2026 Paint Color Trends: My Top Picks from Sherwin-Williams

Looking for the new paint color trends in 2026? Well look no further! As a paint color trend expert, this will be my 8th year reporting on the annual paint color trends!

I literally LOVE this time of year when the new trend colors emerge and the paint color of the year is announced (late Sept). It’s sweater weather and color picking time!

In 2025, I saw the pivot from cool to warm colors and the emergence of deep reds, greens, and dusty lavenders. Well, I was right to predict that warm reds and shades of purple were going to take hold in 2026.

Beginning in 2024 dark chocolate brown and black became staple colors that anchor a space. However; as always, I caution using low LRV colors on your walls.

Deep dark colors are still in the 2026 trends, but I’m happy to see a shift toward lighter tints that are much easier to use. Want more? Let’s dig into the 2026 trend color palette and let me help you find a new hue for your next room makeover!

Here are the 2026 paint color trends (from Sherwin-Williams)

Each year, the Sherwin-Williams Colormix® Forecast gives us a sneak peek into where color is headed. For 2026, I’m happy to report the paint colors are more thoughtfully curated than in 2025.

This year’s forecast is titled “Anthology: Volume Two”. It builds on last year’s Volume One, which introduced core color families. For 2026, the forecast digs deeper exploring how each color family evolves emotionally and visually.

Read next: Sherwin-Williams 2026 Paint Color of the Year

With 48 residential-ready paint colors grouped into four designer-approved palettes, this year’s forecast is packed with options whether you’re planning a full remodel or just want to refresh a single room.

Don’t worry I’ve singled out my top 4 paint color picks from each of the core color families. Finding color you’ll love on your walls is my specialty!

Contains hand selected products, with affiliate marketing links where I may earn a small commission if a purchase is made. {full disclosure here}

2026 Frosted Tints: Airy Pastel Paint Colors

Think: calming lavenders, sea-glass blues, and nature-inspired greens.

If you love the idea of color, but want something subtle and serene, Frosted Tints is your palette. These soft hues bring a sense of peace and freshness.

They’re perfect for bedrooms, bathrooms, or any space that needs to feel light and airy. The majority are higher LRV (light reflecting) paint colors, but please make note below before choosing.

Use them to brighten up north-facing rooms that lack warmth or to cool down a sunny southern exposure with a bit of soft elegance.

Top 2026 Pastel Paint Color Picks:

Finally! A nice collection of easy to use pastel colors. Upward was the 2024 Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year and stands the test of time. I used Upward in this teen bedroom makeover.

I painted my office cabinets Tradewind and LOVE it paired with a warm blush Gracious Rose (see how I painted my office chair).

Click each link to buy a peel and stick paint sample:

• Grape Mist (SW 6548) Soft grayed violet hue, like a dusty lavender. Sweet but not juvenile. Perfect for bedrooms. LRV 54
• Upward (SW 6239) an airy sky blue perfect for any room in the house. LRV 57
• Tradewind (SW 6215) Breezy light blue with green undertone. Evokes a coastal, beachy vibe and great for cabinets. LRV 61
• Samovar Silver (SW 6233) Silvered blue-gray, very subtle and muted. Perfect for a spa-like bathroom. LRV 51

Read NEXT: Pastel Paint Colors Are Back (How to Use Them Like a Designer)

2026 Sunbaked Hues: Earthy, Energizing, and Warm

Think: terracotta reds, sunset peach, golden yellows, and desert-inspired tones.

These warm colors are making a serious comeback! Ideal for anyone ready to bring energy and personality into their home. Whether you’re craving a cozy kitchen, a bold dining room, or a front door that pops, Sunbaked Hues can do it all.

They’re especially helpful for cool, north-facing rooms where you want to add visual warmth or in south-facing spaces to create a bold, sun-kissed glow.

Top 2026 Warm Paint Color Picks

Oh the 80’s you are clearly back with yellow, coral and red! Luckily, there are some classic easy to use warm options in this color collection.

Stay away from the highly saturated crayon colors that will overtake most rooms and shrink the space.

Click each link to buy a peel and stick paint sample:

• Sundew (SW 7688) a timeless warm shade of pale gold with neutral undertones that will bring softness to a large room. LRV 63
• Lemon Chiffon (SW 6686) soft buttery pale yellow, cheerful but with a touch of creaminess. Perfect for a sunny kitchen. LRV 79.
• Coral Island (SW 6332) true coral pink-orange, vibrant yet grounded (not neon). Evokes 1950s desert modern vibes for a large accent wall. LRV 36.
• Henna Shade (SW 6326) Vibrant terracotta coral, a bold reddish-pink with slight coral-orange undertones. Very energizing for a pop of color on furniture. LRV 20.

2026 Restorative Darks: Bold, Moody, and Grounding

Think: inky teals, deep plums, and rich browns that add instant sophistication.

Restorative Darks are for those moments when you want to make a statement or simply create a cozy, cocoon-like retreat. These colors feel timeless, dramatic, and grounding.

They’re beautiful in home offices, powder rooms, or anywhere you want to lean into a moodier vibe.

These shades look best in rooms with strong southern light, where their richness can shine, but they also bring needed depth and drama to dim north-facing rooms.

Top 2026 Dark Paint Color Picks

For most people, it’s going to be difficult to live with colors this rich on the the walls. Think kitchen islands or cabinets instead!

All of the LRVs are extremely low and don’t reflect much if any light. Use them for accents or on furniture to pull these trend colors into your home.

• Black Bean (SW 6006) Blackened brown, essentially a near-black with gentle brown undertone (like coffee bean). Softer than jet black. LRV 4.
• Tarragon (SW 9660) Deep teal blue-green, a dark neutral with alluring blue undertones (like a midnight teal). LRV 7.
• Dark Auburn (SW 6034) Dark burnt red-brown, Carnelian in tone with more red. It has the soul of a redwood or mahogany tone. LRV 5.
• Sea Mariner (SW 9640) Inky navy blue, with a hint of green (maritime feel). A deep oceanic blue that’s almost black. LRV 7.

2026 Foundational Neutrals: Backbone of a Beautiful Home

Think: crisp whites, cozy greiges, modern taupes, and soft blacks.

Neutrals are still going strong, but now they’re more layered and nuanced. Gone are the days of stark cool white and now warmer more saturated neutrals are the trend.

Foundational Neutrals offer the versatility you need when you want a backdrop that plays well with everything else.

Whether you’re decorating from scratch or layering new colors onto an existing palette, these shades work in any lighting.

Use them throughout your home to connect rooms or to soften bolder accent colors. Focus on WARM neutral options for a fresh new look, but I’ve included a more typical gray in my picks for my gray lovers 🙂

Top 2026 Neutral Paint Color Picks

• White Snow (SW 9541) a bright, crisp white with the slightest hint of cream. Essentially a very clean off-white that isn’t stark. LRV 90.
• Passive (SW 7064) light cool gray with stormy blue undertones. An easy, popular gray that isn’t too icy. LRV 60.
• Pavestone (SW 7642) medium warm gray, a greige that leans slightly warm/brown. Chic and modern yet inviting.
• Universal Khaki (SW 6150) medium khaki beige, a classic ‘90s ubiquitous’ tan making a comeback. Warm, earthy, and dependable. LRV 40.

Want more color inspiration? Take a look back on the annual trends!

2026 Paint Color Trend Recap: Sherwin-Williams

As we look ahead to 2026, the Sherwin-Williams Colormix Forecast invites us to think beyond passing trends and embrace color as a powerful design tool.

Whether you’re drawn to the serene softness of Frosted Tints, the warm glow of Sunbaked Hues, the grounding comfort of Restorative Darks, or the timeless versatility of Foundational Neutrals, this year’s palettes are thoughtfully curated to inspire.

Each one brings its own unique energy to the spaces we live, work, and unwind in reminding us that color isn’t just what we see, it’s how we feel. Now have FUN choosing a color that works in YOUR home!