-century motel rooms, and breezy coastal getaways. It’s soothing, natural, and nostalgic—but in a way that still feels current.
Teals like this work particularly well in beach homes or anywhere you want to evoke a sense of calm. They look fantastic with warm wood, brass fixtures, and sandy neutrals. A friend of mine in Santa Barbara repainted her kitchen cabinets in this shade and paired it with butcher block counters and vintage-inspired hardware. It instantly turned her space into a relaxed but stylish coastal café.
Earthy Reds That Ground a Space
Forget fire-engine reds—this year’s reds are muted, rich, and rooted in the earth. Think clay pots, rust tones, and terracotta tiles. These hues don’t scream for attention; instead, they bring warmth and stability to a space.
Banbury says these shades are incredibly versatile and can function almost like neutrals. They pair beautifully with warm whites, olive greens, and soft peach tones. I once visited a listing in Nashville where the kitchen island was painted a rusty red and topped with a matte bronze faucet. It felt bold but inviting, modern but grounded.
Sandy Beiges That Prove Neutrals Don’t Have To Be Boring
If gray dominated the last decade, beige is quietly reclaiming its throne. Banbury credits the popularity to minimalist and coastal-inspired design trends like Japandi and Scandinavian styles.
Unlike the cool grays of the past, today’s beiges are warm and sun-washed. They’re easy to pair with wood, whites, and brass accents. A young couple I know in Minneapolis recently repainted their entire living room in a creamy beige. Combined with oak floors and linen curtains, the space feels serene, soft, and so much more alive than its previous cold-gray version.
How to Actually Use These Colors—Without Regret
Before rushing to the paint store, Milicevic offers a reality check: colors don’t exist in a vacuum. They need to play well with your floors, furniture, and overall vibe.
Riordan adds that trendy colors are best used like seasoning: in small doses. “Think powder rooms, front doors, or built-ins,” he suggests. “Trendy colors are like exclamation points—use them sparingly or lose the effect.”
Railton agrees. She says buyers aren’t necessarily looking for homes that scream “trendy,” but rather those that feel updated and considered. “A pop of color on a vanity, kitchen island, or entryway can feel custom and current, without overwhelming the space.”
In the end, trends come and go—but paint is (relatively) easy to change. The real win is creating a home that reflects both your taste and the times.
So if you’ve been staring at your boring gray walls, dreaming of sun-bleached coastlines and terracotta tiles, maybe now’s the time to reach for a brush—and bring a bit of that 1980s beach magic home.