10 wall colors that designers say will dominate in 2026

If you’re thinking about repainting, 2026 is leaning warm, grounded, and a little richer. Designers and paint brands are all pointing to variations on earthy neutrals, moody shades, and softened jewel tones—not stark white everything.

1. Warm mahogany reds

PPG’s 2026 Color of the Year, Warm Mahogany, is a deep red-brown that designers say works in dining rooms, powder rooms, and accent walls. It reads rich instead of loud when paired with wood and cream.

2. “Dirty” neutrals (mushroom, greige, taupe)

Designers are moving away from crisp gallery white toward mushroom, greige, and putty tones—what some are calling “dirty neutrals.” They’re softer, hide life better, and make rooms feel more lived-in.

3. Herbal greens

Soft herb greens—somewhere between beige and olive—are showing up on 2026 color-trend lists as calming and flexible. They work especially well in bedrooms, kitchens, and mudrooms.

4. Dusty jewel tones

Instead of bright emerald and sapphire, think muted, dusty versions—deep teal, softened plum, and smoky blue-greens. They add color without looking like a kids’ playroom.

5. Chocolate and truffle browns

Brown is officially back: chocolate walls, truffle tones, and complex dark browns are all over forecasts. These make sense in smaller spaces like offices, dens, or dining rooms where you want a grounded feel.

6. Smoky jade and blue-greens

Behr’s 2026 “Hidden Gem” is a smoky blue-green meant to act like a new neutral: calm but interesting. Variations of this show up across brand palettes, especially for living rooms and bathrooms.

7. Warm whites and cream

White isn’t gone; it’s just warmer. Brands and designers are pushing cream, oat, and bone instead of icy gallery white. These shades are easier to live with if you have kids, pets, or anything that touches walls.

8. Dusty blues

Muddy, grayed-out blues are another big theme—what some call “muddy blues” or “stormy blues.” They work well in bedrooms and bathrooms and pair nicely with warm wood and brass.

9. Terracotta and sun-baked clay

Warm terracotta and clay tones show up in several 2026 trend reports as people lean into earthier palettes. These work well in entryways, kitchens, and accent walls when you want a little color but still grounded.

10. Deep charcoals for contrast

Dark charcoals and near-blacks are sticking around as accent colors for doors, trim, and small rooms. They give contrast to all the warmer neutrals and make lighter walls and wood tones stand out.